Sisters artist's work captures Whychus Creek

Abstract expressionist glimpses of Whychus Creek are captured by local artist Pam Jersey Bird in the Friends of the Sisters Library (FOSL) December exhibit, "Impressions of Whychus Creek," in the library's community room.

Bird describes how her acrylic paintings of the creek, which runs through her Sisters neighborhood, reflect what she has experienced and observed of the creek over the past 13 years:

"Moving water captivates me ... as it moves, sometimes gently and often rapidly. As the seasons change, the light and colors vary. In the summer the foliage is thick, the air is warm, and the water gentle; in the fall the banks are covered with yellow ochre and orange aspen leaves, there is a chill in the air, and the water is rapid; and in winter ice forms in the corners around rocks, and snow covers the pine needles. I shiver as I walk."

One of the hallmarks of Bird's soft and subtle paintings is her creation of what she calls "peek-a-boo scenes," where the viewer is drawn into the painting whether through an opening in the leaves or a quiet eddy in the water.

"In my abstract paintings I want to give a hint of the mysterious and hidden aspects of nature," she said.

As an only child, Bird found refuge and solitary entertainment in drawing and painting. She pursued her interest in art in high school and knew from a very early age that her life would revolve around art.

A native of Kenilworth, New Jersey, she grew up exploring the art museums and galleries 20 minutes away in Manhattan. During the '60s she was greatly influenced by the work of the abstract expressionists, which has remained a foundation of her own aesthetic and work.

Graduation from Rowan University (then Glassboro State) in 1969 with a degree in art education led to a diverse career in the arts, from graphic design work to teaching art on all levels, including art schools and community colleges. From 1975-89 she served as the art educator for a Santa Barbara art museum. During all this time she was painting in watercolor.

Looking for a more rural, less hectic lifestyle, at the urging of a friend who had moved to Bend, Bird arrived at the Chemult train stop in a Thanksgiving snowstorm in 1989. Long-time Bend realtor Jim Brennan showed her around while extolling the virtues of the area and assuring her that the area was going to prosper. She purchased a house in Bend. Bird taught art classes at COCC and Sunriver Preparatory Academy while at the same time developing her own abstract style in acrylic and collage.

Bird's husband, David Hewett, was teaching at Sisters Elementary School, so they moved from Bend to Sisters 14 years ago to their home in Buck Run. Hewett is now enjoying his first year of retirement from teaching, which was his second career.

Bird has exhibited her paintings widely in California, Oregon, and Washington. She is a member of several artist associations and is a signature member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters. She has been a finalist and winner of awards in national juried competitions.

"I interpret nature in an expressive gestural manner. I feel as though I am creating rhythmic visual symphonies when I paint. I want to take my paintings beyond representational accuracy, from what I see to what I experience," she explained.

Her work can be viewed on her website, www.

pamjerseybird.com.

Multi-talented local artist, singer/songwriter, and author Dennis McGregor is featured for December in the library's computer room. Original paintings from his children's book, "Dream Again," are on exhibit. His book tells the story of a young girl named Annie, who has only a quilt made from her family's worn out clothes by which to remember them. As she travels to Oregon on a wagon train, the quilt is lost near the end of the Oregon Trail. At that point an epic adventure begins. McGregor's paintings beautifully illustrate his original tale. Models for his subjects are well-known residents of

Sisters.

Coming to the library in January and February is the 10th annual Friends of the Sisters Library Art Exhibit, held every year as a fundraiser for the library. Featured will be the work of local artists, photographers, sculptors, weavers, woodworkers, and fine jewelry designers. The show is open to all artists, and invitations are available from the information desk at the Sisters Library.

Monday, January 12, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., is the intake day for art. The exhibit opens Wednesday, January 14 and runs through the month of February. Voting for the People's Choice Awards starts January 14 running through Friday, January 23.

When turning in art, artists are asked to bring a one-page biography including artist's name, description of the submitted work, and contact information. All art pieces submitted must be approved by the FOSL Art Committee and remain for the entire show. The Friends of the Sisters Library will receive a 10 percent commission from the artist for any artwork sold during the exhibit.

On Friday, January 23, from 6 to 8 p.m., FOSL will hold their annual reception for the community to view the exhibit, meet the artists, see the People's Choice Awards presented, and participate in a silent auction. Beverages and hors d'oeuvres will be served.