Ria lives in the San Juan Islands, Washington and maintains a studio there as well as one in Bellingham, where she participates in Studio Tours and Gallery Walks. Her work is part of several shows and festivals each year. A daughter of Danish immigrants, Ria grew up in the high desert of California, where she fostered a love of the environment, art and music. After graduating CSU Chico, with a BA/Fine Art in 1985, she moved to the Pacific Northwest and this is where she has pursued her art. Her travels have taken her many places in the world where the beauty and culture of a specific place has inspired and informed her work.
Artist's Statement
Ever since I was a little girl I have been drawing and painting. I was trained in ceramics in college; the clay is earthy stuff that feels good to sculpt, and considering my love of the earth and the natural world, it has always been satisfying for me to work in this way. The paintings require a different approach, working with this flat surface, creating with color and composition. I often refer to my sketchbook for subject matter and ideas – but the painting or sculpture usually takes it's own direction once I'm working. I can get lost in the process of painting or sculpting and the outcome is usually quite surprising.
Most of my work is about those things in my life that give me joy: love, music, and the natural world. I've done a lot of traveling in my life and of course the places I've visited, and the experiences I have had, have influenced my art. I have had the pleasure of seeing work of the masters and many artists whose work I've long admired such as Edvard Munch, Vincent Van Gogh, Emily Carr: very inward, swirling, dark. I spent some time down in Antarctica doing seasonal work from 1989 to 2000 – and it was in this place that I could really tap into a reflective space, influenced by light and the lack of light. Antarctica is truly a lonely and stark landscape that I found very inspiring. The effect of the time there still carries through to my current artwork. I have always gravitated to painting another level of awareness, one that is just beyond the real world. If you look at the history of my art, you will see this attraction to the more mysterious. As I wander in nature I love finding the otherworldly quality in our own world. I am in awe of a light that makes the day or time of day more eerie, more dramatic. My aim is to push that quality even a little more, to create something beyond what is seen.
Ever since I was a little girl I have been drawing and painting. I was trained in ceramics in college; the clay is earthy stuff that feels good to sculpt, and considering my love of the earth and the natural world, it has always been satisfying for me to work in this way. The paintings require a different approach, working with this flat surface, creating with color and composition. I often refer to my sketchbook for subject matter and ideas – but the painting or sculpture usually takes it's own direction once I'm working. I can get lost in the process of painting or sculpting and the outcome is usually quite surprising.
Most of my work is about those things in my life that give me joy: love, music, and the natural world. I've done a lot of traveling in my life and of course the places I've visited, and the experiences I have had, have influenced my art. I have had the pleasure of seeing work of the masters and many artists whose work I've long admired such as Edvard Munch, Vincent Van Gogh, Emily Carr: very inward, swirling, dark. I spent some time down in Antarctica doing seasonal work from 1989 to 2000 – and it was in this place that I could really tap into a reflective space, influenced by light and the lack of light. Antarctica is truly a lonely and stark landscape that I found very inspiring. The effect of the time there still carries through to my current artwork. I have always gravitated to painting another level of awareness, one that is just beyond the real world. If you look at the history of my art, you will see this attraction to the more mysterious. As I wander in nature I love finding the otherworldly quality in our own world. I am in awe of a light that makes the day or time of day more eerie, more dramatic. My aim is to push that quality even a little more, to create something beyond what is seen.
Artist Resume...
--Art Education:
Emphasis: Ceramics,
May 1985
Spring 1985
Invitational and Featured Artist Shows
Museum of Northwest Art Store, 2024, La Conner, WA
Scott Milo Gallery, 2020-2024, Anacortes, WA.
