Cristina Acosta Opens at High Desert Gallery -- Redmond Oregon

High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon is pleased to announce the opening for nationally known Oregon artist, Cristina Acosta. Cristina's original paintings and retablos will be displayed from October 1 through October 31, 2008 at High Desert Gallery in downtown Redmond, Oregon.

Cristina Acosta - Original Retablos and Paintings
When: October 1 through October 31, 2008, Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm
Where: High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing, 453 SW 6th Street, Downtown Redmond, Oregon
The event is part of “Celebrate National Art and Framing Month” at High Desert Gallery and is free and open to the public. For more information on the event, Cristina and the gallery please call 1-866-549-6250 or visit: www.highdesertgallery.com.

Cristina Acosta: I am greatly influenced by my Hispanic heritage. Born in Los Angeles, I am the daughter of a Anglo American mother and a Mexican American father. Because of my appearance combined with the time and place I lived, I experienced prejudice growing up; events that caused me to identify deeply with my Mexican American heritage.

My paternal grandmother (Catalina Maria Ortiz Acosta) was a classical pianist and gifted Renaissance woman. Her ancestors included the original Spanish settlers and soldiers that settled in North America in what is now New Mexico in the late 1500's and 1600's. She had antique blankets and other objects from the centuries of life her ancestors had lived in the Southwest region. I found the objects in her home continually fascinating.

As a young child I would often listen to her practice Debussy, Bach or other classical piano pieces as I played with Native American objects from our family's past or leafed through her collection of antique books, looking at engravings. From her I observed the example of the artist's life.

The influence of this part of my culture inspires my series of Madonnas. Painted with oil, sterling silver, copper or 22kt. gold metal leaf and inlays of antique 24kt gold glazed ceramic tiles, these Madonnas include symbols that delve past the dawn of Christianity, and also represent the earth religions of the Native Americans. New Mexico was a frontier for almost three hundred years. Because travel was often unsafe and difficult, access to clergy was sporadic, thus the tradition of the retablo developed as a home altar. They are beautiful additions to any Spanish art or southwest art collection.

Cristina provides more insight on the show and her work at: Cristina Acosta

The Rock Canyon Madonna (Image below and at High Desert Gallery) -- Medium: Oil, sterling silver metal leaf with antique 24-carat gold glazed ceramic mosaic on three hinged birch wood artisan panels. Total open size approximately 26" x 26"

Image Inspiration: An ex-voto retablo painted in gratitude for the blessings of healing and renewal.

Center Panel: An ancient series of dry canyons exist in the high desert lands north of the town of Bend, Oregon. Many centuries ago, rivers, born from the lakes to the south, wore fissures and then canyons into the layers of lava rock covering the land. The ancient native peoples fished and hunted the rich wetlands and rivers. They left behind petroglyphs and pictographs to mark important sites. In this canyon complex the triangular symbol woven within the Madonna’s cloak is a petroglyph etched into the rock. The serenity of the canyon is punctuated by the calls of nesting raptors. The canyon is a powerful place of healing and renewal.

Side Panels: Each side panel reveals a solitary Ponderosa Pine tree. Surrounded by desert plants, there are a few lone pines at key junctures of the canyon. They stand singularly against the skyline, reminding us that despite the arid climate, life-giving water runs deep under the surface.

Back Panel: A pattern of pine boughs gracefully arc under the light of a beautiful full moon.

About Cristina Acosta: Cristina's career has included: A two-year stint as a billboard mural and lettering artist. Five years teaching college art classes. Nine years as an artisan tile designer & production artist for her nationally distributed signature line of ceramic tile during the 1990’s, life long love of the arts and more.

Her artistry is featured in a variety of books and magazines, including her successful art book, Paint Happy! (North Light Books, ©2002,2004). She illustrated the children’s book, When Woman Became the Sea (Beyond Words Pub., ©1998) and contributed to many other books and periodicals including Artist Magazine, Pure Inspiration, Better Homes and Gardens, House Beautiful, Latina magazine, Latina Style, Good Housekeeping, and Woman’s Day home design publications.

Cristina continually paints and writes from her studio at her home in the rain-shadow of the Cascade Mountains. She creates three distinct series of paintings: Paint Happy series, Hispanic Heritage series (Madonnas) and her oils including her Animal Spirit series. Despite the different styles, her work is typified by her lush use of color, dynamic design and the presence of joy.

Museums, galleries and collectors nationwide collect and exhibit her work.

Cristina's work is represented by and available for sale through High Desert Gallery's Fine Art Gallery in Redmond and Sisters Oregon.