A California native, Elaine West earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Mt. St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles in 1974 with a specialization in drawing and painting. After a career of nearly 30 years in graphic design – working indoors, Elaine now is found painting outdoors as often as she can – sometimes dodging showers or braving freezing temperatures. She finds inspiration in the work of California's contemporary plein aire (in the open air) painters, but fits painting into her travels – most recently to Cape Cod, New England and Mexico.

About the Artists of Issaquah (AoI)Show, Elaine comments, “It's particularly enjoyable to be able to show our work right here where we live. The AoI Show is as much fun for attendees as it is for the artists, offering visitors a close-up glimpse of our life on the water with a range of art and creativity as diverse as the homes themselves."