High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon

Don't Miss Our Holiday Open House and Walk the Art Beat – Saturday, November 28 in Redmond Oregon

High Desert Gallery in Redmond is hosting a Holiday Open House on Saturday November 28, from noon to 5pm, as part of the Walk the Art Beat, the Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Village, and the Redmond Chamber Starlight Parade events.

High Desert Gallery will be featuring the Plein Air Painters of Oregon 2nd Annual Show in our historic gallery space in downtown Redmond, 453 SW 6th Street at Evergreen. The exhibition is a continuation of the show that premiered last month at High Desert Gallery at the Oxford Hotel.  Don't miss out on this last opportunity to see and acquire one of these small format landscapes.

Plein Air Painting is an art form that has become increasingly more popular as artists carry forward the traditions of the early Impressionists. Completed outside and on location, the emphasis is on capturing the immediacy of the landscape and the challenge of painting in changing light and weather conditions. On view will be small format, elegant, and affordable landscape paintings that appeal to art collectors of this highly desirable genre.

View previous posts about this exhibition.

Gallery Holiday Hours (Through December 25): Tuesday – Friday, 10AM – 5PM, Saturday 10AM to 5PM, closed Sunday and Monday.   On Christmas Eve, December 24, and New Years Eve, December 31, we will be closing a bit early, and we will be closed Christmas Day and New Years Day.

For more information, please call 541-548-1811 or 541-549-6250, or visit us at 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, 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. For more information please visit: www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free 1-866-549-6250.

Plein Air Painters of Oregon In Redmond Through November 30th

Please join us for a unique opportunity to see plein air paintings by some of the region's best landscape artists. High Desert Gallery will be hosting the Plein Air Painters of Oregon 2nd Annual Show in our historic gallery space in downtown Redmond, 453 SW 6th Street at Evergreen.  The exhibition is a continuation of the show that premiered last month at High Desert Gallery at the Oxford Hotel.

Plein Air Painting is an art form that has become increasingly more popular as artists carry forward the traditions of the early Impressionists. Completed outside and on location, the  emphasis is on capturing the immediacy of the landscape and the challenge of painting in changing light and weather conditions. On view will be small format, elegant, and affordable landscape paintings that appeal to art collectors of this highly desirable genre.

The exhibition and sale is ongoing from November 6th through November 30th, showcased in our elegant Redmond Gallery space that still retains the 1914 tin ceiling tiles and high floor-to-ceiling windows.  Come join us for this November month long holiday event, titled “Celebration Oregon!” which was juried by Cindy Briggs and selected as an official Oregon 150 sesquincentennial partner.

Image:  Phil Bates -- Southerlin Barn

View previous posts about this exhibition.

Gallery Winter Hours: Wednesday – Friday, 10AM – 5PM, Saturday 10AM to 2PM, closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

For more information, please call 541-548-1811 or 541-549-6250, or visit us at www.highdesertgallery.com.

About Plein Air Painters of Oregon: Plein Air Painters of Oregon is a fellowship of professional and emerging artists who paint on location to seek the luminous quality of out-of-doors light in their art. The organization meets for frequent paint-outs during the warmer months of the year. The exhibition of plein air paintings, executed on location through Oregon, will be available Oct 1 - 31 at High Desert Gallery at the Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota at Lava, Bend, and then will move to High Desert Gallery – Redmond, located at 453 SW 6th Street at Evergreen, from November 1 - 30.

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, 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. For more information please visit: www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free 1-866-549-6250.

Inside Scoop on the Plein Air Painters of Oregon 2009 Annual Awards

Did you see the Plein Air Painters of Oregon annual show at High Desert Gallery's new Oxford Hotel location? The highly successful exhibit and sale will continue until the end of October, when the 40 paintings will travel to our Redmond Oregon Art Gallery for a continuing exhibit and sale through the month of November – so there are plenty of opportunities to drop in and take a look.

Image:  Jerry Dame Sr. Harrisburg, Oregon - "Willamette River."

Like art appreciators everywhere, we have our own ideas as to which paintings should have won the big prizes.  But the talented and hardworking juror, Cindy Briggs, was the one who had to decide. Here are some excerpts from our interview with Cindy, as she explains the behind the scenes action:

"Prior to walking into the gallery for the awards selection, I reviewed the accepted entries and narrowed my selection down to 10 significant pieces. My goal was to award a diverse selection of themes, representing different mediums and styles.

