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On a tranquil lake, an evening warmed with the fading sun, may feel like it’s made especially for you. It creates a sense of wonder and gratitude. For how could something so beautiful be anything but miraculous. Original pastel Image size: 30” x 12" This painting is sold UNFRAMED. Price includes shipping in the continental U.S. No sales tax.
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Water and light are synergistic. Water is see through but light bounces off of it or shines through it for stunning effect. I never tire of exploring how light is experienced in the landscape. Original pastel Image size: 18” x 24" This painting is sold UNFRAMED. Price includes shipping in the continental U.S. No sales tax.
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This view is of a rather nondescript spot on Crane Mountain which bounds Flathead Lake on the northeast side. I was hiking one afternoon during late winter and the sun was low on the horizon which created a beautiful pattern of light and shadow on the golden grasses. Original pastel Image size: 9” x 12"
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In early spring, before the trees bud and sprout, the earthy colors are vibrant in gold, orange, and maroon tones. In the background, the Swan Range is still blanketed in snow. The north shore of Flathead Lake is a wonderful place to walk when the water level is down for the winter—a popular spot for the locals and their dogs. Original pastel Image size: 11” x 14
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One of the many romantic old barns dotting the Flathead Valley farmland. This one stands at the north end of Flathead Lake and one sees it as they drive from Somers to Bigfork. As old barns are being torn down, I’m interested in painting them as a record of old Montana. Original pastel Image size: 6” x 8"
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Flathead Valley is famous for their cherries. The lake creates a micro climate that is conducive to growing cherries and when it rains, the rain is of the light, misty sort which doesn’t damage the cherries as they are maturing on the limb. We wait impatiently for the cherries to become ripe for eating. All the extra are frozen to add to smoothies during the winter months. Original pastel Image size: 8” x 6" Framed size: 15" x 13" This painting is showing at FoR Fine Art Gallery in Bigfork, Montana. Price includes shipping. If the painting is purchased here on my site, FoR Fine Art will pack and ship it to you. There are no additional costs and no sales tax.
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There is nothing more glorious than a warm clear day in Glacier National Park! Grinnell Point, with its distinctive pyramidal shape, looms over Swiftcurrent Lake and provides habitat for wild creatures and tourists alike! Named for George Bird Grinnell, naturalist, writer, and early proponent of protecting the magnificent stretch of the Rocky Mountains now known as Glacier National Park. It was previously known as "Stark Peak," a very fitting and descriptive name for this Many Glacier landmark.
This view was done from a study on site. It was a beautiful morning and I found a fairly secluded spot to set up my easel.
Original pastel Image size: 15" x 20"
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This painting was inspired by the area surrounding Somers, MT, on the northwest corner of Flathead Lake. Every season has its beauty and winter is no exception. The colors reflecting off the snow and the brilliant red and orange hues of the leafless scrub willows adds to the effect. Original pastel Image size: 12" x 9" This piece is sold UNFRAMED. Free shipping to locations in the continental U.S. No sales tax.
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Although I often paint en plein air in Glacier National Park, this was one rare day in October when the temperature was warm and the conditions set up for a beautiful scene. Although the wind turned my shade umbrella inside out, I managed to paint this stunning fall scene without the wind also taking my easel! Original pastel, framed Image size: 9" x 12" Framed size: 13.5" x 16.5" This painting is showing at FoR Fine Art Gallery in Bigfork, Montana. Price includes shipping. If the painting is purchased here on my site, FoR Fine Art will pack and ship it to you. There are no additional costs and no sales tax.
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We are fortunate to have organic farmers in our valley and every farm season we subscribe to receive a weekly box of produce. These beauties were part of one of our boxes and they were so fresh and colorful that I couldn’t resist painting them including their bent stems.
Original pastel, framed Image size: 6" x 8" -
Not all beautiful places in Montana have breathtaking mountains. Montana is rich with tranquil scenes of lazy creeks meandering through golden hills. It’s a wonderful place to experience the bygone era of early homesteads and working ranches. This is Basin Creek in the historic mining area of Boulder and Basin, south of Helena.
Original pastel Image size: 12" x 16"
This piece is sold UNFRAMED. Free shipping to locations in the continental U.S.
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A beautiful fall day in Glacier National Park just before the first snow. McDonald Creek is a popular destination for visitors with its tranquil meandering and impressive falls. Definitely an inspiring location to paint. The water was low enough that I could set up my easel on a gravel bar and paint as if I were standing in the creek.
Original pastel Image size: 9" x 12"
This piece is sold UNFRAMED. Free shipping to locations in the continental U.S.
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Autumn colors are loud, boisterous, and gaudy and we are dazzled by their kaleidoscope of intensity. Water influences the glorious colors of the season with its own shimmering dance. This scene was inspired by reflections on the east shore of Flathead Lake. Original pastel Image size: 7" x 14" This piece is sold UNFRAMED. Free shipping to locations in the continental U.S. No sales tax.
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One of the many charming farms throughout the Flathead Valley in northwest Montana. One feels the peaceful tranquility of a less hectic life set among the mountains and streams. Original pastel Image size: 9" x 12" This piece is sold UNFRAMED. Free shipping to locations in the continental U.S. No sales tax.