River Gallery, 2016-2024, Mt. Vernon, WA
Confluence Gallery, 2015-2024, Twisp, WA
Lummi Island Gallery, 2017, Lummi Island, WA
Dragonfire Gallery, 2016, Edmonds, WA
Artisans Northwest, 2011, Bellingham, WA
Lawrence Gallery, Minden OR 1987
Franklin House Gallery and Tibbals, Pt. Townsend, WA 1987
Designers Workshop, Show of Hands, and Olga Artworks, Orcas Island, WA 1987-89
Juried Exhibits, Events and Publications:,
- California State University, Chico
Emphasis: Ceramics,
May 1985
- Internship with Sculptor Joyce Cole
Spring 1985
- Apprenticeship with Potter Chip Gorrell on Orcas Island, WA
Invitational and Featured Artist Shows
- Scott Milo Gallery, December/January 2024/2025, October 2023, July 2022, May 2021 Anacortes, WA
- ARTS ALIVE Open Show, October 2024, November 2023, La Conner, WA
- Confluence Gallery: "Dark Skies" March 2024, "Healing Garden" June 2023; “Biophilia” April 2022; "Riot of Color", November 2021; "Something in the Wind", October 2021, Twisp, WA (see below for previous Confluence shows)
- River Gallery: Spring Show 2024; Fall/Spring Shows 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, Fall Show 2016, Mt. Vernon, WA
- Matzke Fine Art Gallery/Sculpture Park: "Honey I Shrunk the Art" November 2022, 2021 Camano Island, WA
- ARTS ALIVE Invitational Show, November 2022, La Conner, WA
- Confluence Gallery: "The Company of Ravens and Crows", March 2021; "TreeSpeak", July 2020, Twisp, WA (see below for previous shows)
- Lummi Island Showcase, November 2020, Allied Arts Gallery, Bellingham, WA
- Scott Milo Gallery, May 2020, Anacortes, WA
- "Leap", Artist' Choice, Fourth Corner Frames, February 2020, Bellingham, WA
- Western Alumni Association, Herald Building, Bellingham, WA. August 2019
- Hadrian Stone Gallery, December Art Fest 2018, Edison, WA
- "Blue Fantasy", Featured Artist at Hadrian Stone Gallery, Edison WA September 2018
- "Natura", group show, Gallery Pegasus, Bellingham, WA July 2018
- A Lot of Flowers Featured Artist, Fairhaven, WA. March 2018
- Lummi Island Gallery Featured Artist, Lummi Island, WA. March 2018
- Confluence Gallery: Vision En Rouge, 2017; Walking the Wild Edge, 2017; Otherworlds, 2017; Music as Muse, 2016; ‘It's The Little Things’, ‘XX XY’, 2015; Twisp, WA
- Ombu Salon and Spa, Featured Artist for AWE (Art Walk Edmonds), 2016, Edmonds, WA
- Fourth Corner Frames, Artist Choice Small Works Show, 2015&2016, Bellingham, WA
- Edison Eye Gallery, “Friends of Fish 1&2 2015/2014, “Dance” 2014, “Somnolence” 2004, and “The Great WooWuu Show” 2003, Edison, WA
- Matzke Fine Art Gallery/ Sculpture Park, “Spring Frolic”, 2014, Camano Island, WA
- Whatcom Museum, Fate of the Forest Invitational Show, 2011, Bellingham, WA
- ‘Blue Horse Gallery, Reaching for the Light’, Group Show, 2007/2006/1999, Bellingham, WA
- Evergreen Aids Foundation Gala Benefits, 2007/2006/2004/2003/2002/1998, Bellingham, WA
- Rebecca Meloy Gallery, Small Format Show, 2004, Bellingham, WA
- Mindport, Group of Lummi Island Artists, 2003, Bellingham, WA
- McMurdo Station Library, Solo Show 1998, Antarctica
- Allied Arts Gallery, ‘Fired Up’, 1997, Group Show, Bellingham, WA
- Allied Arts Gallery, Bird Imagery, 1997 Group Show, Bellingham, WA
- Designed logo for 10th Annual Heartworks, 1996, Whatcom Museum, Bellingham, WA
- Allied Arts Gallery, ‘Show of Hands’, 1995, Group Show, Bellingham, WA
- Orcas Center, ‘Clay and Fiber’, Group Show 1990, Orcas Island, WA
- Reid Gallery, ‘Northwest Art Show’, Group Show, 1986, San Juan Island, WA
- Orcas Center "Ribbons and Knots", Solo Show 1986, Orcas Island, WA
Museum of Northwest Art Store, 2024, La Conner, WA
Scott Milo Gallery, 2020-2024, Anacortes, WA.
River Gallery, 2016-2024, Mt. Vernon, WA
Confluence Gallery, 2015-2024, Twisp, WA
Lummi Island Gallery, 2017, Lummi Island, WA
Dragonfire Gallery, 2016, Edmonds, WA
Artisans Northwest, 2011, Bellingham, WA
Lawrence Gallery, Minden OR 1987
Franklin House Gallery and Tibbals, Pt. Townsend, WA 1987
Designers Workshop, Show of Hands, and Olga Artworks, Orcas Island, WA 1987-89
Juried Exhibits, Events and Publications:,
- Schacktoberfest, Shack Art Center Juried Art Auction, September 2024, Everett WA
- Jansen Art Center, Summer Juried Show 2024, Lynden, WA
- Women’s International Film Festival, Women Rising, April and May 2024 Dakota Gallery, Bellingham, WA
- Whatcom Artists Studio Tour, 2023/2021/2020/2019/2017/2016, Bellingham, WA
- Art at the Port, Anacortes Arts Festival, August 2023
- Edmonds Arts Festival Gallery Arts Juried Exhibition, 2023, Edmonds, WA
