I finished 2022 with a flurry of small pastels. Twenty two small pastels in fact! These little dabs of intense color are earmarked for my upcoming show at M.A. Doran Gallery. More about that as we get closer to the opening in early February.
As is often the case when I work small, I’m itching to see them bigger. Stay tuned.
A couple of weeks ago, before we plunged into deep freeze temperatures, I posted a picture of an exquisitely sublime view of an early morning scene. The subtle blues, greens, and violets of that landscape must have rambled around in my subconscious. Because this recently finished work bears a distinct resemblance to those exact colors. I think the painting possesses a decidedly quiet feel.
I can’t always put my finger on where my inspiration comes from, but in this case I know exactly.
By the way, the cold spell has broken and we’re back up in the thirties after a week of nearly 30 below! Coldest temps since 1989 we’re told.
We had a wonderful three generation ski with my Grandson Oliver and son in law Austin last Tuesday. Our early snowfall has been exceptional here in Northwest Montana and we enjoyed every inch of it. I’m happy to report that my pre season training allowed me to keep up with the youngsters. Whew!
Downtown Kalispell’s annual Holiday Stroll is this Friday, December 2nd. It’s not Black Friday, nor is it Cyber Monday, but it IS a wonderfully small townish celebration of the season. Friends will gather at downtown businesses for refreshments, music, and congeniality from 5-8 pm.
The Community Holiday Tree Lighting takes place in downtown’s Depot Park at 7pm when a 100 foot fir tree is lighted and friends and neighbors join in carols.
The Stroll is a heartwarmingly simple cultural event that the Kalispell Downtown Association has been sponsoring for decades! It feels nice to have thousands of our community members come together and enjoy this longstanding tradition. I hope you’ll join us!
Here’s a painting that just left my studio for its new home with a collector. I’m thrilled with how it turned out. The piece was a commission so we got to work together on getting just the right size, color, and composition.
If you have a special spot for a painting, drop us a line and we can talk about your project! It’s a lot of fun.
One look is all it took for me to find the inspiration for a painting with an unusual (for me) color palette. This scene in pale cyan, periwinkle and lavender is the view from the east deck of our home on Lone Pine Hill. And yes, we are enjoying unseasonably early winter weather here in Northwest Montana. It doesn’t make everybody happy but we who ski are ecstatic! Pray for snow!
“We skipped the light fandango, Turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor”
What a great introduction for our daughter Sarsten’s first show in Santa Fe. I just had to share it with you!
SARSTEN NOICE’S piece titled “Ram II” is right at home in O’Keefe country. “My paintings are about transformation, hybridity, and magic. I draw inspiration from dreams, moments of confusion and the juxtaposition of the modern human with ancient spirituality….I wish to create images that evoke primal memory and disorient the ego.”
Wait until you see the rest of the show from this powerhouse — hanging in the gallery now. Come meet the artist this Friday, 5-7pm.
-Tierra Mar Gallery
Tierra Mar Gallery 225 Canyon Road Santa Fe Friday, November 11th 5-7pm
Pechakucha Kalispell is back! I hope all of you can join me for the event. I’m planning on talking about my work, my practice, and life as an artist. I’ll be tackling the subject in a 20 slide, 6 1/2 minute presentation. I promise you won’t get bored. Check out the great line up of speakers and put it on your calendar. And look for Pechakucha wherever you live, they’re going on all over the world! Seriously!
The gallery is excited to welcome you to our upcoming Exotic Tea Pot Show featuring teapots in a wide array of mediums and styles. Join us for an opening reception with light refreshments that will be held Friday, November 4th from 6-8pm.
The annual Canyon Road Paint Out worked for me! A short drive north of Santa Fe to see if the aspens were turning (they were) inspired this piece. As far as the colors go, I may have invoked the power of my artistic license, but what else is new.