High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon

High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon Presents "Jump Off" - A New Original Painting by Kimry Jelen

Fans and collectors know it - equine artist Kimry Jelen has a special gift: she captures the heart, spirit, beauty and power of horses. In 2008, her painting “Sky Jump” represented the Central Oregon High Desert Classics, and was so successful that this year Kimry was again commissioned to create a painting, titled “Jump Off,” for the 20th anniversary of the event.

“2009 is the 20th anniversary of the Oregon High Desert Classics. The poster for last year was a big success so I was asked to do the artwork and design for this year's poster too! I wanted to include the two types of horses that compete caught mid-action. A "Jump Off" is a timed competition to see who can accurately jump a course the fastest. It is thrilling to watch! The bold energy, the size of the painting and color are representative of the action and excitement in jumping. The mountains are the backdrop for this event, it's amazing to see a horse leaping tall jumps with one of the Three Sisters behind it. Three horses made it into the painting, two braided "Hunters" and a "Jumper" - you can tell by the hair-dos.” - Kimry Jelen, 2009

Kimry also suggests, “If you want to know more about Hunters and Jumpers, check out this link!”

About the Art: “Jump Off” is a 36" x 48" one-of-a-kind original acrylic painting on canvas, professionally framed by award-winning custom framer Myrna Dow. High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon is pleased and honored to make available artwork by Oregon artist, Kimry Jelen. For more information or to purchase "Jump Off" call the gallery at 866-549-6250 or visit: Kimry Jelen's Jump Off

About the Oregon High Desert Classics: The Oregon High Desert Classics is the largest and most prestigious hunter-jumper competition in the Northwest, bringing over 500 of the finest horses and most talented riders from the United States and Canada to Bend. Each Classic draws professional and amateur competitors and closes on Sunday with the Grand Prix competition, where the top horses and riders compete for purses up to $25,000. Since its inception in 1990, this annual fundraiser has become a premier event for both riders and spectators. Competitors enjoy a USA Equestrian A-Rated show on superb grass footing, while spectators (no admission fee for spectators) enjoy the athletic skill of the horses and riders and a variety of food and shopping at vendor booths.

2009 Daily schedule is 7:30am - 4:30pm, Wednesday - Sunday; 2009 Grand Prix - Main event each Saturday, July 18 & July 25 at 5:00pm approximately. Mini Prix - each Sunday, July 19 & July 26 at 2:00pm approximately. Check out www.jbarj.org for more information.

J Bar J Youth Services, the host of the High Desert Classics, was established in 1968 as a private non-profit organization providing quality programs for youth and their families. Their mission statement is "Innovative options for at-risk youth and families toward self-sufficiency and personal responsibility". The proceeds from the High Desert Classics fundraiser go towards J bar J's program. For more information visit www.jbarj.org

High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing
281 W Cascade Avenue at Oak
Sisters, Oregon 97759
541-388-8964 / 866-549-6250
Open Daily: 10am to 6pm (Summer Hours)
www.highdesertgallery.com

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 three High Desert Gallery retail locations in Bend, Oregon (Open Summer 2009), Redmond and Sisters Oregon and one High Desert Frameworks! located in downtown Bend, Oregon. The gallery specializes 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). International Framing Awards earned by High Desert Gallery include First Place and Top Honors in the Professional Picture Framing Association (PPFA) 2007-2008 International Open Framing Competition and Third Place in the Professional Picture Framing Association 2008-2009 International Print 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.

Sneak Preview -- “West of West,” A Celebration of Ranch Life at High Desert Gallery -- Sisters Oregon

The “West of West,” A Celebration of Ranch Life at High Desert Gallery Group Show Opens May 30 through June 29. Please join us for the Artist Group Reception Saturday, May 30, from 4 – 7pm.

The All-Star lineup of High Desert Gallery Artists includes Cristina Acosta, J Chester Armstrong, Paul Alan Bennett, Grace Bishko, Glen Corbett, Kathy Deggendorfer, Trisha Hassler, Kimry Jelen, Sue Smith, Jean Wells, Jerry Werner.

High Desert Gallery And Custom Framing
281 W Cascade Avenue at Oak  Sisters, Oregon 97759
541-388-8964 / 866-549-6250
Open Daily: F/S/S/M 10am to 5pm, T/W/H 10am-2:30pm (Spring Hours)
Open Daily: 10am to 6pm Starting June 14, 2009 (Summer Hours)
www.highdesertgallery.com

“Howdy Pardner” – Watercolor on Paper, by Kathy Deggendorfer (Image)

When I was a little kid growing up in the 50’s and 60’s in Portland I dreamt of the life of a cowboy. My parents told me my very first words were “Dat Da Dah”... I’d point to horses in the field and shout "Dat Da Dah!" Apparently because in the TV show, The Lone Ranger., every time he rode onto the screen the music would come up -- dat da da dah, dat da da dah, dah daaaaaaaah da! Hence, horse = dat dah dah.

My Dad was from Tucson so every summer vacation ---you got it... SUMMER vacation-- we would leave cool and rainy Portland and drive to Tucson to visit relatives. We’d swelter in the in unaccustomed heat but I loved to go because they’d take me out to a ranch and let me ride a horse! I’d pack my authentic western leather vest with the fringe trim and the metal studded holster and pearl handled six shooters I begged for every year at Christmas. I’d always get new boots and jeans in Tucson... much better selection, don’t ya know. I remember the year they begged the wrangler to tell me that " Cowgirls really do comb their hair". Hmmmm. They never showed any real personal hygiene on those TV shows. Oh, how I wanted to live there in Arizona and have my own horse--even though it was hotter than Hades and the bugs and snakes bit people and the bushes had thorns.

This piece, “ Howdy Pardner” is kind of an homage to all that childhood longing for wide open spaces and the dusty trail.

The border is reminiscent of this really cool Indian Chief Headdress that we had as kids-- it was made of colored feathers sewn into a band of red, yellow and blue felt. With this thing on you could command half the neighborhood kids, lead war parties, smoke imaginary peace pipes and feel very much connected to the history of the West.

The cowboy in the center looks a little bit like Dan Hicks from Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks-- I just replaced his guitar with a coyote... two truly great Western singers.

Of course, I had to put the mountains and the foothills of Sisters as the backdrop. It’s where I always hoped I would end up-- on a ranch near the mountains.

The floral pattern in the background came from an old embroidered cowboy shirt I used to have -- ahhh, it was a beauty!

The corners are dominated by the horseshoe prints left by my trustee mare--Boogie --on a field of red paisley like my favorite red cowboy bandana.

"The Lone Ranger", "My Friend Flicka", "Rin Tin Tin", "Sky King", maybe even a little bit of "Bonanza" (oh, wasn't Little Joe somethin' else???) thrown in.

Those TV Westerns made me pine for the life of a cowboy--- and guess what? Here I am--living on a ranch--horses, cows, with hay in my pockets and wearing cowboy boots every day of the year! -- Kathy Deggendorfer May 2009

Patricia Martin-Freeman: Herd Dynamics

“Standing Cattle” 22” x 7.5” Pen and Watercolor on Paper

I have spent years of my life watching cattle. As a rancher, one of my jobs was to watch and monitor cattle for health. I have a talent for identifying cattle that are coming down with illness. As a competitor at cow cutting competitions, studying the cattle for indications of their behavior and to remember each one of the herd as an individual, is a way to increase one's chances of doing well in the competition.

This little painting is an example of what I love about drawing cattle; even though they are all basically the same creature, they each have unique and identifying faces, lines, markings, and personalities. I love drawing cattle. They are a simple shape that is never the same from moment to moment. I love how cattle stand in groups. There is always a rhythm and pattern to the way the individuals make up the herd, and the way the light falls and scatters through, down and around their blocky forms. -- Patricia Freeman-Martin, March 2009

About Patricia Freeman-Martin: Patricia was raised in a ranching and rodeo family in Eastern Oregon, graduating from high school in Pendleton, Oregon. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, magna cum laude, from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She moved to New York City and spent nearly five years in the East Village. During a visit home, she fell in love with a potato farmer from Southern Idaho and never returned to New York. For 16 years, Patricia and her family lived and worked on their ranch at the foot of the Elkhorn Mountains in North Powder, Oregon. Ranching and cutting horses have been an integral part of her life as well as inspiration for her art. In 2004 Patricia and her family purchased a horse ranch in Terrebonne, Oregon, near Smith Rock. Patricia has woven together a beautiful and complex life of many different themes; cattle ranching, cutting horses, family, and art. She uses a variety of mixed media to talk about her experiences in the western landscape and her style reflects her fresh, honest and whimsical way of viewing the world.

Patricia Freeman-Martin – Original Paintings & Monoprints
March 1 through March 31, 2009
High Desert Gallery, 281 W Cascade Avenue at Oak, Sisters, Oregon 97759
541-388-8964 / 866-549-6250
Open Daily (Winter Hours): F/S/S/M 10am to 5pm, T/W/H 10am-2:30pm
www.highdesertgallery.com

To purchase “Standing Cattle” please contact High Desert Gallery

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 (Open Summer 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). International Framing Awards earned by High Desert Gallery include First Place and Top Honors in the Professional Picture Framing Association (PPFA) 2007-2008 International Open Framing Competition and Third Place in the Professional Picture Framing Association 2008-2009 International Print 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.

Original artwork by listed artist(s). All rights reserved and copyright 2009. Use of image is restricted and prohibited without prior written permission.

Grace Bishko: I See it more completely

Inside Out -Oils on Canvas - 23.75 x 20.00 inches (Image) by Grace Bishko

This painting is all about color, pattern, and displaced and unexpected placement of some of the images. When I come across something “out of place”, I see it more completely. However, it’s easy to walk right by objects, people, animals, etc. that are where they’ve always been, without seeing them.

Creating the painting, “Inside Out” was a little bit challenging, and a lot of fun. I “threw the dice” so to speak, and took my chances! -- Grace Bishko March 2009

High Desert Gallery is pleased and honored to make available artwork by Nationally Acclaimed Oregon artist, Grace Bishko.

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 (Open Summer 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). International Framing Awards earned by High Desert Gallery include First Place and Top Honors in the Professional Picture Framing Association (PPFA) 2007-2008 International Open Framing Competition and Third Place in the Professional Picture Framing Association 2008-2009 International Print 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.

Original artwork by listed artist(s). All rights reserved and copyright 2009. Use of image is restricted and prohibited without prior written permission.

Patricia Freeman-Martin: Trick Rider Series and more opens in Sisters Oregon

High Desert Gallery is honored to feature new fine art prints and original mixed media paintings by Oregon Artist, Patricia Freeman-Martin. The exhibition and sale is hosted by High Desert Gallery in Sisters Oregon and will continue through March 2009.

Typically a mixed media painter, and collage artist, printmaking was completely new to me less than a year ago. Using the monoprint process has now become my favorite way to draw. It is the first process I have used that freely allows me to draw using a reductive approach. I love the process of applying ink to the plate, and then, using a variety of tools, remove ink until I am left with the image. The informality and flexibility of the monoprinting process provides immediate gratification. It is a way to create an image which has the vitality and freshness of a sketch, but the weight and depth of a fine ink drawing on beautiful paper.

I am excited to show this work which features rodeo trick riders as my subject matter. When I was young, my family spent a lot of time at rodeos, watching my father and his friends and brothers compete. There was always a trick rider act for entertainment. I was enthralled by these acts. I loved the theatricality of their courageous stunts, their costumes, their trust in their horses and their own abilities. My drawing of the trick riders is spreading to other areas of the rodeo, and the parades that were a frequent part of the rodeo tradition. I’m now starting to draw the calf ropers, now called tie-down roping, and the trick ropers. I’m looking forward to exploring this imagery more, as I am beginning to draw from old photographs of my father roping in the 1960’s, and some vintage photographs of trick riders from the 1920’s and 30’s. -- Patricia Freeman-Martin, March 2009

Patricia Freeman-Martin – Original Paintings & Monoprints
March 1 through March 31, 2009

High Desert Gallery, 281 W Cascade Avenue at Oak, Sisters, Oregon 97759

541-388-8964 / 866-549-6250
Open Daily (Winter Hours): F/S/S/M 10am to 5pm, T/W/H 10am-2:30pm
www.highdesertgallery.com

