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That time—free of the routines and distractions of the
outside world—informed the artists' work as much as the
setting.
"Whether it's photography or painting or sculpture or
music, the more time you have to get acquainted with the
subject matter, the more it informs what you're creating,"
says Shear. "You listen, you can gather so much more, get
rid of pre-conceived notions. You almost have a dialogue."
That work then starts its own dialogue with the pub-
lic, as the artists become a medium by which the public
connects with the wilderness. As part of his residency,
Beacham will donate a print to the Artist Wildernss Con-
nection Program and give presentations throughout the
Flathead Valley and Lincoln County. The Extreme Plein
Air artists hope to raise awareness of the Scotchman Peaks,
which are perhaps the largest intact tract of unprotected
wildlands in the Cabinet Mountains.
"My artwork pales in comparison to the beauty of God's
creation out there, but you hope as an artist to be able to
capture a little of that, and to open up a dialogue with
people who have never seen the area before," says Shear.
"There's some beautiful country out there to be explored.
You'd hate for people to miss out on such a beautiful
place."
8 8 8 - 3 8 7 - 0 1 4 8 w w w . g r l o d g e . c o m 9 1 0 5 T h o r p e R o a d B o z e m a n , M T 5 9 7 1 8
"The Lodge is a place I will treasure in my memory
and an experience I highly recommend."
- A Visitor
Top 25 small hoTels in The world
Masterful
Event Hosting
A Beautiful
Experience
Fine Dining
Melissa Compton, Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Study Area
"I tHINk artIStIC ExPErIENCES
LIkE tHIS LEaD to VaLuabLE
WILDErNESS INSIgHtS.
for SoMEoNE WHo HaS NEVEr HaD
tHE oPPortuNIty to ExPErIENCE
SuCH a 'WILD' ExPErIENCE, MakINg
art MIgHt INSPIrE tHEM to takE a
SECoND Look — or at LEaSt go for
a HIkE." ~ Melissa Compton
