Winston Publishing

PORTFOLIO ~ P.17 > o u t w e s t a r t s h o w & s a l e As an artist who is also an historian, Ukrainetz happily adds, "(Shannon) not only was the youngest member of the expedition, but also a somewhat skilled woodsman. In my opinion, his mind was wide open to the exploration and the discoveries they made. "He was also prominent afterward when he escorted the Mandan chief to meet with the U.S. president. …And he became a lifelong friend of William Clark," said the art- ist, who undoubtedly researched this and other historical figures he has painted. Though Shannon has stood vigilant for three Portfolio covers, Ukrainetz did not use all three years to complete his oil. "I like to mix paint on the canvas. This was no different than any painting I do. The foreground has to have the best light and the deepest shadows." He allowed space to add the "tenderfoot" Shannon. "I didn't drag out the work for three years. I finished in a very short period of time, well within a month." Photos were updated at various phases for three sequential " " covers appearing over a three-year span. "I've done this before, and I've done it since," Ukrainetz said. "It's always an honor when somebody asks." The bearded artist holds additional talent that fits another form of Western art – role play. "I take part with re-enacting the historical Lewis and Clark Honor Guard and with assorted mountain-man groups," he said. Editor Lenington-Leray says a combination of Ukrainetz's talent and historical allegiance combined to make him the perfect choice for the cover art. "Selecting him for the cover was simply a no-brainer," she adds. "Ron's artwork is incredible on so many levels. I was first captivated by his unique clayboard and acrylic tech- nique. He engraves the Claybord and then glazes the work with acrylics, an incredibly tedious and painstaking process. He also works in oil, both en plein air and in the studio. His knowledge and passion for the Lewis and Clark era devel- oped into a number of historic oils that continue to gain wide acclaim." He and his fellow artist wife, Echo Ukrainetz, have been married 21 years, a union in which he happily said he "in- herited two boys." Echo's talents are seen in her unique and sought-after batik paintings. As the two show their works together at many regional art shows, the batiks mix well with all works from Ron Ukrainetz. Ukrainetz is a founding member of the Montana Paint- ers Alliance, Co-founder and Chairman Board of Trustees - Out West Art Foundation, Inc., and Co-founder of Young Masters Art Program, Montana. An array of his art will be shown and sold at the Outwest Art Show, Heritage Inn. The oil original used for the Portfolio cover will be sold at the Saturday night Auction during the Out West Art Show; all proceeds will be given to the Young Masters Program. For next year's Portfolio cover art, Lenington-Leray simply says, "You will just have to wait and see." ARTISTS ~ Don & Mimi Grant Studios D on & Mimi Grant have studios in their home in Great Falls. Don creates his art work in the mediums of bronze, wood , and mixed mediums. Subjects are Western wagons and wildlife. His wagons are in many collections including the Wells Fargo Museum in San Francisco, CA. Mountain goats and bears are his favorite wildlife subjects. The bronze bears are from 9" tall to a four foot high sitting bear that is in progress. It will be cast in bronze in 2017. Mimi specializes in the mediums of scratchboard and oils. Her subjects include nature and nature's children. She has traveled to many wildlife shows throughout the states. Right now she is concentrating on the Out West Art Show in Great Falls, MT and The Stampede Western Art Show in Greeley, CO. The Grants are in many galleries in Montana. Don & Mimi would like to invite you to stop by the Out West Art Show at the Best Western Plus Heritage Inn on March 15 thru the 18, 2017. They will be in room 150. Please stop by for a visit and to view their latest works. SHOW: Out West Art Show & Sale ~ (BWP) HERITAGE INN: ROOM 150

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