About Patricia Freeman-Martin: Patricia was raised in a ranching and rodeo family in Eastern Oregon, graduating from high school in Pendleton, Oregon. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, magna cum laude, from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She moved to New York City and spent nearly five years in the East Village. During a visit home, she fell in love with a potato farmer from Southern Idaho and never returned to New York. For 16 years, Patricia and her family lived and worked on their ranch at the foot of the Elkhorn Mountains in North Powder, Oregon. Ranching and cutting horses have been an integral part of her life as well as inspiration for her art. In 2004 Patricia and her family purchased a horse ranch in Terrebonne, Oregon, near Smith Rock. Patricia has woven together a beautiful and complex life of many different themes; cattle ranching, cutting horses, family, and art. She uses a variety of mixed media to talk about her experiences in the western landscape and her style reflects her fresh, honest and whimsical way of viewing the world.

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 (Open Summer 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.

Original artwork by listed artist(s). All rights reserved and copyright 2009. Use of image is restricted and prohibited without prior written permission.

Oregon Art Beat: Kimry Jelen, Central Oregon Artist Feature

Tonight watch Kimry Jelen on OPB's Oregon Art Beat -- Thursday February 19, 2009 at 8PM. For more info: Visit: Kimry Jelen Artist Feature.

New Work:  “Soul Mate,” acrylic on canvas by Kimry Jelen.

There are times when a horse looks at you with those big deep eyes and it feels like he is looking into your soul. Some horse "owners" feel that their equine friend was meant to be in their lives. That they make the perfect match! This horse is painted from memory - but is not just one horse. It is a culmination of all the cool horses I have met that have extra special people, there are so many out there! In return, these horses bond, bring joy, listen and share. They help carry the burden of everyday life and lighten the load. Soul mates give you the wonderful feeling that you're where you are supposed to be in life at this moment - you know it when you look into their eyes and feel the love. -- Kimry Jelen, February 2009.

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 art is also influenced by her travels in North America and to other continents. She has trained in the classical arenas in Portugal and Spain, walked with the primates in Africa, toured through Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and rode the Shinkansen in Japan. Her work has found its way into exhibitions and corporate and private collections around the globe.

High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon is honored to represent Kimry Jelen exclusively in Central Oregon. To contact High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon please call 1-866-549-6250 or visit: Contact High Desert Gallery.

Kimry Jelen - Conjuring up warm and sunny memories

Summer Flowers & My Mom's Poppies: Growing up in the Willamette Valley, we were able to have super gardens. I admit, that is one thing I miss living in Central Oregon. My mom  had an oriental poppy bush that sprang up each year. They were the most amazing cluster of flowers I had ever seen. It was as tall as I was, and it seemed like there were 50 or more flowers on it at one time. We had so much fun with those gorgeous flowers through out the season. We could hardly wait for the flowers to uncurl... the purple pollen was lovely "eye shadow" under our brows as we got dressed up for our "garden party" with the our (stuffed) animal guests. At the end of the season, the seed pods were wonderful shakers, they poured out fresh poppy seeds onto our perfectly golden yellow baked "muffins" from the (sand box) oven and doubled as rattles for our "parades"! There is nothing like a garden full of gorgeous summer flowers... I think it's possible the gardens of bright colorful blooms I grew up with have had some influence in my color palette choices to this day! During the winter it's nice to conjure up some warm and sunny memories as I paint away! -- Kimry Jelen, February 2009

Summer Flowers, 36”x 36” (image), original acrylic on canvas.

My Mom's Poppies, 24”x 36” (image), original acrylic on canvas.

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 art is also influenced by her travels in North America and to other continents. She has trained in the classical arenas in Portugal and Spain, walked with the primates in Africa, toured through Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and rode the Shinkansen in Japan. Her work has found its way into exhibitions and corporate and private collections around the globe.

High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon is honored to represent Kimry Jelen exclusively in Central Oregon. To contact High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon please call 1-866-549-6250 or visit: Contact High Desert Gallery.

