Oregon artist adds painting to essential outdoor experiences in the Northwest

There are many ways to enjoy nature in the Pacific Northwest. You can go hiking, mountain biking or trail running. There is kayaking, rafting, and rock climbing.

Or you can take out an easel and some brushes to paint.

The process of painting landscapes outdoors was adopted by 18th century French artists, who called the process of painting outside, or outside. Today, this method is practiced all over the world and is loved by many artists in the Pacific Northwest who have no shortage of beautiful landscapes to choose from.

Yong Hong Zhong is one such artist, a Oregon-based watercolorist who finds great joy in connecting with nature through the tip of a brush. Setting up an easel outside, digging his toes into the dirt, he can immerse himself in the landscape he paints, an experience that he says results not only in better paintings, but a more rewarding experience altogether. around.

“A lot of times we just focus on hiking and we don’t have a lot of time to slow down and really enjoy the moment,” Zhong said. “So outdoor painting really slows you down, to stay in one place and take an hour or two just to paint that place. You can really feel the vibe, the feelings of this place.

Although he now lives at Lake Oswego, Zhong’s career has taken him across the country and around the world. Born in a small village in Canton, China, he immigrated to the United States at the age of 12 and then attended La Guardia High School in New York City. After earning a degree in illustration, Zhong got a job at Disney Animation Studios, an experience that still informs his art today, he said.

At Disney, his job was to paint backgrounds for films like “Mulan”, “Pocahontas” and “The Princess and the Frog”. And while still drawing inspiration from that earlier experience, Zhong has largely ditched fantasy worlds and awe-inspiring landscapes in favor of quieter scenes around Oregon.

In fact, some of his favorite paintings come from places that are often overlooked by people as they rush through their lives, he said.

“It’s like walking past a rose garden… then you turn around and see how that beautiful light hits the rose, then the petal is semi-transparent and the light goes through it,” he said. “These are the things I find in life that I want to be able to share with people. It might just be a pebble on the ground, but because the light hits it in a certain way, it makes you look at things on a deeper level.

Outdoor painting can be a drastic act of slowing down, especially when done in places where people usually rush.

This applies to the many trails that pass through the outdoor recreation areas of the Pacific Northwest, places where Zhong particularly likes to set up his easel. And although he’s visited many of the region’s scenic destinations, the painter clearly has one favorite: the Columbia River Gorge.

“I took a three month road trip around the perimeter of this country, and I still think the Columbia Gorge is by far one of the best places to paint,” he said. “All the different terrains, the waterfalls – it’s just amazing. We are so, so lucky to be here in Portland and to have access to all of this beauty that surrounds us.

To some, connecting with nature through the tip of a brush can seem out of reach, something only a “true artist” can achieve. Zhong couldn’t disagree more. He’s adamant that outdoor painting is open to anyone willing to do it – although he said it might be wise to move on.

Those looking to take that first step should get a sketchbook and start drawing whenever you’re outside and feeling so inspired, Zhong said. From there, you can move on to adding color with a basic watercolor set, and once you’ve gotten more comfortable, you can invest in more expensive art supplies, like better paintbrushes, paintings and an easel.

“If you want to give it a try, just keep drawing and don’t worry about the end result at the start,” he said. “Enjoy the process of artistic creation. “

Zhong recognized that outdoor painting is not for everyone, although those who try it may be rewarded with a rich experience and a deeper connection to the natural world.

“You can look at a photograph of a place; it is not the same when you go into nature, ”Zhong said. “You can smell the water, you can smell the breeze, the sun. I mean all of those things that you can’t enjoy just by looking at a photo or watching a music video.

Find Yong Hong Zhong’s paintings or book a painting class online at yonghongzhong.com. See her work on Instagram @ yonghong.zhong.9.

–Jamie Hale; [email protected]; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB