STILL LIFE STILL LIFE & PRECARIOUS SITUATIONS
Eastern Oregon University attracts many Alaskans to study and experience life in the ‘Lower 48′. Often the graduates settle into the community. Two such transplants who have graduated from Eastern and are making great contributions to La Grande and the Grande Ronde Valley are Jaime Gustavson and Annie Eskelin. Their joint art show opens in conjunction with the “Third Thursday” art series September 17 at the Satellite Gallery, 116 Depot Street in La Grande. A reception will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Eskelin, a 2005 EOU graduate is by day a legal secretary, an artist and musician by night. She has won numerous awards including Best of Show at Nightingale Student Juried Show in 2005 and Best Painting at Pendleton Art Center Regional Juried Show in 2007.
Eskelin has dubbed her pieces, “Precarious Situations.” In describing her work she states, “I enjoy utilizing words and imagery to come up with quirky, fun pieces and also utilizing the same to create images of a darker, sensitive nature.” She describes her recent body of paintings and mixed media as works that “Commonly feature the poised interaction of two characters depicted in a psychological landscape and themed with an ironic meaning. There is an indescribable power in creating art. I find that by just utilizing my surroundings for inspiration and materials, the images created can be a fascinating personal reflection.”
Gustavson graduated from EOU and is an art teacher with a master degree in fine arts from the University of Vermont. She has named her series, “Still Life Still Life.” Her works feature paintings of dead birds. Gustavson describes the inspiration, “Finding little dead, feathery carcasses on the ground is a special kind of moment. The bird is still and finally available for observation. I like the process of drawing with pencil on a smooth surface because it is impossible to erase. It absorbs the finest of marks. To me, this somehow honors the small life that is quickly deteriorating. When painting these found birds, I get the same reward of metaphorically memorializing the now still and passed life. I find the process to be meaningful but not symbolic. In the birds the once delicate little noises that woke us or flutters pass us on walks are still to a point where the absence has a presence. Though this might sound morbid I find it exciting to be drawn to the process in such a way. I am looking forward to building upon this body of work.”
Eskelin and Gustavson’s works will be on display at the Satellite Gallery from September 17 through October 9.
Past Shows
View the various shows of the past. View slideshows, read about the artists, and get a sense of how we do things around here.