Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w. d i s t i n c t ly m o n ta n a . c o m 39 2015 wIll MarK your 10th yEar aS a full-tIME artISt, a goal whICh tooK you Many yEarS to aChIEvE. how haS thIS aCCoMPlIShMEnt Influ- EnCEd thE dIrECtIon of your worK, and your ChoICE of SuBJECt MattEr and ProduCtIon of artworK? It is the full-time, day-in and day-out approach to the produc- tion of artwork that affords any artist the best opportunity for growth and improvement tech- nically. As one becomes more accomplished, acceptance and approval follow which builds confidence. In turn, I have felt prepared to take on more chal- lenging subjects. I also think that most dedicated, serious artists' work becomes more poignant and acquires an increased thematic gravity as he or she matures and that is the direction I think my work is taking. do you ConSIdEr yourSElf an aMErICan IMPrESSIonISt? (why and how?) I consider myself an American Painter and try to leave it at that. I believe that when an artist starts to categorize himself he's started down a road that will be- come creatively narrowing. When I paint outside, the results are usually somewhat impressionistic. In the studio anything from painterly realism to impressionism with a dose of tonalism may occur. I try to let the subject dictate the feel of the paint and let style occur naturally. what IS thE MoSt fulfIllIng KInd of day for you lIKE? It varies, but it usually involves building a fire in the wood stove. Browsing a couple of chapters in any of the dozens of books on master painters in my studio. Stretching new canvas. Completing an under painting for tomorrow's start. Good progress with what's on the easel (or easels). And maybe a trip to the bank. spanish creek wesTBounD inTo whiTefish SaCagawEa gallEry sacagaweagallery.com (406) 587-4464 777 East Main Street Bozeman, MT 59715 CathErInE louISa gallEry catherinelouisagallery.com (406) 670-7746 120 North Broadway Billings, MT 59101 goIng to thE Sun gallEry GoingToTheSunGallery.com (406) 862-2751 137 Central Avenue Whitefish, MT 59937 hodgES fInE art hodgesfineart.com (406) 932-6834 122 McLeod Street Big Timber, MT 59011 latIgo & laCE gallEry augustagallery.com (406) 562-3665 124 Main Street Augusta, MT 59937 gaLLErIES that ShoW rob'S Work

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