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©Francesca Droll

The Swan River flows into Bigfork Bay which is in the northeast corner of Flathead Lake. Before it hits the rapids called "The Wild Mile," it is mostly a tranquil river flowing lazily through farmland in the summer time. Winter is another story completely.
I was inspired to paint the colorful reflections in this section of the Swan River from the deck of "The Nest." It was a fairly warm spring day and we plein air painters took advantage of it.

A Tranquil Moment, 9" x 12", Pastel on archival board, $450 framed.

©Francesca Droll

I have a good friend in Somers, an amazing photographer, Kelly Nelson, and every now and again I get a beautiful image from her which I interpret in my own way. This is a view looking east from Somers Bay toward Bigfork.

10" x 20"; Pastel on archival board. $475 framed. To purchase, please contact ARTfusion Gallery in Bigfork, MT at 406-837-3526 or artfusion@centurytel.net.

©Francesca Droll; Going With the Flow; 15" x 20"; Pastel on archival board.

Everything on a river is affected by the flow of water including the grasses that are nourished by it and are bent to its will. There is a visual contrast between the softly bending motion on the edge and the tumbling splashes of the full flow in the center of the stream.

©Francesca Droll; Flamboyant; 7" x 14"; Pastel on archvial board. $495 framed with museum glass. To purchase, please contact Francesca Droll at fd@abacusgraphics.com.
Autumn colors are loud, boisterous, and gaudy and we are dazzled by its kaleidoscope of intensity. Water influences the glorious colors of the season with its own dance of motion.

©Francesca Droll; Captivated; 12" x 36"; Pastel on archvial board. $1,400 framed with museum glass. To purchase please contact ARTfusion Gallery in Bigfork, MT at 406-837-3526 or artfusion@centurytel.net.
The vibrant colors of light and shadow on the water are represented here. The sunlight shines through and highlights the green of the river bottom and the sky reflects deep blue on the surface of the water in the shadow area. The duality of the nature of water provides endless inspiration.

©Francesca Droll; Rock 'n' Flow 4; 18" x 24"; Pastel on archvial board. $995 framed with museum glass. To purchase please contact ARTfusion Gallery in Bigfork, MT at 406-837-3526 or artfusion@centurytel.net.
The fourth in the series, Rock ’n’ Flow. Plunging over the rocks creates an exciting dynamic once again between the immovable and the timeless flow.

SOLD-©Francesca Droll; Rock 'n' Flow 3; 18" x 24"; Pastel on archvial board.
The third in the Rock ’n’ Flow series. The rush of the stream contrasts with the quiet passages creating a sense of wet and wild poetry.

©Francesca Droll; Where the Trout Play; 15" x 20"; Pastel on archival board. $900 framed with museum glass. To purchase, please contact Francesca Droll at fd@abacusgraphics.com.
This side stream of the middle fork river was a very popular spot for the flyfishers. We also caught numerous fish although we kindly threw them back to their watery worlds to live another day.

©Francesca Droll; Autumn Alchemy 2; 30" x 12"; Pastel on archival board. $1,100 framed with museum glass. To purchase, please contact Francesca Droll at fd@abacusgraphics.com.
A companion painting to Autumn Alchemy 1 although not a diptych. Enjoying the format and surreal effect of the first, I painted another version to complement the first or to stand alone.

©Francesca Droll; Emergence; 20" x 16"; Pastel on archival board. $875 framed with museum glass. To purchase please contact ARTfusion Gallery in Bigfork, MT at 406-837-3526 or artfusion@centurytel.net.
When light emerges through the trees and shines highlights on the water, magic happens. The water reflects prisms of color.

©Francesca Droll; Running the Course, 14" x 7", Pastel on archival board. $425 framed with museum glass. To purchase please contact ARTfusion Gallery in Bigfork, MT at 406-837-3526 or artfusion@centurytel.net.
Water as an action sport must have a great time as it slips and slides through an obstacle course set by Mother Nature.

©Francesca Droll; Golden Seduction, 18" x 27", Pastel on archival board. $1,200 framed with museum glass. To purchase please contact ARTfusion Gallery in Bigfork, MT at 406-837-3526 or artfusion@centurytel.net.
In the evening, for just a few minutes, the sun would shine its last rays on the slope opposite us on the river. The golden glow on the water was stunning and unforgettable. We sipped our wine and told stories of our past while the river flowed by and whispered its own story.

©Francesca Droll; Autumn Alchemy 1; 30" x 12"; Pastel on archival board. $1,100 framed with museum glass. To purchase, please contact Francesca Droll at fd@abacusgraphics.com.
At its most calm, the water reflects a surreal world of autumn trees and foliage playing over the surface. The unusual format evokes Asian art aesthetics.

SOLD-©Francesca Droll; Rock 'n' Flow 2; 18" x 24"; Pastel on archvial board.

The second in the series, Rock ’n’ Flow. Not only is there visual excitement in the patterns of light and shadow but one hears an ancient narrative in the musical notes of water as it flows over and around the rocks.

©Francesca Droll; Rock 'n' Flow 1; 18" x 24"; Pastel on archvial board. $1,200 framed with museum glass. To purchase, please contact Francesca Droll at fd@abacusgraphics.com.
The first in the series, Rock 'n' Flow. The contrast of unyielding rock and flowing water inspired these paintings. The light falling in abstract patterns creates an interesting kaleidoscope of color.

©Francesca Droll; Daybreak; 9" x 12"; Pastel on archival board. Collection of Lael and Darrell Gray

©Francesca Droll; Wave Action; 12" x 9"; Pastel on archival board. Collection of Stephanie Kresse & Steve Hirsch

©Francesca Droll; 20" x 10" Pastel on archival board; From a photo by Kelly Nelson, Somers, MT