The sea has always been a major part of Michelle Van Berkom's life. From her studio on Washington State's Hood Canal, she captures scenes in watercolor from a sailor's life.

Right after getting her degree in art from the University of Washington in 1980, Michelle Van Berkom sailed to the Baja on a 22 foot sailboat. She spent the next seven years living and working on sailboats, cruising from British Columbia to the Sea of Cortez.

In 1987 she joined National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and spent the next eight years sailing on research ships. Her work took her from the Arctic to the Antarctic, from ports in Siberia and Alaska, to Chile and Antarctica.

In 1995 she came ashore, settled with her husband in the Northwest to paint. Her watercolors are inspired by her snapshots, sketches and journal entries from her years at sea.