Join us for a mini "retrospective" of Christine’s last 10 years of painting. In this exhibit, she highlights her steady growth as an artist. Each painting in this show is of a scene found here in our beautiful state of Oregon. From mountains, to deserts, beaches, vineyards and more. "The Essence Of Oregon" is what Christine hopes to capture in this display - the feeling and the beauty of home.

ARTIST STATEMENT

There are so many reasons why this show is special to me... Firstly, this show is a sort of mini "retrospective" of my last 10 years of painting. In hanging this collection of paintings together I can see my steady growth and learning (it can feel like such a slow process at times!). In this last decade, I can see that I have learned so much about color theory (and am still learning!), and have fallen more deeply in love with the oil paint medium. A second unique feature to this show is that each painting is of a scene found here in our beautiful state of Oregon. I have traveled all over the world, yet I keep coming back home for the majority of my painting inspiration. In Oregon we have everything! From mountains, to deserts, beaches, vineyards and more. "The Essence Of Oregon" is what I hope to capture in this display - the feeling and the beauty of home. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, this show is special to me because the Chehalem Cultural Center is such a beloved place to me! I began teaching at the CCC in the spring of 2021, and have since found one of the key pieces to my vocation. I have watched over a hundred students begin and grow into their artistic life - and nothing has given me more joy! These students have inspired me and have become my friends. I couldn't ask for a better place and team of people to be a part of. In addition to this, it has been so exciting to see the second floor of the CCC come to completion, and I am beyonds honored to be the first to show in this beautiful new gallery space. Thank you, to each of you who have been a part of my artistic journey - in learning and growing with me, as well as helping me to see beauty everywhere!

 ABOUT THE ARTIST

Christine Joy Swanson has been painting since she was a small child, taught by her beloved Grandma Norma. In her first half of life, Christine endured many health complications, drawing her all the more to the therapeutic and healing outlet found in art. Learning to create is a never-ending and ongoing journey for her, making each painting feel like a new experience. Continuing in her art education, Christine proceeded to get her BFA at George Fox University in 2014, take intensive classes at the Scottsdale Artist School, and learn directly from other master artists across America. While she has traveled the world painting en plein air, Christine still finds most of her painting inspiration here in the lovely Pacific Northwest.  Painting with oils and watercolor, she delights in teaching both mediums at the Chehalem Cultural Center. It is one of the great delights of her life to help others along their own artistic journeys. More artwork by Christine Joy can be found at the Dana Gallery in Missoula, Montana, the Rickards Gallery in Sisters, Oregon, and the Art Elements Gallery here in Newberg.