The Oxford Hotel presents Debra Millette’s playful images of Pet Selfies with Their Persons, acrylic paintings of much adored cats, dogs and horses featuring herself and other pet enthusiasts. The exhibit opens on December 31 and runs through February 22. The artist will attend the champagne public reception on First Friday, January 4 from 5:30-7:30pm.

According to the National Pet Owners Survey, 2017-2018, some 68 percent of U.S. households own pets and enthusiastically spent nearly 70 billion dollars on pet care. Suffice to say, we prize and care for our affection-inspiring pets.

As does Debra Millette, featured artist, whose self-portrait appears with her dog Clancy, aptly named Clancy with His Person Debra. Each of the artist’s acrylic paintings identifies the dog, the cat, the pet as the proprietor of its keeper, “its person.”

The artist, a native Oregonian and Bend resident, notes that her love for “our furry family members” inspired her transition from pet portraits to her unique concept, Pet Selfies with Their Persons. Pets appear at the front of the painting, often with a leg or paw not visible as if holding a camera or cell phone out of sight to shoot an intended photo.

Milette’s interpretation of the scene becomes an “up close and personal ‘tail’ of the pet and their person.” She notes, “When these moments come together, it’s my pleasure to combine realism
and whimsy!”

Billye Turner, art consultant, coordinates the Oxford Hotel exhibition schedule with additional information at 503-780-2828 or billyeturner@bendnet.com.