Pacific Northwest Artist
If you live in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, even B.C, and Alaska, known as the PNW), you’ve probably experienced the sheer beauty of its mountains, rivers, forests, and the Pacific ocean. Since time immemorial, nature has been inspiring artists with its powerful and complex beauty.
Erin Oostra is one of those artists today. With a penchant for all things outdoors, from hiking to camping, Erin’s bold and abstract impressions of PNW landscapes insist there are always other ways of interpreting what’s right in front of us.
Northwest Origins
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada until she moved to France at 4 years old, Oostra has been based in the Greater Seattle area since she was 10 years old. She began hiking in college as a cheap way to get outside and away from her computer. Little did she know she would fall in love with it and it would be one of her creative sources of inspiration as a Pacific Northwest artist.
Contemporary Artistic Style
Erin's use of black, white, and shades of gray capture the familiar feeling of overcast days in Washington State. Mesmerizing and varied ranges of blues and greens punctuate the sober color palette of the PNW and Oostra’s paintings. Her distinct brushstrokes give texture and energy to the contemporary landscape, while the different reflections of light accentuate the passage of time that even nature experiences.
Looking Forward
Erin welcomes others to take part in her work by offering custom-made pieces. She also offers live paintings that are original art, perfect for leaving an impression on guests. From commissioned pieces to affordable original art prints, Oostra’s art is accessible to everyone and is sure to be a statement piece in any environment. Erin has a mural painted along First Avenue South in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square and is open for even more murals. In December of 2022, she opened an art gallery alongside Fortuity Cellars in historic Ellensburg, WA.
Nuwave is a contemporary art gallery featuring the work of Erin Oostra, as well as a diverse portfolio of rotating artists. In collaboration with Fortuity Cellars, we are a space for people to enjoy art, get creative, and be inspired. She does this by curating artists along with highlighting all creatives in our community through our permanent installation: the community wall. Her mission is to showcase artists, create a space for people to gather, and support those who help make our communities better.
