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Artist Ken Helgerson took a different tack with this year’s Elks poster The Baker Elks Lodge is hoping Ken Helgerson’s time is pretty valuable. As he has for the last five years, Helgerson designed the poster for the Baker City Bronc and Bull Riding Blowout, scheduled for July 17-18, during Miners Jubilee at the Baker County Fairgrounds. This year’s drawing of a saddle bronc rider took Helgerson, who works as Baker County’s roadmaster, 45 hours to complete.And it’s that diligence that might, quite literally, pay off as Helgerson’s framed drawing is now up for silent auction at J. Tabor Jewelers, 1913 Main St. “I’m very pleased with how it turned out,” Helgerson said of the piece. Those who are interested can stop at the jewelry store and record a bid on the sheet near the drawing. Bids will be taken until July 18, when the bull riding event takes place. Marv Sumner, who represents the Elks and helps organize the two rodeo events, said proceeds from the auction will be added to the approximately $272,000 in charitable contributions that is raised for the Elks Lodge each year from the Bronc and Bull Blowout and related events. In addition to the drawing, Sumner said individual rodeo poster prints are available for $20 each. All posters are matted, framed and “beautifully done,” Sumner said. Inspiration for Helgerson’s design was derived from a photo shot by W.T. Bruce at last year’s Blowout. The photo features Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association member Ben Londo of Milton-Freewater trying to hold on to as the bucking, and highly respected, stud Spring Break of Flying Five Rodeo Company. Helgerson said his typical process for creating a design starts with finding a photo, or a series of them, from the previous year’s rodeo and modeling the piece after the scenes. But this year he decided to try something a bit different. For the first time Helgerson used a pencil to create the poster design, and he is satisfied with the results. “I’ve always liked graphite,” said Helgerson, who has dabbled in art since he was in the fifth grade. “I thought it would be a good change.” Most who have seen the piece agree. “It’s just a knockout,” Sumner said. Helgerson chooses a more tempered response. He would not admit whether this particular poster is his favorite, although he certainly likes it. “Everyone keeps saying so, but I don’t know,” Helgerson said. “It’s just in the eye of the beholder.” Usually the original poster and a myriad of other items are auctioned off at the Elks Cowboy Ball, an annual event in May. But Sumner said the ball was canceled this year because there Elks officials were concerned the recession would reduce interest in the auction items. “Taking a breather for a year might not be such a bad idea,” he said. “We’ll come back bigger and better next year.” And while Sumner has set no particular goal for how much money Helgerson’s drawing will generate in the silent auction, he has a prevailing wish. “The more the better is all I can say.” |