Kalispell artist’s painting donated to State Library in Helena
Artist Mark Ogle begins to wrap his painting titled "Confluence of Josephine and Grinnell Lakes" at his studio in Kalispell on Wednesday, April 14. The painting is being donated to the state library in Helena. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
With the Many Glacier entrance of Glacier National Park set to reopen after being being closed last year, it's a fitting time for Kalispell artist Mark Ogle to bring his rendition of one of the natural area’s most scenic vistas to the Montana State Capitol.
On Tuesday, Ogle will drive from Kalispell to Helena to deliver his landscape painting, "Confluence of Josephine and Grinnell Lakes.” There, the massive piece of art will be displayed prominently inside the Montana State Library.
“It’s kind of a neat deal,” Ogle said modestly on Monday as he and a friend loaded up his vehicle for the journey to Helena.
At five feet wide and six feet tall, “Confluence” is the largest painting Ogle has ever made in his 40-year career. He completed the work in 2014 and sold it to an art collector friend afterward.
The owner of the painting, who asked to remain anonymous, also happens to be a patron of the Montana State Library. He offered it as a donation to the facility, and the State Library Commission formally accepted the gift during a meeting on April 14.
“Typically, we don’t get these kinds of offers of donations,” said State Librarian Jennie Stapp. “This is very new and unique for us. It’s just a really nice statement about the value and appreciation for our services.”
As a Flathead Valley native, Stapp said she’s familiar with Ogle’s legacy and is excited to bring his work to a statewide audience.
THOUGH OGLE has amassed quite a few accolades throughout his artistic career, he said the painting’s placement in the State Capitol complex is a special honor.
“Putting a piece in our State Capitol is significant,” said Ogle, who has built a reputation as one of the preeminent nature artists in the state. “It puts you into some pretty good company there.”
He was particularly excited about the opportunity to display his work in a popular, publicly accessible spot. He said the art display will be “a way to honor Montana as well.”
Amid the history enshrined at the Montana State Capitol, “Confluence” will add a “modern, contemporary view of Glacier Park, of our state,” Ogle said.
In the spirit of modernity, the State Library is also going to work on incorporating an educational video alongside the painting.
Ogle was filmed throughout the painting’s creation, from the first strokes of his artist’s proof to the final, framed version of the painting.
A shortened edit of that video might broadcast alongside the painting at the library in order to give viewers a better understanding of the painting’s history and Ogle’s artistic process.
Stapp said the exact details for that component of the display still need to be worked out.
A ceremony to unveil “Confluence” on display at the Montana State Library will likely take place late this summer or this fall, she explained.
The video of Ogle creating “Confluence” can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwtu_D6Cpzk.
Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at (406)-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.