The Lodge installs works of abstract painter

The Gallery at the Lodge at Black Butte Ranch has brought an artist to Sisters Country whose abstract landscapes play on the emotions.

Katie Williams, assistant to BBR CEO Scott Huntsman, JoEllyn Loehr, artist and Charles Kingsbaker, the new director of sales and marketing, were on hand with artist Kentree Speirs for an artist's reception at the Lodge's Gallery.

"It's a way to continue to reach out to the community. A way to bring regional artists to the area," said Kingsbaker.

Loehr added, "I suggested several artists from Blackfish Gallery in Portland, and Speirs is one of the two they picked."

"People like to show here because Sisters is an art community. We're not competing with anyone because we're not relying on sales to fund a gallery, although the art is for sale. This is primarily an exhibition gallery. The Ranch does not take a commission," Williams said.

Williams felt she saw mountains within his abstracts and wasn't surprised to learn Speirs had done a lot of mountaineering.

Speirs' curriculum vitae lists 38 exhibitions since 2004. At one time he did a lot of figurative, narrative work.

"I got bored with it. A 65-year-old friend, abstract painter, had so much fun with her work; I wanted to seek out my own style," he said. "Be more intuitive, responsive, explore many avenues.

"The landscape starts to appear. A sense of landscape always emerges. At first I didn't want that, but it just evolved. When the hint of landscape emerges from the abstract, the name emerges."

Speirs spoke about his painting titled "I found what I came for." He said "It reminded me of the place where my wife proposed to me. I had been proposing to her for a couple years. She finally said, 'when I'm ready, I will ask you.' I worked on the piece for three months. All my pieces evolve over time."

About landscape, Speirs said: "This is our home, and it's really important to take care of it. So there's an environmental statement I make to myself. The beauty of the landscape may inspire people to take care of it."

(Editor's note: The remodelling of the Lodge involved many staff members and local contractors. A previous story left an incorrect impression about who was involved.)