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"
This painting was inspired by an area that is just behind my home in Woods Bay on the shores of Flathead Lake. Although I changed the scene a bit with my artist license, the feeling of the place is captured here with a touch of mystery added to draw you into the path between the trees.
Original pastel
Image size: 16" x 12"
A peaceful spot in the Flathead Valley where the cattails were a golden ribbon surrounded by the verdant trees and grasslands. Painted on location with finishing touches in the studio.
Original pastel
Image size: 9" x 12"
From Bigfork, one can walk along the Swan River on the nature trail and enjoy its rushing and tumbling beauty. This view is in the fall when the river is running low and the trees are starting to turn color. The rocks protrude out of the peaceful current as the water dances around them.
Original pastel
Image size: 18" x 24"
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”
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.
Original pastel
Image size: 9” x 12”
On the western side of Flathead Valley there are "pothole ponds." A natural upwelling 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.
Original pastel
Image size: 9” x 12”
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.
Original pastel
Image size: 12" x 16"
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"
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, a spring sun illuminated the meadow beyond. This was painted onsite with a few touches added in the studio.
Orignal pastel
Image size: 12" x 9"
We spent the day painting fall color at a friend's 30 acres north of Bigfork. It was afternoon when we finished up there and I wanted to check out a place that I'd heard about. I drove south on the Swan River corridor and found the spot. However the sun was already over the mountains and everything was in the shade, I took a few photos and headed home. On my way back, I decided to explore a wildlife refuge area that I saw when I passed it. The light was golden, spilling over the mountains and creating patterns of light and shadow filtering through the trees.
Original pastel
Image size: 12" x 16"
Original pastel
Image size: 12" x 9"
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”
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.
Original pastel
Image size: 12" x 16"
A group of painters got up early and headed into West Glacier. The day started fairly warm and clear and quickly got cold and inclement. I did a study on site, capturing the nuances of light and color on the mountain and in the reflections in the stream. I painted this larger piece in the studio using the study as my guide. McDonald Creek looking south in Glacier National Park.
Original pastel
Image size: 16" x 20"
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