|
Jack Dykstra
Artist Statement With AA and BA degrees in Commercial Art, painting has long been a major part of my life. On location or in-studio, it’s always the joy of the creative process that drives my work, whether landscape, floral, railroad/industrial, or abstract. Recent Accomplishments: Juried: Montana Watercolor Society 2017 & 2018 National Watermedia show; Hockaday Museum of Art 2019 Plein Air Paint Out. Guest Co-Curator of the Hockaday Museum of Art 2019 exhibit: Hear the Whistle Blow! Art of the Railway. Member: Montana Watercolor Society; American Society of Railway Artists Represented by the Stillwater Gallery (Whitefish Pottery), Whitefish., and Persimmon Gallery, Bigfork, Montana Whitefish, Montana djamt@msn.com (406) 890-0056 |
Shimi McKenzie
Artist Statement We all start out not really knowing where our art journey will take us, what friends we will make along the way, who will be instrumental in our growth, how our style and subject will change, and what path we will take to reach our goals. Every year is a time of new beginnings and for broadening my horizons, my expectations, and my excitement to reach for more. I hope you enjoy my work as much as I love making it. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be able to capture a likeness in a portrait, the action of a bucking horse, or the expression in a favorite dog’s eyes, but I think I have been able to do that. I love to paint animals in motion, anything with a western bent, and portraits with strong light. What motivates me to paint and show my work is the same motivation that drives a chef to make wonderful food: to feed the soul, not just to fill the stomach. I wish to evoke emotion, and a sense of curiosity with my paintings. |
K. Jodi Gear
Artist’s Statement K. Jodi Gear is a medical illustrator and retired equine veterinarian. She paints in watercolor and oil, specializing in landscapes and portraits, with a particular fondness for horses. Jodi has been living in and painting different parts of the West for over 25 years. She feels fortunate to live amidst the spectacular scenery of southwest Montana where there is a painting to be found around every bend in the road. Since moving to Butte, Jodi has been exploring the creation and application of handmade watercolors and inks made from natural pigments she has foraged near her home. Some of these intriguing colors can be found in her watercolor paintings. “In my landscape paintings, I try to convey the emotions I experience while exploring these vast spaces with their endless skies. Being surrounded by such beauty makes life seem rich and full of possibilities - the delight of discovering what’s just over the next ridge, the peace that is present in the distant trees, and the power that is rolling in with an approaching storm. My goal is to capture these feelings for the viewer, be it through strong lighting and bold colors, or the quiet surprise of granulating pigments as one color pushes gently into its neighbor. When I paint portraits, I enjoy paying attention to the unusual colors, the colors reflected from the environment, especially in the shadows. It is the amplification of these subtle colors that can push a painting beyond the ordinary.” Jodi’s work can be seen at the Main Stope Gallery in Butte, Montana, on her website todayatmydesk.weebly.com, or you can follow her on instagram @kjodigear montana2maine@gmail.com |
