FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Grace Bishko at
High Desert Gallery, September 12th
Bend, Oregon –
August 4, 2008: High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central
Oregon is pleased 
to announce an artist feature and reception for
nationally known Oregon artist, Grace Bishko. An Artist in
Attendance reception is scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2008 from
5-8pm at High Desert Gallery's Redmond fine art gallery located at
453 SW 6th Street in the heart of downtown Redmond,
Oregon. Grace's artwork will be displayed through September. The
gallery sponsored event is free and open to the public. For more
information on the event, Grace and the gallery please call
1-866-549-6250 or visit: www.highdesertgallery.com.
Artist Reception &
Feature – Grace Bishko
Nationally Known
Oregon Painter
Artist in
Attendance Reception: Friday, September 12, 2008 5-8PM
Artist Feature –
September 2-30, 2008
High Desert
Gallery – 453 SW 6th Street, Downtown Redmond, Oregon
97756
Refreshments, Live
Music, Meet Grace
Featuring New
Original Paintings and Fine Art Prints
In cooperation
with “Walk The Art Beat” A Redmond Community Arts Event
Free and open to
the public.
Gallery Hours:
Monday-Saturday 10am to 6pm, Closed Sunday and major holidays.
In preparation of
Grace's artist reception and feature, High Desert Gallery
asked Grace to share her thoughts on her new work and upcoming exhibition and sale:
Over the past 7 months, I’ve taken an art vacation. That is, to
say, I’ve added a couple of new series of works to the “Ancient
Trilogy” series, which I still continue to work on.
The Trilogy series began about 5 years ago, when I arrived in
Bend, Oregon. With nature at my doorstep, I started hiking and
studying the trees, the birds, the deer, the little ground animals
and insects. The ravens intrigued me to no end. I began to research
them, which led me to their connection to wolves, which opened up the
role of humans in this trio. And that is when I began to consider the
displacement that is forced upon animals in the wilderness - so
frequently by our own human actions. I decided to demonstrate their
situation by composing oil paintings on canvas, with imagery of
wolves and ravens, and coyote/man in positions and places in which
they couldn’t possibly survive as they are - without changing
themselves - which they cannot do. However, human beings can change
and convert themselves in many ways, which is why I always represent
the human with a coyote mask - coyotes are crafty and cunning, and
humans have logic.
The first new series of the “vacation” series, was inspired by
a book entitled, “The Language of Flowers”, written by Kate
Greenaway, and published in the 1800’s. My inspiration came from
her lists of emotional descriptions that she gave to each flower -
such as Peony (Shame); Zinnia - (Thoughts of absent friends); Rose
(Love); Iris - (Message); Tulip - (Fame); Lily - (Purity and
sweetness); Daffodil - (Regard); Calla Lily - (Magnificent beauty)
and so on. This series of paintings portrays daffodils, tulips,
irises, pink calla lilies, white lilies and roses. The paintings are
oils on canvas, and thin and tall, and each contains an architectural
element in their border. I think that when I plant, or purchase cut
flowers for myself, or receive them as a gift, I am filled with
emotion over their miraculous beauty and freshness. And these
feelings last as long as the flowers do. Then I forget about them,
until the next bouquet appears in my arms, and again, I become
completely emotional - filled up with the miracle of their beauty.
The second new series is based on a combination of the subjects
above - The Ancient Trilogy, other wildlife, and The Language of
Flowers. These paintings are done on handmade paper which is made in
Napal, Philippines. It’s a delicate paper, which reacts to the
paint - it crinkles and moves in response to the liquid. The medium
is gouache and watercolor. Some of the compositions have a horizontal
division across the middle that is a very colorful shape based on
African masks. Placing them lying down across the middle, changes the
mask into something architectural. This series has a variety of
subjects, but the compositions are similar to each other with the use
of repeated images, colors and placement. They are busy and complex,
but the wildlife topic is obvious.
In the month of September you’ll be able to see some of these
paintings. On September 12th, it will be my great pleasure to meet
you at High Desert Gallery in Redmond, Oregon. Grace Bishko, Bend
Oregon
About Grace
Bishko: Grace lives in Central Oregon, hikes the trails, and paints
her memories of what she has seen. A serious and honest painter, she
paints from her heart and of her memories and experiences. Her
imagery contains an ever so slight surreal edge to grab and retain
the viewer’s attention, while at the same time satisfying their
deep emotions and enjoyment. High Desert Gallery is truly honored to
represent Grace Bishko.
In the 1970’s
she decided to stop painting directly from “life,” and to develop
a vocabulary that would allow her to paint through her personal
feelings. Through education, and experimentation, her creative
endeavors evolved in many stages. The results of this adventure are
embedded in the artwork she is involved in today. Now, Grace is
honored that her paintings are appreciated and understood across a
wide multicultural expanse.
Winning all
possible awards at the Cleveland Institute of Art, she went on to
receive her Master of Fine Arts degree from Rutgers, The State
University, Mason Gross School of the Arts. After receiving her
M.F.A. degree, Grace taught life drawing at Rutgers, design at
University of the Arts, and lithography at Moore College of Art.
Since then, she has focused on her own art, exhibiting yearly in solo
and group exhibitions.
High Desert
Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon is honored to
represent Grace Bishko exclusively in Central Oregon.
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 early
2009), 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 & 2008) and Sisters,
Oregon (2005, 2006, & 2008). 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.
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
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