The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

It’s April in Sisters, and whether or not snow gives way to spring, it’s one of the most spectacular weeks to see local art and meet local artists. The Sisters Arts Association’s Fourth Friday Artwalk on April 22 will feature displays of the artwork donated to the My Own Two Hands (MOTH) Auction in galleries and businesses around town. This is in addition to the usual round of featured artists in the galleries of Sisters.

Galleries and businesses displaying MOTH art include Bedouin, The Barn, Sisters Coffee Co., Hood Avenue Art, Paulina Springs Books, Clearwater Gallery, Sisters Gallery & Frame Shop, Wildflower Studio, and the Campbell Gallery at Sisters Art Works.

The actual Art Auction and Party, a major fundraiser for Sisters Folk Festival, will take place at Sisters Art Works next weekend. (See related story at end of article.)

Quick Draw is back and this month includes two tickets to My Own Two Hands Art Auction & Party, donated by Sisters Folk Festival, and two $50 gift certificates, good at participating art galleries. Visitors may sign one ticket at each gallery location they visit.

Hood Avenue Art is highlighting the pottery of Mitch and Michele Deaderick.

Northwest potters for more than 30 years, they bring the beauty of nature into their work through the use of carvings, stones, and crystals.

Mitch began throwing pottery in Santa Barbara in the mid 1960s.

Shapes and glazes fascinated him from a young age.

He likes working with traditional Chinese glazes like celadon, Chun blue and copper reds and is known for his red glazes.

He taught adult classes at Santa Barbara Craft Center and in Central Oregon.

After moving here in 1978, Mitch met Michelle, who was an art student at Central Oregon Community College.

Mitch loves to teach young potters; he volunteers at Sisters High School and mentors students, hiring them to help at his studio.

He works with other schools in the area, and with Sisters Park & Recreation District’s after-school program.

Michelle loves carving and changing the shape of her pieces, giving them more depth and style.

Together, the breadth of their work includes both sculptural and functional pottery.

The Stitchin’ Post Fabric Gallery will feature the work of Terry and Belinda Batchelder. Terry’s stained glass tends toward the Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Style, known for simplicity and unity in nature. Belinda’s love of color, texture, and nature can be seen in her hand-stitched and eco-dyed textiles.

Clearwater Gallery will display three pieces from the MOTH Art Auction by artists Dan Rickards, David Mensing, and Bob Bousquet. They will showcase the latest collection of works from another one of their longtime artists, Jerry Dame. Jerry’s landscapes draw the viewer into serene, quiet experiences of fly fishing on the Metolius or hiking up Whychus Creek. The way he captures our dramatic Oregon scenery is both imaginative and familiar. Wine and light appetizers will be served 4-6 p.m.

Something different and hand-forged can always be found at Metals Jewelry Studio. Bryan Lee Brown also provides jewelry repair and custom design. Shown below is a cuff bracelet made with sterling silver and Siribachi.

Wildflower Studio, jam- packed with artwork and gift items, will feature Lois Pendleton’s fiber donation “Glide on Peace Train,” winner of the MOTH Merit Award, and Chris Nelson’s oil painting “After the Storm.”

At Raven Makes Gallery, you can see elaborate Navajo weaving by Bessie Littleben. She uses rich color combinations in the visually stunning Teec Nos Pos style, an intricate and exacting weaving with more than 85 colors. This Navajo family’s tapestry-level rugs are instantly recognizable and treasured by collectors worldwide. Stay tuned as Raven Makes presents the second edition of “The Homelands Collection,” from May 13 to June 13. A private showing, by invitation, will take place May 12 with Alaskan Alutiiq artist Heather Johnston in attendance.

Sisters Gallery & Frame Shop has new paintings by featured artists Kimry Jelen and Brad Earl.

The Iberian horses she met when she visited Portugal inspire Kimry’s new paintings.

“These paintings have the power and brio from the stallions showing off their moves,” she said.

Vivid colors and wild flowing hair celebrate these living works of equine art. “The texture is reminiscent of the old walls on the barns that have been there for centuries, painted many times over with layers of rich color, or white washed.” Did you know that in Spain and Portugal, the arena sand is yellow? Kimry said that it sets the colorful horses off beautifully, as they prance and dance for their proud breeders.

Brad’s colorful, architectural style acrylics are a unique addition to the Sisters art scene.

MOTH artists whose work can be seen here include Brad Earl, Antonia Carriere, Jan Hansson, Ann Grossnickle, and Helen Schmidling.

Sisters Arts Association invites everyone to join in celebrating this community event.