MONTANA RUST BELT

Long ago, the copper, gold, oil, coal, timber, and transportation industries economically ruled the west; but over time, the laborious machines used in these once lively natural resource trades began to dilapidate — metal rusted, paint faded, and engines silenced — much like the industries themselves.

The veiled beauty I find within the unforgiving dents, corroded steel, and collapsing shells of these fading mechanical workhorses inspires me to pay painterly homage to the hardworking men and women who lived and died in Montana- doing whatever it took to maintain their family’s survival. These outwardly lackluster piles of rusty, worn, metal rubble are transformed into brilliant colors, vital shapes and forms through my use of drippy, lush oil paint on canvas.

The Montana Rust Belts are a tribute to the forgotten industries and assiduous workers of this beautiful state, which are captivatingly preserved in time through these close-up and richly colored abstracts.