Shawna Koontz

Shawna Koontz starts every painting on a bright red or pink background, a color she takes from the sky during wildfire season. She then paints over it in smoky greens, mauves, and deep purples, so the final painting mixes what she saw with something imagined. She grew up near Mount Hood, and the Pacific Northwest is still the main subject of her work.

Purple Tree, Westerpark - Acrylic, flashe and acrylic gouache on linen, 2026

Walking is a big part of how she works. On her walks she photographs places she likes, like a branch across a view or light coming through the trees, and paints from the photos later. She takes the color out of each photo first, so she can focus on light and composition.

At Voorlinden - Acrylic, flashe, acrylic gouache, and cold pressed paper on wood panel, 2026

Dappled Light, Westerpark - Acrylic, flashe, acrylic gouache on wood panel, 2026

Koontz is originally from Portland, Oregon, and now lives in Amsterdam. She studied at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her paintings are about longing, memory, and climate change. Her work is in public and private collections, including the W Hotel and the City of Bellevue, Washington.