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Evensong

©Francesca Droll

Flathead Lake in NW Montana is a hub of recreation and boating in the summer time. I often drive home from Kalispell to Bigfork in the evening and the views rarely disappoint. The delicate shades of the sunset are a counterpoint to the glowing light of the landscape below.

Evensong, 9" x 12", Pastel on archival board, $450 framed.

Album	Available Pastel Paintings
Categories	Farmland, Flathead Valley, Landscapes, Pastel Painting, Sunsets

A Tranquil Moment

©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.

Album	Available Pastel Paintings
Categories	Autumn, Flathead Valley, Landscapes, Pastel Painting, Waterscapes

Flathead Lake Evening

©Francesca Droll

The sunsets over Flathead Lake are often stunning and always unique. I like to call it "sky drama" because it looks like the heavens are putting on a spectacular show just for us.

Album	Archived
Categories	Flathead Valley, Pastel Painting, Sunsets

Shadow Play

©Francesca Droll

Coming home from cross country skiing one winter day, I snapped a photo from the car as we passed this warmly-lit scene. The colors on the snow reflected the winter sun and shadows while the darkness of an approaching storm provided a backdrop to the landscape.

Shadow Play, 11" x 14", pastel on archival board

Album	Archived
Categories	Flathead Valley, Landscapes, Pastel Painting, Snow/Winter

Somers Sailing 2

©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.

Album	Available Pastel Paintings
Categories	Flathead Valley, Pastel Painting, Waterscapes

Mission Valley Sanctuary

©Francesca Droll

This painting came from a day spent outdoors in the Nine Pipes National Refuge. It is a stunning landscape awash with birds and the Mission Mountains as the backdrop.

12" x 16"; Pastel on archival board. $525 framed. To purchase, please contact ARTfusion Gallery in Bigfork, MT at 406-837-3526 or artfusion@centurytel.net.

Album	Available Pastel Paintings
Categories	Flathead Valley, Landscapes, Pastel Painting

Spring Arrives

©Francesca Droll

Spring in the Swan Corridor near Condon in northwest Montana is a challenge for an outdoor painter. One is always waiting for the light that is so often fleeting as the heavy clouds move through. At this moment, an autumnal sun illuminated the meadow beyond. This was painted onsite with a few touches added in the studio.

12" x 9", pastel on archival board.

Album	Archived
Categories	Farmland, Flathead Valley, Landscapes, Pastel Painting

Sounds of Solitude

©Francesca Droll

On the western side of Flathead Valley there are "pothole ponds." A natural up welling of springs that create ponds throughout the farmland. Every year a multitude of migrating birds stop here to feed in the fields and rest to continue their journey north.

9” x 12”; Pastel on archival board.

Album	Archived
Categories	Farmland, Flathead Valley, Landscapes, Pastel Painting

Morning Song

©Francesca Droll

This scene was painted on location in the early morning light with the view toward Glacier National Park seen in the background in the notch between the mountains. This pond is home to many waterfowl and is a resting spot for migrating birds.

9” x 12”; Pastel on archival board.