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Sisters, Oregon
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The contents of the on-line edition of The Nugget represent a selection among the stories that appear in the weekly print edition.

High Desert Gallery hosts nine artists
By Kathryn Godsiff

Myrna Dow at work at her gallery.

Art aficionados in Sisters now have another venue in which to indulge their passion.

The High Desert Gallery is on Elm Street and W. Main Avenue, across from the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center.

Opened in April by Myrna Dow, the gallery features the work of nine artists. The gallery, though small, is vibrant with the color and texture of the art.

Three of the artists are Sisters residents. Karen Joy Ritchie does elegant watercolors of flowers and whimsical cowboy boots.

Jeff Wester displays some of his ironwork, and Paul Allan Bennett's vivid works dominate the back wall.

"I've always wanted my own gallery," Dow said.

Trained as a graphic artist, she was involved in the art world in San Francisco for a number of years. More recently, she has been a full-time mom to first grader Erin and fourth grader Loren.

Her husband Todd works in Bend for a software company.

Most of the artists have been known to Dow for several years. As she came to know their work, she knew that when she opened her gallery, their art would be displayed.

One of the artists is internationally acclaimed. Beatrice Bulteau, French-born and now living in Portugal, creates watercolors of horses in action. Portrayed in an almost dreamlike fashion, the paintings allow the viewer's imagination to complete the work.

Bulteau will be the featured artist next month.

Dow has kept the gallery small for a reason.

"I want to work for these artists, to create a window of their work", she said.

Since she is acquainted with the artists, she speaks with genuine warmth about their art.

Custom framing is also offered at the gallery. Dow is wonderfully creative when helping clients choose frames and matting.

"Color is something I've been involved with forever," she said.

One of her favorite methods of matting is using fabric to cover the matte.

"It's another avenue of creativity," said Dow. "My goal with framing is to enhance the piece and complete the package."

Profiles of the artists may be viewed on the gallery website at www.highdesertgallery.com.

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