Local Linocut Artist Accused of 'Existential Threat to Beige' with Bold Color Choices

Willow Creek, OR – The quiet world of muted tones and subtle gradations in linocut printmaking has been rocked by scandal. Bartholomew “Bart” Higgins, a relatively unknown artist specializing in depictions of damp moss and overcast skies, is facing accusations of ‘aggressive vibrancy’ and ‘a deliberate assault on the aesthetic sensibilities of the discerning collector’ following the unveiling of his latest piece, ‘Radishes.’ The piece, featuring – shockingly – *red* radishes against a background of…wait for it…*orange*, has sent ripples of horror through the local printmaking community. Agnes Periwinkle, president of the Willow Creek Society for the Preservation of Pale Palettes, stated, “It’s simply…unsettling. We’ve always prided ourselves on the soothing, almost melancholic quality of our work. Mr. Higgins’ blatant disregard for subtlety is frankly, alarming. It’s like he *wants* people to feel things.” Higgins, for his part, remains defiant. “Look, I grew some radishes, okay? They were red and orange. I carved them. I printed them. What’s the big deal?” he reportedly muttered while aggressively sharpening a gouge. The controversy has sparked a heated debate about the very soul of linocut. Is it a medium for quiet contemplation, or a vehicle for…gasp…*expression*? Some fear this could open the floodgates for other radical color choices – yellows, even *greens* – potentially destabilizing the entire art market. The Society is currently petitioning the town council to implement a ‘Color Harmony Bylaw’ restricting artists to a pre-approved palette of greys, browns, and off-whites. This reporter, frankly, is bracing for a world where everything is just…beige.