Artist displays paintings at Black Butte Ranch

The acrylic paintings of Central Oregon artist Susan Luckey-Higdon were featured at Black Butte Ranch last Thursday evening, and will be on display through February.

"Interpreting nature's beauty with color and pattern in both soft pastel and acrylic is my passion," said Higdon. "Fish flashing underwater and blackbirds, geese, herons and other birds also catch my eye. They are mysterious and fascinating, and live in a world we can't enter."

Specializing in landscapes of the Northwest and Central Oregon - in particular, water, fish, and birds - Higdon combines color and composition in layers of color that blend together in a way that shadows aren't black, grass isn't just green, and the sky isn't only blue.

"I'm very interested in the chaos of nature," Higdon said. "I love looking into the absolute of so much going on, the pattern, the way the light hits everything, and I like going into that and make a painting that describes all of that without it being too exact."

A lifelong Oregonian and 30-year resident of Central Oregon, Higdon started her painting career 20 years ago. After spending some time at the University of Oregon studying graphic design and fine art, Higdon left school and started work at an advertising agency doing graphic design work. She later went to work as an art director for Citrus (formerly Ralston Group), in Bend. Later, Higdon started painting in the soft pastels that would start her in a new career

path.

"With a career in graphic design, and the mother of two toddlers, it was clear to me that if I didn't begin my own path of expression soon, I would never begin," said Higdon. "I chose soft pastels as my medium because they were quick to get out and put away."

As a graphic designer, Higdon considers composition as one of the foundations of her work.

"I love to push the edges a bit," she said. "I want a composition that isn't entirely comfortable, but in the end satisfies the eye and spirit."

Currently, Higdon is also a partner and working member in the Tumalo Art Company in the Old Mill District in Bend.

"Being a member of this gallery gives me a cool space to show my paintings, connect with like-minded, supportive artists, and meet people visiting in Bend from all over the world, as well as those who make their homes here," said Higdon. "We also get to meet and talk with people who love art, and that's great fun."