Six Months In: Notes from the River
It has been some time since I’ve written here as we reach the middle of 2026 already.
I’ve sat down many times over the past months to write an update, only to realize that life kept shifting beneath me. The list of things to share kept growing and somehow finding the right place to begin felt impossible. So I’ll simply begin here.
Since my last post about the Year of the Fire Horse, life has carried me through both immense loss and immense joy, often arriving side by side and asking to be held at the same time.
Me, mom and Lynn all wearing my “Wag Swag”.
Within months of each other, I lost both my mom and my sister. The loss of my father five years ago had already begun shifting my understanding of family and belonging, and grief continues to teach me new ways of moving through the world. At the same time, life continued unfolding in beautiful ways. Gabe moved in and together we’ve been navigating all of life’s big changes, planning a wedding, and building a life and community of friends together here on the coast. Life and the passage of time so far this year seem to have carried the same forward momentum symbolized by the Year of the Fire Horse.
ART. HERE.
Work and community have remained steady anchors. At Pier 11 Studio we’ve had a wonderful year so far. Starting with our monthly community event Art Movie Night and hosting several visiting printmakers to teach their techniques- Hugo Anaya, Tallmadge Doyle, Michelle Kaczmarcik and Jane Pagliarulo. The workshops attracted students to Astoria from New Mexico, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Utah and Missouri. We also enjoyed getting to share our programming on the local radio station KMUN. Gabe joined me for the Printmaking Retreat in Mexico this year (there’s still room in the 2027 Retreat). We were also happy to host Hugo again for what is becoming his annual Spring workshop.
Things coming further to fruition…
Upon getting AP approved by the Arts & Crafts Materials Institute (ACMI), I launched Wagner Collagraph Wax with a new website and secured distribution in the UK. Seeing orders arrive from around the world and watching my business grow has felt both exciting and surreal. The outpouring of support from the art materials and printmaking community, along with inquiries about distribution, teaching, and presenting Wagner Collagraph Wax in 2027, has been incredible. I’m currently exploring distribution opportunities in Australia and Canada.
Gabe and I are looking forward to an upcoming talk this weekend. A video of the talk will be available.
Confluence: Art, Love, and a Shared Studio on the Columbia River
June 7 at 1:00-3:00PM
Hoffman Center for the Arts
594 Laneda Ave.
Manzanita, OR
Our studio on the Columbia River is endlessly inspiring and endlessly distracting. Visitors often ask how we get anything done. Between the passing ships, sea lions, changing weather, and countless birds—blue herons, bufflehead ducklings, pelicans, cormorants and bald eagles—it often feels like living inside a nature show. One evening we watched an eagle catch a fish right outside our window. It remains one of those moments that stops time, reminding us to look up.
Both Gabe and I are also entering the final months of preparation for our September exhibitions—his at Russo Lee Gallery in Portland and mine at Imogen Gallery in Astoria, with another show for me following in November at Lost in Composition Gallery in Seattle.
The beginning of June marks our turbo work mode around here. The studio has been full of that particular energy that builds before a show: equal parts excitement, anticipation, problem solving, and trust in the process. We seem to feed off one another’s creative tenacity and drive, and have intentionally cleared our calendars, with the exception of prior commitments, so that summer becomes dedicated studio time. Though I always joke that while September is a wonderful month for a gallery show, it is the most terrible timing for summer in Oregon.
Gabe has transformed our garage into a wood shop for making our panels and frames, a dream come true! Willo likes it too!
I’m excited to share more about how the concept and process of my work is taking shape soon. The studio has been full of energy and new work is beginning to emerge.
We’re looking forward to the upcoming Astoria Open Studios Tour July 25 & 26 for a peek in. We will also be hosting the work of our fellow artist friends, the creative team of, Anna Daedalus and Kerry Davis during the event. Come see us! More information on that here.
As always, thank you for following along through the quieter seasons.
Now go have yourself a most glorious Summer, you know where I’ll be!
With gratitude and appreciation,
Elise
P.S. You can always follow what I’m up to on Instagram!
@elisewagnerstudio
@wagnandez
@print.wax
@pier11studio
