Flathead artists do well at auction

The Daily Inter lake

Local artists had a good showing at the recent C.M. Russell Auction of Original Art in Great Falls.

Several Flathead Valley residents received awards and some artists brought in sizable sums from their works on the auction block.

The late Kalispell painter Joe Abbrescia was awarded the Honorary Chairman's Award during an awards ceremony on March 18. His wife Sue accepted the honor on his behalf, although she didn't know ahead of time her husband would receive it posthumously.

"It was a complete surprise," she said.

Joe Abbrescia was a nationally known painter and had won numerous C.M. Russell awards in the past, including the People's Choice and the Best of Show honors last year, Best of Show in 1998 and 2002, People's Choice in 1997 and Artist's Choice in 1994.

This year it was his painting "Morning Call" that won the accolades and brought in $23,000 at the auction. The buyer donated it to the C.M. Russell Museum.

Abbrescia's "Mount Clements" and "Sunday Afternoon" sold for $10,000 and $11,000 respectively.

The 68-year-old painter died of cancer Feb.17, making this year's show a difficult one to attend for his wife and son.

"Mixed emotions of course," Sue Abbrescia said. "We knew it was going to be hard, but it was very healing."

They talked with many friends, peers and admirers of the painter's work.

"We had tears and we had laughter," his wife said.

Lakeside painter Terry Mimnaugh took home the Jurors' Best of Show Award for her oil painting "Dugout Canoe" that features two people paddling on a lake.

The Best of Show award comes with a $1,000 cash prize and a cruise for two.

Kalispell artist Tom Saubert sold his oil painting "By Fire Light" for $2,250. The painting was of a Cheyenne Sioux woman wrapped in a blanket.

He created the painting as part of the Quick Draw competition, which challenges artists to create works of art in 30-40 minutes. His work brought in the highest price of the contest.

"But I never think about it in terms of a competition," he said.

The money that comes in from the Quick Draw pieces is donated to the museum, so the contest isn't about trying to be the best or highest paid artist, he said. It also gives art admirers the chance to see artists at work, he said.