Tour lets artists tell stories behind their work

LIVINGSTON — Woodwork artist Amber Jean was telling about the time she was in Yellowstone National Park, so engrossed in a book that she didn’t realize grazing bison had surrounded her until she noticed tourists taking photos.

By GAIL SCHONTZLER Chronicle Staff Writer

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2004/08/29/news/livingstonbzbigs.txt

That close encounter with animals that look so "prehistoric, wild, wise and ancient" inspired her to create a large buffalo bench, Amber Jean told a small group of art fans in her studio.

"I love it when there’s a story behind every piece," one woman replied.

Dozens of people got to hear such stories straight from the artists on Saturday during the first Park County 2004 Studio Tour.

The tour gives art lovers the chance to meet artists and visit the studios where they create paintings, weavings, sculptures, stained-glass pieces, metal art and photography.

The tour is like a treasure hunt, with maps and directions to 15 studios, from Gardiner to Bozeman Pass.

"I think it’s intriguing for people to see the birthplace of work," said Amber Jean, who does not use her last name. "I used to just think people should buy the art because of the piece itself," not because of the artist, she said. After all, she felt, "I’m already giving them a chunk of my soul."

But after experiencing the excitement of meeting an artist she admired, she understood why people want to know "the person behind the piece."

The smell of oil paints was in the air at painter David Swanson’s studio, a one-time classroom in the old Lincoln School.

Swanson was busy telling visitors about the inspiration for each piece — a train along Route 66, a cottonwood against a stormy Montana sky, a sailing ship inspired by the "Master and Commander" books. His wife, Gillian, announced that a couple had just purchased his painting of the Wilsall grain elevator.

It was worthwhile, cleaning up the studio for visitors, Swanson said. "We made some money we wouldn’t have otherwise, met some people we wouldn’t have otherwise."

The tour is sponsored by the Alliance Development Corp. as a way to boost local artists and the Park County economy.

"It’s nice to know people realize art does have economic value," said painter Renee Evanoff, tour co-chair. In Livingston, she added, "We have 14 galleries and three stoplights."

At the new Studio 369 downtown, Evanoff was showing her paintings, while her studio partner, Ben Maestas was showing visitors how he uses a Spanish walking loom to create richly colored wool blankets.

Maestas, a Hispanic artist originally from New Mexico, gets the wool from his own Churro sheep, which he keeps near Clyde Park. They produce a long, course wool that makes strong rugs, he said.

When a weaving is going well, Maestas said, "It feels good in the heart."

People like to ask how he dyes the wool. He uses natural dyes — madder root for gold and cochineal cactus beetles for red. "I use bugs, berries, barks and roots," he said.

The tour continues today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $15, and are available at the Livingston Center for Art & Culture, 119 S. Main St., the Gardiner Chamber of Commerce and artists’ studios.