Curriculum Vitae
'Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." - Pablo Picasso
MEMBERSHIPS:
AWARDS:
- International Society of Scratchboard Artists
AWARDS:
- Finalist in Strokes Of Genuis 18: The Best of Drawing. Golden Peak Media, LLC, December 2026 issue of Artists Magazine - Juried
- People's Choice Safe Haven The Big: Annual Exhibition, Art Center East, La Grande, OR 2026
- Honorable Mention Tattered The Big: Annual Exhibition, Art Center East, La Grande, OR 2026
- Ampersand Award of Merit Nature's Patterns 14th Annual International Scratchboard Society Exhibition, 2025, Cary, North Carolina - Juried
- Excellent Wildlife of the Blue Mountains Award, Crossroads, Baker City, OR 2025 - American Kestrel
- 1st Place September Open Regional 26th Annual Art at the Crossroads, Baker City, OR 2025 -Safe Haven
- 2nd Place 50th Anniversary Michigan Stamp Contest in conjunction with Michigan Waterfowl Stamp Program, Saginaw, MI - Buffflehead
- 1st Place 2D award for Object d'Art 2025 Crossroads, Baker City, OR - Whispered Tales 2025
- Special Merit Award Shadowmaker 2025 All Animals Competition, Art&Color365 Magazine - Juried
- Best In Show The Big: Annual Exhibition, Art Center East, La Grande, OR - Tattered & Worn 2024
- Special Merit Award The Hairdresser 2024 Drawing Competition, Art&Color365 Magazine - Juried
- Memorial of Merit Award Safe Haven 13th Annual International Scratchboard Society Exhibition, 2024, Okoboji, IA - Juried
- 1st Place 2D award for Attitude Adjustor at the 26th Annual Art at the Crossroads in Baker City, OR
- Best In Show - 2023 The Big: Annual Exhibition, Art Center East, La Grande, OR - Broken Chain
- Honorable Mention 25th Annual Open Regional Art show - Hummer with Trumpet Vine 2023
- 1st Place SKB 21st Annual Artist Rendezvous 2022 - Stare Down
- 4th Place Wyoming Conservation Stamp - Pine Marten- Out On A Limb 2022
- Best In Show & People's Choice - 2021 The Big: Annual Exhibition, Art Center East, La Grande, OR - Raven's Call
- Artistic Achievement - 2021 The Big: Annual Exhibition, Art Center East, La Grande, OR - Red Tail Hawk
- Honorable Mention - 2021 The Big: Annual Exhibition, Art Center East, La Grande, OR - Hummer with Raspberries
- 1st Place Mountain View American Art Show 2021, Easley, S.C. - Mossy Perch
- Peoples Choice Award 2020 Oregon Upland Game Bird Stamp Contest Spruce Grouse
- 3rd Place Habitat Conservation Stamp Contest, Oregon, 2019 -American Pine Marten
- Peoples Choice Award 2018 Wallow Valley Festival of Art - Growing Up Country
- 2nd Place Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts 2016 – Peregrine Falcon
- Peoples Choice Award 2015 Oregon Habitat Conservation, Upland Game Bird and Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest.
- 1st Place Award Wallowa Valley Festival of Art 2015 Tiger of the Sky
- Peoples Choice Award 2012 and 2014 ---Wallowa Valley Festival of Art
- 2nd Place Award Wallowa Valley Festival of Art 2012, The Opportunist
- Honorable Mention Art Is For The Birds 2011, Rufous Hummingbird
- 1st Place Wallow Valley Festival of Art 2007, Patterns of Spring
- 2nd Place Wallowa Valley Festival of Art 2006, What Now?
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Participant in International Scratchboard Society 15th Annual International Exhibition 2026, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ - Juried
- Solo Exhibition Crossroads, Baker City, OR Lines, Dots & Feathers - August 2026 - Juried
- Participant in International Scratchboard Society 14th Annual Juried Exhibition Page-Walker Arts and History Museum, Cary, NC 2025 - Juried
- Participant in 17th Annual Juried Exhibition Willard Arts Center, Idaho Falls, Idaho 2025 - Juried
- Participant in International Scratchboard Society 13th Annual International Exhibition 2024, Pearson Lakes Art Center, Okoboji, IA - Juried
- Participant in International Scratchboard Society 12th Annual International Exhibition 2023, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ - Juried
- Solo Exhibition Art Center East Wildlife Moments Sept 8 - Oct 21, 2023 - Juried
- Participant in International Scratchboard Society 11th Annual International Exhibition 2022, ArtCenter Manatee, Bradenton, FL - Juried
- Winner of Upland Game Bird Stamp Contest 2022 - Chukar
- Featured artist Pacific Northwest Art, Wenaha Gallery, Dayton, WA 2016
- Oregon Art Beat Exhibition, Celebration of 15 years of Creativity, Portland, OR. 2014
- Featured artist Peterson's Gallery, Baker City, OR 2012
- Featured artist Short Term Gallery Baker City, Or, 2012
- Artist of the Year Award Eskridge Family Trust, 2010
- OPB's Oregon Art Beat, April 28, 2010.
