Janet Hamilton’s strongly composed work captures the subtlest colors and atmosphere of a place. The Edmonds Arts Commission presents an exhibit of the artist’s pastel paintings at the Edmonds Library during the month of September.

What excites Hamilton most as an artist is color and movement. There is a sense of energy in her strokes which renders the life “out there” as well as “within herself.” Whether she is painting clouds, trees, buildings or water, her attention is on the way light touches each form in a beautiful way and on the patterns that are created by light and shadow.

At the University of Kansas under the mentorship of Robert Sudlow, Hamilton learned to paint landscapes in the “plein aire” approach. Hamilton developed her own style in pastels when she later studied at the Art Students League of Denver as well as through various workshops and painting trips. She now enjoys painting outdoors and in her Everett studio.

Hamilton’s paintings have been exhibited nationally and have won several awards. She teaches pastel classes in Everett and occasional workshops. Her work can also be seen in several regional galleries as well as on her Web site. Hamilton is a signature member of the Northwest Pastel Society, a member of the Women Painters of Washington and the Pastel Society of America.