Author Archives: admin

October 27, 2020

Here’s a look at what’s on my easel this cold October morning. Wet cool blues and greens over a predominantly warm underpainting. I have a pretty good idea where this painting is going.

It’s a view I know well, looking east across the Stillwater River just west of town. I enjoy revisiting familiar territory. It’s a little like continuing a conversation with an old friend. Things are never exactly the same, and it’s nice to catch up. We’ll see where the painting leads me!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

October 21, 2020

Holy smokes, it’s snowing like crazy! All of a sudden, and much earlier in the season than usual, I’m thinking about sharpening ski edges, dusting off the snowshoes, buying a new hockey stick, and making sure the snow plow blade is on the tractor!

Here’s a pastel sketch I did LAST fall when the first snow arrived. As I recall it was late November, not the middle of October. I think it’s going to be a great winter here in Northwest Montana! I’m going to stock up on hot chocolate.
Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

October 13, 2020

Unseasonably cold and rainy here in Montana. It’s, well, gray! Lucky for me gray has, over the last year or so, gone from a fastidiously avoided color to one of my favorites. I’m often layering cool Payne’s Gray or warm Portland Gray over an underpainting in warm reds, oranges, yellows and magentas. Some days I paint some days I scumble!  But rest assured I’ll be making marks on canvas rain or shine.

Here’s what’s on my easel today.

"If the rain comes they run and hide their heads.
They might as well be dead.If the rain comes, if the rain comes."
~ Lennon and McCartney

Let's keep in touch,
Marshall

October 6, 2020

I’m currently surrounded by masks! Not just those worn by my fellow humans, but all sorts of mask centered artwork. Painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, collage, ceramics, all of these and more mediums are on display at Montana Modern Fine Art. Stop by the gallery or check out the show online at montanamodernfineart.com

I think you will, like me, be amazed at the diverse approaches to creating mask based artwork. What a fun exhibition!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

September 22, 2020

In case you’ve ever wondered, here’s a look at the “front of house.” My studio is in the back, in what was once the kitchen of The Silver Dollar Saloon.

The bar itself is now an art gallery. Here’s what my gallery peeps say about themselves!

Montana Modern Fine Art is a family owned and operated contemporary art gallery. We work with a talented cadre of artists who bring their view of the world to light.

“Art is a line around your thoughts.”
– Gustav Klimt

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

September 15, 2020

In spite of it all we DID have a good summer. Lots of sailboat racing, albeit without the usual socializing after the races! And we enjoyed clear blue skies in Northwest Montana until this past weekend when the jet stream brought us smoke from the west.

Each summer the crew of Valkyrie, our 33 foot racing sloop, sets out to accomplish three things: win the Tuesday night Sail Montana Series, win The Montana Cup, and win The Labor Day Regatta. This year we came close. First in The Sail Montana Series, second in The Montana Cup, and first in The Labor Day Regatta. This was our second year in a row to narrowly miss accomplishing all three, after making it happen in 2018. We’ll be tougher in 2021!

We hope you found some ways to have fun this summer too!

“You’ve got to put on your sailin’ shoes, put on your sailin’ shoes. Everyone will cheer when you put on your sailin’ shoes.”

~Lowell George

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall 

September 8, 2020

Thanks to all the artists who are participating, and to all the folks who showed up for the opening of the first ever Montana Pastel Society Member’s Exhibit. It’s great to be building a community of talented artists and connecting to a world of art lovers!

I’m inspired by the outstanding pastel art on the walls of Montana Modern Fine Art. The work is on display through the end of September. Stop by. We’ll be smiling behind our masks!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

August 25, 2020

Well, I thought I had a finished painting when I posted last week! But as I was looking at the painting I imagined a grove of aspen in front of the structure. Honestly, it didn’t take a lot of imagination since there actually IS a grove of aspen in front of the structure.

Years ago, when Terry Nelson and I worked together, our mantra was “Think It, Do It.” So when that thought crossed my mind, I was bound to paint that aspen grove!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

August 19, 2020

I was sketching at the south edge of town last week and was drawn to this great old dairy barn. Old timers will remember it as being just outside of town, now it’s surrounded by businesses.  Locals would probably recognize it more easily had I not invoked my artistic license and painted it red like it actually is.

I thought the painting was done,  but I now imagine it with the grove of aspens, that I very deliberately left out, included in the painting! A new pic soon.

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

August 11, 2020

It seems to be a blue filled world in the summertime.  Everywhere I look, everywhere I go, blue, blue, and bluer!

Case in point: Pale phathlo blue sky above Ultramarine blue water, as my grandson Oliver and crew sail away for a light air, early morning race on spectacularly blue Flathead Lake.

As I head into my studio, I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll be reaching for some shade of that beautiful color, you guessed it,  blue!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall