Monte Dolack

Hometown: Great Falls and Missoula, Montana
Major medium: Painting and printmaking
Art background: Montana State and University of Montana

A native of Great Falls, Montana, Monte Dolack grew up surrounded by the same sweeping vistas and Big Sky that inspired Charlie Russell. His love of Montana and his passion for the West's diverse landscapes and wildlife are evident in the images he creates and the commissions he accepts.

After studying art at Montana State University and the University of Montana, Monte opened his first studio in the mid-1970's, beginning a successful career in fine art and graphics. His best known early works - wild animals wreaking havoc in human homes - comprise his "Invaders Series", exploring the myths of the West and how we view our relationship with our environment. The irresistible appeal of these images helepd build Monte's national reputation and continues to attract collectors.

Monte has been the recipient of a number of prestigious awards in the course of his career, and his work is part of the collection of the Library of congress; Patagonia, Inc.; the National Wildlife Foundation and numerous other museums and corporations. Recent exhibitions include An Exact View, the C.M. Russell Museum; The End: Northwest Biennial Juried Competition, Tacoma Art Museum and a solo exhibition at the Kumamoto Prefectural Art Museum, Japan. Monte's work was chosen to be part of New American Paintings #18, a Western States competition sponsored by the Open Studio Press. He was recently selected by the Missoulian as one of the 100 most influential Montanans of the twentieth century.

A love of the natural world, combined with his exuberant curiosity and travel experiences, has shaped the content of Monte's imagery. Blending mythology, technology and elements from nature, his work is infused with a sense of humor and irony. Monte's keen interest in environmental issues has lead to commissions for the Nature Conservancy, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Bob Marshall Foundation.

In addition to his acrylic, oil and watercolor painting, Monte continues to pursue his interest in traditional printmaking, havingcreated numerous original lithographs.

With his wife, Mary Beth Percival, he operates a successful gallery in downtown Missoula. Monte and Mary Beth have traveles extensivley in Europe, Mexico, Hawaii and Japan, visiting many of the world's great museums.

Monte is presently a member of the University of Montana fine Arts Council and was recently reappointed to the Montana Arts Council.

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Sacajawea Gallery - 301 Main st. Stevensville, MT 59870 - (406) 777-3806