A painter’s paradise
Patrick Webb
Luana Stauff er
Artist fi nds inspiration on
the Long Beach Peninsula
BY PATRICK WEBB
Art is a journey and local artist Luana
Stauff er has taken many paths.
After a hiatus from public showings,
75-year-old Stauff er, of Ocean Park, Wash-
ington, is displaying her art once again.
Her “pandemic lockdown creations” are
available to view at BOLD Coff ee, Art and
Framing in Long Beach, Washington.
Her collection includes oil paintings
that depict the Pacifi c Ocean from vantage
spots like the northern end of the Long
Beach Peninsula and Willapa Bay.
The delicate colors of clouds and the
mystery of their depth have fascinated
artists like Vincent Van Gogh and Paul
Cé zanne, inspiring unique paintings.
Stauffer’s adorn the walls of the Ocean
Park cottage she shares with her partner
Chuck.
‘Hooked’
Stauffer grins broadly as she tells of
finding peace and joy creating on canvas.
“I had a troubled childhood and past,”
View Stauff er’s art
View Stauff er’s art at BOLD Coff ee, Art
and Framing, 711 Pacifi c Ave. N., in Long
Beach, Washington, or online at luanas-
tauff er.com
she said.
Stauffer’s father served in the U.S.
Navy during World War II. H er par-
ents moved from Hawaii to Corvallis
before she was born. Hawaiian memento s
around her family home and memories
of vacations to the islands would prove a
later draw.
Amid landscapes, one painting of a girl
with long covered hair exposes teen years
soothed by melodies on her fl ute. The
painting depicts Stauff er as a teenager.
Stauff er left the Pacifi c Northwest to
attend Mount Holyoke College in Massa-
chusetts, one of the “Seven Sisters” liberal
arts institutions.
“I wanted to go far away,” Stauff er said.
“It was an adventure. I thought I would
probably have to major in English. But
See Page 9
‘Beach Path’ by Luana Stauff er.
OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH PARTY
Haunted Graveyard of the Pacific by Ira Wesley Kitmacher
MEET THE AUTHOR July 25, 2021 Ford/Kern Room
Members 11:00AM General Public 2:00PM
Autographed copies will be available for purchase
Contact the Museum Store to RESERVE your copy!
8 // COASTWEEKEND.COM
C R
M M
OPEN DAILY 9:30 TO 5:00
1792 Marine Drive, Astoria
503.325.2323 • www.crmm.org