July's Artist of the Month: Brandon Wiese

For the month of July, The Gallerie at Piney Creek will be featuring the works of Brandon Wiese.  Brandon makes his home in Bigfork where he not only paints, but also carves stone for a variety of in home uses such as sinks and fireplace mantles. 

Of his paintings Brandon says, "My goals consist mainly in trying to create a piece that captures a moment of my life in a humble organization of lifeless materials; all to tempt the viewer's senses into believing and feeling my observations of a solitary and unique moment of time. With each piece I form a relationship that at a certain point, shifts slightly from creator to observer. Methods practiced relentlessly, fall arbitrarily to the side and I find myself almost waking up, realizing the painting has been dictating my actions.
I am forever grateful to God for the amazing Beauty that he allows me to see. I hope to create nothing but honor for him and all the people who have encouraged me in my life."

Come join us in The Gallerie during July's Gallery Night to see Brandon's pieces and enjoy some light refreshments!

Kris Kramer - July - The Purple Pomegranate

The Purple Pomegranate, a fine craft specialty store, is featuring work by Whitefish jewelry artist, Kris Kramer during the month of July. Kris makes wearable and collectible minuscule, silver sculptures out of metal clay.  Most of her pieces can be worn as jewelry.  She loves silver down to the molecular level and believes it has qualities of being alive: it prefers that change be incremental; it reflects light; it is fragile and strong at once. 

Kris blends fashionable style into pieces enjoyed by those who want to be a little different.  She embellishes each piece with a virgin shine, an elegant satin, and a patina dark inlay.  Her goal is that her creations evoke a conscious or subconscious reaction—a reminiscence of ancient value along with something forwardly progressive and exciting.   Solo pendants, necklaces, earrings, charms for bracelets (aka tiny pendants), animal-totem, and miniature spoons will be on display throughout the month.

Kris is a certified precious metal clay artisan by the PMC Guild and RioGrande and sole proprietor of The Silver Pendant.  She sculpts daily in her studio on the north side of Whitefish.  Her wish is that each piece creates a pause, like at the end of a pendulum swing, in hopes that an observer might stop to reflect and grasp otherworldly significance.

Meet Kris during Whitefish Gallery Night, Thursday, July 5th, 2011 from 6-9 PM. Kris’s work will be displayed during the opening and throughout the month of July. 

Whitefish Goldsmiths 

Whitefish Goldsmiths is excited to present original photography by local artist Jason Barnes.  Jason Barnes grew up in California in close proximity to great natural beauties like Yosemite National Park and California's beaches and cliffs.  He has always had a love of architecture and nature, and his photographs reflect this in images from ornate landmarks in Prague to the simplicity of ladybugs.  Montana images, from rusted tractors to the magnificence of Glacier National Park, are some of his favorite subjects.
Jason's specialty is photographing in HDR, high density resolution, which creates amazingly true-life details and color.  You can find Jason through his website, BigJayPhotography.com along with a sampling of his portfolio. 
 

STEPHEN ISLEY JEWELRY PROUDLY PRESENTS LINDA KATSUDA

Stephen Isley is pleased to present the work of Linda Katsuda, this Thursday June 7th for Gallery Night from 6 PM to 9 PM.

Linda is a Whitefish resident whose landscape paintings reflect Montana's natural beauty and grandeur.  Behind the visual and sensual aspect that inspires her is the presence of nature.  She is drawn to specific places and objects by the reflection of light and captures that light with oil paint, which has the most luminosity and depth.

Her "Orchid Cactus by Moonlight", an abstract oil on canvas, is available at Stephen Isley Jewelry and Gallery, 241 Central Ave.   Stop in Thursday evening to meet the artist and view her many works of art.

Deb Stika - June - The Purple Pomegranate

The Purple Pomegranate, a fine craft specialty store, is featuring work by Whitefish artist, Deb Stika during the month of June. Years ago, Deb fell in love with this little spot on the map, retired here, and started drawing. Now her fun and whimsical drawings of Whitefish are on sale at the Purple Pomegranate in downtown Whitefish.  And the best news, besides the original set of 15 drawings, she is introducing her second set of 15 drawings! Plus most all of the images are now available as greeting cards!

