Park scene clicks for Great Chief artist

Marshall Noice has stopped at and enjoyed the same spot on Lake McDonalds southwest shore hundreds of times over many years.

In fact, the 53-year-old Kalispell artist has painted the view from that spot dozens of times.

But something new clicked this fall when he stopped there.

We had a special fall this year and the colors were rich, Noice said. It was one of those perfect fall moments when the sky was clear and the colors of the leaves reached their peak. … There was a fall crispness you see before it turns gray forever or for the length of one of our long winters. Those moments come few and far in between, which made it more precious and special.

And that is the view that Noices mind reached back to when he painted the landscape that the Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce will present Thursday with its 34th annual Great Chief award.

The award goes to an outstanding civic contributor; it will be announced at the Chambers annual banquet that begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Best Western White Oak Grand Hotel.

The Chamber traditionally commissions a local artist to create an original artwork for each winner.

Noice, a longtime Kalispell photographer who painted on the side, switched to painting full time seven years ago after selling several paintings.

He specializes in landscapes, especially in the Glacier Park area.

He said his interest in landscape painting is probably related to the awe a man feels being in a place that is so much bigger, older and more permanent than he is, and the desire to capture such a moment.

Noice views his work not as a photograph-like imitation of a scene, but instead capturing its essence.

Thats why this Lake McDonald landscape and many of his other works focus more on emotional impressions rather than being literal reproductions.

For example, there is little green or brown in his latest Lake McDonald oil painting, which is dominated by purple mountains, yellow tree leaves and a significant slash of red on the ground.

Its just the way the scene felt to me, Noice said.

Reporter John Stang may be reached at 758-4429 or by e-mail at jstang@dailyinterlake.com