Official Guide to Art Week Great Falls, Montana March 15th-19th, 2023
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1533210
portfolio BEST OF THE WEST ART SHOW 60 • portfolio Boen is pulling out the big guns for this year's show—quite literally. "I have a six-foot and a seven-foot revolver made out of all Western holsters, Western rigs, Western leather artifacts," he says. "And some of that leather is 100 years old, so it has a lot of history and a lot of beauty to it." While selling his work is always a welcome outcome, Boen's true aim is to cra an unforgeable artistic experience. His creations, from an eight- foot thunderbird to a seven-foot trout with a saddle and even a giant spur fashioned from cowboy boots, challenge expectations of scale, texture, and subject maer. e interactive nature of his work adds to the spectacle— give that massive spur a spin, and hidden noisemakers like cowbells and canned moos conjure the raucous echoes of a stampede. "I'm very serious in my application with how I create my art, but I always add a fun sense of whimsy," Boen declares. "is isn't a show for me where I'm bringing what I have le. I really show up at this show with a plan and a cohesive body of work that creates an art experience that flows; that's interesting. Each piece plays off each other a lile bit." Engaging with visitors is one of Boen's favorite parts of the show, as he shares both his process and the stories behind his creations. "My artwork is not about recycling, or upcycling, or reusing," he explains. "It's more about—I see a piece of leather that speaks to me, that has a beauty to it Cyrus Walker - One Wrong Move - 50" x 34" • Acrylic/ Oil Lance Boen takes a seat atop one of his larger-than-life, leather-tooled revolvers—crafted from century-old Western artifacts and brimming with history, craftsmanship, and a touch of Wild West whimsy. Lance Boen's Highway Man stands tall at seven feet, a stunning fusion of history and artistry. Crafted from meticulously tooled Western leather, this larger-than-life sculpture embodies the rugged spirit and timeless craftsmanship of the American West." Brent Flory - The Good Ole Boys - 60" x 48" • Oil on Canvas