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Yampa — The artist knows her market.

When Chrysti Lell creates her artwork, she keeps the desires and interests of the Yampa Valley in mind, both for subject matter and selling points.

When Lell, an artist based in Westminster, dreams up the subjects for her largely animal-based work, she knows what will appeal to her customers in Yampa.

"I do stuff that I know will appeal to people around here," she said. That often includes bears, owls and herons depicted in her pen-and-ink and scratchboard drawings.

So far, that strategy has worked. At her show at Leisure Mountain Studio in Yampa last year, Lell sold seven of her 19 pieces. During her current show, she already has sold two of the 15 pieces displayed.

Lell also has a couple pieces of art with jungle animals, but she said "the more exotic animals aren't geared toward people up here."

In addition to the animals, Lell said she has rejected advice that she should increase the price of her artwork.

The pieces sell for $40 to $295, and she said that during her last show a Steamboat Springs-based artist who admired the work approached her and said she should increase the price to account for fewer items typically sold during a recession.

"That's why I try to keep the prices low. Not only the recession, but it's also the area," she said.

Lell, who has degrees in English and Computer Information Systems, maintains the Web site for the South Routt Economic Development Council.

Debbie Johnson, owner of Leisure Mountain Studio, said Saturday's reception, from 4 to 7 p.m., is a chance for people to meet Lell. It also serves as a gathering for other local artists eager to chat. Food and drinks will be provided.

Lell is in town with her husband, Paul Lell, who also has a display at the show. Paul Lell is a computer course teacher who penned a 70-page novella, along with a full-length book. Proceeds from the novella will go to Denver Children's Hospital.