Art Walk 2011

Thanks to everyone who turned out for Kalispell's Art Walk 2011. When you walked through the doors at Paint Metal & Mud, not only did you enjoy the valley's only all-local art co-op, but you also enjoyed 2,000 of the tastiest cookies/chocolate/treats available at Art Walk. You have such excellent tastes!

Michaela Eaves is happy to announce A Cup of Normal, a book she illustrated the cover for, is a finalist for both the Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards and the Endeavour Awards. Published by Fairwood Press, which is owned and run by former Flathead High Alum Patrick Swenson. Congrats to the author, Devon Monk and to Patrick for his great editing.

November Featured Artist: Monique Kleinhans

Monique Kleinhans--Textile Artist

The month of November Paint Metal and Mud Art Gallery is featuring the work of Monique Kleinhans, textile artist and quilter.  Monique is a recent addition to the gallery and is thrilled to be included among such a diverse and talented group.

"Working at the gallery is wonderful. I love the opportunity to chat with guests who come in.  I've gotten to meet people traveling through our beautiful valley for the first time, had the opportunity to get to know the local shoppers better, and I'm constantly surrounded and inspired by all the artists' work in the co-op."











Monique blends traditional and new quilting techniques in her pieces.  "I like to experiment with including three dimensional elements in my wall art. The added depth is an invitation to let yourself wander into the work."  You'll find leaves that seem to fall right out of the composition, trees that stand up against their backdrop, and creatures 'painted' with layers upon layers of thread.



Wall art is not your only choice for Monique's work however.  She recently started making fabric bowls, you can always find table runner or a quilt to fall in love with, and her quilted greeting cards are a hot item in the gallery.

When asked about the variety of projects she makes her answer is simple: "Why should your wall be the only place in your home that gets to have a work of art?"

We hope you'll stop in this month and see not only Monique's work, but the wonderful collection of  locally made art.  And remember to mark your Calendars...the Art Walk in Kalispell is Dec 2nd!

NEW WORK: John Ashley

John has added brand new moose and bear photographs to the display at PM&M.
Drop by the co-op to see all of John's new work!

"Bullwinkle" is a wild Montana moose browsing on the golden leaves of fall. (c) John Ashley.

PM&M: Winter/Spring "Go Local" ad

Here's a preview of our Paint Metal & Mud that will appear on the inside cover of the Winter/Spring issue of the "Go Local" Flathead Guide (click to enlarge). Look for the guide in mid-November at any Flathead Valley art gallery, gift shop or hotel. Our ad features photos of each PM&M artist and a "tag" that you can scan to visit us on your smart phone! Pretty cool, eh?

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Michaela Eaves

Merlot tree -- painted with merlot wine and ink pen.

Michaela Eaves is October's featured artist at Paint, Metal, and Mud. A variety of mediums are represented, from watercolor to acrylic to ink.  Themes are heavily nature-based.

Michaela works as a graphic designer and illustrator with a heavy emphasis on children's books and horror. In her spare time, she volunteers for handful of non-profits and mountain bikes, though most of her free time is spent with Buck, the world's best rottweiler.

A Chill Is In The Air...Perfect Time To Cuddle Up In A Quilt!

It's fall here in the Flathead, 
which means that the gardens are almost harvested, 
the leaves are turning a bright blaze of color,
there are smells of apple pies baking,
and it won't be long before we see the mountains 
with a light dusting of snow.  

It also is the perfect time to cuddle up under a beautiful quilt! 

Our textile artist Monique has been busy at the needle putting together a few new creations:

Your wall shouldn't be the only thing
that gets to enjoy a beautiful piece of art!

LOIS STURGIS: New work

A new watercolor painting from PM&M artist, Lois Sturgis.

"Running Eagle Falls" (c) Lois Sturgis

PIA EAVES: New work

These new creations from jeweler Pia Eaves are earrings made of annodized aluminum. Check them out!

CHERYL ROSS ELLINGSON: New work

New work from Cheryl includes this raku wall hanging, gleeming with copper, blue and golden hues. The fire left it’s mark on this piece with a lovely reduction pattern.  Stop in to the PM&M Gallery to see all Cheryl's new pieces to compliment your wall.

CHERYL ROSS ELLINGSON: August Artist of the Month

Raku garden sculpture and high-fired stoneware decorative serving bowl by Cheryl Ross Ellingson, our PM&M Artist of the Month for August.

