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JUL/AUG 2019
JEREMY NELSON|
LIFE AFTER SKJERSAA’S ART|
THE LIVING RIVER STUDIO
BY NEIL KORN BY GARY CIMA
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I started the Living River Studio (TLRS) in the 1980’s as an independent artist (with
no formal art education or background) designing unique one-of-a-kind custom glass
signage for various world class fisherman, hunters and guides and outfitters in the US
and Canada. This unique signage was accomplished by incorporating the current busi-
ness logo (or designing one specific for that person or business) into the glass, creat-
ing a product unlike anything available anywhere else in the world. Utilizing hand-blown
German glass, manufactured in the very same method as it had been since 1300, I would
hand etch a custom design that cuts deeply into the glass exposing its base (true) color
that contrasts with the main glass color. The end-result is stunning when coupled with a
modern designed image.
Given the sensitive nature of the modern “antique” glass, the art pieces were ideally suited
for custom homes, resorts, and far away destinations for the outdoor purist. Large scale
commercial projects have been commissioned to TLRS and required the use of various
synthetics and composites for durability and strength applications. These works were
very well received as they were much more than the drab accepted standard so common
in commercial signage. It was during this phase we designed and were awarded various
custom projects due to our knowledge of what sportsmen desired. This work was done
for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation/RMEF, the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation
and many others.
In the late ‘90’s, the source for my hand blown German antique glass ended when the
company supplying it went out of business (very troubling and a sad day for this glass
artist). I have recently learned of a Seattle-based company who is trying to produce the
highly desired antique glass we once used, this could be an incredible new chapter for
this Bend-based studio.
In lieu of glass, we transitioned to NW woods, which are readily available and still manu-
factured. Using primarily Western/Southern Oregon white oak, our local Ponderosa Pine,
and our Juniper (preferably lowland “desert juniper” as it lacks the larger growth pitch-
bearing annular rings).
Jeremy Nelson grew up in Montana. His dad introduced him to fishing at six years old.
Before long he was handling a fly fishing rod. Jeremy’s love of fly fishing has never wa-
vered even to this day.
Through college in Montana, Jeremy worked at ski shops learning the ins and outs of
the ski industry. While living in Bend and teaching golf at an area course, the opportunity
came up to buy Skjersaa’s when the owners decided to retire. Jeremy became the owner
of the historic ski shop in 2003. He ran the ski shop for 16 years through the ups and
downs of the ski industry. Through all the technology changes, advancements and adding
snowboards early on to become a more complete shop. Summers were slow, but adding
paddleboard rentals in the summer kept a little cash flow coming in. In March 2019,
James Gritters, the owner of Sagebrush Cycles, made Jeremy an offer to buy the shop
and Jeremy accepted. It was the perfect marriage with many of the employees working
at both shops seasonally. Now all under one roof, Gritters could offer his employees year
round work.
Life after Skjersaa’s has been great for Jeremy. He has been fishing the Deschuts, Meto-
lius, and Fall Rivers. Jeremy is painting for a Bend painting company and enjoying the
less stressful life. Priorities are raising his daughters, fishing and going on family outdoor
adventures like camping and hiking.
Pyrography, or woodburning is nearly a lost art, from my earliest encounters with it I found
it seductive and a challenge to achieve the desired effect. In the warm organic beauty of
wood, I find a deep spiritual connection with my native American roots and our incredible
backcountry, an intriguing aesthetic that now adds mystery and meaning to my art.
What I have done is take common “wood-burning” to the next level. The TLRS now has a
unique collection of fine outdoor art, created with the mentioned wood using burning and
stains, work of a kind you will only find here. Much of our work is for the real outdoorsman
in the areas of fly fishing, hunting, snowboarding, mountain biking, skiing and many more
of the Central Oregon sports so loved by many. On a recently completed piece, I spent 3
hours on a 3” x 2” sagebrush bush. I cannot finish a piece without giving each detail the
level of attention it deserves.
*At the time of this writing, I have just returned from a local outdoor related event and
displayed items produced at The Living River Studio. During this event, I was approached
by a woman who, upon purchasing two items, said, “These will be part of my collection”.
She then told me she taught wood burning classes but having never seen anything even
close to this detailed, she wanted these two items for her collection”. THAT was a very
nice compliment.
If you are looking for something special, give me a call at 541.610.3391 and I would be
glad to meet with you and discuss options for a rendering unlike anything else.
If you would like to follow my work hit me (Gary Cima) on Instagram at @thelivingriverstu-
dio, here we post our recent work and events schedule and more.