Another year is ending and though I’d love to say something profound about it, it’s gone by so quickly that I’m still processing last February! Ah well, February then  …my hero and father, Jack Krause passed suddenly as the result of a fall. We’d almost lost him several times in the past decade, so though we were taken by surprise, his was as long, well-lived and honorable stay on this beautiful planet. I sure do miss him in those odd moments, like wondering how to fix something or other- as he really did seem to know everything, and conveyed  his knowledge in such a kind and compassionate way, it was a pleasure to ask for help.

Just before he passed, I was fortunate in securing his and my mother’s blessing in an undertaking that has filled most of my days beginning in March of this year. Bay Avenue Gallery opened on April 1^st in Ocean Park, WA. It’s housed in a beautiful old building on our tiny main street, just 2 blocks from the Pacific Ocean. We (myself and my business partner, Sue Raymond) represent more than 30 local artists and offer children’s and adult art classes. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to expanding our artful presence here. www.bayavenuegallery.com

Balancing the art and gallery, I am continuing my work as a shipboard naturalist with Lindblad Expeditions.  I spent a good part of the summer in Southeast Alaska- (my 19^th season) it is an incredibly inspiring place to me and to my art www.bettelukrause.com . I’ll be heading to Baja California again in mid-January for a month of ‘naturalizing’ there- another beloved place of inspirational wilderness grandeur.

In August, Lauren Marziliano and I co-lead a vision quest for women, our first such guiding expedition together though we have much experience in the field separately. It was a heartful journey and we intend to continue to offer this empowering passage for many years to come.

I hope you and your friends and family are well and finding connections in nature and in each other, through these interesting and challenging times.

Howdy friends and neighbors,

Though it sure feels like winter here on the Washington coast, it is spring by the calendar and my daffodils think it is too. I hope they don’t freeze.

The warm desert islands and rich seas of Baja California seem far away, though I spent January and March there as a naturalist with Lindblad Expeditions.

I wasn’t planning another show this year, but somewhere back in mid-winter a vision of a group of paintings called “The Eyes of God” came along and being a woman who really really tries to follow those rare gifts of vision, I have embarked on creating a group of paintings of animal eyes.

The first painting and the inspiration for the group is ‘WATCHING’, an interpretation of a baby gray whale’s open and curious expression. I have made that magic and extraordinary connection in the calving lagoons of Baja California, and will never forget that awesome experience.

Bette Lu

I sincerely hope you and your loved ones are well and finding the occasional peaceful moment as our small planet’s seasonal movement seems to go faster and faster towards the end of the year. For those of us here on this bit of the north Pacific coast, there was a stunning stop in our human busyness during the five days of last week’s hurricane force storm. We’re still dusting ourselves off and will be cleaning up for a long time.

Recent activities in my little realm include a Thanksgiving weekend art show and a website. The art show began as a vision while I was driving through the Cascade Mountains last April, on my way to assist in a youth Rite of Passage. It is always extra nice to have spiritual clarity around a personal undertaking…! The show felt like a holiday party and featured 21 original paintings, my home smoked salmon spread and an amazing array of baked goods by my friend Nanci Main, of Ark Restaurant fame.

The website has been a dream of several years and was launched in November as well. I hope you can find a moment to check it out. It is my intention to add a weekly story and a photo (yes, it’s a blog!), especially when I am traveling, and of course the art will be updated as well. You can see it at www.captainlulabellesfineart.com, or www.bettelukrause.com.

Singing with the North Coast Chorale is a special seasonal pleasure for me. The concert was this weekend, and we presented Bach’s Magnificat as well as some beautiful John Rutter arrangements of Christmas carols. I am a strong though not noteworthy alto amongst this fine group of singers and find choral music to be among the most beautiful expressions of the human spirit. The quest for harmony in our shared voice mirrors that search for harmony in my own life.
I still work as a naturalist for Lindblad Expeditions and will be on the National Geographic Sea Bird in Baja California this January and again in March. You can track the voyage on Expeditions.com, if you want to.

Blessings of the season,

Bette Lu and Kee

Welcome to my website, it’s been a dream of several years to put this together and with the help of my talented friend and webmaster Keleigh, here it is. Please enjoy it and make any comments about improvements and parts that don’t work right or make sense to you.

My Art Show over the Thanksgiving weekend was beautiful, fun and a great chance to visit with friends. The show included 21 original paintings as well as fine art prints and greeting and Christmas cards. I’m just developing a line of tote bags as well, so if you’re interested in environmentally friendly art gifts, check it out.

Our Holiday concert of Bach’s Magnificat as well as many of the beautifully arranged Christmas carols by John Rutter with the North Coast Chorale is this weekend so do come if you’re in town and want to experience a bit of holiday inspiration.

All over the Pacific Northwest, the coastal communities are still cleaning up after last week’s amazing, powerful hurricane force winds. My yard is piled high with debris- moving it is a rather daunting task, though an opportunity to rethink the landscaping here.

Blessings of the season and a Joyous New Year,

Bette Lu

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