Flower power

Flowers native to Oregon are the focus of “Flower Girls,” an exhibit presented by the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts featuring 24 oil paintings by Lincoln County artists Victoria Biedron and Katia Kyte.

“When things can look bleak there is nothing that picks up the mood and brings a bit of hope like a colorful, living, fragrant bouquet of flowers,” Biedron said. “As artists, we want to share this spot of light and love with the viewer to show that life and joy is possible despite adverse events. Hope springs eternal and so do flowers; they bloom no matter what is going on, just as we humans do when we are called to change with the times.”

The exhibit will explore flowers, bouquets, still lifes with flowers and seasonal flowers.

“Many of the flowers depicted are from our immediate location, Lincoln County,” Kyte said. “Both artists experience joy in painting flowers, especially flowers from their own gardens.”

Biedron, currently based in Newport, has attended and hosted workshops with artists such as Eric Sandgren, Jerry Ross, Bets Cole and Renee Nelson. She has exhibited her work at the Jacobs Gallery, the Maude Kerns and the Emerald Art Center in Eugene, the Coos Art Museum and the Newport Visual Arts Center. She was the coordinator for the Plein Air Painters of Lane County from 2009 until 2010.

Born and raised in Russia and now based in Lincoln City, Katia Kyte is both a plein air and studio painter. Primarily self-taught, she has participated in various workshops led by prominent painters. She has recently exhibited her work at the Chessman Gallery and the Freed Gallery in Lincoln City, the Salem Art Fair & Festival, the Toledo Plein Air group show and the Lavender Art Festival in Newberg.

The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, March 20, in the Upstairs Gallery at the Newport Visual Arts Center, 777 NW Beach Drive. Viewing hours are from noon to 4 pm Wednesdays and Saturdays, COVID-19 safety guidelines permitting. To view the show online, go to www.coastarts.org.