Museum features oil paintings of Montana landscapes

After hiking around Montana for two weeks last summer, New Mexico-based contemporary landscape artist, Kathleen Frank, gathered enough inspiration from her surroundings to return to the studio and paint.

The colorful landscapes depict sites around western Montana, from St. Mary Lake to the Bitterroot Valley and will be on display at the Northwest Montana History Museum through October. An opening reception is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 9. There is no cost to attend.

According to her biography, Frank, “seeks out magnificent vistas to depict in her paintings. She has hiked hundreds of miles to paint the land of the Southwest and West, capturing images of the brilliance and vivaciousness of the natural world that beg to be painted.”

Frank’s introduction to Montana happened about 20 years ago on a trip to a horse ranch, where she and others spent time setting up teepees, sleeping outside and hiking. She recalled sitting around the campfire in the evening, listening to stories told by the Blackfeet. Between her first trip to Montana and her more recent one, Frank, who is also a trained woodcarver and printmaker, travels multiple times throughout the year to hike and take photos of the views for her artwork.

“In her studio, she examines every photo to select images she wants to paint. To Frank, any photo may be a gem in disguise. What resonates for her, whether a tranquil panorama or a robust display, is if a resplendent unguarded emotion is asserting itself,” her biography states.

The museum is located at 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. For more information about the reception call 756-8381 or visit nwmthistory.org. To learn more about the artist visit kathleenfrankart.com.