Billings Gazette, Featured Toucan Artist Explores Repression in the lives of Women

Cory Jaeger's pastel and paper work is titled "The Making of Little Ladies".


"Pressed Beneath a Heavy Sky"--new pastel works by Billings artist Cory Jaeger--will be featured at the Toucan Gallery on Montana Avenue through June and July.

In these personal pieces, Jaeger explores repression in women's lives.

"Not long ago, when I visited my great-aunt in North Dakota to celebrate her 80th birthday, I came to realize that that vast, flat and open landscape had undoubtedly shaped my life--even though I was born and raised in Billings," said Jaeger. "I realized that the harsh practicality of that farming culture rubbed my spirit raw. But I realized, too, that same harshness had given me my sense of integrity and an iron-clad work ethic."

In addition, Jaeger noted, "that same environment had also convinced me that my creativity was somehow a disfiguring, shameful flaw. This show is for all those women, who are sorting through all the 'shoulds' and striving valiantly to reclaim who they truly were before they were made into nice little ladies."

Jaeger conducts a variety of workshops and classes in the region. In addition to the Toucan Gallery, Sutton West in Missoula, the Danforth Gallery in Livingston and iTheo.com of San Francisco represent her.

Her work has been selected for nationally juried competitions.

"Pressed Beneath a Heavy Sky" shows through June and July at the Toucan Gallery, 2505 Montana Avenue. The public is invited to meet the artist at the opening night reception at the Downtown Artwalk tonight from 5 to 9 pm. For more information, call the Toucan Gallery at 252-0122.

Billings Gazette, Danforth Gallery Welcomes painters, sculptors tonight

"American Still Life" by Cory Jaeger is on display.


Livingston--The Danforth Gallery has opened an exhibit featuring Cory Jaeger and Neil Jussila of Billings, Joan Rysavy and Brian Persha of Bozeman and Christy Wed of Glendive.

An opening reception for the artists will be from 6:30 to 9:30 pm Friday, Aug. 18 during the Livingston Gallery Art Walk.

In her pastels, Jaeger explores the tangles of her love relationships, the stale repetition of domestic life, the suppressed anxieties beneath the pretty tract houses with manicured lawns.

Jussila has no qualms about presenting figurative paintings along with abstract ones. What remains important to him is form, with insight, he says.

"I mindfully let drawings and paintings form themselves through consciousness where immediacy, freshness, power, ease and grace is always the desired goal," Jussila says.

Ryshavy loves to paint birds on site, in their natural environment. She is "transfixed by their behavior and is more interested in capturing the moment than give an anatomically correct rendition of the critters."

Persha will exhibit his bronze pieces as well as a few ceramic ones. He says his bronze-inset mirror and self-standing sink is "a testimony to my unflinching commitment to beauty and quality."

For Wert, making pots is her way of "communicating the beauty she sees and feels in the world." She works in a technique called sgraffio.

The show will run to Sept. 13. The Danforth Gallery is located at 106 N. Main in Livingston. For more information, call (406) 222-6510.

Student comments on Cory Jaeger-Kenat art classes

"I've been wanting to express myself for several weeks. I can say this has been the first time I've really truly expressed an emotion on paper. Thank you so much for your lesson tonight."
Carol
(And thank you for coming into my life at the exact right time!!)

Regarding the piece, "Lady of Avalon"

Dear Cory,
We were delighted that your background information on "Lady of Avalon" reinforced so many of our feelings about the work.

The geometric shapes that you said, "...have no real significance, other than they just seemed to need to be there..." drew my husband to the piece in the first place. He feels they are the needed masculine balance to the extremely feminine work. The long slender phallus rises up between two cubes to touch the full round moon (talk about fertility symbols!) . I personally love the use of pastels for the personal feel it communicates.

Your work and your wonderfully frank letter have touched us. I feel a certain bond with you. We look forward to your exhibit at the Myrna in February.
Kay Gray

Comments about the painting "Lady of Avalon"

Dear Ms. Jaeger,

I wanted to write you before I talked myself out of it. My husband and I purchased your work "Lady of Avalon" at the Electrum art show yesterday. We found the work striking and could not resist its power. My husband was especially moved by the work. He commented several times that he did not understand how the judges could have missed it. He felt it was the only work in the show with true artistic value.

We would like to know about you and your work. We would especially like to know about your inspiration for your "Lady of Avalon". We would appreciate whatever you feel comfortable sharing with us.

Sincerely,
Kay Gray

The Billings Gazette, Billings, Montana

Artist has two shows

"Mydieval Faire," an exhibit of works in chalk pastel by artist Cory Jaeger will be held at Cold Mountain Pottery in September and the Kaleidoscope Gallery for the month of October. Receptions are scheduled 5 to 7 pm Friday, Sept. 6, at Cold Mountain and 5 to 9 pm Friday, Oct. 11, at Kaleidoscope.

The exhibits of mainly new works include "Lady of Avalon", a chalk pastel at right, and center on Jaeger's fascination with medieval legend. Her vivid depictions of knights and ladies are, to Jaeger, a direct reaction to growing up in Billings. "We are in love with the legends of the Old West," she says, "but I am drawn to other legends, like those of Camelot...the sense of ritual, of chivalry, that were the ideals of medieval culture, are so needed, yet nearly lost today."

Jaeger has staged one-person shows before, and was part of a national exhibition in Corvallis, Ore. She also plans shows in Helena and Portland.

Comments about the painting, "The Offering"

Dear Ms. Jaeger

I recently purchased a piece of yours from the Toucan Gallery. I believe it's called "The Offering". It's a painting with a solitary woman figure, semi-kneeling, with her open hands in the foreground.

It's a gorgeous piece. To me, it speaks of mercy and acceptance. It's hanging in my acupuncture room, and I love it there.

Thank you for creating such a beautiful and poignant piece.

Paul Amenson
Wellness Center