September 29, 2023
The University of Montana Western Fine Arts Gallery is honored to present “River Trip” by award winning plein air artist, Tandy Miles Riddle. The gallery will host an opening reception on Friday, October 27, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., in the Fine Arts Gallery located in Main Hall.
The work in this exhibition is the result of a culmination of recent events and a lifetime of hard work and perseverance. The most recent inspiration for this show was work made while co-leading a watercolor plein air painting trip down the Yellowstone River. These works intend to encapsulate the wildness and freedom of movement while traveling down and camping along the river. The magic of the water is reflecting the sky and the sky the water, creating worlds upon worlds, surrounded by a cornucopia of nature. Throughout the past several decades, Riddle has been pushing the boundaries of form and scale within the genre of plein air painting, creating a cohesive style and body of work as represented in this show. Motivated by the land, water, and wind that is inescapable in Montana, she hopes her art will reflect the essence of this place, reminding people of its power, beauty, and integrity.
Riddle resides in Livingston, Montana, where she is actively painting and continuing to be inspired. Working her entire life as an artist, her hard work and sense of community have allowed her the opportunity to pursue the career full time. Her work is inspired by the myriad forms of beauty she finds and explores in Southwest Montana. Through this, she has created a unique expressionistic style in a category of her own. She attended the Corcoran School of Art as well as Montana State University. Riddle has won several awards at plein air events and has works in collections throughout the United States. Her work can currently be viewed at Medicine Bird Gallery in Livingston.
“At certain intervals in your life it becomes clear that everything has led to this moment in time and these paintings feel this way,” said Riddle.
The reception is free for all to attend and will feature light refreshments. The “River Trip” exhibition will be open for viewing from October 27 to December 8, 2023. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For more information about the exhibition, please contact Montana Western Fine Arts Gallery Coordinator, Jennifer Boysen: [email protected].