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Driving back to our cabin after a day of plein air in Glacier National Park, we were heading out of St. Mary’s when this approaching storm came over the mountains. It was so dramatic that I asked my friend to pull over and let me take some photos. I stepped out of the car and was almost blown over by the wind. I crouched down to get the swaying grasses in the foreground. The wind was whipping and whistling in my ears as I took a few photos and jumped back in the car just as raindrops started to fall. The storm chased us all the way to Duck Lake where we were staying for the night. I painted a small study of this scene the next day while the image was still fresh in my mind. Original pastel Image size: 14.625” x 30” Framed: 21.25" x 42.75"
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One of my favorite trails in Glacier National Park is the Iceberg Lake Trail. Hiking through beautiful landscapes of open mountain views and shaded forests, the final approach to the cirque is one of dotted lakes and lush meadows. If you’re lucky you may get a glimpse of grizzlies, from a safe distance. In the bowl of the cirque, Iceberg Lake is aptly named as it always has icebergs floating in it even at the height of summer. This is the view of the towering cirque just a short distance before Iceberg Lake. Original pastel Image size: 20” x 15” This painting is sold UNFRAMED. Shipping is included in the continental U.S. No sales tax. This painting was part of the Hockaday Art Museum's "A Timeless Legacy" Exhibit.
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McDonald Creek is always a favorite painting spot with the mountains surrounding it and the glacial water flowing over the colorful rocks. We had been plein air painting nearby and then the rain came. We had to pack it up but not before snapping a few more photos at this spot. I knew that it would be great fun to play with this colorful fall scene in my studio. Original pastel Image size: 12" x 12" This piece is sold UNFRAMED. Free shipping to locations in the continental U.S. No sales tax.
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The east side of Flathead Lake is lush with cherry orchards as the micro climate is ideal for growing this delicious fruit. A painter friend invited us down to Finley Point to plein air paint when the trees were in full bloom. There were also newborn lambs but that is the subject for another painting. Original pastel Image size: 9" x 12"
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Wayfarers Park is a very popular destination with swimming and boating access to Flathead Lake. It also has quite a few campsites and is filled with vacationers in the summer. The interesting rock formations provide natural stairways. It is a lush and beautifully wild landscape. Original pastel Image size: 12” x 16"
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One of those wonderful plein air days when you pick the right spot and the painting practically paints itself. It started to rain before I could finish so I completed it in the studio. This charming fast moving creek is a little ways up the road past Hungry Horse Dam and still has quite a bit of volume in early summer. Original pastel Image size: 12" x 9" This piece is sold UNFRAMED. Free shipping to locations in the continental U.S. No sales tax.
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During my Artist-Wilderness-Connection residency in the Great Bear Wilderness, an eagle would fly up and down our canyon fishing over the river every evening like clockwork. It was a stirring sight to see it soaring and gliding over us, its white head glinting in the sunset light.
Original pastel
Image Size: 7" x 14" -
During spring in Flathead Valley, the fields are surprisingly colorful as all manner of wildflowers come to life. Each wildflower has its own time and the colors in the landscape roll through pinks, yellows, and blues. I captured a photo of this field after having a delicious breakfast at Echo Lake Cafe in Bigfork, Montana.
Original pastel
Image size: 16" x 12" -
One morning, while camping on Horseshoe Lake, I awoke early to this view of the mist over the water. How extraordinary. I couldn’t help myself. I dressed quickly and slipped into my kayak to glide through that magical experience. Painted in the studio with a photo and my memory to guide me.
Original pastel
Image size: 12" x 16" -
This pastel was painted on site during a beautiful evening down at Finley Point on Flathead Lake. This spectacular range of mountains begin in Bigfork and run the length of the lake and far down the Mission Valley. There is even a glacier on one of the peaks. A quote by John Muir comes to mind when I look at this painting, "The mountains are calling and I must go!"
Original pastel
Image size: 6" x 12" -
Driving home from Glacier National Park in midsummer, this beautiful sunset over the Flathead Valley farmland caught my eye. I shot photos out of the car window as we drove by. Rest assured, I was in the passenger seat. Strong perspective lines draw you into the painting and create a sense of presence as if you could smell the freshly rolled hay bales.
Original pastel
Image size: 24” x 12” -
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," a local event venue. It was a fairly warm spring day and we plein air painters took advantage of it.
Original pastel
Image size: 9" x 12" -
Flathead Lake in northwest 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.
Original pastel
Image size: 9" x 12" -
It was a beautiful Choteau evening in October and we drove to Freezout Lake in time for me to set up my easel and do a quick study of the evolving sunset. I sprayed myself with insect repellant but it only lasted so long before the blood-thirsty suckers were back on me. My husband walked in circles around me, puffing a cigar and the smoke helped to shield me from the mosquitos. The sunset was extraordinary with the warm light gilding the grasses in the foreground. I completed a 12” x 9" study in a record 45 minutes and it was well worth any discomfort. This larger painting was done in the studio from my study.
Original pastel
Image size: 16” x 12” -
It was an early morning in Glacier National Park. My plein air group was on the hunt for a suitable painting spot. We walked the trails around Sun Point and as we were walking back to the car, I turned around and shot this photo of the light coming over the mountain and starting to illuminate the trail. It stuck with me for a couple of years before I hunted down the photo and painted this scene.
Original pastel
Image size: 13.25” x 8.125” -
Water as an action sport must have a great time as it slips and slides through an obstacle course set by Mother Nature. This image was inspired by a side stream following the road into Glacier National Park. Original pastel Image size: 14" x 7" This painting is sold UNFRAMED. Free shipping to locations in the continental U.S. No sales tax.
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When light emerges through the trees and shines highlights on the water, magic happens. The water reflects prisms of color. This is Granite Creek which flows into the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Original pastel Image size: 20" x 16" This painting is sold UNFRAMED. Free shipping to locations in the continental U.S. No sales tax.
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Beargrass is unique to the Pacific Northwest and nowhere are they more abundant and lovely than in Glacier National Park. The plants bloom in June and only once every seven years. Luckily there is such a proliferation of plants that every year one can enjoy the blooms. Original pastel Image size: 11" x 14" This painting is sold UNFRAMED. Free shipping to locations in the continental U.S. No sales tax.