The title of this painting, "Gale Coming," is derived from the delivery truck on the far left heading into downtown, but it also refers to the volatile weather, as well as the inevitable conflicts that come with growth.

 

As America becomes more urbanized, freeways are emerging as the life-blood of society shuttling people, goods and services from one place to another. These oil-on-wood scenes of I-84 and the I-184 Connecter by Boise artist Karen Woods offer a unique view of the urban landscape. Trained in Oakland, Calif., and Florence, Italy, Woods is best known for her landscapes and cityscapes of local subjects. She has been represented by the Stewart Gallery in Boise since 2000.

          "I've always thought this was a cool section of the freeway, Woods says. There's such a contrast to being isolated in a car while being surrounded by people coming and going. There's both an oppressiveness and an openness to it."