Editor’s note: The Beachcomber partners with Vashon Island Visual Artists (ViVA) to highlight the vibrant arts community of Vashon. This week, multimedia artist Brette Flora tells us, in her own words, about her life and art. To learn more about ViVA artists and find contact information for them, visit vivaartists.com.

I have a broad range of artistic interests, including painting, print, collage, ceramics, and sculpture.

I enjoy working with bright colors and creating abstract visions reflecting my thoughts. Most of my works are multi-media. I particularly enjoy combining ink and acrylics, as well as making linoleum block prints. Recent works have been inspired by pointillism and my “tape” technique which creates stripes, boxes and geometric shapes.

I declared that I was an artist at a very young age.

I have been part of the cohort at Vibrant Palette, a professional studio program located at Pratt Fine Arts Center for adults with developmental and physical disabilities to create visual art and participate in gallery shows. Being with other artists inspires my creative spark and my works have been shown at Sammamish City Hall, Swedish Medical Center (Issaquah), Café Petriosso, Capitol Hill Art Walk, University of Washington, University Heights Center, Schack Art Center (Everett), Columbia City Gallery and Vashon Center for the Arts. I was asked to complete my first commission in 2020.

I have loved being part of VIVA and having shows at Vashon Center for the Arts, where I’m treated just like any other artist and not as a person with a disability.

My other creative pursuits include jewelry making, sewing and quilt design. I also am a member of the Washington State Special Olympics Equestrian team. I graduated from Ingraham High School in Seattle where I was able to attend art classes and study art history and artistic techniques.