Flathead artists head for Western art show

More than a dozen Flathead Valley artists pack their paintings this week for a frenzy of shows, sales and auctions known as Western Art Week in Great Falls.

The C.M. Russell Art Auction - still the pivotal attraction of events planned Wednesday through Saturday - looms large as a barometer of how art purchases will be affected by the recession.

After a record-breaking $2.9 million worth of art sold at the Russell auction in 2008, artists - from regular exhibitors such as Bigfork's Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey to new exhibitors such as Jane Latus Emmert of Whitefish - are approaching this year's shows with a mix of emotions.

"It's both terrifying and exciting," Emmert said.

Western work represents a new frontier for Emmert, a painter known for her angel cloud art. Her collection for Western Art Week took root during a wilderness immersion in plein air painting about three years ago.

Her new Glacier Park landscapes and American Indian themes opened the door for Emmert to display at the Contway and Friends show at the Four Seasons Arena Exhibition Hall in Great Falls' Montana ExpoPark.

"As you work your way up as an artist, there's a point where you get to step into a bigger show," Emmert said. "It's a plunge,"

A veteran of 20 years of painting, the artist said she has attended March art madness in Great Falls as a visitor. Emmert recommends the experience, even for those with limited budgets.

"It's an incredible week - there's so much happening," she said. "Everyone ought to go to feed their souls."

She feels optimistic about Canadian buyers from Alberta, where the economy remains healthy. Montana's art industry remains stronger than many states, she added.

Several other local artists join Emmert at the Contway show.

Elaine Snyder, a buckskin tailor in Kalispell, and painters Rob Akey of Whitefish and Karen Young of Kalispell were approved as exhibitors. Young specializes in equestrian art while Akey paints a mix of landscapes and Western themes.

Flathead artists Tom Lewis and Allen Jimmerson got the nod to display at Western Heritage Artist Association Art Show located in the Great Falls Holiday Inn.

A watercolor and oil painter from Bigfork, Lewis plans to show 40 pieces focusing on cowboy and ranch life.

"I grew up on a cattle ranch in Colorado," he said.

The artist and his wife moved to Bigfork about six years ago when he retired from a career in graphic design and publishing. He has since dedicated himself to painting full time.

Like Emmert, he first experienced Western Art Week as a visitor.

"It's really fun and fascinating," he said.

Lewis compared the events to a four-day party, but not so much for the exhibitor who must spend hour upon hour showing art to the hoped-for throngs of buyers.

Both he and Jimmerson, a Kalispell acrylic painter, agreed to create art in 45 minutes during the association's Quick Finish event. These pieces then get auctioned off to benefit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

Jimmerson, who works and displays in the gallery in Snappy Sport Senter, attended the Western Heritage Artist Association events about four years ago. He decided to accept the invitation this year in spite of the bad economic climate.

"I know everybody's concerned," he said. "But in my experience, people are still buying original art."

Jimmerson selected 45 to 50 paintings reflecting his signature wildlife and Glacier Park themes. He said he made a good number of sales a few years ago at the Western Heritage show located close to the Heritage Inn, headquarters of the Russell art auction and exhibitors.

"A lot of collectors hit all the shows," he said. "But my goal is to get a room at the C.M. Russell art show."

Most Western artists hold the same dream for economic reasons. Steve Cawdrey, husband and business manager of Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey, said the show accounts for about half of their entire year's sales since they began exhibiting in 2001.

"It's been the best show for us every year, hands down," he said.

Along with Cawdrey, other well-known Flathead artists with rooms at the Heritage Inn include Mark Ogle, Margaret Graziano, Haakon Ensign and Rusti Warner. Each, along with Lakeside artist Terry Mimnaugh, had pieces juried into the auction benefiting the C.M. Russell Museum.

Artists receive a percentage of the sale of their auctioned pieces. Each may set a minimal acceptable bid price called a reserve.

Steve Cawdrey said this year's economy made he and Nancy ponder what strategy to pursue. Should they set reserves as they would in strong economic days, lower reserves or drop them to establish today's bottom-line price?

Healthy reserves carry the risk of bidders passing on the sale.

"So far Nancy has been lucky - sometimes selling right at the reserve," he said.

The artist's appeal richly benefited the Russell auction in past years with her quick-draw pieces created on site commanding auction prices of up to $15,000. Over the years, her instant art has raised about $50,000 for the museum.

"The quick draw is a 100 percent donation," Steve Cawdrey said.

Both Cawdrey and his wife have moderate expectations for the Great Falls event this year. But he said revenues from their Fox Creek Gallery continue to hold their own with some tighter control of expenses.

"We've done better in the first two months of this year than last year," he said.

The artist has several other shows scheduled in 2009, including one called "Four Women in the West" at a new gallery in Oklahoma City. She also shows in the exclusive Jackson Hole show each fall that benefits the National Museum of Wildlife.

Steve Cawdrey speculated that the massive gloom and doom in the economy has stimulated an appetite for Nancy's signature style painted on silk.

"People find the pieces so bright and colorful and uplifting," he said.

For the Russell auction, she submitted "Hunting Camp," a painting of three teepees against a sky streaked with magenta, crimson and gold, and "Tatonka Bellow," featuring a bison formed of colorful splashes and dabs.

Cawdrey said he and Nancy have 35 paintings to exhibit in room 280 at the Heritage Inn. He remains optimistic, quoting a remark he recently heard about selling pieces in a recession.

"If it's good painting, they sell," he said. "Nancy's best work continues to sell."

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com