No. 177

No. 177 / Memorial Falls
Original Colored Pencil — Paper size 9 x 12 in, Image 8 x 11 in. 

It's Friday! Here's to hoping you have a fabulous and funky Friday.

Today's newsletter is a little late because I was still working this morning. (I finally had to give it up.) This drawing is of Memorial Falls, a spectacular hike near the Belt, MT. We had a blast when  last weekend exploring; there were so many vibrant colors to see!

Have a great weekend! 

No. 176

No. 176 / Ode to R. Tom Gilleon
Original graphite — Paper size 9 x 12 in, Image 8 x 8 in. 

Today's artwork is a little bit of a departure from the usual postings. I have included two photos because one of them turned out pretty dark. 

This week I made it over to  CM Russell Museum and spent an hour inspecting some incredible paintings. This is one offering Great Falls has that is very special. If you are into western art this museum offers dozens of paintings and artifacts.One artist that caught my eye, R. Tom Gilleon, is an adept painter who does a series of tipi paintings in vibrant colors. (See his work here.) I thought I might do a preliminary drawing to explore this subject matter. It was fun to do a little research! 

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No. 175

No. 175 / Berries
Original Prismacolor — Paper/Image size 6 x 9 in

Happy Wednesday to you! I saw these berries in the Sluice Box State Park and wondered what they were. I love their hot pink/cherry red color. 

No. 174

No. 174 / Among the Rocks
Original Prismacolor — Paper size 9 x 12 in., Image 6 x 9 in. 

Prismacolor pencil using the Icarus Drawing Board

Montana offers a variety of beautiful camping sites, incredible hiking, and appealing small towns. Don't get me wrong—Idaho does too. I'm really appreciating discovering what the Treasure State has to offer. 

Last weekend we took a trip to Sluice Boxes State Park and Memorial Falls, both fun hikes. However, Memorial Falls took the cake for me. It is a three-mile hike nestled back in the wilderness among lichen covered rock and tall, dense trees. If you hike the full trail you will be met by two waterfalls. Time stands still when you are on this trail. And though it climbs 504 ft.—it's an easy hike. 

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No. 171

No. 171 / At Ryan Dam
Original Watercolor — Paper size 9 x 12 in./Image size 6 x 9 in.

You might be asking yourself why, when June's theme is Great Falls, there aren't more landscape paintings. The truth is they are a bit of an achilles heel for me. For one, they take quite a bit of time, detail, and reworking on my part. And, I feel I really struggle with painting them well and that stresses me out a bit. (This is precisely why I should do more of them.) I am excited at the prospect of getting out in the wild a bit more to freshen this process and my painting up a bit. 

Do you have something you struggle with that you know you should do for sake of growth? 

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No. 168

No. 168 / Red Robin
Original Prismacolor — Paper size 9 x 12 in.

Yesterday I had the chance to ride my bike along the Missouri River on the amazing bike pathways they have here. (Whoot!) Officially, the roadway is called The River's Edge Trail (thetrail.org). Wildlife and birds are everywhere. I saw a deer, two pelicans, a few ground squirrels, some bunnies, and a lot of robins—just to name a few animals. I am excited to explore more areas on my bike. A person sees so much more on a bike than in a car. Mobile meditation? 

No. 162

No. 162 / Mountain Cottontail
Original Colored Pencil —  9 x 12 in. 

One thing that has been surprising about Montana is the abundance of rabbits. They range from mid-size hare types to mini-bunnies. They are as abundant as squirrels are in Boise. This little guy was out at the Wildlife Refuge. 

No. 158

No. 158 / Summer Iris
Original Watercolor — Image size, paper size 9 x 12 in.

The beautiful Iris are out all over Idaho and Montana. I thought I would try my hand at this kind of flower. Purple, after all, is my favorite color. Here is to wishing you a lovely Sunday! 

No. 157

No. 157 / Wild Yucca
Original PanPastel — Image size 7 x 10 in. | Paper 9 x 12 in. 

I am looking forward to seeing how the plant life might vary here. This is just one plant I found last year when first visiting Great Falls. 

No. 108

No. 108 / Geology #2
Original Watercolor — Image Size 9" x 6" (paper size 12" x 9")
Price: $108.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

This time next week I will be sitting on a beach pondering my future with my soon-to-be husband. Eight days until the big day!

I plan fully on taking painting supplies with me to Kauai, but I am allowing myself the option to just relax. This means you will see some older paintings on the list in my absence. I will still be available via email, checking periodically if there is a painting you want. 

