The city of Enumclaw and Green River Community College Enumclaw Campus Gallery present nature paintings by Port Townsend artist Diana Whitney. The exhibit, titled “Of This Earth,” is under way and continues through April 26 at the GRCC Enumclaw Campus.

“I portray wildlife in its natural environment at a moment in time when it is focused on its own actions, life, habitat, prey,” Whitney said. “I try to capture the essence of its individuality.

“I also paint plein air and sometimes use the plein air studies as reference along with a photograph for a larger studio painting,” she said. “My paintings are representational because I want to portray the wildlife and environments as they are.

“Seeing wildlife and saving the image for reference via photography keeps the memory more vivid and provides details for the composition and design of the painting. I want the viewer to feel as if he/she is seeing nature not a photograph. National and state parks and wildlife refuges provide an abundance of inspirational images.”

The gallery is open during the quarter 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and between quarters from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call 360-802-0239.