Growing up near the Columbia River on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon, Jim Highland spent his early years fishing and backpacking the Oregon Cascades, investing his youth in the outdoors. His formal education included art instruction from elementary through college, culminating in graduation from Portland State University. He now spends his time fly-fishing, painting, and camping the western states.
Jim enjoys combining techniques and mixing his media, including watercolors and inks with acrylics or oils. Brushes of course, but also palette knives, markers and sticks. Focusing on plants and animals in their habitat, he looks for a "persona" in natural things; like goofy pelicans smiling at each other, or an outrageous purple frog squinting at a butterfly getting a bit too close.
Capturing humor, expressive feelings and the drama of the moment motivates his work. His paintings have been completed on-site in the American west, notably in Oregon, Arizona, Hawaii, and Mexico. |
