Alisa Hasbrouck

Artist Statement

I live on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. Inspiration is never far...just step outside! Scenery constantly changes with the weather and seasons, providing fresh new perspectives. My hope is to share my experiences and imagination with others through art.

I grew up enjoying the outdoors, backpacking in the Olympics, and swimming in cold clear lakes. When I moved away I realized how unique the Olympic Peninsula is, and eventually returned. There are many artists in my family. As a child I watched them paint and played alongside them. Growing up here gave me an appreciation for the interconnectedness of the natural environment and the human condition. The woods were our playground, and our bread and butter.

I've been a waitress, hairdresser, bank processor, cashier, kitchen designer, paint mixer, bookkeeper, construction worker, baker, housekeeper, purchasing agent, and shipper, to name a few! I learned the importance of the Golden Rule.

We moved to California in 1997 when my husband got a promotion, and I had the opportunity to go to college. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in environmental management, with honors. I worked for an environmental compliance consultant for a few years, then for City of Ontario CA, City of Sequim WA, and Jefferson County WA, and retired in 2025. My career in environmental health gave me an understanding of the fragility of the natural environment.

I use pastels, oils, acrylics, and gouache. I seeing something that catches my eye, snap a photo, sketch out the values, then do a color study to see the colors together before starting on the painting. I love the process, and I'm usually surprised by the result!