The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Many artists find their studio space too small. They dream of something bigger, grander, more spacious.

Spokane oil painter Teresa Adaszynska, however, doesn't complain about the size of her studio because it's . . . well, pretty big.

"I have a separate studio space in my home," Adaszynska explains, "but I consider the majestic outdoors of the Pacific Northwest as my personal favorite studio."

Other studios this landscape painter has enjoyed have been, literally, in the Colorado Rockies, Hollywood Hills of California, Yellowstone National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Poland, Adaszynska's homeland where she was born and raised before emigrating to the U.S. in the 1980s.

"The beauty of the western landscape inspires me, especially the light that can transform even ordinary places into something magical and extraordinary," Adaszynska says.

Adaszynska paints both plein air – setting up her easel outdoors and painting in the elements – as well as in the studio. Through the years, she has hiked throughout the western U.S. ("My hiking excursions are too many to count"), one time stumbling upon a mama bear and two cubs.

"It was extremely frightening, but I cautiously moved forward out of their area as they just observed me."

Another time, as she was rapidly packing her materials away to escape a Colorado thunderstorm, she temporarily placed her painting on top of the car. In the excitement of the moment, she forgot it was there and drove away to shelter.

"After the storm had passed, I went back to find it. I did find my painting, but of course it was completely destroyed.

"Now, it makes a great story. Then . . . not so amusing."

It's all part of the artist's experience, however, and in the more than 40 years Adaszynska has been painting, she's experienced a little bit of everything. Adaszynska is showing a selection of her western landscape and wildlife art at Wenaha Gallery (219 E. Main, Dayton) through July 27.

The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.