Late artist to be featured at Moscow Artwalk

Artist Daniel Ng died unexpectedly two years ago, but his colorful artwork remains popular among many across the country and will be featured in Moscow Artwalk starting Friday.

Heather Saltarella, co-owner of Essential Art Gallery and Fine Gifts in downtown Moscow who represented Ng and his artwork, said Ng was a colorist who used acrylic paints and was best known for his landscapes.

"He had a really unusual style," Saltarella said. "Everything was very whimsical, and it's amazing because this man was so talented."

Artwalk attendees can see about 40 of Ng's paintings on display at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce.

Ng died of a brain aneurysm May 8, 2016, at the age of 52 while participating in the Cottonwood Art Festival in Dallas, Texas.

Sandra Wright, wife of the late Ng, wrote in an email that Ng's Palouse series was the most recently completed set of work before his death.

She wrote that he fell in love with the shape and color of the Palouse's rolling hills and how they looked differently depending on the season.

"Daniel used to say he would make a pretty place even prettier by painting it," Wright wrote.

Saltarella said Ng, who lived in Portland, Ore., attended Artwalk two straight years as a featured artist and was scheduled to come back in 2016. Ng was also featured in various other art shows across the country.

"He was a very prolific artist," Saltarella said.

Wright, who still lives in Portland, Ore., wrote Ng was family-oriented, nurturing and generous.

"He was the guy who stuck around after the festival was over to help another artist pack their booth in the rain," Wright wrote. "He helped a neighbor build a porch, and he asked for nothing in return."

Wright wrote she attended many art festivals with Ng. She wrote she would stand in his booth as though she was another customer so she could listen to people react to Ng's paintings.

"The most common comment I heard was about his bright, vibrant colors," Wright wrote. "Pretty fitting for such a bright and vibrant person."

When he was not painting, Wright said he was running, cycling or rock climbing.

"He really tried to make the most out of every day," she wrote. "Daniel was slow to anger and quick to forgive. He was the happiest, most genuine person I knew."

Saltarella said Wright will attend Artwalk again this year as she did in 2016, when Ng was scheduled to be a featured artist.

"I don't think people quite get how lucky we are to have this caliber of an artist represented here," Saltarella said.

She said continuing to work with Wright and keeping Ng's art alive has been an honor.

"I'm very happy that I got to be a part of his life and that we get to keep some of his beautiful memories alive with his art," Saltarella said.

Ng's displayed paintings at the Chamber of Commerce and Essential Art Gallery - consisting mostly of landscapes and interiors - are for sale. Patrons can bring the nametag of the piece of art they wish to purchase to Essential Art Gallery, located at 203 S. Main St.

Garrett Cabeza can be reached at (208) 883-4631, or by email to gcabeza@dnews.com.