I was also looking for spontaneity, captivating color, light, atmosphere, unusual style or technique, something that spoke to me. You should know that one painting that I was sure would be a top award winner was cropped radically different than as shown in the entry and was eliminated from my awards selection—so don’t change your entry, the juror will spot it!

Best of Show—John Benjamin, Sutherlin, OR. Willow Creek. I appreciated Benjamin’s use of unexpected color, shape and composition in this loosely painted oil. He broke away from the typical representation of a river and trees as painted by a high percentage of participants. Instead of green trees he chose to use warm colors with a surprising touch of purple. Instead of blue water, a deep rich green. The shapes were simplified and interesting, with great values and dynamic brush work.

1st Place—Phil Bates, Myrtle Creek,OR. Mildred's Road. This pastel has a dynamic split complimentary color statement with an interesting composition utilizing green, purple and yellow. The road leads me to somewhere serene. I loved the light and shadow, the angles, the sensitive impressionist style strokes of color.

2nd Place—Janice Druian, Terrebonne, OR. View from Cliff above Deschutes. This painting truly stood out with it’s bold shapes, confident values and subject matter. Messy, spontaneous, fearless, with interesting positive and negative shapes, depth, surprising spots of color.. The tree branches direct the viewer into the painting, the colors and shapes keep you interested.

3rd Place—Ron Raasch, Prineville, OR. Spud Buddies. This award took awhile, I had already selected 1 pastel and 2 oils and wanted to make sure that watercolor was also represented in the awards mix. (Note that jurors don’t always select work that related to their own.) To be honest I thought all the watercolors were outstanding. Spud Buddies just kept grabbing my attention, it told a story. Vibrant colors, great shapes, unexpected subjects, creative framing...it had spontaneity, personality and style all over it.

Jurors Choice—Jerry Dame Sr. Harrisburg, OR. Willamette River. For this award I picked the painting I would personally like to have in my collection. Jerry’s luminous quality of light and finessed brush work just drew me in. Painting green is a challenge for most artists, but Jerry’s greens have impressive atmosphere and depth. His composition is classically pleasing and the overall impact is very calming and peaceful.

I would have gladly given more awards, for there were many other paintings that deserved recognition. Thanks again for honoring me with this responsibility." Cindy Briggs, Juror, 2009

Plein Air Painters of Oregon is a fellowship of professional and emerging artists who paint on location to seek the luminous quality of out-of-doors light in their art.  The Second Annual Exhibition of Plein Air Paintings, executed on location through Oregon, will be available Oct 1 - 31 at High Desert Gallery at the Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota at Lava, Bend, and then will move to High Desert Gallery – Redmond, located at 453 SW 6th Street at Evergreen, from November 1 - 30.  Please join us for this opportunity to appreciate and collect small format landscape art.

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, 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. For more information please visit: www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free 1-866-549-6250.

Plein Air Painters of Oregon Annual Show Moves To Redmond Gallery for November

After a successful month long exhibition and sale in Bend, the Plein Air Painters of Oregon Annual Show,titled “Celebration Oregon!”, will be moving to High Desert Gallery's Redmond location at 453 SW 6th Street at Evergreen, in downtown Redmond, Oregon. The exhibition and sale will be available from November 6th through November 30th, and features 40 paintings selected by juror, Cindy Briggs. 

What: Plein Air Painters of Oregon Annual show, “Celebration Oregon!” will be featured at High Desert Gallery, Redmond.

When: November 6th through November 30th

Where: High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing, 453 SW 6th Street at Evergreen, in downtown Redmond.

Image:  Lavender Garden, Watercolor by Winnie Givot, Sisters Oregon

Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm, closed Sunday and Monday

For more information: 541-548-1811 or 866-549-6250, or visit www.highdesertgallery.com

About Plein Air Painters of Oregon: Plein Air Painters of Oregon is a fellowship of professional and emerging artists who paint on location to seek the luminous quality of out-of-doors light in their art. The organization meets for frequent paint-outs during the warmer months of the year. For "Celebration Oregon" the juried artwork will be selected by Cindy Briggs. The Plein Air Painters of Oregon have partnered with Oregon 150 and are proud to announce that the 2009 Annual show, titled "Celebration Oregon," has been been selected as official Oregon 150 sesquicentennial partner. The exhibition of plein air paintings, executed on location through Oregon, will run from Oct 1 through the 31, 2009.

