2010 is the centennial year of Glacier National Park, which is an absolutely amazing place. If you have never been there, you need to see it at least once in your lifetime. I did this painting of Many Glacier for Helena Montana’s Holter Museum show “Montana Landscape: The Eye of the Beholder”. The show runs from July 1 – through October 17th, 2010. In picking this scene from countless others in the park, my focus was scale. To me, Glaceir Park is about grandeur and all about scale. In that context, we people are so insignificant. I liked this view of Swiftcurrent Ridge, as the Park buildings below point out how massive the ridge is just beyond the lake. “A Break in the Fog” is an oil, 24″ x 32″.

Need I tell you what Sishiqua means? I think every mountain peak in the western territories with a similar shape was given a similar name by one explorer or Indian tribe or another. This volcanic cone peak  is in one of my favorite places, near Augusta, Montana.

A few years ago, I forced my daughter to climb with me to the top of what is now called Haystack Mountain. The climb up and then down again was brutal, over big lava rock boulders. Smarter people quit half the way up. I was so tired when I reached the top I didn’t even take any pictures, darn it all, but the view was beautiful!

I did this painting to submit to the Paint the Parks Competition. It qualifies as a representation of the Lewis & Clark Historical Trail. Lewis camped near this spot on his return trip from the coast on July 8th, 1806. “Sishiqua” is an oil, 24 x 32.

I was going to save this image for a blog closer to the 4th of July, but I wanted to put something besides a landscape up today. This is very Montana – and appropriate as it’s now Rodeo season. The brand on the horse is ours – TL. “Stars & Stripes” is 18 x 12 and for sale at the Beartooth Gallery in Red Lodge, MT.

I just noticed that it’s been a month since I made a Blog entry. This title, “In Blows Summer” bespeaks both the painting and my life as summer rolls around! So many projects in so many directions have kept me from thinking about my Blog, among other things! This larger painting is one that I finished for the MPA Show, “Russell’s Haunts” now showing at the C.M. Russell Museum, and is the piece I picked that is representative of the Judith Basin, SE of Great Falls, MT. I thought I might include both the sketch here, “Spring Storm”(9×12) and the final painting (24×30). Sometimes my final painting is quite different from the sketch. That isn’t true this time, although I changed the format some. I do like the fresh, rougher quality of the sketch, which may have had something to do with the time issue as that storm was rolling in! I will never quit being impressed by the drama and incredible power evidenced when our storms descend. Nor will I ever quit loving the big expanse of sky we are privileged to see here in Montana! Those are, of course, the subject in these paintings.

“Spring Storm” 9×12                  “In Blows Summer” 24×30 is below

I guess I’ve been gone from my blog for awhile…  I’ve been working on a few larger pieces, delivering others, and also have been lured out to again experience spring in Montana! It’s easy to find excuses to be working outside now!

I love Glacier Park and all the wild places I’ve been lucky enough to experience over the years. This painting was inspired by a sketch I had done at Lake McDonald near West Glacier, looking out toward Mount Stanton. It’s hard to beat the subject matter! The painting and the original sketch are included in the Montana Painters Alliance show at the C. M. Russell Museum, opening this month. The show is called “Russell’s Haunts” and includes sketches and paintings we did at two of Charlie Russell’s favorite places, the Judith Basin and Glacier Park. “Mountain’s Majesty” is an oil, 24 x 24.

Tomorrow begins Art Week in Great Falls, MT. I will be involved with two of the five different art shows in town. I am showing in room 176 at the Heritage Inn (part of the Ad Club’s Russell Art Show) and also have a piece in “The Russell” – the show to benefit the C.M. Russell Museum. I chose to do the wall sale this year instead of the auction. That sale is this Thursday night, March 18 from 5:00 – 8:00pm. You may view the catalog online.

I’ve shown you this painting before but since this is the big week, I thought I would show it to you again. It’s called “The Season’s Last Lilies” and is an oil, 24″ x 24″. Hope to see you there!

I had been eying an older painting recently that I felt needed a redo. I began that redo with my saw and made a vertical painting square, which immediately helped the composition! Then after getting rid of the frog, adding the two flower buds and some new paint I think I have a piece I really like. “Prelude” is 18 x 18.

I have been doing lots of landscapes lately. I’m not quitting the figurative pieces, but I feel I need to gather some more good research in that regard. I hope to get to some rendezvous, rodeos, Native American events and biker rallies this summer!

It was a year ago today that our friend Joe Halko died. He was a very kind man, a good friend to many and a talented artist. Joe worked as a taxidermist for many years, which I’m sure led to his great talent as a wildlife sculptor. We are lucky that several of his large bronzes grace establishments here in Great Falls so that we may continue to see them. Joe’s wife Margaret and girls just donated a huge Mama Grizzy and cubs to the Russell Museum. It’s wonderful to know that it’s there.

Joe had a smile for everyone, and the sound of his laughter stays in my mind.  He left a hole in the community that can not be filled. We miss you Joe.

Many of us in the art community are marathoning for the Russell Shows that begin on Wednesday, March 17th. That is enough to think about, but also on our minds are the events of a year ago at this time, when Tara Bowman was killed in the Montana Trails Gallery explosion. Just a few days later, another good friend, artist Joe Halko died as well. Such a sad time it was, and now it comes to mind again. I had posted a blog then with a sketch I’d done for a painting to be done in Tara’s memory. I have recently finished the painting. It was time. I will be giving it to Tara’s family.

The Bridger Range of mountains lies just to the north east of Bozeman, MT. I understand that Tara once lived where her view was this one of the Bridger’s. Tara, may you rest in peace.

I share a display room at the Russell Show with Sheila Rieman, a good friend, great painter and teacher. Sheila has done primarily pastel paintings over the years, but she’s now doing some wonderful oils as well. I love this little piece of hers – Mike and Maybe Resting. It’s 9×12 and an oil. Knowing Sheila and her husband Pete, there’s a story there in the name Maybe! You may view more of Sheila’s work on her website.

Come see us at the Russell Show beginning March 17th in Great Falls, MT.