Brian Vegter - Painter

Visual Art – Boise

In 2003, I walked away from a successful career in television and video production to focus on painting and my passion for dogs; a move that has been more creatively satisfying than I could have ever imagined. The thing I love best about dogs as subjects is their expressive faces, as animals I love their loyalty, companionship, and never ending affection for us humans. Capturing the essence of my subject is the focus of the commission work I do, but movement, light, and color are what make all my finished painting, works of fine art. When I made the move to Oregon from New York City, my goals were to open a gallery and continue to grow as an artist. Oregon has nurtured my creativity and fostered a  commitment to the art community in Baker City where I live. In 2008 my wife, artist/sculpture Corrine Vegter, and I built the Dusty Dog Studio and Gallery. Then in 2009, fellow artist, tom novak and I opened the Short Term Gallery, a cooperative gallery on Main Street, that represents over 40 regional artists. After 10 year tom and I closed the gallery as we're both taking on new projects. I’ve been influenced by other Oregon artists to try new things creatively in both medium and style. The newest style I call “Abstract Representationalism”, focuses on abstract backgrounds with realistically rendered main subjects.  Living in Eastern Oregon has helped me realize the goals I set for myself, in moving to Oregon. Dogs influence my work with gesture, movement, and color and the abstractions of the backgrounds creates something I might not have found had I stayed in New York. I’ve also been creating works of bicycles, children playing and vintage trailers in the last four years. Our newest creative venture was the purchase of the abandoned Churchill School in Baker City, which we're using as artist studios, a concert venue and other creative spaces. Years of work are required to space this space, but we love a challenge and the creativity that this place inspires is amazing.