162 South Wolcott St, Casper, WY

Come Support Your Local Casper Artists! 

Art is a pleasure that is shared by all and reserved for none. Looking at art in all forms has been a joy throughout my life, looking and wondering how in the world an artist is able to accomplish such amazing feats of pleasure and insight. I have looked at and enjoyed all mediums, but watercolor captured my heart and imagination. The magic of water, pigment, and white paper creating the kaleidoscope of colorful shapes and lines intrigued me. Watercolors are, in some instances, quite capable of almost painting themselves and many times, if the artist pays attention, on their own will assist the artist. The beautiful pigments of watercolor, along with the ability to blend and manipulate them, are what keep me coming back for more. In the last couple of years I have fallen under the spell of plein air (in the open air) painting. For a nature lover like me, sitting on a rock by the river or looking at the beautiful western vistas of Wyoming is mesmerizing and transports me to a place where it seems it is just me and Mother Nature. I find comfort and peace in this and it is an honor to share the wonderful gifts of nature.

Contact Nancy: nancycu777@gmail.com

4019 East 12t* Street

Casper, WY 82609

https://www.instagram.com/wyoming_plein_air_painter/

Composition, design and content dominate my visual expression. My representational watercolors are my preferred media. My motto for watercolor is: “get in, do it and get out”. Watercolor is like a short story.

Years ago, I learned to make my own paper. I enjoy the abstract quality and the textured surface. Many of my collages have historical messages. I continue to strive to make my art interesting and expressive.

I have the honor of being a signature member of the Northern Plains Watercolor Society, Wyoming Watercolor Society, Georgia Watercolor Society, Watercolor Art Society Houston, Watercolor West and the National Collage Society

Contact Barbara: 307-234-3343

2829 East 6th St
Casper, WY 82609

Mark is an artist who’s enjoyed an outdoor life; hunting, fishing, and packing into the Wyoming wilderness. He enjoys plein air painting as another reason to be outdoors. He strives for authenticity in artwork that not only evokes an impression of a time and place, but imply a story that link them to ourselves. He likes to incorporate western history, mountain lore, and cowboy mythology in his work. 

A graduate of the University of Wyoming, Mark returned to his hometown of Cody where he worked with acclaimed artist Harry Jackson, his friend and mentor. He made Cody his home until 2002, when he accepted an art teaching position with the Natrona County schools. Now retired, he paints full time and teaches art part time.

https://www.marklarsonartstudio.com/

Come See the Debut of Nate Champion, Bravest Man in Johnson County, Part of Mark Larson's Wyoming Heritage Series

The Wyoming Heritage Series of paintings is an ongoing project that explores our state's unique history and asks how that history has shaped the state we know today. Why does Wyoming remain the least populated state in the continental United Stated? In a post Civil War America, when nearby states were growing and prospering, Wyoming was known for Red Cloud’s War, the "bloody Bozeman Trail" and the Fetterman massacre. This was followed in 1876 with Custer’s defeat at the Little Big Horn. In 1892 the Johnson County War was front page national news and inhibited investment in our state for decades. Wyoming was not a destination, but a place to quickly move through on the way to a safer, more settled location. Indian wars, land grabs, lynchings, range wars, and cattle vs. sheep conflicts gave Wyoming a valid reputation for lawless violence. Those who remained in the “big empty" were brave, stubborn, and resilient hard cases who were ready to “cowboy up” and defend themselves and theirs from any threat; be that ancient indigenous people, or modern corporate greed. These paintings pay homage to that heritage and legacy. Just as the great American rivers have their source in Wyoming’s mountains, the great American stories in every western novel, cowboy movie, or TV horse opera find their source in Wyoming’s history.

I chose to explore the significance of Wyoming’s unique heritage by examining historical figures whose stories resonate today and illustrate different aspects of our "Wyoming character". Tom Horn, an ethically challenged hero of the Apache wars and range detective who was hung, perhaps unjustly, for the murder of a child. William F. Cody, the showman and superstar of his time who helped turn the page on the old west and created the myth, hype, and romance that is so much a part of the new west and the American psyche today. Jim Bridger, mountain man, pathfinder, and human GPS who's uncanny knowledge of the lay of the land directed the generations that followed. The subject of the most recent work is Nate Champion, the "bravest man in Johnson County,” who was a martyr to corporate greed and the insurrection it sponsored, the Johnson County War.

I am encouraged that two of the first three completed paintings were accepted into distinguished art exhibitions; The Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition at the Wyoming State Museum (Buffalo Bill’s Manifestation), and the Spirit of the West Art Show and Sale at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum (Jim Bridger’s Journey). I am proud to debut Nate Champion, Bravest Man in Johnson County at the Citiwerks Just Paint Summer Exhibition.

Michele McDonald is a Wyoming native, born and raised in Sheridan. She now lives in Casper where she teaches watercolor and mixed media classes at the Casper Rec. She also operates her studio "Studio Michele" in the Wolcott Galleria (the historical Odd Fellows building) in downtown Casper.

Michele has been accepted into many national and international shows including, the National Watercolor Society, International Society of Acrylic Painters and the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists in Birmingham, England. She holds signature memberships in the Northwest Watercolor Society, the Montana, Wyoming and Northern Plains Watercolor Societies and the International Society of Acrylic Painters.

Contact Michele: 307-265-1518

studiomichele1@gmail.com

Studiomichele.com

https://www.facebook.com/michele.mcdonald.90/

I have been painting watercolors since retirement and it’s been my salvation.   I treasure the relatively rare opportunities to paint and just really enjoy turning out paintings that I like.  I try every subject imaginable, but prefer buildings, street scenes, and landscapes.  My new passion is “plein-air painting”, which has revived my interest in watercolors.