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, 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. For more information please visit: www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free 1-866-549-6250.

High Desert Gallery Showcases PAPO Show Artist: John Benjamin

High Desert Gallery is honored to host the 2009 Annual Exhibition of the Plein Air Painters of Oregon. The Annual Show, titled “Celebration Oregon!”, is sponsored by the Plein Air Painters of Oregon and features 40 paintings selected by juror, Cindy Briggs.  "Willow Creek" (Oil 12"x12") by John Benjamin will be displayed and for sale as part of the annual show and sale. The exhibit will be showcased in High Desert Gallery's new location at the Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota Street at Lava, downtown Bend, Oregon. The 2009 Annual Plein Air Painters of Oregon Event, titled "Celebration Oregon" is an official Oregon 150 sesquicentennial event.

"Last fall while driving the Eastern Shore of Coos Bay I found this scene.  The yellow/oranges of the willows, accented by their violet branches, were beautifully punctuated by the dark firs behind.  This alone was enough to get me to set up my easel, but the addition of the creek with it's shape and reflections made this composition much too good not to paint!"  John Benjamin, Sutherlin, Oregon 2009

About John Benjamin: In 1984 John Benjamin left a twenty-two year corporate career to pursue his life-long dream of becoming an artist. Today, as one who revels in the outdoors, he prefers painting en-plein-air but gets plenty of studio time during the Pacific Northwest's rainy season. Inspiration for his art comes as he watches the light work its wonders on the landscape. Benjamin's accomplishments include First Place - Waterfowl at the North American Wildlife Art Show and inclusion in "Western Visions Show" at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. He lives in Sutherlin, Oregon

About Plein Air Painters of Oregon: Plein Air Painters of Oregon is a fellowship of professional and emerging artists who paint on location to seek the luminous quality of out-of-doors light in their art. The organization meets for frequent paint-outs during the warmer months of the year. For "Celebration Oregon" the juried artwork will be selected by Cindy Briggs. The Plein Air Painters of Oregon have partnered with Oregon 150 and are proud to announce that the 2009 Annual show, titled "Celebration Oregon," has been been selected as official Oregon 150  sesquicentennial partner. The exhibition of plein air paintings, executed on location through Oregon, will run from Oct 1 through the 31, 2009.

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, 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. For more information please visit: www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free 1-866-549-6250.

High Desert Gallery Showcases PAPO Show Artist: J.M. Steele

High Desert Gallery is honored to host the 2009 Annual Exhibition of the Plein Air Painters of Oregon. The Annual Show, titled “Celebration Oregon!”, is sponsored by the Plein Air Painters of Oregon and features 40 paintings selected by juror, Cindy Briggs.  "Southern Oregon Coast" (Oil 9"x12") by J. M. Steele will be displayed and for sale as part of the annual show and sale. The exhibit will be showcased in High Desert Gallery's new location at the Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota Street at Lava, downtown Bend, Oregon. The 2009 Annual Plein Air Painters of Oregon Event, titled "Celebration Oregon" is an official Oregon 150 sesquicentennial event.

"My plein air painting, 'Southern Oregon Coast' was captured on a sunny June day at the Pistol River State Park, just south of Gold Beach.  It's a beautiful landmark and walking beach, but today the wind was hard blowing, which means sand everywhere when painting on location.  So, I opted to paint inside the protection of my car, which had a great southern view of the many 'seastacks'.

I love the field of depth these huge rocks create, especially when the spindrift and clouds start blowing in."  J M Steele, Gold Beach, Oregon 2009

About J. M. Steele:  J. M. Steele has lived throughout the West, focusing her work on Western themes and landscapes.  She now resides in Gold Beach, Oregon and continues to travel throughout the mountain states, the desert and the pacific coast regions, painting on location and also gathering inspiration for her studio work.  Steele has studied under recognized painters Sebastian Capella, Perrietta Hester and Wolf Kahn.  She recently won the "People's Choice Award 2008 at the Coos Art Museum Oregon, and as the winner will have a solo exhibit at the Museum, Dec. 11, 2009 - Feb 13, 2010.