Don't forget to watch Kimry Jelen on OPB's Oregon Art Beat on Thursday February 19, 2009 at 8PM. For more info: Visit: Kimry Jelen Artist Feature

Kimry Jelen - Changing Your Perspective

Sweet Hearts: February deserves red - cadmium red light, medium, dark and crimson! There are subtle hints of green to compliment the red. Spots of light and dark add depth and interest to your eye. I started this painting as a vertical, with two horses facing each other. The texture and colors were right, but the composition wasn't working for me... so I turned the painting sideways - things fell into place! Sometimes, changing your perspective can make all the difference. Come visit these "sweet hearts" in the gallery to experience the richness and texture of this painting. -- Kimry Jelen, February 2009

Sweet Hearts, 16” x 24” (image), original acrylic on canvas.

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 art is also influenced by her travels in North America and to other continents. She has trained in the classical arenas in Portugal and Spain, walked with the primates in Africa, toured through Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and rode the Shinkansen in Japan. Her work has found its way into exhibitions and corporate and private collections around the globe.

High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon is honored to represent Kimry Jelen exclusively in Central Oregon. To contact High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon please call 1-866-549-6250 or visit: Contact High Desert Gallery.

Don't forget to watch Kimry Jelen on OPB's Oregon Art Beat on Thursday February 19, 2009 at 8PM. For more info: Visit: Kimry Jelen Artist Feature

Kimry Jelen - Painting a Window to the Natural World

The Watering Hole: Each panel is exactly as wide and high as I am in this triptych. I had the panels custom made to my size. The inspiration comes from a dream. I saw the size, layers, values and shapes - but the subject matter was vague. The composition has a large amount of open space that I find calming from my time spent at ranches in Montana - big sky country. I love all the layers of color, texture and shape happening in the landscape with the mountainous horizon. There are energized brush strokes that imply movement, yet moments of solid color for your eye to rest and travel through the work. The water rushes by with a hint of danger as in life, yet refreshing and pure just like each new moment. Five is my lucky number. Visually, I find balance with five. There are three panels with light and dark - abstractly adding up to five. There are five horses, two yellow and blue, one red. This painting is a window to the natural world. A band of horses undisturbed, enjoying some private time at the watering hole. Myrna has done a simply beautiful job framing this piece. -- Kimry Jelen, February 2009.

The Watering Hole, 3 Panels 18” x 67” Each (image), original acrylic on canvas. Framed 60” x 72”

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 art is also influenced by her travels in North America and to other continents. She has trained in the classical arenas in Portugal and Spain, walked with the primates in Africa, toured through Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and rode the Shinkansen in Japan. Her work has found its way into exhibitions and corporate and private collections around the globe.

High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon is honored to represent Kimry Jelen exclusively in Central Oregon. To contact High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon please call 1-866-549-6250 or visit: Contact High Desert Gallery.

Don't forget to watch Kimry Jelen on OPB's Oregon Art Beat on Thursday February 19, 2009 at 8PM. For more info: Visit: Kimry Jelen Artist Feature

Kimry Jelen - The Power of Hope

Hope: At the time I painted, Hope, the presidential elections were in progress and there was a lot of talk about the power of hope. I wanted to focus on a painting that would send some good energy out there. Through out history, the white horse has symbolized power and hope. The main colors in this painting are red, white and blue for "patriotism", Then I added some yellow for "sunny days ahead". I softened the shadows and added layer and layer of color to come up with the subtle shaping and depth. I like the texture that allows the under paintings to come through and show the many colors mixed with white. This is a local Lusitano stallion, Piloto (www.pilotoranch.com). I got permission to use their photos taken by, Jeff Sperber for reference. The pose of this stallion looking ahead, captures a moment of kindness, reflection and peace. Something we all need in our daily lives. -- Kimry Jelen – February 2009

Hope,18”x 24” (image), original acrylic on canvas.

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 art is also influenced by her travels in North America and to other continents. She has trained in the classical arenas in Portugal and Spain, walked with the primates in Africa, toured through Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and rode the Shinkansen in Japan. Her work has found its way into exhibitions and corporate and private collections around the globe.

High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon is honored to represent Kimry Jelen exclusively in Central Oregon. To contact High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon please call 1-866-549-6250 or visit: Contact High Desert Gallery.

Don't forget to watch Kimry Jelen on OPB's Oregon Art Beat on Thursday February 19, 2009 at 8PM. For more info: Visit: Kimry Jelen Artist Feature