The Out West Art Show in Great Falls, Montana, is a place for Western art lovers and artists to come together and connect. And after a year of uncertainty and isolation, the need for face-to-face interaction is stronger than ever. The exhibition and sale, held at the Heritage Inn, features dozens and dozens of artist exhibition rooms, where artists like Jennifer Johnson, Troy Collins, Daniel Parker, James Reid, Karen Boylan, Jackie L. Bread and many more, adorn the space with their works.
Lee Rue, Ride Alone, oil, 24 x 18"
Oil painter Lee Rue says he will be bringing around four to five paintings in total. His piece, Ride Alone, features a lone cowboy on horseback in a meadow of gentle greens. He’s inspired “mostly by cowboys and Indians,” he says of the piece. “I have several cowboy scene paintings; I [plan to] bring a few of them.” 
Chip Jones, Against the Wind, splashed bronze, ed. of 15, 28 x 30"
Wildlife artist Cheryl King ventures into other avenues beyond fine art, including a clothing line she recently launched featuring her animal art. In addition to her paintings, which are all oil on aluminum, she’ll be bringing clothing, tote bags and even glass cutting boards, where images of her artwork are imprinted onto the glass through a heat infusion method. Of her oil-on-aluminum pieces, she says they have a more contemporary look, rather than traditional. “I’m a wildlife artist, I’ve painted for 30-plus years...Animals are dear to my heart. I always donate a portion of my profits to animal organizations.” Collectors will be able to browse and purchase small ticket items all the way to large paintings of bull, bears, wolves, and other iconic [North American] animals, King explains. “Grizzlies are my favorite thing to paint...I’ve also been getting into owls and eagles.” One of her pieces that will be in the Out West Art Show is Little Miss Sunshine, inspired by two sister otters living at the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Washington state. “I spent over an hour hanging out with them...They have so much personality...Otters spread joy...Animals have emotion and personality and that’s what I want oty imbue in them.” 
Echo Ukrainitz, Chief Garfield, Batik with gold leaf, 14 x 10"
A Gala Opening Reception will be held on Wednesday, August 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. On Thursday, August 19, from 7 to 8 p.m. is Art, Cowboys and Cocktails with artists Ben Miller, Tim Joyner, DG House, Whitney Weidow and King. Other events include a quickdraw on Friday at 5 p.m., followed by a quickdraw auction at 6 p.m., and a live auction at 7 p.m. in the evening, among other happenings. The artist exhibition rooms will open August 18 through 21, with times varying throughout the duration of the event. —
Out West Art Show & Sale
August 18-21, 2021
Heritage Inn, 1700 Fox Farm Drive, Great Falls, MT 59404
(406) 590-1961, www.outwestartshow.net
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