Wendy Best

Artist • Writer • Teacher

Art has been part of my life since childhood. My mother was an artist and a musician, and my father was an inventor, so I was exposed early to creativity of all kinds. I consider myself a “renaissance woman” (or a “Jill of all Trades”) since I am a builder, an artist, a violinist, a writer, a poet, and a teacher of all those skills.

I spent my first 50 years on the East Coast. While my main interest in youth was music, in adulthood I began to paint landscapes. While I lived in Massachussets, I took a pivotal eight week course with renowned artist Leland Smith. This was the beginning of my formal art career. Currently, I specialize in plein air work or landscapes from my imagination, with an occasional fantasy piece thrown in for fun. I rarely work from photographs.

During visits with family in Great Britain, I was struck by the beauty of the architecture there. I began sketching some of the complex castles, houses, and cathedrals from London to Devon to York. England is where I honed my ability to draw buildings. I have spent my life building houses alongside my husband and this has helped me understand how buildings go together. My artistic background allows me to select pleasing aspects of any structure. Light and shadow play a huge part in graphite work.

Once my husband and I moved to Oregon, I began doing commission work in Hood River, White Salmon, and The Dalles. I have taught multiple classes to children and adults; participated in First Friday events in Hood River; curated the Hood River Library Art shows for several years; and have created multiple sets of cards featuring historic buildings in The Dalles, Mt. Hood, the Upper Hood River Valley, and beloved water scenes.

I live in Parkdale, Oregon with my husband, Dick. He and my children (Jan Meyer in Hood River and Mike Best in Bozeman) have been invaluable in supporting my art and anything else I aspire to. I couldn’t be me without them!