Plains artist Ilene Paulsen featured at Phillips Gallery
“Going Home” by Ilene Paulsen.
Plains artist Ilene Paulsen prefers using saturated colors in a realistic style in her artwork.
Her work will be on display as the featured artist at Phillips Gallery inside the Kalispell Center Mall during the month of October.
She is an award-winning signature member of the Montana Watercolor Society. Paulsen’s inspiration for the exhibit entitled Miscellany comes from a variety of subjects that capture her interest including florals, still life, landscapes and wildlife.
“The diversity of colors, textures, and compositions are my continual stimulation for each new painting,” says Paulsen.
Her style of painting allows her to add all the intricacies and detailed work that she enjoys.
Paulsen was born and raised in Minnesota. She remembers being interested in drawing and painting since she was 5 years old. Art allowed her to express her creativity at a young age. She had always dreamed of living in Alaska as well. She moved there joining her new husband and enjoyed all the state had to offer, gardening, hunting, boating, fishing, and canning salmon. She homeschooled her five children. She was living the dream, Alaska style. Paulsen co-founded the Valley Fine Arts Association in Alaska while living there. After 20 years of living in Southeast Alaska, Paulsen now calls Montana home. She enjoys all mediums in art, but her passion is in acrylic and watercolor painting. The beauty that surrounds her provides a continuous supply of inspiration. Her artwork reflects her daily life in rural Montana. She is a self-taught artist but feels her success in painting is a blessing from God.
“I am a self-taught artist using the natural talents God has gifted me with to create art,” she says. “Behold, the earth is filled with his glory”.
The Miscellany exhibit will be on view throughout the month of October at Phillips Gallery located inside the Kalispell Center Mall. The gallery will be hosting an opening reception on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The artist will be talking about the exhibit at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to meet the artist during the reception.