Suzanne Vaughen

Artist Statement:

I am a professional full time artist living in Portland, Oregon. My art is an expression of color, light and positive energy, from my vibrant modern color field abstracts to my minimal atmospheric landscapes. They capture the fresh vitality of nature's essence infused with uplifting energy to convey feelings of hope and optimism. 

Growing up in New Zealand I absorbed the vibrancy of nature, amplified by the intense Southern light and dramatic weather patterns. In 2004 I began painting landscapes and abstracts in acrylics and quickly realized that it was the perfect conduit for my creative desire. It rekindled an early memory of wanting to create large vibrant paintings, and paint, just like my grandma had done when I was a child. 

After relocating to America in 2008 I embraced the shift to oil painting and began creating larger abstract works that radiate positive energy and vibrancy. I also returned to landscapes and more recently abstract landscapes, that abstract the shapes and forms of the natural world combined with the vibrant colors I love so much. 

Each unique painting has a modern minimal aesthetic in a wide array of energetic color palettes to add some fresh energy and vitality to any space.

Education:

I have always been a highly driven and passionate creative showing an aptitude for the arts from a very young age. I'm largely a self taught artist although many people have inspired me creatively throughout my life. My painting career started in New Zealand in 2004 after some art classes and studio time with Shruti Yatri and Gillian Palmer. In the United States I spent time in various Portland studios including an artist residency in the AIR Gallery. I continue to work full time in my studio developing my unique painting techniques and style in acrylics and oils, landscapes and abstracts.

Exhibitions:

Feature Show - Caplan Art Designs, Portland, OR, July 2021

"Vital Transformation" Show - Art Elements Gallery, Newberg, OR April - June 2021

Feature Show - Caplan Art Designs, Portland OR, Oct 2020

Group Show - Caplan Art Designs & Daily in the Pearl District, Portland, OR, Dec 2019

Multnomah Village Art Studios - Studio 5, Portland, OR, August 2019

Feature Show - Caplan Art Designs, Portland, OR, April 2019

Group Show - Caplan Art Designs, Portland, OR, Nov - Dec 2018

Basic Space Gallery, Portland, OR, Dec 2018, Jan 2019

Solo Show - Sotheby's Lake Oswego, OR, May - July 2018

Solo Show - R2C Group, Portland, OR, Jan - Mar, 2018

Solo Show - Vista Showroom, Portland, OR, Nov 2017

"AIR Gallery Reunion Show" Portland'5 Centers for the Arts, Portland, OR, April 2017

"Just Us" show - Ford Gallery, Portland, OR, October 2016

Solo Show - Gallery 135, Portland, OR. June 2016

Group Show - AIR Gallery, Portland, OR. Alchemy show, April 2016

Featured Artist - AIR Gallery, Portland, OR. Spring is in the Air show, March 2016

Group Show - AIR Gallery, Portland, OR. Magical Beginnings show ,February 2016

Group Show - Peoples Art of Portland, Portland, OR. Love of Portland Show, Feb 2016

Featured Artist - AIR Gallery, Portland, OR. Warm up the Winter show,January 2016

Group Show - Goodfoot, Portland, OR. New Brow show, January 2016

Group Show - Peoples Art of Portland, Portland, OR. People of People's Show, Jan 2016

Solo Show - Basic Space Gallery, Portland, OR. Colorscapes Show, Dec 2015

Group Show - Benwill Gallery, Portland, OR. Art Collective Year's End, Dec 2015

Solo Show - Village Frame & Gallery, Portland, OR. Cityscape & Portal Series, Dec 2015

Group Show - Benwill Gallery, Portland, OR. The Five, November 2015

Solo Show - Geezer Gallery, Artists Repertory Theater, Portland, OR. July - Sept 2015

Group Show - Mechanical Salon, PDX Magazine, Portland, OR. June 2015

Group Show - Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, Lake Oswego, OR. June 2015

Group Show - Geezer Gallery, Artists Repertory Theater, Portland, OR. Sublime Influence Show June - July 2015

Group Show - High & Low Gallery, Portland, OR. Three Artist Abstract Show, May 2015

Group Show - People's Art of Portland, Portland, OR. Love of Portland, Feb 2015

Group Show - Peoples Art of Portland, Portland, OR. People of People's Show, Jan 2015

Solo Show - AIR Gallery, Portland, OR. Sept - Dec 2014

Group Show - People's & Mark Woolley Gallery, Portland, OR. Big 500 Show, Dec 2014

Solo Show - Decarli Restaurant, Beaverton, OR. Nov - Dec 2014

Juried Group Show - Beaverton City Library, Beaverton, OR. Beaverton Arts Mix, Juried Art Show & Sale, Oct 2014

Solo Show - Red e Cafe, Portland, OR. March 2014

Group Show - Peoples Art of Portland, Portland, OR. Love of Portland Show, Feb 2014

Solo Show - Vinnie's at the Ford, Portland, OR. Nov 2013 - Feb 2014

Featured Artist Solo Show - Pearl Women's Center, Portland, OR. Sept 2013

Various group shows in New Zealand

Professional/Teaching Experience:

My work is found in private and corporate collections around the world including the United States, Europe, Asia, Australasia and the UK. I am currently represented by Art Elements Gallery in Newberg, Oregon and Caplan Art Designs in Portland, Oregon.

Artistic Influences:

Many New Zealand artists have inspired me and had some kind of influence on my art. There are too many to mention, but a few of my favorites are Gretchen Albrecht, Rita Angus, Michael Smither, and Cristina Popovici. I also became very interested in the art of Henri Rousseau, Wassily Kandinsky, Picasso and Frida Kahlo. After moving to the United States my influences shifted more towards the New York school of American Abstract Expressionist painters such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko in addition to Gerhard Richter and Brian Rutenberg.

Tags:

color field, colorful, abstract landscape, seascape, landscape, sunset, nature, modern abstract, contemporary abstract, suzanne vaughan