Camas artist seeks to ‘stomp out loneliness’

Artist Heidi Curley uses a pencil to write on a piece of paper at her studio in Camas Feb. 25. Curley uses art journaling, the process of journaling and then covering the words with paint, as a way to help release stuck emotions. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

A photo of artist Heidi Curley’s mother hangs on the wall at Curley’s art studio in Camas Feb. 25, 2025. When her mother was dying, Curley asked her, “How am I going to live without you?” Her mother replied, “Be kind and tell the truth.” (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Artwork by Heidi Curley hangs on the wall of her studio in Camas, Feb. 25, 2025. Curley says the chairs represent the fact that she will always have a chair available for people in need.

Artist Heidi Curley smudges paint around with her fingers at her art studio in Camas Feb. 25, 2025. Curley says she finds painting with her hands “messy, but freeing.”

Artist Heidi Curley experienced overwhelming grief 15 years ago, when her husband, Ed, died by suicide. She said she moved “out of the darkness and into the light” using art and art journaling to help her process her emotions. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)