I have been making art for as long as I can remember. I followed my graphic design career all across the country. Starting in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, then on to LA California, followed by New York City, Washington DC, Portland Maine, Wakefield Rhode Island and now to the Pacific Northwest.
The story behind this art began on a trail walk last winter along the Columbia River. Having just moved to the region from the East Coast I found myself fascinated by random stacks of sticks adjacent to the river which were stripped of all of their bark. Once collected I realized that the bark was removed by teeth. I started to put it together-I’m living in Oregon and this is the work of the beaver.
The twigs were stored in my studio and each time I walk past them wondered what they were asking of me. One day last summer I found a pallet full of paint which I didn’t wish to waste. And so started to paint the “rainbow” project without any plan whatsoever. I allowed the colors and branches to speak through my brushes. Later in the summer I started collecting more of the beaver sticks from the Tualatin River traipses adjacent to a hangar space we occupy. Again I knew the sticks had some kind of plan for my ingenuity. And so “summer” sticks project commenced.
I am enthralled by the natural beauty which is all around, even in city settings. I hold a deep reverence for the out of doors and it’s easy to see how folks in this part of the world share my passion. I am retired but continue to make art. I have been practicing yoga for 25 years and have been teaching for 7. Art and design are just another “posture” in my daily life. This art is a story about Oregon. I am enchanted. I can only hope that my art is in someway a reflection of that.
MJ Yeager 
Great stuff
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