Palette of the West: Shaped by the Land

Introducing the Palette of the West, a short-film series celebrating the hands and hearts shaping Western art and culture. The craftsmanship that goes into each work of art shares the same spirit found in every glass of Pendleton® 1910 Bourbon.

In our second installment, we meet painter, Nicole Freshley. Based in rural Northeast Oregon, Nicole paints the Western landscapes surrounding her. Her work is regionally recognized for its strong ability to convey a sense of place and for her signature style, which balances intricate geographic detail with open space and rich blocks of color to create a feeling of expansiveness. Using watercolor and oils she explores the beauty inherent to wild places and the beauty present in a working relationship with land.

Nicole’s painting, Day’s End, Fall Gather, honors the warmth that comes from a campfire, a glass of whisky, and shared camaraderie after a long day of gathering cattle in rough country. This piece was inspired by firelight hitting the detailed glass of a Pendleton® 1910 Bourbon bottle, and the rugged canyons of the Snake River tributaries. It’s Not Just Poured. It’s Earned.

Explore more of Nicole’s work at Nicole Freshley Art: https://nicolefreshley.com/