About Plein Air Painters of Oregon: Plein Air Painters of Oregon is a fellowship of professional and emerging artists who paint on location to seek the luminous quality of out-of-doors light in their art. The organization meets for frequent paint-outs during the warmer months of the year. For "Celebration Oregon" the juried artwork will be selected by Cindy Briggs. The Plein Air Painters of Oregon have partnered with Oregon 150 and are proud to announce that the 2009 Annual show, titled "Celebration Oregon," has been been selected as official Oregon 150 sesquicentennial partner. The exhibition of plein air paintings, executed on location through Oregon, will run from Oct 1 through the 31, 2009.

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, 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.  For more information please visit: www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free 1-866-549-6250.

High Desert Gallery Showcases PAPO Show Artist: Janice Druian

High Desert Gallery is honored to host the 2009 Annual Exhibition of the Plein Air Painters of Oregon. The Annual Show, titled “Celebration Oregon!”, is sponsored by the Plein Air Painters of Oregon and features 40 paintings selected by juror, Cindy Briggs. "View From Cliffs Above the Deschutes River" (Oil 11"x14") by Janice Druian will be displayed and for sale as part of the annual show and sale. The exhibit will be showcased in High Desert Gallery's new location at the Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota Street at Lava, downtown Bend, Oregon. The 2009 Annual Plein Air Painters of Oregon Event, titled "Celebration Oregon" is an official Oregon 150 sesquicentennial event.

"View From Cliffs Above the Deschutes River" was painted literally from my back deck.  We have a great western view of the Cascades and with centuries old juniper trees it is a constant "painting in process."  I was fortunate enough to have this sunset three nights in a row, so it was easy to block in the major shapes one night, work on color and mood the second and on the third night I could focus on highlights.  All this and be only steps away from dinner and a nice glass of wine.

Vita brevis est, ars longa...life is brief; art is long."  With this famous Latin phrase in mind, my goal is to spend as much time painting as possible.  Living in the high desert, I am fortunate to not only be surrounded by traditional beauty - vast skies, distant mountain ranges, and the subtle colors of sage, sand and juniper, but also some tattered beauty - abandoned sheds, rail yards, old ranches, etc.  Whether I am working with stunning natural beauty, or abandoned beauty, I think that being a painter is the most rewarding life of all!"  Janice Druian, Bend, Oregon 2009

About Janice Druian: Janice Macarthy Druian lives above the Deschutes River in Central Oregon.  From her studio there is an unimpeded view of the Cascade Mountains to the west and the high desert and Ochoco Mountains to the east.  An undergraduate minor in Fine Art (University of California at San Francisco) was followed by a Masters degree in Art Education at the University of Oregon.  There she studied with Lavern Krauss, Tom Fawkes and Frank Okada.  As a graduate student her work was primarily figurative.  Upon moving to Central Oregon, the beauty of the high desert was so compelling that she moved to landscape, and particularly plein air painting. 

Learning to be a plein air painter was a lot more difficult that "just going out there and doing it."  It has been a humbling journey from being strictly a studio painter to also working in plein air...dealing with changing light, trying to approximate the values seen in nature, learning to edit and finally dealing with nature itself - the heat, cold, wind and rain.  But in the end it is worth it.  Janice believes that behind most great landscapes, even detailed ones executed solely in the studio lies a Plein Air painting.  An important part of this journey has been learning from other painters -- members of Plein Air Painters of Oregon, and fine teachers like Jean LeGassick, Richard McKinley, Bob Rohm, Ken Auster and Morgan Samuel Price.  She is also influenced by her art hero, the late Maynard Dixon and current painters, William Wray, Ken Auster, and Jennifer McChristian.

About Plein Air Painters of Oregon: Plein Air Painters of Oregon is a fellowship of professional and emerging artists who paint on location to seek the luminous quality of out-of-doors light in their art. The organization meets for frequent paint-outs during the warmer months of the year. For "Celebration Oregon" the juried artwork will be selected by Cindy Briggs. The Plein Air Painters of Oregon have partnered with Oregon 150 and are proud to announce that the 2009 Annual show, titled "Celebration Oregon," has been been selected as official Oregon 150 sesquicentennial partner. The exhibition of plein air paintings, executed on location through Oregon, will run from Oct 1 through the 31, 2009.

