Artist creates ceramic tile quilts

Kathy Deggendorfer is known for her fearless use of color, captivating images and sense of fun. Her latest artistic endeavor features big bold and colorful tilework. She used local tile expert Susanne Redfield at Kibak Tile for production. Deggendorfer knew Redfield could translate the bright colors accurately and capture her intent. The results were beyond her expectations.

Bright colors and great graphic images give this show a fresh look. "I wanted to create an image that could be scaled down to a grouping of four tiles or expanded to fill a huge space ... I was able to pull it off with tiles," she beamed.

When she finished, Deggendorfer realized that the images looked just like quilts. The "Garden Mural" is bordered on the sides by her Twig Pattern, and looks like a binding on a quilt.

The little "Bits and Pieces" goes together like a four-patch. Viewers may recognize the Garden Mural when looking at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show Raffle Bike. Deggendorfer's design was used for a "one-of-a-kind ride!"

Traditionally a watercolor artist, Deggendorfer loves working with tile. "My typical medium, watercolor, must be protected from direct sunlight. Tile can be put anywhere ... inside or out ... I love the idea of creating a piece that can brighten a wall in a big sunny space like a solarium and never worry about sun damage."

It's not the first time she's partnered with Kibak Tile in Redmond. After being approached to create artwork for a children's hospital, Deggendorfer envisioned using tiles with little houses, dogs, cars, trucks and even a vintage trailer to create a whimsical story for children to follow as they walk through the hospital corridors.

"The idea was to create a series of tiles that parents and children could follow through the hallways and create their own stories about those images. The story tiles would lead them to a garden mural in the sunroom. I wanted them to know that there would be a flower garden blooming all year long," said Deggendorfer from her studio in the Sisters Art Works building.

Deggendorfer's tiles will be featured at Sisters Art Works at 204 W. Adams Ave., July 7 through 15. The open studio runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call Kathy if you need to make an appointment, 541-420-9695. Visit www.sistersartworks.com for more information. Admission is free.