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Montana Watercolor Society Art Show
Masterful Strokes of Color Behind Each Artist
By Suzanne Waring
atercolor is one of art history's most popular mediums. Painters have
experimented with the technique from the pre-historic era to the present.
Contrary to costly and oen cumbersome oil painting supplies, watercolor artists
only require the right soluble paint and a piece of paper. is ease provides
immediacy and mobility, allowing artists to immortalize their subjects with a
greater degree of informality. Charlie Russell's name has long been synonymous
with western art. While most people are familiar with his oil paintings and Montana
State Capitol murals, fewer realize his artistic process originated with watercolors.
Because of their portability, Russell simply stuffed his brushes and paints into a
sock before seing out on his horse. Over the years, he perfected this medium and
completed over 1,000 watercolor paintings. It is fiing for the Montana Watercolor
Society (MTWS) to exhibit during Western Art Week; an event organized to pay
tribute to Russell's birthday.
e history and ease of watercolor continue to be the "draw" for current members
of the Montana Watercolor Society. e organization hosts its own shows twice a
year, one in Lewistown, primarily for Montana artists, and a national competition
in the Kalispell area known as "Watermedia." Members of the MTWS living in
Great Falls take the lead in gathering Society artists for Western Art Week.
is year marks the sixth year the Society participates in Western Art Week.
e show will once again join the Out West Art Show at the Heritage Inn,
located at 1700 Fox Farm Road. Eight artists, mainly from Central Montana,
will be exhibiting.
W
Tammy Phillips - Best Friends Forever • 22" x 15" Watercolor
Tom Mostad - Bedtime Bugle • 14"x 18" Watercolor