Some of the new renderings include: O’Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center, Whitefish Train Depot, Central School, VFW, Great Northern Brewery, Remington, and Mambo’s. Do you have a special place? That place can be where you live or any where in the world! Your home? A business? A cabin, resort, or lodge? How about a boat?! Deb Stika does commission work, too, and will have examples displayed at the Purple Pomegranate. Come and help us celebrate!  

Meet Deb during Whitefish Gallery Night, Thursday, June 7th, 2011 from 6-9 PM. Deb’s work will be displayed during the opening and throughout the month of June. 

Cherlyn Wilcox-Above & Beyond at The Walking Man Frame Shop & Gallery

Please join us for our exhibit of Bozeman artist, Cherlyn Wilcox-Above & Beyond.  Cherlyn will be featuring abstract oils on panel, Thursday, June 7th, 6-9PM.  Fine art, live music & light refreshments.  For more information, please call 406-863-ARTS and find us on Facebook!!

"I think of my current work as an aerial journey.  The pieces create a schematic of place, inspired by fragmented terrain as glimpsed through the window seat of an airplane.  Through this work, I investigate the intersection of the built and natural environment, seeking to find structure and sense of place.  I am drawn to the rich colors, forms and lines from diverse ecosystems, agriculture, buildings, boundaries, waterways and the general beauty of Montana...and translating these into colorful and inviting abstract places."  Cherlyn Wilcox
 

We will also be featuring live music by Fresh off the Vine!!
"Fresh off the Vine is a trio featuring cello, acoustic and electric guitar, based out of Whitefish Montana.  With original songwriting and a range of covered material to enliven any occasion.  Fresh off the Vine consists of cellist, Jesse Ahmann, with guitar and bass by Karl Berdimurat and Lucas Mace.  The Vine's styles range from an instrumental dining atmosphere to upbeat songs and grooves fit for any festivity."

 
 

STUMPTOWN ART STUDIO June 7 opening - Stephanie Seguin: ALTERING FORMS AND SPACE

Stephanie Seguin received her BFA in ceramics in 2009 from Minnesota State University, Moorhead.  Since graduating, she has worked her way from studio to studio, gaining experience and exploring new styles in her personal work.  This summer she will be assisting at La Meridiana International School for the Ceramic Arts in Tuscany, Italy.

Her show, Altering Forms and Space at Stumptown Art Studio explores the way in which functional ceramics are displayed and the alteration of ceramic forms that are used in daily life.  Items that are normally hidden away in cupboards are displayed in a fashion that is suitable for a gallery setting and the home.  Seguin works with wheel-thrown and altered functional forms, which she manipulates while the clay is still soft, using a variety of hand-building techniques to create a gentle, feminine quality.  This quality is also present in her decorative surfaces, where she often incorporates images inspired by the garden.

Stumptown Art Studio is a non-profit community art center located in the heart of Whitefish, Montana.  It was founded in 1995 to offer art opportunities for all ages and art interests including: classes, workshops, camps, art parties, an artists' cooperative, art outreach programs with the Van Gogh, and daily walk-in pottery painting, glass fusing and mosaic-making in the Ceramics Annex, art gifts, retail art supplies and exhibits.  Exhibits hosted at Stumptown Art Studio feature guest artists, group displays, student works, new works and provide exhibition space for emerging artists.  The public is invited to stop by and enjoy this year's 2012 First Thursday Gallery Night season from May through October between 6 and 9 p.m. during opening receptions or for a month following anytime during regular open hours:  Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays, noon-5 p.m.

The Gallerie at Piney Creek featuring Mary Kelley

"When I was young I was always going to paint with vigor someday soon. Suddenly I was over 60 and knew I better get with the program!"
                                                                            - Mary Kelley

Mary Kelly is a Montana artist who began painting later in life but has always been an artist at heart. She is greatly inspired by nature and her plein aire style of painting captures her passion. Her subtle and striking contrasts between light and dark, warm and cool, and light and shadow are intriguing factors that invite viewers to spend a moment in her work.

Come see a new collection of Mary Kelley's paintings featured this month at The Gallerie at Piney Creek.

2nd Annual Youth Image Project Gallery & Fundraising Event

Please join us for the 2nd Annual Youth Image Project Fundraising & Gallery Event on Thursday, May 3rd, 6-9PM.  Several framed images donated by local, regional & nationally recognized photographers and printed by Photo Video Plus in Kalispell will be auctioned off with 100% benefiting YIP.  Above images by Lido Vizzutti & Jessica Lowry-Vizzutti. Youth Image Project's mission is to empower at-risk teenagers by providing photographic training with which they can share their personal vision, expand their skill sets and advance their life opportunities.  For more information about Youth Image Project, go to www.youthimageproject.com or contact Jenn DeMonte at 406-270-3377.  

