This month’s Featured Artist at the Pacific Artists’ Co-op Gallery in Lincoln City is Eric Paukst. Eric is best known for his hand-painted engraved wooden panels, a technique that he pioneered after retiring to Otter Rock a few years ago.  Whether it is creative energy or an inability to focus, Eric likes to explore artistically. His latest exhibit is a marked departure from his previous works. He has chosen to explore an entirely different medium: flame-painted copper. Flame painting is a technique whereby copper is heated with a torch to cause oxidation of the metal to bring out its natural colors.  Through control of the temperature, the rate of cooling, and other factors Eric has created a series impressionistic pieces capturing the essence of our beautiful coastal environment for this month’s exhibit. Eric continues to explore the creative possibilities of fire-painting as well as continuing his work with engraved panels, with the possibility of combining the processes in preparation for the gallery re-hang at the beginning of April.
​Eric's unique pieces, along with the work of more than 30 other local artists, can be seen at the Pacific Artist  Alliance Gallery. The Gallery is located at 620 N. E.  Highway 101 across from the Lincoln City Cultural Center. The gallery is open from 10 AM to 5 PM daily.