PAT JONES: New work

Fresh from the creative jewelery studio of Pat Jones, freshwater pearl pendants! The white pearl (left) is set in sterling; the pink pear (right) is set in14k rose gold with three 3mm stones. Beautiful times two!

Upcoming Member Shows

PM&M glass artist Susan Young will be showing her new work this weekend at the 33rd annual Bigfork Festival of the Arts, in downtown Bigfork, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 4pm.

Also, PM&M photographer John Ashley will be showing his work at the 34th annual Sweet Pea Festival, at Lindley Park in Bozeman, Friday 4pm to 8pm, Saturday 11am to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 5pm. John's partner, Tracy, will be showing John's work at the old Fort Sherman grounds during the 43rd annual Art on the Green festival in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Friday noon to 7:30pm, Saturday 10am to 7:30 pm, and Sunday 10am to 5pm.

John is also the Artist of the Month at Stumptown Art Studio in downtown Whitefish. John's "Curious by Nature" exhibit opening reception is Thursday, August 4th, from 6-9pm. Yes, that is the night before Sweet Pea opens - it's a busy time of year for Montana artists!

JOHN ASHLEY: New work "Peekaboo Loon Chick"

A young Loon chick peeks out from under the protective comfort of his mother's wing. (c) John Ashley

SUSAN YOUNG: See you at the festival!

Susan will be selling her slumped glass art pieces this weekend at the Whitefish Arts Festival, at Depot Park on the north side of downtown Whitefish. Show hours are Friday 10AM-6PM, Saturday 10AM-6PM, and Sunday 10AM-5PM. See you there! 

SUSAN YOUNG: New work!

New slumped glass pieces by Susan Young are tomato red and black-accented, with black strings of glass and multi-sized broken glass fused into platters.  Individual sizes are (1) 12 x12, (2) 6x6, (2) 4x7, (4) 3x3.  These pieces will be available at the Farmer's Markets in Kalispell (Saturdays 9 to 12:30) and Whitefish (Tuesday's 5 to 7:30), or you can contact Susan about her glass art.

JOHN ASHLEY: "Go Local" cover photo

John's "Huckleberry Heart" image graces the cover of the summer 2011 "Go Local" guide to small businesses in northwestern Montana. Prints and cards of this image are available at Paint, Metal & Mud.

PIA EAVES: Artist reception Friday evening

Kitty cupcake treat!

Pia Eaves is the artist for June.

"Paw Prints in My Heart" is the theme for her 8th year. Pia's jewelry is hand made for pets and the people who love them. Pia is working in the gallery every Thursday and happily accepts custom orders.

Yum, snacks!

Kitty litter cake, biscotti dog bones, puppy chow and much more fun food for every body including our 4-legged friends. Also lots of cool new jewelry for you, your pets and--new this year--for your windows.

MONIQUE KLEINHANS: New Work!

Swimming Up Stream

With the river in front of the cabin rising every day, my thoughts have dived in to the water lately. 
Thankfully the only fish that has appeared swimming in the house thus far is my latest wall hanging. 



The fish is appliqued on a woven background and then embellished with colored pencil, fabric markers and hand dyed cheese cloth. 

LOIS STURGIS: New watercolor painting

"Phoebe and Iris" 28x21 watercolor by Lois Sturgis



MICHAELA EAVES: Art festival poster

Drawing done for an art festival poster focusing on pets.

MICHAELA EAVES: New work!

New work in progress: watercolor about 8x4 on heavy cold press paper. Done with four colors of paint: two browns, one blue, one bright orange. -- Michaela

PM&M: Full page "Go Local" ad

Check out our full page ad in the Summer 2011 "Go Local" Flathead Guide. (Click to enlarge.)

Click here to view the entire guide (opens a new window).

MICHAELA EAVES: Painting on new material

Here's a painting I did on an ostrich egg -- salmon in migration.

JOHN ASHLEY: Talking to high school students.

John was recently invited to speak to four different groups of high school students in Billings, Montana. His topic? Combining biology with photography.

LOIS STURGIS: Our newest member!

"Big Mountian Beargrass" watercolor by Lois Sturgis

Lois Sturgis is our newest PM&M artist. Stop in and check out all of Lois's new watercolor and silk paintings.

MONIQUE KLEINHANS: Our new artist!

Detail from "Vision in the Night" by Monique Kleinhans

As of May 1st, the newest member of our co-op family is textile and quilt artist, Monique Kleinhans.

LANA O'MYER: May Artist of the Month

Painter and ceramic artist Lana O'Myer is the PM&M "Artist of the Month" for May.