[Bend, OR] Central Oregon artist and horsewoman, Kimry Jelen, has been invited to exhibit her work at the Alltech FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, France, August 23 through September 7, 2014. Jelen, a native Oregonian who resides in Sisters, was asked to join an elite group of seven artists to share exhibit space in the La Galerie du Cheval (“The Gallery of Horse”) at the WEG Exhibition Centre Games Village. Kimry is the only American artist invited to exhibit. More than 500,000 spectators are expected during the prestigious 16-day event.

The world’s largest equestrian event, athletes from 60 nations will complete for medals in the FEI’s disciplines of jumping, dressage, para-equestrian dressage, driving, endurance, reining, and vaulting.

“Being the only American invited to show my work is a tremendous honor,” said Jelen. “The honor doesn’t come without arduous planning. The outpouring of support from the community to help cover expenses to showcase my work at the WEG has been unbelievable,” she added.

An avid equestrian herself, Jelen demonstrates an intimate understanding of her subject. Her contemporary style flows freely from abstract to representational using playful perspectives and surprising colors to express passion in her art.

Kimry’s art is influenced by the places she has lived and traveled. She has worked on ranches in Rocky Mountains of Montana and New Mexico; walked with primates on safari in Africa; and rode horses in the classical arenas of Portugal and Spain. Her work has found its way into private collections across the United States and continents she’s visited. “My art is an opportunity to share with others what nature shares with me…I receive so much joy from interpreting my love of nature with paint, brush and palette knife.”