I Cannot think of a more romantically beautiful and incredible landscape! Southern Oregon and more specifically the Southern Oregon Coastline is simply magical, enchanting and absolutely surreal in its existence. The way the forest juts all the way down to the Pacific Ocean, the remarkable sea stacks, foggy ethereal mood, wildflowers, you name it, Southern Oregon is a landscaper’s paradise!
For many years I have ventured to the furthest reaches of the Southern Oregon coastline to draw inspiration from its rugged and beautiful stretches, lush conifer covered forests and magical hidden coves. I know that along with Washington state, Oregon is one of my favorite places to spend time in, creating and exploring and for good reason, if you have not, you absolutely, most certainly, should!
Oregon’s coastal scene is an endless assortment of opportunities, from gold panning, to photography and an innumerable number of trails to hike, it is a place that has always kept my interest thought the years. In my fine art collection, I showcase many artworks from the Southern Oregon Coastline and a few of the neighboring iconic inland landscapes as well. Places around Bend Oregon such as Sparks Lake, Three Fingered Jack, Crater Lake and Black Butte are just a few of the places that draw my attention to this region.
Along Oregon’s coastline, I often have a few go to locations that I continually return to. Each has its own vibe and too much in a lifetime to explore, however over the years I have certainly had the opportunity to share a few special moments with each place and so I will dive a little deeper into a few of them here and hopefully you too will have the opportunity to seek out your own adventures here to enjoy this dramatic and picturesque landscape!
ARTWORK BY MARLON HOLDEN “RHODODENDRON DAWN” LIMITED EDITION OF 50
CAPE PERPETUA
Home of the famed Thors Well, a place that is sure to get your camera wet not only once, but I am sure a few times! The wave action here can be quite the wet experience and with any luck, the photograph that echoes that experience! One of the magical things about the Pacific Northwest is the quality of the light here. It seems no matter the conditions, something great always happens here. Where you are surrounded by thick clouds, everything looks like there’s no chance for great light, then bam! Out of nowhere, a crack in the horizon leaks a sliver of epic light across your scene.
ARTWORK BY MARLON HOLDEN “Well Within” LIMITED EDITION OF 50
SISTERS ROCK STATE PARK
I’m not certain If you will find much about this place, however, if you are cruising along Highway 101 you will see a large hump of a giant rock looming off the roadway a bit just past the small coastal town of Gold Beach, Oregon. If you are interested in a little history about the area, there is one spot on the southern Oregon coast that has it all.
This quiet little pullout in now an undeveloped state park site, Sisters Rock has a long and storied past, once long ago, it was used as a shipping port, smuggling point and a bustling rock quarry. Nowadays it is simply a recreational destination just a few miles North of Gold Beach.
Often Sisters Rock will surprise you with its beauty, as during the seasons,you can chase wildflowers here from wild irises to huge swaths of lupine dancing in the spring sea air. It is an iconic and beautiful stop to take in if you are visiting for photography or otherwise.
ARTWORK BY MARLON HOLDEN “WILD IN LIGHT” LIMITED EDITION OF 50
SAMUEL H BOARDMAN CORRIDOR
This is one of my very favorite places to draw inspiration from! The Samuel H Boardman Corridor is a linear coastal corridor consisting of approximately 1471 acres and 11 coastal seashore miles of sea stacks, arches and secret little coves. The region is named as a landmark that honors Samuel H. Boardman, Oregon’s first superintendent of State Parks from around 1929 through 1950 as he orchestrated much of the organization and acquisition of park lands during his tenure in the Oregon state park system.
The Park itself is a gem to the Oregon coast and in my opinion one of the most remarkable places on earth! This place while extremely beautiful, can also be extremely dangerous and for this reason it is advisable to remain on the trail systems within the designated loops. If you are extremely adventurous, there are several off-trail areas where you are entirely on your own and ultimately the risk is all in your own hands. As always, I inherit no assumption of these risks to you and you discover it at your will and discretion. Also take note that the area is profusely covered in so much poison oak that it can leave a sobering reminder having you itch like a crazy person for the next eight weeks after your visit if you are not mindful to your surroundings!
With that said, natural bridges, secret beach and the sea stacks as well as arches that surround this area are nothing short of breathtaking and leave room for you to create visually stunning photographs the likes of nowhere else on earth! The light always appears to be ever changing here and dynamic situations are almost always possible given the nature of this coastline.
ARTWORK BY MARLON HOLDEN “COASTAL GUARDIAN” LIMITED EDITION OF 50
ARTWORK BY MARLON HOLDEN “GUARDIAN COAST” LIMITED EDITION OF 50
BANDON OREGON
Another favorite destination if you’re in love with landscape photography is Bandon Oregon. Bandon beach itself is an endless canvass of beautiful photographic opportunities, especially during low tide which will expose a mirrored and highly reflective landscape scene full of sea stacks, sea arches, caves and juxtaposition! Spending a few days here each spring will absolutely find you creating some of your most memorable and beautiful artworks to add to your art collection.
I especially love the interaction of reflection work that is possible here with the incredible array of sea stacks. The clouds seem to float across the wet sand as if magic! The image that you see below was the result of spending several evenings here trying to capture the light just right with an assortment of nice clouds to set the mood for this shot.
ARTWORK BY MARLON HOLDEN “BANDON BLISS” LIMITED EDITION OF 50
ARTWORK BY MARLON HOLDEN “BEACONING” LIMITED EDITION OF 50
CAPE KIWANDA
A notable place to visit on your trip to Oregon’s coastline, should undoubtedly be Cape Kiwanda! Cape Kiwanda is a state park just North of Pacific City, Oregon. Cape Kiwanda is one of three capes along the scenic route and is primarily comprised of delicate sandstone rock formations. Sea arches, caves and dramatic vistas abound in this area along with coastal hazards that you should research before you go. Be forewarned that a trip here will yield not much in regard to restaurants or services. There is a pretty decent pizzeria in town and that is about it in my opinion.
On one particular night I had spent up in Cape Kiwanda I found myself deep in the bowls of the sandstone cliffs along the shore at night! Although I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this action, the waves and tides that evening safely allowed for us to do this responsibly given my adventurous nature. What we saw that evening as the full moon set behind this cliff that faced out to the ocean and through this sea cave was nothing short of breathtaking! Bioluminescence was glowing neon blue along the shoreline! Each wave that cascaded across the sandstone would reveal electric blue washing across the rocks! The image that you see below is the result of this moment spent there, I don’t think I stopped reminiscing this moment ever since as it truly was remarkable to watch Mother Earth sharing a moment that I am not certain many have ever seen there before!
ARTWORK BY MARLON HOLDEN “SAPPHIRE SHORES” LIMITED EDITION OF 50
COASTAL REDWOODS
Just a short drive across the border into California from Brookings Oregon, note that you are extremely close to California’s famed Del Norte Coastal redwoods. These groves are well worth your time to visit if you have the time and given the right conditions in late spring to early summer you could score light rays and even blooming rhododendrons deep in the forest!
There are several easily accessible groves within a few minutes to a touch less than an hour away along the 101 and nearby roadways. The Lady Bird Grove, The Jedidiah Smith and Damnation Creek Trail are all very close to Brookings Oregon. Each of these areas has a slightly different ecosystem and will be certain to draw a lot of inspiration and creativity if you choose to visit them.
ARTWORK BY MARLON HOLDEN “QUIET WISDOM” LIMITED EDITION OF 100
ARTWORK BY MARLON HOLDEN “REDWOOD MAJESTY” LIMITED EDITION OF 50