The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Local artist to be featured at Tsuga Gallery

The Tsuga Gallery, located at 70 Main St., Cathlamet, will feature one of the member artists periodically in order to introduce area artists to the community.

For the month of February, Nell Coulson will be featured with her work in the window as well as in the front area of the main gallery.

The Gallery will hold a Valentine's party on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., where the public can meet Coulson and enjoy some refreshments. Music will be provided by Kathleen Petersen.

Coulson was born in Longview and attended Mark Morris High School, Lower Columbia College, Portland State University and Clark College. She currently lives on Puget Island, having moved to Cathlamet in 1987. She serves as vice president to the Tsuga Art Association.

She enjoyed drawing when she was young, then as she grew up life revolved around school, marriage, work and five children. She still found some limited time for art, but it wasn't until the children grew up that she decided it was time to bring out the artistic part of herself. So in 2004 she set about exploring the world of art. She is self-taught, interested in all different types of media, experimenting in pastels, oils, watercolor, acrylics, charcoal and perhaps a way of using them together in a painting. She is very adventurous and never afraid to try new techniques.

"Art is a continuing journey. I try to do each piece to the best of my ability at that point and keep building on what I've learned. I don't see that the learning stops as long as you can keep creating. It brings me pleasure and sometimes frustration and I hope I can share the beauty I find in the shape of a line, in color and design with you all," said Coulson.