Artist shows "congressional" art

When Winnie Givot paints, she pours her heart into her creations. And she hopes that the 24 paintings she intends to present to Congress next week will communicate her heart's desire to the men and women who govern the nation.

"I want the paintings to speak to the congressmen and women," said Givot, who leaves this Friday to drive to Washington D.C.

"I want their hearts to be touched, to be inspired to search deeper and reach higher. Most of us miss out on living life at a deeper level."

Givot offered a special showing of her work on Friday, April 26.

"We had a great turnout," said Winnie's husband, Irv. "People are really enjoying themselves."

"So many have come and loved the art," said Winnie. "It has really been positive."

According to Irv, Winnie began painting after they moved to Sisters 11 years ago.

"When we bought this property," he said. "The previous owner had turned part of the barn into an art studio for his wife."

Winnie adopted the studio and began to develop her skill.

"She took art classes and workshops for about five years," said Irv. "Her teachers were like the 'Who's Who' of the art world. Her paintings are now on display at several galleries in Bend, as well as an art gallery in Tucson, Arizona."

Five years ago, Winnie traveled to the East Coast to visit several art museums.

"I asked myself, 'What makes a painting great?'" she said. "As I walked around the Philadelphia Art Museum, I noticed that some paintings gave off a definite energy. To me, that's what made them great."

Givot's congressional expedition is her second effort at using art to illuminate policy.

Two years ago, Givot traveled to Chile and presented a painting she'd done of the Bio Bio river to their congress.

"My daughter, Rima, had been to Chile and had worked with the indigenous people who lived on the Bio Bio," said Givot. They were about to be displaced by the hydroelectric plants that were going in.

"We weren't sure how that was going to happen," she said. "Rima spent many hours on the Internet trying to arrange things."

Givot was actually able to present her painting to the President of Congress.

"He understood what I was saying -- that I was asking them to consider their decisions from a higher perspective," she said. "He was a beautiful man."

Givot hopes that the paintings she's taking to her own congress will have a similar impact on the men and women there.