Annual BBR event celebrates art in magnificent setting

The local community celebrated the arts on a spectacular weekend in a magnificent setting in the annual Art at the Ranch event at Black Butte Ranch.

On Friday evening, August 31, the annual artist reception and silent auction held at Black Butte Ranch (BBR) Lodge kicked off Art at the Ranch. The BBR Art Guild has been supporting art in Sisters schools with scholarships from the proceeds of the annual show for over three decades.

Dail Hartnack, co-chair of the BBR Art Guild, was this year's event coordinator.

"Art at the Ranch has been a part of the end-of-summer activities at the Ranch for more than two decades," she said. "The event provides an interesting outlet for the work of our region's talented artists, gives our residents a chance to meet the artists, see their work and purchase items for their homes at the Ranch. All of this creates a fundraising success that has benefitted local art students who are pursuing their interest in the arts."

Featured artist and Sisters resident Paul Alan Bennett showcased paintings from his recent constellation series at the art reception.

"Since I was a kid I've always enjoyed the night sky, and recently started reading books and studying the constellations and it was quite exciting," Bennett said. "Now I can sit out on my front porch and find Pegasus and Andromeda."

You can also find the different constellations in his new series of paintings above imaginary scenery.

"Basically, I want people to look at the night sky as a place of beauty and wonder, that's how it's always struck me, as a place where my imagination could expand," said Bennett. "I feel the night sky is so open to reflection and meditation and all those things that can nurture the soul."

Bennett is currently working on a book about the constellations featuring images of his work.

Saturday morning was clear and crisp - the perfect setting for the Plein Air Paint Out, which featured 11 noted Central Oregon artists. They set up all around the lakeside lawn with easels and brushes ready to capture the stunning Black Butte Ranch landscape in oils, acrylics and watercolor.

Paint outs or plein air events attract spectators; there's something special about seeing an artist at work outside. Paint outs give artists a chance to share their talents and creativity with the public and each other.

Muralist/artist David Kinker from Bend has been painting since he was a child and has a long history in the arts community in Central Oregon. His murals can be seen at the Tower Theatre, St. Charles Health Center, childcare centers, nursing homes and even at Black Butte Ranch.

"I'm all about color," Kinker said.

His true passion is working as a freelance artist on commissioned murals and illustrations.

Plein air artists capture the spirit and essence of the outdoors by incorporating natural light, color and movement into their works.

An artist her whole life, Krystal Allen from Prineville is the West Coast sales representative for PleinAir and Fine Art Connoisseur magazines, and she loves painting landscapes and animals, predominately in oils.

"The joy of creating an imagery of the moment and being able to share it with others is the essence of my art," Allen said.

Local artist Jani Hicks has painted in watercolor for over 15 years. She is a printmaker by trade and etches limited editions on copper plates.

Hicks said that most of her watercolor paintings are used as preliminary pieces for her etchings.

"Being a printmaker you're very close to your work, and as an etcher I was getting really tight, and watercolor loosens me up," she said.

This year Art at the Ranch offered something new: painting for kids, which included two sessions. One was for the younger kids ages 5-7 and one for ages 8-12.

Local artist Megan Phallon instructed the eager little artists in the Activity Center at BBR. Phallon loves working with kids and teaches art at Sisters Park and Recreation District. She enjoys painting in a surrealist style and often paints the images in her vivid dreams.

Phallon said, "Viewing the world in an abstract way inspires me with ideas for art with kids."

Music was a part of the event, with The Anvil Blasters and Honey Don't performing on the grass.

A diversified variety of artists and crafters displayed their work in booths on the Lakeside Prominade: jewelry-makers, woodcrafters, artists of all kinds of media were represented.

Noted photographer Judy Benson LaNier from Talent, Oregon, showcased her photography. She specializes in photographing African wildlife, has lead safaris to Africa, and taught photography to the participants. LaNier's passion for art developed at an early age and she spent many years teaching art to students from elementary school through college. She discovered photography when she was in graduate school at the University of Oregon in 1981.

LaNier said, "My love of Africa began in 1961 when my family hosted Ashland, Oregon's very first Rotary-sponsored exchange student from South Africa."

The People's Choice Award for the Plein Air Paint Out was announced at 2 p.m.: Randall Tillery 1st place; Barbara Berry 2nd place; and David Kinker 3rd place.

Paintings were available for sale at the art show, with 20 percent of the proceeds going to the BBR Art Guild's scholarships and community outreach funds.