Boise artist Beth Trott will present a new exhibition of watercolor paintings titled “Upon Closer Reflection” at Art Source Gallery from May 5–30, 2026. An opening reception and meet-the-artist event will be held Thursday, May 7 from 5–9 pm at the gallery, located at 1516 W Grove Street in Boise’s Linen District.

The exhibition features watercolor paintings inspired by close observation of the natural world. Trott begins with recognizable subjects (such as weathered rock formations, plants touched by frost, or patterns formed by tree bark) as a starting point, gradually allowing the images to bend toward abstraction.

“At my core I’m a representational artist,” Trott says. “With this series, I feel a need to start with something real. I take reference photos of moments I find in nature and use them as a starting point. From there, I begin to loosen up, letting the color, movement, and patterns develop more freely through abstraction.”

Watercolor plays an important role in that process. Its fluid and sometimes unpredictable nature allows the paintings to evolve beyond the original scene into something more abstract.

Trott says the goal of the work is simple: to celebrate the beauty that surrounds us and encourage people to slow down and look more closely.

“I believe nature is something we all share, something that brings us together when we pay attention,” she says. “Sometimes just taking a moment to really look at the details around us can reveal something surprising and beautiful.”

The exhibition will include both earlier paintings from the series and new works created specifically for this show.

Trott lives and works in Boise. She has a background in illustration for fantasy gaming publications and children’s books. Today, her watercolor paintings are widely exhibited and have received awards at the local, regional, and international levels.

Art Source Gallery is a cooperative gallery representing more than 40 Idaho artists and has been part of Boise’s downtown arts community for over 30 years.

Exhibition: May 5–30, 2026

Opening Reception: Thursday, May 7 | 5–9 pm

Location: Art Source Gallery, 1516 W Grove Street, Boise, Idaho

Gallery Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm