Louise Bacon-Ogden Showcases Nature Art at Arcata Marsh Center

Louise Bacon-Ogden is showcasing her nature art at the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center in Arcata, California, until December 2023. The exhibit features a range of her works, emphasizing her evolution as an artist who has embraced both traditional and contemporary techniques.

Bacon-Ogden describes herself primarily as a black-and-white artist, focusing on intricate details rendered in ink and graphite. She has recently expanded her repertoire to include color, prompted by encouragement from friends. “I took classes in oil, colored pencil, oil pastels, and watercolor pencil,” she shared. One of her significant challenges has been mastering watercolor techniques, which led her to participate in various workshops, including a plein air watercolor tour in Greece in 2018.

The experience in Greece proved transformative for Bacon-Ogden. “It was a ‘light bulb’ experience,” she noted. The trip instilled a newfound confidence that significantly improved her watercolor skills. In addition to her travels, she adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by taking the “Art for the Young at Heart” Zoom class. This period of self-isolation spurred her to explore new artistic techniques, such as loose watercolor, which she discovered through online resources.

“Opening my mind to new and different art styles has been liberating,” Bacon-Ogden explained. Her journey into teaching began during the pandemic when she was invited to conduct art classes via Zoom. This initiative blossomed into in-person classes at various venues, including the Center for Spiritual Living, OLLI through Cal Poly Humboldt, and local senior centers like Silvercrest and Alder Bay. She offers classes for ages 10 and up, aiming to unlock creativity in her students.

“My goal is to turn anyone into a creative soul,” she stated. With her diverse teaching methods and commitment to fostering artistic expression, Bacon-Ogden continues to inspire many in her community.

For those interested in learning more or participating in her classes, additional information can be obtained by emailing [email protected].