Local Lens shines a light on the people who make our community unique, one mini profile at a time.
Amelia Kaiser wasn’t sure she could find a space to do her art when she was suddenly uprooted from a community she loved in Bimidji, Minnesota because her husband, an aircraft mechanic with a passion for restoring old planes, landed a new job at the Heritage Flight Museum in Burlington. But, Kaiser grew up in Puyallup, went to school at Pacific Lutheran in Tacoma, and was happy to return to the Pacific Northwest, where she loves capturing the beauty that surrounds her in watercolor and pen. She sold her first painting at an Edmonds’ art show when she was just thirteen years old.
When she posted a comment in a Facebook group for Skagit Artists that she was looking for studio space she received a cryptic response from Dave Cassera saying he might have something and to call him. She thought it was a scam. It wasn’t, and now Kaiser occupies the space behind Cassera’s La Conner gallery that he has carved out for artists in residence to have an inexpensive studio for a limited time. Kaiser knows she will be here through August, but that’s as far as she can plan at the moment.
That doesn’t mean she’s sitting still. Indeed, for someone who has only been in the area since March, she’s accomplished quite a lot, connecting with arts organizations in many local communities.
Kaiser, who believes her purpose is to create and serve, has been doing commissioned artwork since she was in high school and continues to this day. Her commissions range from house portraits realtors purchase as gifts for buyers to murals in a variety of styles and locations, from nursery walls to exterior spaces. In fact, one wall of her studio features the original art she recently did for some WalMart murals that will be printed large and posted in their stores. She’s also starting work on a mural in Anacortes at 8th and Commercial streets, where you will find her working through June 1.
“I get asked a lot about going from small paintings to large murals,” Kaiser said, “but I’ve always done both so it’s not difficult for me.” Kaiser studied mural painting from a nationally known muralist who travels some 300 days a year around the country installing large murals. She would like to stick to smaller murals she can do on a stepladder, noting she’s inspired by Seattle artist known as Henry, who has peppered the city with joyful paintings.
The paintings Kaiser has on display in her space reveal a deep appreciation of nature and a love of landscapes. She captures the Pacific Northwest in both small and larger forms, including the mountains, familiar to all who live here, and the iconic ferries of Puget Sound.
“I was home schooled,” Kaiser said, “and I was lucky to have parents who encouraged me to pursue my dreams.”
She points to a professional easel she received as a gift when she was just nine years old, and she proudly wears a work apron sewn by her mother and given to her in high school. Her mom, trained in landscape design, taught her perspective and color theory, and her family nurtured an appreciation for being outdoors. “When we moved back here and I saw a moss covered tree I stood in front of it and wept,” she muses, by way of explaining how deep her love of the Pacific Northwest runs.
Kaiser works part-time at the Everett Gospel Mission, so she’s not in her studio every day, but she has made a point of carving out the time to do her own work, not just commission work, and she has plans to be in her studio space on a more regular basis. “I plan to post my hours on the door,” she notes, “and will be here two afternoons a week, either Thursday and Sunday or Friday and Saturday.”
You can see Kaiser’s work on her Instagram: @amelia_kaiser_art and her website: ameliakaiser.com.
Who should we feature in our next Local Lens? Email us at newstips@laconnercommunitynews.org.
Correction: Amelia Kaiser’s first name was misspelled in this story’s headline and photo caption. We corrected the error on June 3, 2025. La Conner Community News regrets the error.
Nancy K. Crowell: nancy@laconnercommunitynews.org. Nancy is a photographer, photo editor, and a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News. Nancy has also been a Master Gardener for 10 years.
