Peterson Contemporary Art | 11/5-11/30 | Bend, OR

The Power of Place

Peterson Contemporary Art hosts a three-person exhibition this fall.

Three different artists, three unique visions for their craft. The artwork of Oregon-based artists Donald Yatomi, Valerie Winterholler and Ken Roth are placed together for a trio show this fall at Peterson Contemporary Art in Bend, Oregon, offering collectors a diverse viewing experience. While each artist’s style and subject matter differ, they all share a common home, as well as a pull toward creating powerful works of art. Valerie Winterholler, Equilibrium, acrylic, 60 x 48"

“I’m more interested in…down-to-earth, real-life [subject matter] that is ugly,” says Yatomi. “The more uncelebrated and ugly it is, the more I do it. I leave the beautiful stuff to the painters who do it well, like landscape artists and people who do beautiful portraits...When I do landscapes, I do alleyways,” he says. If he doesn’t see it commonly on gallery walls, that’s what he paints. Yatomi adds, “That’s why I do urinals and laundromats. These are places that are taken for granted and almost shunned. I do it because it’s neglected, no one wants to see a urinal. It’s the rebelliousness in me.”

His oil Reed Market Pub depicts a dark dive bar scene, which manifested from a fun night out with his wife (who was initially adamant about not going). He shares, “I’m drawn to dive bars because it goes back to the theme of repulsive places…When I paint, I don’t paint for an audience. I paint for myself.” But when his paintings resonate with others, he says, that feeling is incredible. Donald Yatomi, Reed Market Pub, oil, 24 x 48"

Winterholler, born in Bend, has spent most of her life in Oregon. “I am constantly inspired by the wide-open horizons and amazing forests,” she says.

“The Badlands just east of Bend have offered me a respite many times and suggested the color palette for the painting Equilibrium. Its open space and gnarled ancient junipers feel like history and possibility combined.” says the artist. “In Equilibrium, I am utilizing the colors of Dry Canyon. I am exploring the idea of what lies beneath the dry pale sand in contrast with what is growing on the surface and the balance of the two. It is an abstracted, diluted idea of sky, ground and underlying history and future growth.”Ken Roth, Deschutes River No. 7, oil, 24 x 30"

Landscape artist Roth’s Deschutes River No. 7 depicts the major tributary of the Columbia River that runs through central Oregon. The piece is highly textured, with thick strokes of paint, palette knife work, and the clear visibility of the surface of the canvas. Roth often works with a variety of substrates, including canvas, wood, metal and various types of paper. “As most of my work is either with more literal elements or abstract, derived from my surroundings the closeness to nature and the vast amount of open space has been a very large source of inspiration in my painting,” says Roth. “It is also the ease with which I can access the landscape that has really made me appreciate Oregon.”

Peterson Contemporary Art’s 2021 Fall Exhibition will be on view from November 5 to 30. —

Peterson Contemporary Art
550 NW Franklin Avenue, Suite 178
Bend, OR 97703
(541) 633-7148 • www.pcagallery.com