I am in love with - smitten by - Nature.

I thrill at light dancing through a backlit leaf or flower petal or the radiance of a butterfly wing. Hundreds of vivid and subtle hues of color and luminosity surprise me.  Like many people are touched by hearing music, I am deeply moved by color - sometimes near tears - with heartbreaking gratitude or giddy exhilaration.

Close observation of Nature is the best part about painting for me.  Being still and seeing deeply; taking time to fall in love with what I see. Savoring an intimate connection with Creation. The graceful curve of a flower petal, the myriad shades of green in a single leaf, the unexpected shape of the horizon line all inspire me.

I am third generation, living on and caring for my rural wooded land-seeing the stars at night, hearing the coyotes yipping, watching the seasons shift. Some particular trees I have known since childhood. My heart’s passion for creativity is a direct connection to the power and mystery of the larger force that surrounds all of us. My hope is that my art communicates the intimacy, vitality, aliveness, and lusciousness of Nature.

 

RESUME

Susan Curington

​susan​curingtonartist@gmail.com     www.susancurington.com      503-277-8101

Galleries and Shows

Wild Arts Festival, Audubon benefit 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 Portland, Oregon 

As the Bee Sees: a Pollinator's Perspective, Beaverton Main Library; Columbia Center for the Arts, Hood River, Oregon State University,Covallis; Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon 2019.  Hillsboro City Hall, Hillsboro, Oregon 2020

Ode to the Tides: Estuaries and Tidepools, invitational, Wetlands Conservancy benefit. Newport Art Association, Newport;    Seaside; Columbia Center for the Arts, Hood River; Beaverton City Hall, Oregon. Spring-Winter 2019,

Cawein Gallery, Pacific University, March 2018  Forest Grove, Oregon

Ryan Gallery Lincoln City, Oregon (Gallery closed)

Valley Art Gallery Featured Artist 2011, 2014, 2017 Forest Grove, Oregon

“Beaver Tales” invitational, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; State Capitol, Salem, Oregon; Seaside, Nehalem & Astoria, Oregon; Oregon Zoo, Portland, Oregon. Spring-Winter 2017

Fairweather Home & Gallery Featured Artist April 2016, May 2017, September 2017, Seaside, Oregon  

Cannon Beach Art Association, Creatures (juried) show, May 2016, Cannon Beach, Oregon

Curiosa, Canyon Road   Santa Fe, New Mexico

Cannon Beach Gallery   Miniatures show November-December 2013, Cannon Beach, Oregon

Trilogy "Quick Draw" Wine-Art-Food, The Allison Inn, March 2012, Newberg, Oregon

Art Elements Gallery invitational Show, December 2011, Newberg, Oregon

Newburg Chamber of Commerce One Woman Show, December 2011, Newberg, Oregon

Sitka Art Invitational November 2011, Portland, Oregon

Chehalem Art Fest July 2011, Newburg, Oregon.  Juried show, Voted “Best Booth"

Sequoia Gallery Featured Artist show, August 2010, Hillsboro, Oregon

Village Gallery of Art 2010, Portland Oregon

 

Commercial and permanent Collections

Oregon Food Bank, Headquarters, Portland, Oregon

Meals on Wheels People, Portland, Oregon

Pacific University, Science building, Forest Grove, Oregon

Tillamook Health Center, Tillamook, Oregon

Althea Wellness Center, Lake Oswego, Oregon

Samaritan Pacific Community Hospital, Newport, Oregon

Marjorie House Memory Care, McMinnville, Oregon

Wetlands Conservancy, Portland, Oregon

PacificSource corporate offices, Portland, Oregon

Law Offices of Littler Mendelson, Portland, Oregon  

Law Offices of Kell, Alterman & Runstein, Portland, Oregon

 

Private Collections:   Many pieces of art in private collections in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, California, Texas, New York, France and England.

 

Grants

Oregon Art Commission, Artist Relief Grant 2021

Regional Arts and Culture Council, Project Grant 2019

Yes Project Micro Grant 2019

Regional Arts and Culture Council, Professional Development Grant 2016-17

 

Associations

Washington County Open Studio participating Artist 7 years, chairperson fundraising committee 2017

Oregon Society of Artists

 

Education

Bachelor of Arts, with Honors, Interdisciplinary Studies (Health, Psychology & Art), Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR 1982

 

Relevant work and life experience

2009-present: North Woods LLC,  Manager & Marketing Director. Providing Pacific Northwest Hardwoods (reclaimed or sustainably harvested) for wood artisans and wood turners.

1998-2003/2008-2011:  Cloud Mountain Board of Directors, Castle Rock, WA, a non-sectarian Buddhist Meditation Retreat Center, 501C3

2006-2009:   Evergreen Investments Corporation, President.  Designed 22 new homes on the Oregon Coast; Choose color schemes, materials, style; Completed interior decorating for multiple homes

1995-1998:  Volunteer Teacher for Tibetan Nun’s Project, under the auspices of HH the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala, India.   Subsequent fundraising for Tibetan Nun’s Project, USA, 501C3

1982-2008: Licensed Massage Technician, Psychophysical Therapeutic focus

1982- 1995: Therapist training, extensive graduate level courses in various modalities

1987-1995: Meditation teacher, Cloud Mountain, Castle Rock, WA, a non-sectarian Buddhist retreat center, 501C3