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More past exhibition information here. |
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Jennifer Ishimatsu April 2010 This exhibit is made possible support of Graybeal Insurance Agency |
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Jennifer Ishimatsu has taken the immense Northern Nevada landscape and condensed it down to paintings that are no bigger than the palm of her hand.
“Their size is a metaphor for the smallness that I feel as an individual in comparison with the vastness and age of the natural landscape,” Ishimatsu says. An exhibit of her miniature works, ranging from 3” by 3” to 8” by 10” graced the walls of the East Oregonian Gallery in April, 2010.
Jennifer Ishimatsu received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1998 and her Master of Fine Arts degree in Pictorial Arts from San Jose State University in 2004. She studied painting from 2002 --2003 at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy.
Ishimatsu is the Director of the E. L. Cord Museum School at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, Nevada. The school presents artist workshops, studio, design, and children's classes to the community year-round. She served as an instructor for the Museum School since 2005 and previously taught art courses for the University of Nevada, Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College, the San Jose Museum of Art, and San Jose State University.
Her work describes places seen from the perspective of riding in a car or views obstructed through windows, doorways or other infrastructure.
“I am interested in how the landscape/background serves as a memorable backdrop for figures and events. In my work, views from a car are prominent because I grew up taking road trips with my family in the West and continue to do so as an adult. Road trips are a way of marking time and a specific era in my life,” she says.
In much of Ishimatsu’s work, she paints black what is normally considered to be the subject matter so that it recedes: figures, buildings, car interiors and their shadows. For example, the interior frame of car windows or other manmade objects block one’s view of the landscape. Seeing landscape through these devices alters the way one experiences, interacts with and remembers place. Photography, a way of seeing place by framing one’s view, plays an important role in capturing snapshot references as she travels. The simplicity of the black silhouettes allows the viewer to project their own narrative onto the painting. The works describe time in regards to the temporary presence of people, cars, buildings, and other manmade objects in comparison to the longer presence of the natural landscape.
Ishimatsu’s artwork has been included in shows in Nevada, California, New York City, and Italy. Her exhibit in Pendleton is made possible through the support of Graybeal Insurance Agency. Owner Jason Graybeal jumped at the opportunity to help out.
“All you had to say was ‘road trip’ in describing the paintings and it just sounded fun,” he said.
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Steve Henderson: In Search of Quiet Places April 15 - May 15, 2010
FREE and open to the public thanks to the generous support of Swire Coca-Cola of Pendleton |
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Steve Henderson is interested in creating paintings that viewers can use as a means to slow down, let go and reflect.
“Every one of us has a place where we go to unwind from life’s daily demands. For some it is a literal space, a meadow, a beach, even an empty lot between buildings, and for others it is the memory of such a place. It is these quiet places which I seek to capture with paint and canvas”, he says.
A professional illustrator who has been painting for many years, Steve has exhibited paintings at the Ellensburg National Western Art Auction, the Oil Painters of America Western Regional Show, the American Society of Marine Artists Aqueous IV Exhibition, and the Richeson International Salons, Landscape/Seascapes and Small Works.
In 2010, Steve’s work Chief Joseph Mountain was accepted into the C.M. Russell National Western Art Auction, and Stillness and Spring Rush were juried into the Cheyenne Frontier Day’s Old West Museum’s Western Spirit Art Show. For the second year in a row, Steve has been one of 150 artists nationwide invited to Gallery One’s National Masterworks in Miniatures Show in Ohio. Regionally, he has taken top honors in available competitions, and has been invited to present solo exhibits in the area’s major art venues.
He presently lives in rural Dayton, WA, a one-stoplight town at the base of the Blue Mountains, with his wife and children. His studio is a renovated barn in which the 6-member family lived while taking two years to build their modified timber-frame home.
Henderson focuses on oil landscapes and seascapes of what he calls the Far West – Oregon, Washington and Idaho, an area of incredible geographic diversity. He was invited to exhibit in the East Oregonian Gallery as part of the Art Center’s 2010 schedule of art celebrating western themes, a nod to this year’s 100th anniversary of the Pendleton Round-Up.
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Open Regional Photography Exhibit
May 20 - June 17, 2010
Made possible through the generous support of Banner Bank.
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Eric Quaempts walked away with the big prize at this year’s Open Regional Exhibition at the Pendleton Center for the Arts, joining 16 other artists who earned cash awards for their efforts. Each year for more than 30 years the Arts Center has hosted a carry-in exhibit, encouraging professionals and amateur artists to share their work. Both adults and amateurs vie for more than $1000 in prize money, provided through the generosity of Banner Bank of Pendleton.
