Paul Glasoe is an avid outdoorsman who appreciates great scenery and an inviting stream to cast his fly rod.

One special place in particular, the Yakima River, catches his imagination and yields prized fish.

It also became the inspiration for an art project.

Glasoe, a late-bloomer to brush strokes, paints with purpose and passion. One of his latest watercolor creations – “Yakima Magic” – brings out the beauty of one of his favorite places. The artist captures the scenic river on a splendid fall-lit day while taking certain liberties with colors and shapes.

His appealing entry in the inaugural Small Works, Big Presents exhibition at the White River Valley Museum attracted significant attention and received the ultimate compliment – the People’s Choice Award.

Glasoe’s work and those of other regional artists currently are on display at the Auburn museum, 918 H St. SE. The exhibition, a small works juried art show and sale presented jointly by the museum and the City of Auburn Arts Commission, ends Dec. 14.

For his efforts, Glasoe will receive a $400 commission for the show’s use of “Yakima Magic” on promotional information for next year’s exhibition. Glasoe’s artwork will serve as the design for the promotional poster for the 2009 Small Works, Big Presents show and sale.

“I was very happily surprised,” Glasoe said of the honor. “It’s something I’m very proud of. … It’s nice to get the recognition.”

“I paint not specifically to sell, but I paint because I have it in my blood.”

Painting comes naturally to Glasoe, who retired after a career in government work. He lives today in unincorporated King County, northwest of Auburn, with his wife, Donna.

As a youngster, Glasoe liked to draw, but it wasn’t until he was in his 50s that he took up painting. It soon became a second career, a hobby.

Glasoe basically paints two things, outdoor scenery, particularly rivers, and noncommercial portraits.

He enters art shows and supports the local arts. One of his paintings resides inside Redmond City Hall. He is a signature member of the Northwest Watercolor Society.

The local show at the WRVM celebrates the diversity and creativity in the regional arts scene and showcases the work of emerging and established Pacific Northwest artists.

Judges selected 78 artworks submitted from the 369 entries of 141 participating artists. Registration was open to all artists, and included 32 Auburn-based artists and 35 from Greater King County.

Sales of the artwork are available throughout the exhibition, of which 25 percent of the proceeds benefit the museum.