 

A variety of images by Glasgow photographer, Sean Heavey, will also be on display.  Get your chance to bid on The Mothership for YIP!  Live music by Dan Dubuque and light refreshments offered for a fun filled evening.   For more information, call 406-863-ARTS.  Kick off the Whitefish Gallery Nights season by supporting a great arts program in the Flathead Valley!

14th ANNUAL STUDENT SPRING SHOW & ICE-CREAM SOCIAL

In the heart of Whitefish, Montana is the non-profit community art center Stumptown Art Studio.  It was founded in 1995 to offer art opportunities for all ages and art interests including: classes, workshops, camps, art parties, an artists' cooperative, art outreach programs with the Van Gogh, and daily walk-in pottery painting, glass fusing and mosaic-making in the Ceramics Annex, art gifts, retail art supplies and exhibits.  Exhibits hosted at Stumptown Art Studio feature guest artists, group displays, student works, new works and provide exhibition space for emerging artists.  The public is invited to stop by and enjoy this year's 2012 First Thursday Gallery Night season from May through

October between 6 and 9 p.m. during opening receptions or for a month following anytime during regular open hours: Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays, noon-5 p.m.

The public is invited to the opening reception of this popular exhibit featuring the artwork of students of Stumptown Art Studio.  Come see the art by our talented young neighborhood artists during the opening reception from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 3.  The evening is accompanied by the delightful Ice-Cream Social, where everyone can create their own treat.  The exhibit will be on display until May 28 at 145 Central Avenue in Whitefish.

Linda Christensen - May - The Purple Pomegranate

The Purple Pomegranate, a fine craft specialty store, is featuring work by Kalispell artist, Linda Christensen during the month of May. Linda has worked as a full time professional artist since 1992.  Painting with a combination of surrealism, expressionism and realism and using symbols to communicate the nuances of what she sees, Linda is currently creating paintings based on her dreams and visions.

Linda speaks about her work, "I see paintings as I listen to the world.  Messages emerge through dreams and visions.  The waking dream and sleeping dream are equally powerful in this time of transition on the earth.  The shift from domination of the masculine mind to the feminine heart impacts my dreaming as it impacts the earth.   My dreams flow through my watercolor paintings in playful symbolism." Linda feels that watercolors express her visions and dreams in glowing, transparent layers or in vibrant opaque color.  She expresses emotion through the vast possibility of watercolor technique.  Flowing colors create a feeling of movement.  Free and mingling paint permits the imagination to flow.  Transparency portrays illusion.   Dark opacity indicates strength, power and surety. 

Meet Linda during Whitefish Gallery Night, Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 from 6-9 PM. Her work will be displayed during the opening and throughout the month of May. 

Whitefish Gallery Nights Begins Soon

Mark your calendars for the first Thursday of each month to come to downtown Whitefish and join in the fun of Gallery Nights. We have 15 galleries participating this year and loads of wonderful artwork in store for you. Tell all your friends to come down too, the more the merrier. The dates are listed above and check out our Facebook page by clicking on the Facebook logo on the side bar. See you in May!

Whitefish Goldsmiths

Whitefish Goldsmiths is presenting Zach Morrison for Octobers Gallery Nights. Zach is a 25-year old Whitefish native whos predilection for art began early, but was honed through academic bordom. Lifes everyday difficulties pushed him to use art as an eventual escape, and led him to a deep appreciation for expression. His fascination with the worlds unique creatures, deep appreciation for music, and struggle with indecision, has inspired a majority of his work. Come on out and enjoy this years last Gallery Nights.

Contemporary Ledger Art at The Walking Man Frame Shop & Gallery

Join us Thursday, October 6th, 6-9PM for the last gallery nights of the season. We will be featuring Contemporary Native American Ledger Art-primarily Terrance Guardipee Last Gun. For more information, please call 406-863-ARTS. Please join us for fine art, refreshments & live music.

Stillwater Gallery

Stilwater Gallery will be closed for the October Gallery Night.

We encourage you attend the other galleries and have a fun night!

Thank you for another great season - and we will see you next year!