EDUCATION:
- AS - Boise State University
WORKSHOPS:
- Cathy Sheeter
- John Seerey-Lester
- Daniel Smith
- Adam Smith
- Terry Issac
- John Banovich
- Robert Bateman
- Guy Combes
- Julie Jeppson
- Lee Kromschroeder
Solo Exhibitions
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Solo Exhibition
Art Center East, La Grande, Oregon Sept 8 thru Oct 21st 2023 
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Solo Exhibition Crossroads, Baker City, Oregon August 2026 |
Gifts For Special Friends
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Ron had previously purchased one of my pieces and when his friend became a U.S. Citizen he gave his bald eagle feather painting to him to commemorate this very important event. This is the replacement feather for Ron. As of 2021 Ron has now presented 3 different feathers to "those who cherish the USA, military service and community service".
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Click - to read the press release.
Wildlife Artist Debra Otterstein Creates Art Piece to Commemorate Wally Hennessey's 8000th Win in Harness Racing. Hal Hennessey writes a column in the province of Prince Edward Island about PEI racing called "Horsetalk". Following is the article he wrote: "8000 winning drives is a feather in anyones cap as Harness Racing fans know. Last week came a rather unique tale of how famer Wally Hennessey got a special one for accomplishing this feat. Renowned Wildlife Artist Debra Otterstein has recreated the event on a delicate feather for Wally. It was then placed in a custom hand-crafted shadowbox made for it by Michael Otterstein. The work of art was commissioned by Hennessay's long time friend Marie Karlsson to mark the special occasion and now occupies an honored space in his Pompano Raceway office.
"What an amazing accomplishment!"
Wildlife Artist Debra Otterstein Creates Art Piece to Commemorate Wally Hennessey's 8000th Win in Harness Racing. Hal Hennessey writes a column in the province of Prince Edward Island about PEI racing called "Horsetalk". Following is the article he wrote: "8000 winning drives is a feather in anyones cap as Harness Racing fans know. Last week came a rather unique tale of how famer Wally Hennessey got a special one for accomplishing this feat. Renowned Wildlife Artist Debra Otterstein has recreated the event on a delicate feather for Wally. It was then placed in a custom hand-crafted shadowbox made for it by Michael Otterstein. The work of art was commissioned by Hennessay's long time friend Marie Karlsson to mark the special occasion and now occupies an honored space in his Pompano Raceway office.
"What an amazing accomplishment!"
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A very nice couple from Australia was attending the Wallowa Valley Festival of Art and this little painting went home with them. May, 2013.
My second piece to travel outside of the U.S. It feels great to be an International Artist.
My second piece to travel outside of the U.S. It feels great to be an International Artist.
Featured Artist Exhibits
The Short Term Gallery
1829 Main Street, Baker City, OR
It was a wonderful experience to be the featured artist for the months of July and August 2012. The First Friday events were great with wonderful old friends, delicious refreshments and entertainment. Thanks to Steffanie Gordon, fiddle player, who stopped in and played her fiddle. I will continue to have a few pieces of art available at the gallery through September. 
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Peterson's Gallery
1925 Main Street, Baker City, OR The Country and Creatures Show at Peterson's Gallery was a wonderful event. The show ran through the month of October with the artist opening on October 5th, 2012. 
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30th Annual Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts was held the weekend of June 1-3rd, 2011 in Joseph, Oregon. The show featured the work of 79 artists with 200 pieces of art. The Opportunist won 2nd place and the People's Choice Award.
The Hamley saddle was made in the early 1900's by the Hamley Saddle Co. in Pendleton, Oregon. When I saw the saddle I loved the flower and leaf motifs that had been carved into the leather and I thought it was a perfect place for a small House Wren to reside. The common backyard bird will make a nest in practically anything so why not a saddle.
The Hamley saddle was made in the early 1900's by the Hamley Saddle Co. in Pendleton, Oregon. When I saw the saddle I loved the flower and leaf motifs that had been carved into the leather and I thought it was a perfect place for a small House Wren to reside. The common backyard bird will make a nest in practically anything so why not a saddle.
Eskridge Family Trust - Named Wildlife Artist Debra Otterstein Artist of the Year 2010
"What an honor to have received this award" |
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