Snoqualmie, Sun

Elston's two paintings were painted at Bob Pepper's farm near Carnation, a site of political conflict.  The property has been subjected to adverse runoff from Quadrant Corp. housing.  There is great economic pressure to sell off this and other family farms to developers, transforming them into suburban gated communities despite ineffectual attempts at growth management by local governments.  The farmer himself is in his mid-eighties.  The future of Mr. Pepper's farm, a land harkening back to the ideals of the 19th Century is uncertain. –Artist statement