Jean Schwalbe

Jean Schwalbe (March 29,1933 -August 12,2023) was born in Portland, Oregon and was a petite, quiet and soft spoken woman who painted large acrylic canvases using vibrant, bright purples, reds, yellows, oranges, and blues with strong and bold brush strokes. She lived in the country on a creek in Hubbard, Oregon with her husband, Glen, who is also large, bold and colorful! Together, they shared a passion for traveling and exploring the back roads and highways searching for unique views of Oregon’s many scenic wonders for Jean to paint.

Her impressionistic paintings become almost a surprise to the viewer as the colors are not what one would expect to find in a landscape. Jean captured energy by pushing the color palette to rich, warm and vivid hues.

Originally a water colorist who studied under George Hamilton, Jean later switched to acrylic. They gave her more “freedom” and as Jean said, “using lots of paint is more fun”. And it is certainly more fun for the viewer! Whether she painted rushing streams and rivers, familiar Oregon mountains, meadows, clouds or all of the above together, she captured a special intensity and vitality found in nature.

Jean was clairvoyant in how she perceived and painted the landscape before her.

Besides having exhibited her work in galleries since 1978, Jean taught art at the University of Oregon, Clackamas Community College, and given many private lessons throughout the years.

We are sad to announce her passing on August 12,2023