Art Watch 7/1-7/8

The terminal at Redmond Municipal Airport/Roberts Field is not the most likely place to expect an art gallery, but throughout the summer, the walls along the north entry corridor are lined with beautiful plein-air paintings of Smith Rock.

The 25 different pieces of art were individually created during one five-hour period of time during the third annual Smith Rock Paint Out.

Several weeks ago, starting at 8 am, the artists were allotted five hours to create an original work of art. They were allowed to select any angle, and could work in oils, pastels, watercolors, or acrylics. By 1 pm, the artists were required to have completed their paintings, including framing them, and submitted them for the jury process. From all of the submissions, a jury of five High Desert Art League members selected 25 pieces of work; in particular, five were singled out for awards.

Best of Show was awarded to Tracy Leagjeld from Portland for her oil painting "Hot Rocks," a scene that frames four vertical spires, three bathed in glowing orange, and cool mint-green bushes line the bottom horizontal. The brush strokes all reach skyward. Second place, by Eric Jacobsen from Prineville, is another oil painting, "Morning Light at Smith Rock," and shows a more demur face of the park, sandy-colored rocks that jut up but lean slightly towards the left frame and crescendo in size; each rock tower is outlined by thin dark shadows and the sky is tempered by thin clouds.

In addition to the judge winners, there is also a "ranger's choice," which was given to Joanne Kollman for her painting "Majestic Morning," in which one stunning rock spire stands tall, covering an entire third of the canvas in a vibrant red, and a blue river, lined in black, traces along the bottom horizon before turning the corner and flowing towards the back of the painting. It is a painting that captures both the elegance and massiveness of Smith Rock.

The Smith Rock Paint Out Exhibition

June 23 through August 23 Roberts Field, 2522 SE Jesse Butler Circle, Redmond. The artwork is available for purchase by visiting the administration office in the terminal near the main entrance.