Ritzville artist overcomes challenges with love and determination

During the past year, the Ritzville Library has been seeking to display art by local artists-rotating to a new artist every few months. Recently, artist Chelsea Niesel contributed watercolor and pencil drawings, which are presently on display in the library's main room.

Chelsea and her parents (Gary and Susan Niesel) are living for a year in local teacher Kathy McAnnally's home while they are on sabbatical in Spain for a year. Initially, the Niesels planned to stay only for one year, but they have come to love Ritzville and the people here, so much so that they have purchased a house and intend to make their home in the community.

Chelsea was born and raised in the Seattle area (Edmonds and Madison Park). According to her mother, she showed an artistic talent as young as a 2-year old when she would look at a picture and faithfully reproduce it as a drawing.

Growing up, Chelsea took painting classes through an art store in the University District of Seattle where she learned to work with oils. Her favorite mediums today are oil and colored pencil, though she also uses acrylic.

Her artistry could very well be rooted in her forebears; her grandfather and great-grandfather were both artists who were able to sell their work.

Chelsea is described as "shy," but her mother reports that since coming to Ritzville and finding the library outlet for her work, she has "blossomed into a whole new person." Chelsea has not yet realized income from her work; she gives her art to her family. The library show is the first time to publicly display her artwork, and she is thrilled with the opportunity to become known as an artist.

Since arriving in Ritzville, Chelsea volunteers two days a week to help first grade students and support teachers as needed. She works one-on-one with a special needs student and helps others with their computer learning.

And yet, there is another facet to Chelsea's story that sets her aside as a special person. A kidney transplant six years ago necessitated the regular use of anti-rejection medications. A common result of those medications is the onset of shaking-definitely not supporting of a painting career.

But her love of art, her determination and her persistence have allowed her to successfully overcome the effects of the anti-rejection medications, to continue with her artwork and produce the works that are now on exhibit in the library.

As of press time, Chelsea has taken 14 pieces of her work to the library. Her work will be on display through April.