Vendors

Nicky Biehn

Artist

Nature's Images
5439 Shasta Way
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603
Email:
Phone: (541) 884-8406

I spent the first twelve years of my life living on 120 acres on a resort that had a small trout lake, a large beaver pond and a river flowing through it all. My life was like living a Norman Rockwell painting in rural America. I had the chore of animal care, weeding the garden, collecting firewood, and maintenance of the resort cabins and boats. I also had all the benefits of swimming, fishing, and exploring in the summer with sledding and ice skating and cross- country skiing in the winter. All these activities guaranteed observation and interaction with the native flora and fauna.

This association taught me a deep appreciation and respect for the land and the animals that lived at my doorstep. My early years have given me a wonderful insight to the natural behavior of wildlife, which has influenced my artwork. I like painting the "drama" or "snapshot" images of birds and animals in action. Although I have never had any formal instruction other than what I was taught in grade school, I have spent my life drawing and painting. I have to appreciate my Mother's patience and her encouragement of my artwork and the curiosity to learn, which has lead me to create a large library of art books and self teaching instruction books. I have created my own sewing patterns, tattoos, jewelry, and some drafting and cabinet making plans.

In 1991 I moved to Albany Oregon, to complete my Associate's Degree in Psychology and went on to complete my Bachelor's of Science degree in Liberal Arts, majoring in sociology with a minor in ethics at Oregon State University. I returned to Klamath Falls in 1995 to marry Richard Biehn and now have one son.

Over the years I have lived in many places, including northwestern Washington, the Willamette Valley, on the Oregon coast, and in northern California. I have been a carpenter's helper, furniture maker, nurse's aide, bartender, waitress, supervisor for a janitorial company, aide for the adult handicapped, wind sock maker, and currently work at a plant nursery outlet, Mountain Valley Gardens, here in Klamath Falls during the summer.

During all these jobs and moves, I did some painting on saw blades and barn board. I didn't become serious about painting until 1997 when I combined one of my other hobbies, rock hounding, with my painting. I got into painting on rock slabs after becoming involved in the local Rock and Arrowhead Club in 1996 where I saw some other work. I was intrigued with the ability to combine the natural beauty of the rock's shapes, colors and translucence with my painting of wildlife. It became my focus. Only in the past two years have I begun to paint on canvas. I am presently studying with renowned artist, Barbara Lund.

My goal as a painter is to portray my chosen subject as realistically as possible, considering the regional and seasonal differences that occur in all species as well as their natural habitat. I want my paintings to share the complex and yet conflicting images of beauty and sometimes violence that occurs in the natural drama of life. Several of my paintings portray the Tulelake Refuge and local mountains.

Artwork Description

My artwork is mostly birds and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest, although I have done some cartoon work, domestic animals and marine life. I use acrylics to paint on rock slabs. The slices are approximately 3/8" -1/4" thick and vary in size from about 3 X 4 inches to 8 X 9 inches; it depends on the shape and size of the rock I cut. They can be displayed using a tabletop easel, wall mounted using a plate hanger, or framed using a shadowbox type frame.

I use many varieties of rock and especially like the types that have high silica content such as quartz, agate, and obsidian. The translucence of these rocks allows the color and patterns to be incorporated into my pictures. I also use rocks such as jasper, granite, marble and dolomite, which are not translucent but can have patterns and color that I can use. My pictures are sealed using a polymer resin or lacquer finish that protects the paint from chipping or scratching and gives then a shiny finish.

Showings and Displays

St. Joseph's Mission Kettle Falls, Washington 2000, Display of native species of birds in their gift shop. I will be selling again spring of 2006
Klamath County Library Klamath Falls, Oregon 2000, my art was displayed in one of the cases.
Rock and Arrowhead Club Show Klamath Falls, Oregon 2000 - 2005, I have had a display case in our show each year winning their Special Award in 2003 and done demonstrations for two years.
Duck's Unlimited Dinner Klamath Falls, Oregon 2003, I was the featured artist for this year's dinner. Some of work was auctioned for their show and well as displaying my work.
High Desert Museum Bend, Oregon 2003 - 2005 Artwork in their gift shop for sale.
Migratory Bird Day Klamath Falls, Oregon 2003 - 2005. Certificate of Appreciation for 'Songbirds of Spring Art Contest' in 2003
Klamath Art Association Klamath Falls Oregon October 2005 featured artist with Donna Hooker
Art Display December 2005 and January 2006 at Klamath Falls Airport in the Security Lounge
Migratory Bird Day Klamath Falls, Oregon 2004 and 2005
Migratory Bird Day Tulelake California 2005
Winter Wings of Klamath Falls Oregon 2005 and will in 2006
3rd Thursday Klamath Falls, Oregon 2004 and 2005, at the Courthouse and Framing Solutions
Framing Solutions 707 Main Street, Klamath Falls
Klamath County Museum Gift Shop at 1451 Main St., Klamath Falls
River Gallery at 140 First St., Chiloquin, Oregon
Pheasant Ridge RV Park, Wilsonville, Oregon
Campground Buena Tierra, Casa Grande Arizona