Cristina Acosta Opens at High Desert Gallery -- Redmond Oregon

High Desert Gallery & Custom
Framing of Central Oregon is pleased to announce the opening for
nationally known Oregon artist, Cristina Acosta. Cristina's original
paintings and retablos will be displayed from October 1 through
October 31, 2008 at High Desert Gallery in downtown Redmond, Oregon.

Cristina
Acosta - Original Retablos and Paintings


When: October 1 through October 31,
2008, Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm
Where: High Desert Gallery & Custom
Framing, 453 SW 6th Street, Downtown Redmond, Oregon
The event is part of “Celebrate
National Art and Framing Month” at High Desert Gallery and is free
and open to the public. For more information on the event, Cristina
and the gallery please call 1-866-549-6250 or visit:
www.highdesertgallery.com.

Cristina Acosta: I am greatly
influenced by my Hispanic heritage. Born in Los Angeles, I am the
daughter of a Anglo American mother and a Mexican American father.
Because of my appearance combined with the time and place I lived, I
experienced prejudice growing up; events that caused me to identify
deeply with my Mexican American heritage.

My paternal grandmother (Catalina Maria
Ortiz Acosta) was a classical pianist and gifted Renaissance woman.
Her ancestors included the original Spanish settlers and soldiers
that settled in North America in what is now New Mexico in the late
1500's and 1600's. She had antique blankets and other objects from
the centuries of life her ancestors had lived in the Southwest
region. I found the objects in her home continually fascinating.

As a young child I would often listen
to her practice Debussy, Bach or other classical piano pieces as I
played with Native American objects from our family's past or leafed
through her collection of antique books, looking at engravings. From
her I observed the example of the artist's life.

The influence of this part of my
culture inspires my series of Madonnas. Painted with oil, sterling
silver, copper or 22kt. gold metal leaf and inlays of antique 24kt
gold glazed ceramic tiles, these Madonnas include symbols that delve
past the dawn of Christianity, and also represent the earth religions
of the Native Americans. New Mexico was a frontier for almost three
hundred years. Because travel was often unsafe and difficult, access
to clergy was sporadic, thus the tradition of the retablo developed
as a home altar. They are beautiful additions to any Spanish art or
southwest art collection.

Cristina provides more insight on the show and her work at: Cristina Acosta

The Rock Canyon Madonna (Image below and at High Desert Gallery)
-- Medium: Oil, sterling silver metal leaf with
antique 24-carat
gold glazed ceramic mosaic on three hinged birch wood artisan panels.
Total open size approximately 26" x 26"

Image Inspiration: An ex-voto retablo
painted in gratitude for the blessings of healing and renewal.

Center Panel: An ancient series of dry
canyons exist in the high desert lands north of the town of Bend,
Oregon. Many centuries ago, rivers, born from the lakes to the
south, wore fissures and then canyons into the layers of lava rock
covering the land. The ancient native peoples fished and hunted the
rich wetlands and rivers. They left behind petroglyphs and
pictographs to mark important sites. In this canyon complex the
triangular symbol woven within the Madonna’s cloak is a petroglyph
etched into the rock. The serenity of the canyon is punctuated by
the calls of nesting raptors. The canyon is a powerful place of
healing and renewal.

Side Panels: Each side panel reveals a
solitary Ponderosa Pine tree. Surrounded by desert plants, there are
a few lone pines at key junctures of the canyon. They stand
singularly against the skyline, reminding us that despite the arid
climate, life-giving water runs deep under the surface.

Back Panel: A pattern of pine boughs
gracefully arc under the light of a beautiful full moon.

About Cristina Acosta: Cristina's
career has included: A two-year stint as a billboard mural and
lettering artist. Five years teaching college art classes. Nine years
as an artisan tile designer & production artist for her
nationally distributed signature line of ceramic tile during the
1990’s, life long love of the arts and more.

Her artistry is featured in a variety
of books and magazines, including her successful art book, Paint
Happy! (North Light Books, ©2002,2004). She illustrated the
children’s book, When Woman Became the Sea (Beyond Words Pub.,
©1998) and contributed to many other books and periodicals
including Artist Magazine, Pure Inspiration, Better Homes and
Gardens, House Beautiful, Latina magazine, Latina Style, Good
Housekeeping, and Woman’s Day home design publications.

Cristina continually paints and writes
from her studio at her home in the rain-shadow of the Cascade
Mountains. She creates three distinct series of paintings: Paint
Happy series, Hispanic Heritage series (Madonnas) and her oils
including her Animal Spirit series. Despite the different styles, her
work is typified by her lush use of color, dynamic design and the
presence of joy.

Museums, galleries and collectors
nationwide collect and exhibit her work.

Cristina's work is represented by and
available for sale through High Desert Gallery's Fine Art Gallery in
Redmond and Sisters Oregon.