Self Portrait oil 12" x 16"

Ingrid K. Salmon

Growing up in Berlin, Germany, I took every opportunity to draw and paint and I always dreamed about visiting faraway and remote places. At age 18, I set out to live my dreams and experience travel to places I once only imaged, i.e., the interior of Papua New Guinea; Namibia, Angola, Sudan; Lake Titikaka, the Amazon, Patagonia, Easter Island, Sumatra, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Tibet, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland and into the remote Philippine Islands, etc.

After 26 years of traveling, always backpacking and working in many different countries, I finally decided to settle in Hawaii. Having worked most of my life in the hotel industry, I was fortunate to obtain employment in many countries of the world. After thirteen years in an administrative position at The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel in Honolulu, I retired in July, 2000.

I began to paint in oil in early 2001, completing more than 100 paintings the first year. Many of my paintings were done from photos taken during my travels. My husband (who is my art mentor) and I continue painting, as well as traveling, trekking, camping, and kayaking.

Retreat into the mountains has provided me with the peace and tranquility for a balanced life. Now, mountains are among my favorite subjects to paint.

I have exhibited locally with the Association of Hawaii Artists, City Hall, Punahou & Iolani Schools and Ceder Street Gallery. My art training includes: a plein air workshop by Ken Auster in Kauai, Hawaii, 2002; a six-week "Atelier" drawing/painting class at the Windward Community College, Oahu, using the techniques of past European masters; and workshops with Jove Wang in Tibet 2004, in California and China, 2005, and with Scott Christensen in Wyoming, 2005.