What affect does Oregon have on an artist? We asked Oregon artist Joe Suppa, who currently resides in Scotts Mills.

"As an artist living in a very small Oregon community, Scotts Mills, I have developed a passion for the beautiful variety of trees this region has to offer. And as a sculptor of wood, I need not go too far to find my sculpting medium. I can go to the coast to collect driftwood, the forest to collect wind downfalls, or Eastern Oregon to indulge in the beautiful juniper. All these areas offer abundant varieties of woods that allow me to indulge in my sculpting passion. The Pacific Northwest Native American forms as well as the fairies that may live in the Oregon's plush woodlands have influenced me. The gorgeous trout and salmon that play in Oregon's rivers and lakes are as likely to pop-up in my work as are fanciful children playing in the park. The Hummingbirds feeding from Hibiscus are just as likely to make an appearance in my work as tired cowboys on Oregon's open trails are. Oregon's abundance of woods and theme ideas provides fertile ground for artistic expression. Just like Oregon's breathtakingly beautiful landscapes can control the senses, my art can control me. It takes on its own life during its creation. It can become unpredictable and sometimes astonishing, even to me. Nature is such an inspiring aspect of my creative process. Oregon, in all of her beauty, will always be a source of inspiration and creative energy to me."

Artist Bio

"I was born and raised in Oregon. I currently reside in Scotts Mills, Oregon in a home that I built in the mid 1980's. My studio is in the middle of my acerage, offering solitude and quiet space for my creative time. Since my childhood, all the art styles have captured and fascinated my imagination. Sculpture, however, became my medium and wood sculpture my passion. Working in three dimensions challenges my artistry, but also the wood itself demands its own individuality in its treatment. My art brings meaning to my life. Art can make me vulnerable. I never worry about or avoid creative situations because I'm concerned about the outcome. I never would have gotten to learn what would have happened if I deprived myself of artistic expression. I am just simply astonished that I have gotten this far and all my hard work is paying off. I am just happy to say that after all these years I know that I am a success because I am doing what I love to do…sculpting wood!"