From Screen to Summit to Studio: Bringing the Wilderness Home

For many, the mountains are a lifelong companion. For Erin Oostra, they became a love discovered later in life—during her college years as a graphic design student, long hours spent in front of glowing screens leaving her yearning for something tangible, alive, and wild. One day, she stepped outside, laced up her boots, and found herself on a local trail, captivated by the rhythm of her footsteps on dirt and gravel, the whisper of wind through trees, and the subtle play of light on the ridges. That first hike changed everything.

“I didn’t grow up hiking too often,” Erin admits. “I thought it was for tough, determined people like my dad, rather than dreamers like me. But when I finally got outside, it was like stepping into a completely different world—one that I could feel with every sense. I was hooked instantly.”

That love for the outdoors became the foundation of her artistic journey. Erin, now a Pacific Northwest artist, designer, and gallery owner, translates her experiences on the trail into bold, impressionistic paintings that celebrate the landscapes she—and so many of us—hold close to our hearts. From snow-dappled ridges to bold oceanic cliffs, her work captures not just the scenery but the feeling of being immersed in it—the quiet awe, the grounding calm, the exhilaration of discovery.

Her art resonates particularly strongly with other outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and mountaineers who long to carry the mountains with them even after leaving the trailhead. In recent years, people have been bringing more natural elements into their homes—driftwood, stones, plants, and, increasingly, original artwork that evokes the wilderness. Erin’s custom paintings are a perfect bridge between the trail and the living room.

“Every person I work with has a story,” she says. “Maybe it’s a summit they’ve finally conquered, a valley where they found peace, or a favorite ridge that keeps calling them back. I help them translate that experience into a painting, so they can carry it with them every day—and even pass it down to future generations of mountaineers.”

Her process is as collaborative as it is immersive. Erin listens to each client’s story, studies color preferences, examines photographs, and gets swept into the space herself. The result is more than a painting—it’s a portable wilderness, a tangible connection to the outdoors, and a celebration of a shared love for the natural world.

This approach is what makes her work feel so personal. It’s a reminder that the outdoors is not just a backdrop—it’s a shared experience that binds people together. Whether it’s the exhilaration of a summit reached, the serenity of a lake at dawn, or the comfort of a favorite trail, Erin’s paintings allow that feeling to live in homes long after the hike ends.

Abstract nature-inspired artwork at Nuwave Gallery in Ellensburg, WA

Her studio and gallery in Ellensburg, Washington, reflect this philosophy. Surrounded by landscapes of every kind, visitors can see how the mountains, rivers, and forests of the Pacific Northwest inspire bold brushstrokes and vibrant textures. Many leave with more than a piece of art—they leave with a piece of the experience, a shared connection to the wilderness that inspires them to lace up their boots and explore again.

In a world increasingly dominated by screens and schedules, Erin Oostra’s work reminds us why we fell in love with the outdoors in the first place. Her paintings bring the mountains home, capture the moments that matter, and celebrate the universal human desire to connect with the wild. Through her eyes and her brushstrokes, we are reminded that the trails we hike are not just paths—they are a shared journey, one that can be carried in our homes, in our hearts, and passed down to the next generation of mountaineers.