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, 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. For more information please visit: www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free 1-866-549-6250.

High Desert Gallery Showcases PAPO Show Artist: Gordon K. Baker

High Desert Gallery is honored to host the 2009 Annual Exhibition of the Plein Air Painters  of Oregon. The Annual Show, titled “Celebration Oregon!”, is sponsored by the Plein Air Painters of Oregon and features 40 paintings selected by juror, Cindy Briggs. "On the River" (Oil 12"x9") by Gordon K. Baker will be displayed and for sale as part of the annual show and sale. The exhibit will be showcased in High Desert Gallery's new location at the Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota Street at Lava, downtown Bend, Oregon. The 2009 Annual Plein Air Painters of Oregon Event, titled "Celebration Oregon" is an official Oregon 150 sesquicentennial event.

"'On the River' is the result of a scheduled PAPO plein air paint out on the Crooked River.  Dead trees are carried down stream at Spring flood stage and deposited on the riverbank.  This makes an interesting composition and depicts a moment in the evolution of a river.

Within the context of nature, I record my impression of awe and wonderment, the mystic, the prevailing atmosphere, and a sense of discovery. I also capture the historical aspects of nature and man-made artifacts that are subject to vanishing with time.  This is done with brush, canvas, board and oil paints."  Gordon K. Baker, Bend, Oregon, 2009

About Gordon K. Baker: Gordon K. Baker is a geologist, environmentalist, conservationist, and an artist.  Nature is the common denominator.  He has been painting since 1999, discovering the wonders and rewards. "I am mostly self-taught through study of the better art books and completing more than 100 paintings a year.  I also painted with a local, accomplished artist for one and a half years.  My wife has also been very helpful in my development as an artist.

About Plein Air Painters of Oregon: Plein Air Painters of Oregon is a fellowship of professional and emerging artists who paint on location to seek the luminous quality of out-of-doors light in their art. The organization meets for frequent paint-outs during the warmer months of the year. For "Celebration Oregon" the juried artwork will be selected by Cindy Briggs. The Plein Air Painters of Oregon have partnered with Oregon 150 and are proud to announce that the 2009 Annual show, titled "Celebration Oregon," has been been selected as official Oregon 150  sesquicentennial partner. The exhibition of plein air paintings, executed on location through Oregon, will run from Oct 1 through the 31, 2009.

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, 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. For more information please visit: www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free 1-866-549-6250. 

High Desert Gallery Showcases PAPO Show Artist: Kay Baker

High Desert Gallery is honored to host the 2009 Annual Exhibition of the Plein Air Painters  of Oregon. The Annual Show, titled “Celebration Oregon!”, is sponsored by the Plein Air Painters of Oregon and features 40 paintings selected by juror, Cindy Briggs. "A Peaceful Setting" (Oil 9"x12") by Kay Baker will be displayed and for sale as part of the annual show and sale. The exhibit will be showcased in High Desert Gallery's new location at the Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota Street at Lava, downtown Bend, Oregon.

"It was a cold morning last April when our PAPO group gathered at Tumalo Reservoir.  Even though there were others near me, when I begin painting I am oblivious to my surroundings.  I am concentrating on what I see and how I can best convey my emotional connection with the scene.

I sought to capture the stillness of the morning and the simplicity of the water and willows and distant mountains using a limited number of colors." Kay Baker, Bend, Oregon, 2009

About Kay Baker: Nearly a decade ago William Herring, in a workshop through "Art in the Mountains", challenged me to look into the "horses of my soul".  This was his way of encouraging us to look within to see what was motivating us; in other words, why are we drawing or painting.  I've been in love with horses since my childhood so this idea intrigued me.  These were soul searching days for me.  I named my inner horses freedom, faithfulness, glory, and joy.  These are emotions I experience when I paint, especially when I paint en plein air.  In addition I have studied with Albert Handell and others to learn the basics, but when I paint or draw I don't consciously think about these. I paint, knowing things intuitively; lost in my painting.  I want to express the emotions that I am feeling in my work and create something that evokes similar emotions for those that see my paintings.

