The Story Behind the Artist 

Welcome! I'm Coiya Jaquith an artist and instructor. 

Art transformed my life. I loved sketching in high school, but as an adult, the challenges of juggling motherhood and teaching overseas meant art took a back seat. 

Then my life came to a screeching halt.  I suffered a traumatic back injury followed by a burnout-induced complete mental, emotional, and physical breakdown. I found myself completely unable to function, broken by chronic fatigue, short-term memory loss, comprehension and speech struggles, and never-ending physical pain.

During the months and years that followed, as I tried to find hope and joy, I felt drawn to art once again. Painting my thoughts and emotions became a way for my mind to process and heal. As I shared my paintings with others, I realized my art was a way to bring encouragement and hope to people who needed it.

My paintings are often inspired by the landscapes of the places I’ve called home: my childhood in eastern Oregon, my years overseas in SE Asia, and now Vancouver, Washington.

I’ve combined my experience as an educator with my passion for art, teaching workshops that are intentionally designed to welcome both beginning and experienced artists.