This year 150 photographs were entered into the contest, and the subject matter spans a wide range of topics, from landscape to portrait to flora and fauna, as well as abstract images. Quaempts’ photo, “Dream Fish” appealed to judge Charly Bloomquist for its movement and light-play. Bloomquist, photography instructor at Whitman College in Walla Walla, responded to the way the photo departed from a simple representation of fish and allowed the viewer to bring their own interpretation to the image. Quaempts has served as the Director for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s (CTUIR) Department of Natural Resources (DNR) since 2004. Prior to that, Eric spent eight years as a Wildlife Biologist in the CTUIR DNR’s Wildlife Program, where he was responsible for wildlife management projects. The photo features Jungle Perch that Quaempts documented during a trip to Australia last year.
Mikayla Rinehart took home first place in the Teen division with her photo titled, “Emily”. Rinehart, a sixteen year-old Pendleton High School Student started taking photography classes this year at school then heard about the Art Rocks Teens classes at the Arts Center. Through the program, Rinehart had the opportunity to work with local photographer and instructor Tabitha Ball.
Rinehart was encouraged by the win. “I’ve never won anything – this is my first year participating”, she said. “I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback, and the comments from the judge made me want to take more pictures.”
Rinehart plans to use her cash award to purchase a camera of her own.
First Place in the Adult category went to Larry Wright of Prosser, WA, Second went to Mona Dingber of La Grande and Third Place went to Robert Parrott of Pendleton. Teen Second Place went to Kayla Hogge of Pendleton and Alena Swearingen of Pendleton. |
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Honorable Mention:
Mikayla Rinehart Christina Sanchez Nicholas Jennings Amy Neal Michael Sell Amy Rogers Amber Flaiz Marcia Stewart Jessie Street Marilyn Lieuallen
People’s Choice: Jessie Street >>
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Monica Stobie: THREADS Through June/July 2010
Made possible through the generous support of Les Schwab.
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Stobie’s pastel imagery captures the mystery and magic of the earth. Her paintings of animal forms and primitive rock art messages reflect a reverence for her surroundings---both past and present. Stobie received her degree in Art Education in 1976 from Eastern Washington University. She taught art in junior and senior high schools for 15 years and has lectured at seminars in Washington and Oregon.
Much of the interest in Native American symbols and animal imagery found in Stobie’s work comes quite naturally. She grew up on an apple ranch near the Yakama Indian Reservation in Washington State. She attended school with the Yakamas, and worshipped at a Catholic Mission bordering the reservation.
Since discovering rock art several years ago at a site near the Snake River, Stobie has researched petroglyphs extensively in the United States, Mexico and the British Isles. She has worked with researchers documenting newly discovered rock art sites in the southwest U.S.
The medium used in Stobie’s work is pastel on handmade bark paper. The paper, which comes from Mexico, is made from indigenous tree bark and processed by an ancient method. The result is a primitive backdrop for a tribute to the earth’s many images.
In addition exhibiting the pastels, Stobie included some mixed media works that show her love of found objects and sense of humor in creating assemblages.
In the Lorenzen Board Room Gallery, a selection of vibrant photographs by Rachael Owen greets visitors. Owen has always taken pictures, focusing on friends and family for her subject matter.
Owen got her own camera six years ago and was surprised at the difference having good quality equipment made in her work. She took a class with Bill Peal at the Arts Center and learned how to bracket images to get the best shot.
“He really made me look at all the different settings and play with them.” she says.
The bulk of the images in the exhibit feature Owen’s children.
“My kids are amazing because they have these little moments. I keep my camera close at all times so that I don’t miss them.” she says. “Kids are so beautiful, their skin is always perfect. The trick is good light, I always use natural light and I have these sweet spots in my house. My kitchen table is in a circle of windows.”
The primary color palette in the collection of photos is striking.
“I’ve always really liked a saturated color – if you put strong colors next to each other there seems to be a synergy that doesn’t happen when things are more subtle. I really like things to hit me over the head.”
Owen doesn’t display the shy uncertainty that can hold back many emerging artists. Her confidence is apparent in the bold colors and strong compositions that mark her work.
“Art is in seeing what you like, and sensing moments, then using the camera to be able to capture that and share it with others. Making art is the act of just trusting what you already know,” she says. “You just really have to like what you like and go with it. |
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More! Past Exhibit Highlights |