September 2025

Ritambhara Tyson: I came to these beautiful islands when I was thirty in 1982, and immediately knew I was home. I lived on Lopez 18 years then moved to Orcas to be with my now husband, Michael Boyd, on our place in Olga. I have done various forms of art my whole life, and have always had a special relationship with animals. My mother used to tell the story that my kindergarten teacher told her I could draw a horse better than a stick.

When my heart dog Opal died in 2019, after 16 wonderful years with her, she left a big hole in my life, both physically and emotionally. I decided to paint pet portraits of friends’ beloved pets who have passed, and give them to them. I had just started my journey with watercolors at that point and doing these portraits helped to hone my skills with that medium. But the biggest gift was sharing in the joy I had brought to people who loved their animals."