Larissa “Lolo” DeHaas is a lifelong artist and environmentalist who has always felt a deep bond with nature. She grew up surrounded by mountain landscapes and pursued both art and environmental science at Willamette University.
Living with Visual Snow Syndrome
In 2016, her life changed dramatically when her car was hit by a truck on Highway 75 in the City of Ketchum. The accident left her with a traumatic brain injury and a condition known as Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS)—a neurological disorder that is often unrecognized and misdiagnosed. VSS causes people to constantly see flickering static or dots, similar to the static of an untuned television—along with other visual and non-visual symptoms that can greatly impact daily life.
Turning VSS Symptoms Into Art
Over time, Lolo transformed those dots from a daily challenge into a source of inspiration. She began to develop what she now calls modern pointillism, an art style where thousands of tiny dots come together to form vibrant landscapes and abstract compositions. Her landscapes depict places she has hiked or skied, such as Bald Mountain and the Sawtooths, and even mountains she dreamt about.
“I began painting the mountains when I couldn’t ski them following my injury,” DeHaas said. “Art was one of the only things that pulled me out of despair while my brain was healing. I still see dots all day long—it’s like they live inside my eyes now—so I brought them into my art.”
She works in acrylics, oils, and ink, applying detail with brushes once used by her grandmothers. The process is slow, deliberate, and meditative, mirroring the patience VSS requires of her daily life. Her abstract collections focus on color studies, using single palettes to explore emotion and flow before blending them into dreamlike scenes.
Through this practice, she has found healing and purpose.
“Pointillism forces me to slow down and pay attention to tiny details,” she said. “Our society is so fast, but when we pause, we rediscover peace and beauty in the smallest things—a hummingbird buzzing by, or the antics of magpies. That’s where I find solace.”
Beyond her canvases, she also advocates for supporting local artists. She encourages people to choose unique, meaningful works instead of mass-produced prints. By transforming the constant dots of her vision into vibrant creations, she has turned hardship into a new way of seeing the world.