That being said . . . this bad boy is hot off the watercolor table. I was too tired last night and had to finish it this morning (hence the late email). It is another specimen from my excursion to Giant Springs. 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 107

No. 107 / Geology
Original Watercolor — Image Size 9" x 6" (paper size 12" x 9")

Happy Friday!I don't know about you, but I am fascinated by the shapes and colors of rock. There is such a history there we will never truly know. These rock walls are hidden off the trail to Giant Springs in Great Falls, MT. 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 105

No. 105 / Brick + Mortar

Original Watercolor — Image Size 10" x 7" (paper size 9" x 12")

Price: $105.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

Great Falls, MT. I will move here in less than two months. It's a town with a population of 60,000 and sports a Sam's Club, a few breweries, and an amazing greenbelt system along the Missouri River. No, I am not knocking Sam's Club, but I am illustrating how small it is. Originally, I am from a small town in northern Idaho. I love small towns for their friendly neighborhood waves, old movie theaters, and established brick homes. 

When driving through downtown one weekend I began noticing all the vintage sign work. It is a great study for anyone interested in graphic design. Most of the signs are dated and  . . . beautiful. Old brick buildings weathered by age stand tall, reminiscent of Kellogg. (In a different time both towns housed smelters. No longer.) In this expedition I found some bricks in an alleyway that I had to save for a painting. There is beauty everywhere if you really look. 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No 58

No 58 / Foam 

Watercolor, 12" x 9" (8.25 x 5.25")

Bowser Brewing's Chocolate Covered Crunchberry.

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Thanks for visiting!

No. 57

No 57 / Empty 

Watercolor, 7" x 5" 

This month I have gotten lots of practice drawing ovals, observing light, and painting woodgrain. Have you ever taken a moment to sit and observe the colors reflected in an object or a sunset or the clouds? It's rather meditative. Even an empty glass can offer some interesting colors and peace of mind.

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 56

No 56 / Mountain Huckleberry
Watercolor, 9" x 12"  (Image 5.25" x 8.25")
Price: $56.00 for list members

Huckleberry. Does the word automatically conjure a smell, flavor, or a color for you? Have you ever been "huckleberrying?" You might live in Idaho if . . .

I love huckleberries. I have fond memories of carrying a basket in the summer pickin' berries with my dad (and eating the majority of what I collected). When my dad, brother, and I would go fishing In Elk River, Idaho, I always knew there was a pretty good chance I could score a huckleberry ice cream cone, if all went well. Huckleberries = good memories.

When my better half and I stopped for coffee one morning I had this awesome Mountain Huckleberry tea. It wasn't bitter. No sugar was need. It was refreshing and hit the spot. So, I get to add another good huckleberry memory to the list.

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 54

No. 54 / Hops
Watercolor, Paper size 9" x 12" (Image 5.25" x 8.25")
Price: $54.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

Hops. They give beer that "tangy, bitter" flavor. On my visit to Bowser Brewing Co. I asked Evan if he could part with a few of them for my painting purposes—he was kind enough to oblige. They are like little green pinecones.  Now it has me interested in the home brewing process. Are any of you home brewers? 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 53

No. 53 / Glass
Watercolor, Paper size 12" x 9" (Image 8.25" x 5.25")
Price: $53.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

When visiting Bowser Brewing Co in Great Falls, Montana, we got a bit of a tour of the place. One of the back walls had this glass window in it. Initially, I thought the colorful rounds were wine bottle bottoms. In fact, these beautiful handmade windows were part of the old Shakey's Pizza that once resided in the building. Evan found this one when they were doing construction in the back. There are two more windows like it located high above the bathroom doors. They work perfectly in the space with its colorful and artistic lean, while giving a bit of a nod to the past, 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 52

No. 52  / Lit Up
Watercolor, 5” x 7” (with a .6" border)
Price: $52.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) for list members

I have noticed on my site visits this month that many breweries have these retro feeling light bulbs. They are either in lamps like this one, covered by beer bottles turned light shade, or inverted with a clear glass cover. This one is located at The Front in Great Falls, Montana. The next time you go out for a brew take a look at the lighting.

Enjoy your Saturday!

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No. 51

No. 51 / Chocolate Covered Crunchberries
Watercolor, Paper size 12" x 9" (Image 8.25" x 5.25")

On Valentine's Day my fiance, Kyle, and I had dinner and brews at Bowser Brewing Co. in Great Falls, MT. They offer a gourmet food menu and some delicious beer. (The Strawberry Blonde is my personal fave.) For the special occasion we had the Chocolate Covered Crunchberry and played Ticket to Ride with Evan, the owner.  It would seem we like spending holidays there—we spent Thanksgiving there, too. 

In the midst of our game playing a huge group of retirees stopped in and filled the place with chatter and laughter. They had rented a limo and were doing a pub crawl! Talk about fun, right? 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 50

No 50 / Grady

Watercolor, 9" x 12"  (Image 5.25" x 8.25")

I can't believe I have made it to painting number 50. What an adventure this project has been so far! Today's painting is of Grady. He is the barman at Black Eagle Brewery in Black Eagle, Montana. One tidbit about him is that he likes spending time with his grandma. They watercolor paint together and are considering teaching some classes in their community. Cool, right?

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige