Press Release: June events at High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June events at High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon

Bend, Oregon – May 1, 2008:  High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon announce their June artists events.  The gallery sponsored events are free and open to the public.  For more information on the events, artists and the gallery please call 1-866-549-6250 or visit: www.highdesertgallery.com.

Artist Reception -- Rowdy Barry -- High Desert Gallery -- Sisters Oregon
Thursday, June 12, 2008    5 – 8:30pm
Artist Feature from June 1 through June 15th
Location: High Desert Gallery, 281 W Cascade Avenue, Sisters Oregon 97759
Special Exhibition of artist and nationally known rodeo bullfighter! Rowdy has created the 2008 Sisters Rodeo Poster and we are honored host Rowdy and his original paintings in the gallery from June 1 to June 15th. A special Artist in Attendance reception will be held at High Desert Gallery in Sisters Oregon on Thursday, June 12th. Plan on attending the reception and the world famous Sisters Rodeo. For more information on Rowdy please visit: www.rowdybarry.com and www.sistersrodeo.com.  A Hoot For Sure!

Artist Reception -- Kathy Deggendorfer -- High Desert Gallery -- Sisters Oregon
Saturday, June 21, 2008  4 – 7pm
Artist Feature from June 1 through June 30th
Location: High Desert Gallery, 281 W Cascade Avenue, Sisters Oregon 97759
Join us for a wonderful month of new work by Kathy Deggendorfer! Nationally collected and regionally acclaimed the work of Kathy is bright, fun and often with a bit of humor!
Collectors and art lovers are invited to a special Artist in Attendance reception for Kathy on Saturday, June 21, 2008 -- Meet Kathy -- View new work and enjoy lively conversation, great art, live music by Bellavia and refreshments!

Artist Reception - Kimry Jelen -- High Desert Gallery -- Redmond Oregon
Friday, June 27, 2008   5 – 8pm
Artist Feature from June 1 through June 30th
Location: High Desert Gallery, 453 SW 6th Street, Redmond, Oregon 97756
Join us for an Artist in Attendance Reception on Friday, June 27th from 5-8pm in Redmond Oregon. Meet Kimry, view great art, enjoy lively conversation, live music and refreshments.  Join us for Kimry's artist reception and Walk The Art Beat, a Redmond Oregon community arts event.  A Hoot For Sure!

About High Desert Gallery: High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing, The Art & Soul of Central Oregon™ is an award winning fine art and custom picture framing gallery with retail locations in Bend, Oregon (Opening December 2008), Redmond and Sisters Oregon specializing in Central Oregon Artists & Beyond™ and Stellar Custom Framing. High Desert Gallery honored in 2005, 2006 and 2007 by Decor Magazine as a "Top 100 Art and Framing Gallery in America" and voted "Best Art Gallery" in Redmond, Oregon (2006 & 2007) and Sisters, Oregon (2005, 2006). In February 2008, High Desert Gallery was awarded Top Honors in the Professional Picture Framing Association 2007-2008 International Open Framing Competition. For more information please visit: www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free 1-866-549-6250. The Art & Soul of Central Oregon™ and Central Oregon Artists & Beyond™ are trademarks of High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon.

About Rowdy Barry: Rowdy Barry began bullfighting when he was 14 years old and became a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1986. Rowdy is much more than a bullfighter – He's a real cowboy, rancher, rodeo bullfighter and an accomplished painter and sculptor. His artwork is shown across the nation at Western art shows and rodeos and is widely collected. The Kennewick, Washington, rancher was the commissioned artist for national Wrangler Bullfight posters from 1992-1997 and honored this year with the commission for the 2008 Sisters Rodeo Poster. High Desert Gallery in Sisters Oregon will feature Rowdy's paintings and sculpture from June 1 through June 15 with an artist reception on Thursday, June 12 from 5-8pm.

About Kathy Deggendorfer:  Kathy Deggendorfer lives on a cattle and hay ranch just outside of Sisters, Oregon. Inspired by the color, pattern and texture of her surroundings, she creates vibrant and colorful watercolor paintings. Whimsical images of flowers and ranch life fill the paintings with color and life. "Folks tell me they just feel happy when they look at my work-- that makes me happy."

Raised in Portland, Oregon, in a clothing manufacturing family, she says ,"Sewing skills skipped a generation with me... but I love fabric. I like to call my creations 'Painters Quilts.' I can prowl around the rounders full of prints at the Stitchin' Post with the best of 'em... I just put my fabrics in with a paintbrush." Kathy's collaborative work with master quilter, Tonye Belinda Phillips, is another fun combination of painted image and textile interpretation.

Kathy is currently working on a project about Oregon Specialty Farming and sustainable farm practices. This project takes her out into the fields of Oregon farms to paint and learn about what makes Oregon agricultural practices and people unique. Trips to the cattle ranches of Eastern Oregon and vineyards of the Willamette Valley provide her with plenty of rich and colorful images.

Kathy's work is collected throughout the Pacific Northwest and reaches out to all corners of the United States. Represented by High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon, she has pieces in the permanent collection at Redmond Airport, 2007 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show Poster Artist, she wrote and illustrated a children's book for St. Charles Medical Center, and her work has been translated into clothing and fabric for Columbia Sportswear. In 2005, Kathy was awarded 'Citizen of the Year' in Sisters Oregon for her contributions to the community and the arts. High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon is honored to represent Kathy Deggendorfer exclusively in Central Oregon.

About Kimry Jelen:  In a moment of clarity, Kimry Jelen left the corporate world and her life as a fashion designer to honor the horsewoman she is and pursue her artistic talents. The accolades she received from companies like Nike, Royal Robbins and O'Neill pale in comparison to the joy she receives from interpreting her love of nature with paint, brush and palette knife. Her contemporary style flows freely, from abstract to representational, and demonstrates an intimate understanding of her subjects. A native Oregonian, Kimry has made the central part of the state her home where she is a professional horse trainer and artist. She comments on her inspiration, "my art is an opportunity to share what nature shares with me, every creation is a celebration of life, whether an aspen grove, the power of horses, or a critter's sense of humor!" Kimry's work has found it's way into exhibitions and corporate and private collections throughout the United States and Europe.High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon is honored to exclusively represent Kimry Jelen in Central Oregon.

Press Release Contact: TDow
High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon
PO BOX 519 Bend, OR 97709-0519 Phone: 541-388-8964
Web Site: www.highdesertgallery.com
High resolution Images available on request

###

---