Eric Slade

Ralph Pugay says his paintings reveal “something catastrophic happening, but I see them as allegories for general questions about consciousness and life."

The exhibit showcases Native American interpretations of the being known as Sasquatch, Bigfoot or “the big guy.”

This week, we're talking about how Oregon creators have established the state as a reigning animation powerhouse that's influencing the art form's legacy and future.

Brendon Burton’s haunting photography celebrates the decay and deterioration of the west. He travels backroads, discovering abandoned farmhouses and desolate scenes, beautifully showcasing the American landscape. And though he’s traveled extensively for his work, most of his images are shot right here in Oregon.

Charlene Moody is one of five artists creating work for the High Desert Museum’s exhibit “Sensing Sasquatch,” looking at Sasquatch through an Indigenous lens. Moody is working with a 9-foot-tall buffalo hide, drawing from her Warm Springs, Paiute, Miwok, Modoc and Yakama heritage.

Portland painter Orlando Almanza was born in the Cuban countryside and spent his childhood listening to his grandfather’s stories of the spirits that lived in the forests and river near their home. When he moved to Havana to attend the college of fine arts, he buried his past, attempting to fit into the city’s urban culture. But eventually he discovered these childhood stories carry great power. Today his large, lush canvases are filled with images from his past and the myths and stories he heard from his family.

There is a secret warehouse in Northwest Portland with over 20,000 pieces of art. It includes world class work by renowned figures like Richard Diebenkorn, Helen Frankenthaler, and one of the world’s largest collections of work by Andy Warhol. These pieces circulate regularly around the country, shipping out full shows to dozens of museums each year, all without any rental fee.

Megan Sanchez draws from her family heritage to create a unique dining experience at her eclectic Portland restaurant Güero.

The Oregon Zoo uses radiographs to monitor the health of their over 2,000 animals. But these X-ray images are more than just diagnostic tools — they’re a beautiful view of these elaborate animal skeletons. “For me,” says Director of Animal Health Carlos Sanchez, “it’s just like looking at a piece of art.”

LaRhonda Steele has been called “The First Lady of Portland Blues,” lighting up stages at the Waterfront Blues Festival and at clubs around town. Her daughter Lauren has followed in her footsteps, blazing her own successful trail in the world of music and theater.