- Museum of Northwest Art Annual Art Auction, June 2023, La Conner, WA
- Jansen Art Center, Spring Juried Show 2023, Lynden, WA
- Jansen Art Center, Winter Juried Show 2022, Lynden, WA
- Schacktoberfest, Shack Art Center Juried Art Auction, September 2022, Everett WA
- Jansen Art Center, Summer Juried Show 2022, Lynden, WA
- Art At The Port, Anacortes Arts Festival, August 2022
- Museum of Northwest Art Annual Art Auction, June 2022, La Conner, WA
- Edmonds Arts Festival Gallery Arts Juried Exhibition, 2022, Edmonds, WA
- Allied Arts Holiday Festivals, 2021/2019/2018/2016/2015/2014, Bellingham, WA
- Jansen Art Center, Winter and Summer Juried Shows, 2021, Lynden, WA
- Schack Art Center, 22nd Biennial Juried Show, 2021, Everett, WA
- Women Painters of Washington Affiliation, 2020-21 (juried)
- Jansen Art Center Winter Juried Show, 2020, Lynden, WA
- Whatcom Museum, Represents Whatcom Artist Studio Tour participants 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, Bellingham, WA
- Jansen Art Center, Whatcom Artist Studio Tour Showcase Exhibit 2021, 2020/2019/2018, Lynden, WA
- Allied Arts, Whatcom Artist STudio Tour Showcase Exhibit 2021, 2020, Bellingham, WA
- Adventure Northwest, Quarterly Magazine, Featured Artist, Winter Edition 2019/2020
- Entertainment News Northwest, "Treasure Hunt" painting, Cover Image, September 2019
- Edmonds Arts Festival Gallery Arts Juried Exhibition, 2019, Edmonds, WA
- Bellevue Festival of the Arts, 2018, Seattle, WA
- NW Art Beat Studio Tour Guest, 2018/2017, Skagit Valley, WA
- Jansen Art Center, Duo Show with Nancy Canyon, June 2018, Lynden, WA
- Phinney Ridge Winter Festival, 2017, Seattle, WA
- Skagit Artists Fall Show/Arts Alive, 2017, LaConner, WA
- Edmonds Art Festival, 2017, Edmonds, WA
- Jansen Art Center, various juried shows, 2017/2016/2015/2013, Lynden, WA
- International Arts and Music Festival, Peace Arch Park, 2016, Blaine, WA
- Museum of Danish America, Art Chosen for Annual Holiday Card and Ornament, 2015, Iowa
- Allied Arts, “Earthly Delights” group show, 2015, Bellingham, WA
- Art at the Port, 2013, Anacortes Arts Festival, Anacortes, WA
- Lummi Island Heritage Trust, Artwork chosen for Commemorative Poster, 2013, WA
- Lummi Island Community Land Trust, Artwork selected for Calendar, 2006/2005, WA
- Allied Arts, Duo Show with Larry Berghoff, 2005, Bellingham, WA
- Entertainment News Northwest, "Piano Man" painting cover image, March 2005
- Chase Gallery, City Hall, ‘Terra Firma’, National Juried Art Show, 1995, Spokane, WA
- ‘Poncho’ Gala Art Auction, 1987, Juried Art Auction, Seattle, WA
- ‘Synosure’, NW Catalog Collections, 1987, WA
- ‘Salute to the Arts’, 1987, Juried Art Auction, Seattle, WA
- “The Picnic” procured by the Riverbend Clinic, 2014, Skagit Valley Hospital, Mt. Vernon, WA
- Cover art for "Book of Beginnings and Ends" by Christopher Howell 2022
- Cover art for "Night Journey" by Richard Widerkehr 2022
- Several images in Corduroy Road issues: "Waves", "Rise" and "Surrender"
- Orcas Island Studio Tour, August 2023
- Featured artist at the Beach Store Cafe, Spring and Summer 2023, Lummi Island, WA
- Lummi Island Artists’ Studio Tours, thrice yearly from 2001, Lummi Island, WA
- Waterfront Artist Studio Collective, Quarterly Downtown Art Walks, 2015/2106/2017/2018/2019, 2022/2023, Bellingham, WA
- Allied Arts Member Shows, yearly from 2006, Bellingham, WA
- Whatcom Museum Store, Lightcatcher Bldg. Featured artist, 2020/2013, Bellingham, WA
- Featured artist at Fairhaven Realty 2019, Cascadia Physical Therapy 2018, Fairhaven, WA
- Featured artist at inns and cafes: Colophon Cafe in Fairhaven, WA, La Conner Brewery in La Conner, WA; Beach Store Café and Willows Inn on Lummi Island, WA, Vinostrology, Avellino, Old Town Café, Book Fare, Chuckanut Brewery, Nimbus Restaurant, Wild Buffalo, Colophon Café and Stuart’s Coffee House in Bellingham WA, Fish Tale Brew Pub in Olympia, WA, from 1997
- Lucky Monkey Featured artist for Gallery Walk, 2013, Bellingham, WA
- Fremont ArtWalk, Gallery Notebleu, 2011, Seattle, WA
- Loomis Hall Gallery, Lummi Island Artists Group Show, 2011, Blaine, WA
- Station Group Art Show, 2000 McMurdo Station, Antarctica
- ‘Heartworks’ Benefit Auction, 1997/1996 Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Bellingham, WA
- Waterfront Bazaar, Featured Artist for Gallery Walk, 1996, Bellingham, WA
- Whatcom Museum ‘Come Wade the River’ Exhibit Mural, 1996, Bellingham, WA
- Commission Work and Work Sold from Studio nationally and internationally 1987-present