Li Turner grew up in a small New England town that was isolated from much of the world. She moved west to attend college and then to Seattle, where she has lived for over 30 years. Turner’s vibrant watercolor and gouache paintings and pastel drawings attempt to depict the beauty and lightness of dancers and others (mostly women) as a means to draw viewers into the work while addressing various contrasts and realities. As a painter her work often attempts to portray the dilemma we each experience upon being confronted with life’s incongruities. Color plays a vital role in this endeavor. It is used to stimulate, to engage, and to cause a reaction in the viewer. Because much of the world can be a colorful place even in the midst of chaos, she uses the power of color to communicate her artistic intent. And of course, people of all colors appear in her paintings, mostly in chimerical (imaginary) settings.