Winston Publishing

36 • portfolio Wild Bunch Art Show You are Cordially Invited... By Heather Bode s the founder, manager, and exhibiting artist at every Great Falls Wild Bunch Show, Nadine Pickthorn says preparing her show for Western Art Week is much like planning a wedding. "Every year, you must rent the facility, send out your invitations, and get your clothes ready. Then I also prepare my artwork," she says. After being an exhibiting artist at the CM Russell Show for 27 years before starting her own, now she uses all the lessons learned to put together one wild and crazy event. And she does it voluntarily. Pickthorn turned to the history of Montana and the old west to come up with the name of her show. Not wanting to sound too high-brow, but also wanting to communicate the style of the show, Pickthorn went with Wild Bunch. Now, the original Wild Bunchers were gun- slinging cowboy outlaws. But you will see no spurs and chaps here. Outlaws are replaced by outstanding artists that are as varied as the landscapes of the wild western frontier. The Wild Bunch is made up of Pickthorn's returning core artists as well as newcomers she's chosen to add variety. From well-known woodcarvers, to pencil art, pottery, stone and wood sculptures, jewelry, bronzes, and paintings, it can't get much rowdier. Or can it? Featured artist, Scott Haynes, originally from Saco, makes his inaugural appearance at the Wild Bunch this year. As a cartoonist, his talent can be seen in the Wild Bunch Logo, which he created. But Haynes is also an author who then illustrates his own books. Also new this year is gourd artist Sharon Trandem. She creates relief carvings on rock-hard gourds she hand- picks from gourd farms in Arizona or California. The gourds are so hard that Trandem's traditional carving tools are useless. She uses power tools and paints along with a variety of accents to create unique and truly original designs. "My ambition is to not do the same thing twice," she says. Pickthorn has cultivated her own devoted following. Her wildlife paintings on traditional and non-traditional surfaces are sought after items and her patrons continually return to see what she's created each winter. She says, "My clientele is so loyal. The most wonderful people in the world find ME at the art show." In fact, because she sells out year after year, Pickthorn initiated a pre-show kickoff for individual sponsors last year. "This gives them a special opportunity to see the artwork before we open to the public," she says. It was so successful she plans to continue this procedure. Being a part of art shows in Great Falls for over 30 years, Pickthorn has seen her share of changes. But the most meaningful one is this: "We have so many Montana artists that are involved and I feel most of our clientele that come to the Wild Bunch Show are Montana residents. They're coming and supporting us and it's really exciting to see!" wild bunch art show A March 14 Exhibit Rooms Open 5-8pm March 15 Exhibit Rooms Open 10am-8pm March 16 Exhibit Rooms Open 10am-8pm March 17 Exhibit Rooms Open 10am-8pm Hampton Inn • 2301 14th Street SW Wild Bunch Art Show Event Schedule

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