Born in Bellingham, Washington, and raised in Independence, Missouri, Aleah Koury is a master of pastel. Layering colors until his drawings glow like paintings, the artist captures the vitality of nature. He intended to major in biology but switched to art after taking a required class in painting. Koury earned a B.A. in ceramics and an MFA in printmaking, and is equally adept working in two and three dimensions.