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unique flavor of First-Generation Abstract Expressionism. "Animals are
my muse. e scratch of the paw, pounce of a hoof, gesture of the head,
alert ear, quiet stride, powerful shape, ancient wisdom. All come to play
with the shapes I see as I paint," states Whitehead. Whitehead is drawn
to the natural beauty and coloring of animals and has an uncanny way
of capturing the emotion and character of her subjects. "e bold color
I see is like an animal aura, with such energy and emotion, it is difficult
for me to tone down my color palee," notes Whitehead.
New to the show but not the art world is sculptor Jim O'Hara. Living
near Fort Benton and a mile from where his grandfather homesteaded
in 1910, Jim works as a full-time self-taught sculptor. His studio is a
remodeled bunkhouse built by his grandfather in 1927. O'Hara began
sculpting wildlife in the mid-eighties and recently took up portrait
sculpture. His collection consists of John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan,
Donald Trump, Dolly Parton, Paul McCartney, Kenny Rogers, and
Clint Eastwood. O'Hara finds molding clay into three-dimensional
human busts to be fascinating and challenging.
Explore a world-class, award-winning collection of art in a gallery-like seing at e
Best of the West Art Show, ursday through Saturday, om 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and
om 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Jim O'Hara - Eagle • 7' tall x 11' wide x 5' deep Bronze
Diane Whitehead - Keeping Cool Bear • 16" x 20" Oil on Linen
best
of
the
west
art
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