About Plein Air Painters of Oregon: Plein Air Painters of Oregon is a fellowship of professional and emerging artists who paint on location to seek the luminous quality of out-of-doors light in their art. The organization meets for frequent paint-outs during the warmer months of the year. For "Celebration Oregon" the juried artwork will be selected by Cindy Briggs. The Plein Air Painters of Oregon have partnered with Oregon 150 and are proud to announce that the 2009 Annual show, titled "Celebration Oregon," has been been selected as official Oregon 150  sesquicentennial partner. The exhibition of plein air paintings, executed on location through Oregon, will run from Oct 1 through the 31, 2009.

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, 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 & 2009) and Sisters, Oregon (2005, 2006, 2008 & 2009). 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.

High Desert Gallery Showcases PAPO Show Artist: Pam Flanders

High Desert Gallery is honored to host the 2009 Annual Exhibition of the Plein Air Painters of Oregon. The Annual Show, titled “Celebration Oregon!”, is sponsored by the Plein Air

Painters of Oregon and features 40 paintings selected by juror, Cindy Briggs.  "Oregon Colors" (Oil 14"x14") by Pam Flanders will be displayed and for sale as part of the annual show and sale. The exhibit will be showcased in High Desert Gallery's new location at the Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota Street at Lava, downtown Bend, Oregon. The opening reception will be held during the First Friday Gallery Walk And Bend Art Hop, October 2, 2009, from 5-9PM. The evening promises to be lively as we exhibit some of the finest plein air painting in the state, along with live music by the Anvil Blasters,  plenty of refreshments, and artful conversation. The 2009 Annual Plein Air Painters of Oregon Event, titled "Celebration Oregon" is an official Oregon 150 sesquicentennial event.

"This painting was done entirely on location.  It was a gorgeous summer day.  As I approached the lavender field it not only captivated me by its beauty but by its position within the greater landscape and contrasts held within the whole.  It had all the elements I love to paint.  It also struck me as a perfectly framed composition for the square canvas I happened to have along.  The lavender rows lead up to the building nestled in the dark trees.  The old building still stood proud and the light hitting the rusty roof was what drew me to the scene from the road.  It was my opportunity to use my favorite warm, bright colors that would be interlaced with cool, dark shadows.  The summer sky was kissed by the Douglas Firs which loomed tall and mighty in contrast to the fine delicate sway of the lavender.  The filtering light of afternoon sun spilled through the tree line at left and highlighted the taller grasses of the field along with the roof top.  The owner of the property could not believe I wanted to paint 'this old place.'

The shadows began to grow longer as I was drawing to a close and of course I was excited to get to the fun part, adding the accents.  As I started packing up, the shadows continued their dance along the landscape.  Before I left the site the owner came over to see my painting and exclaimed, "Oh my goodness you even made my ugly weed pile look good."  I took that as a compliment." Pam Flanders, Happy Valley,  Oregon, 2009

About Pam Flanders: Pam Flanders, a native of Wisconsin, relocated to Happy Valley, Oregon in 2001.  As a painter she has found the western landscape captivating.  Oils are her favorite medium and plein air her favorite painting method. Returning to art in 1991, Pam began to focus her studies on oil painting.  The works of the early impressionists inspired her.  She began taking workshops around the country with contemporary masters whose works she admired.  She found painting from life brought honesty to her painting style both outdoors and in the studio.  Pam participates in national and regional juried exhibitions and competitions. She is a member of Oil Painters of America, Alla Prima International, Landscape Artists International, Plein Air Painters of Oregon, and the NW Oil Painters Guild. Her works can be found in numerous private and corporate collections.

About Plein Air Painters of Oregon: Plein Air Painters of Oregon is a fellowship of professional and emerging artists who paint on location to seek the luminous quality of out-of-doors light in their art. The organization meets for frequent paint-outs during the warmer months of the year. For "Celebration Oregon" the juried artwork will be selected by Cindy Briggs. The Plein Air Painters of Oregon have partnered with Oregon 150 and are proud to announce that the 2009 Annual show, titled "Celebration Oregon," has been been selected as official Oregon 150  sesquicentennial partner. The exhibition of plein air paintings, executed on location through Oregon, will run from Oct 1 through the 31, 2009.

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, 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 & 2009) and Sisters, Oregon (2005, 2006, 2008 & 2009). 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.