Winston Publishing

portfolio OUT WEST ART SHOW & SALE OUT WEST ART SHOW & SALE 28 • portfolio Troy Collins Fine Art Available exclusively at e Russell Auction on Saturday, March 22, 2025 "It Feels Like Coming Home" | 30" x 70" | Oil on Canvas Other Work Available at: Out West Art Show | Room 178 | March 20-22, 2025 Heritage Inn | 1700 Fox Farm Rd | Great Falls, Montana Catch Troy in the Art in Action, March 21st, 2025 at Meadow Lark Country Club 300 Country Club Blvd, Great Falls, Montana 2025 of his peers in continuing its legacy, not only for Great Falls but also for Montana and the country. Beyond his personal artistic success, Ukrainetz is deeply commied to fostering creativity in the next generation. He founded the Young Masters Art Program and remains actively involved in preserving and promoting Western art traditions. "I also feel deeply that the art we produce is meant to be fostered and shared," says Ukrainetz. "Without art and other forms of creative expression, we have no real soul." He adds, "I am constantly inspired by the youth, excitement, and energy that art provides." Echo Ukrainetz, also a founding member of the Out West Art Show, is a self-taught artist who has mastered the ancient and intricate technique of batik. While traditionally an Indonesian cultural tradition, Ukrainetz has adapted the medium into a distinctly Western form of storytelling. Using alternating layers of wax and dye on stretched cloth, she painstakingly builds her images from light to dark, a process that can take over a month for a single piece. Her works, oen focused on Native American portraiture, command aention with their bold, saturated colors. Yet, upon closer inspection, they reveal layers of intricate detail and emotional depth. "e most emotional moment of creating a piece is when the eyes begin to look back at you," she has shared about her artistic process. Her pieces are collected throughout the U.S. and Canada and featured in prominent publications such as Western Art Collector, Art of the West, Cowboys & Indians, and Big Sky Journal. She has also appeared on PBS's Today's Wild West and Amazon's e Story of Art in America. An annual participant in the CM Russell Auction, Ukrainetz continues pushing the boundaries of what batik can achieve within Western art. Echo describes her connection to batik as an art form that thrives on unpredictability. "I am drawn to batik because of its tactile nature and unpredictability," she explains. "I plan my trip, so to speak, but then it has a mind of its own and I seem to be just along for the ride."" is unique process, she notes, allows her to blend saturated colors and intricate details while embracing abstract backgrounds that enhance the storytelling aspect of her work. "It just seems to work," she says. Beyond her artistic passion, Ukrainetz treasures the sense of community fostered by the Out West Art Show. "I am always sad to see each show end because I love the interaction with the public," she shares. "I can get a real sense of what is successful and what is not by their comments and expressions," she adds. For Echo, the event is not just about exhibiting art but also about reconnecting with fellow artists. "Seeing our artist friends is so important because their bales are our bales." She adds, "e interaction breeds creativity and camaraderie because we truly want all to be successful." With its unique blend of established talent and rising stars, this year's Out West Art Show and Sale promises an unforgeable experience for patrons. Whether exploring rooms filled with nationally recognized art or connecting with Cowboy Artists of America and Russell Skull Society members, visitors will be immersed in the vibrant tapestry of Western art.

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