May 26, 2023
Here’s something I’ve learned from my art making practice. Have faith in your process. From my perspective, a paintings’ most important value is not the finished painting itself, but the ideas that work generates. When everything falls into place perfectly, one painting leads to the next painting.
Here’s an example of one painting that led me to not one, but three more paintings!
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
April 27, 2023
I’ve long adhered to the belief that warm colors adjacent to cool colors make for a dynamic, expressive color composition. And, I won’t deny that the tension created by warm – cool contrast is something I appreciate in a painting. Something essential even.
Having said that, here’s an example of a painting in almost exclusively cool colors that I find pretty close to perfect! No red, orange or yellow required.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
April 20, 2023
Some mornings the light is more sublime than other mornings. This was one of those jaw droppingly sublime mornings. Happy to bear witness, even if I was required to eschew my typical high chroma approach to color in the landscape!
As is often the case, the most profound lessons arrive when I’m in front of a canvas with brush in hand. Maybe, after all these years, I can learn that color doesn’t necessarily have to be big to be beautiful. I think I’ll go start another painting in soft colors.
Marshall
April 13, 2023
Well, believe it or not, I’ve put the finishing touches on the first eight paintings for my July exhibition at Ventana Fine Art in Santa Fe. I thought I’d share a sneak peek with you.
Here’s a painting that leans a bit more strongly toward realism than is typical for me. But looking across the hillside south of my new studio I was taken with a stand of still needle free larches. Here in Northwest Montana the larches turn a brilliant golden yellow in the fall just before they drop their needles, and in the spring make an even more stunning display when the new needles emerge in a bright chartreuse color. I love larches!
Marshall
March 23, 2023
Well here’s proof that I’m back in action. My new studio isn’t fully organized yet, but it’s fully functional.
You can bear witness to the very first marks made in the space. I’m loving the natural light.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
March 16, 2023
Happy to have Mary Mattingly’s brilliant new book “What Happens After.” Included is a chapter showing her installation, Limnal Lacrimosa, that she created in downtown Kalispell.
If you’re unfamiliar with Mary’s often beautiful and always insightful and thought provoking art, you owe it to yourself to go to marymattingly.com
Marshall
March 9, 2023
Well, here’s a snapshot of my world! We’ve moved out of our downtown Kalispell studio and gallery and I’m moving box after box into my new painting studio just north of the paddocks and stables at our home. Exciting changes, but what a project! Couldn’t have accomplished it without the help of three generations of family! Thanks especially to daughters Carly and Sarsten and grandson Oliver.
“Yeah, it’s time to move on, time to get goin’”
Tom Petty
Marshall
February 14, 2023
After all these years of experience I can state without reservation you never know for sure how things will go when a new show goes up. I’m happy to report that Tulsa was very good to us last Thursday!
Kudos to Mary Ann, Sheila, Luke, and Paige at M.A. Doran Gallery for successfully placing red dots on fourteen paintings on opening night of my art exhibit. I’m grateful to have such a talented team!
Marshall
January 27, 2023
There’s a major change on the horizon for Carly, Jackie and me. On the first of March we’ll pass the torch (and the keys to the building) to our friends, artist Tessa Heck and her husband, architect Zach George, who are leasing the space. On that date a new chapter in the story of 127 Main Street begins!
February is moving month. We’ll maintain normal business hours until February 7th. Stop in and see us.
My art practice will continue without interruption. I’m moving to a newly transformed studio space. I’ll still be happy to see you and will welcome studio visits. Give me a call.
Jackie and I will have a lot more free time for family and travel. Oh, and skiing, sailing and walking our French Bulldog, Judy, of course.
Stay tuned for more news, and be sure and stop by Montana Modern Fine Art and pick up that art piece you’ve been dreaming of!
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
January 18, 2023
Here’s a significantly abstracted iteration of a small pond just north of town. I certainly could have adhered more closely to the actual scene, but I believe this depiction allows the viewer to be more engaged with the painterly aspects of the piece. I’d like to think that the initial “conversation” with the painting be centered on things such as color, line and form, as opposed to things such as tree, sky and water.
This smallish painting is destined for the walls of M.A. Doran Gallery in Tulsa.
Marshall
