Kathy Deggendorfer is a celebrated Central Oregon watercolor artist whose work is deeply rooted in place, pattern, and story. She lives and creates on a cattle and hay ranch just outside of Sisters, Oregon, on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains—where wide skies, changing seasons, and the textures of ranch life infuse her art with color, rhythm, and joy. Inspired by her surroundings, her travels, and the natural environment, Kathy’s vibrant watercolor paintings are whimsical, expressive, and instantly recognizable.
Often described as “Painter’s Quilts,” Kathy’s work is rich with layered color, pattern, and movement—each piece thoughtfully composed yet full of playful energy. Her artistic voice has become a beloved part of the cultural fabric of Sisters and beyond. She was selected to create the official posters for the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2025, and her artwork has been translated into nationally distributed quilting fabric collections with In The Beginning Fabrics, Maywood Studios, and FreeSpirit Fabrics.
Kathy’s career includes numerous prestigious honors and exhibitions. In 2008, she was chosen to create the Oregon State Ornament for the White House Christmas Tree, and in 2009 she was featured on Oregon Art Beat. Her image Coming Home appeared on the cover of the 2010 OPB Calendar, and in 2014 her work was honored with a one-person exhibition at the High Desert Museum in Bend—an exhibit that continues to travel to museums across Oregon.
In collaboration with Kibak Tile of Sisters, Kathy also creates hand-printed tile murals for both public and private spaces. Her work is included in permanent collections throughout the region, including Mahonia Hall (the Oregon Governor’s Mansion), the High Desert Museum, OHSU Casey Eye Institute, OSU–Cascades, St. Charles Cancer Center, the City of Sisters Fir Street Park, Brasada Ranch Resort, and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, among many others.
An extensive selection of Kathy Deggendorfer’s artwork is available at Makin’ it Local in Sisters, Oregon, and online at www.MakinItLocal.com
Why We Love Her Work
We love Kathy Deggendorfer’s work because it’s joyful, thoughtful, and unmistakably rooted in Central Oregon. Her paintings feel alive—full of color, warmth, and story—inviting you to slow down, look closer, and smile. There’s a beautiful balance between sophistication and playfulness in her work, making it just as at home in a curated art collection as it is in a lived-in, loved-on space. Kathy’s art celebrates place, pattern, and everyday beauty, and we’re proud to share her work with our community at Makin’ it Local.
Follow Kathy on Instagram at @kathydeggendorfer, where she also shares a daily cartoon starring her corgi, Cooper—proof that creativity (and humor) really are a daily practice.
