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Light in the Wild is a fine art poster print by Monte Dolack that explores the relationship between man and wild, evoking a level of engagement resulting from man's sense of place.
In July of 2007, Ryan and Stephanie Jordan walked into Monte Dolack's Missoula gallery and became entranced by his introspective look at the natural world. Monte's conservation ethic ran deep through subtleties in his paintings that revealed more as you stood and watched. Viewing a Dolack painting is not unlike the introspective view you have upon waking up in a wild place.
As Ryan and Monte continued to explore the delicate relationship between man and wild, they treaded cautiously about creating a piece of art that allowed for a hiker to appreciate his surroundings without dominating them.
"Somehow, I want to make sure that the viewer recognizes their role in the context of this wilderness. It should be a small role. If there is a hiker with a small backpack (small because we are assuming they take little into the wilderness with them - a la John Muir), or a hiker camped under a tarp (a tarp because it provides the uninhibited view of the surroundings, rather than a closed up tent, which I deem rather more like emotional insulation from the wilds), in the image, I would prefer that - that this human element is there - but that the human element of the image does not detract from the subject - wilderness - nor be the first place where the eye is drawn upon viewing the image. But "s/he" should be there...I actually rather like the camping under a tarp human because it says 'I've slowed down, I've stopped, and I'm taking the time to absorb the rhythms of nature apart from my own.'"- An excerpt from an email conversation between Ryan and Monte on September 24, 2007.
- An excerpt from an email conversation between Ryan and Monte on September 24, 2007.
A native of Great Falls, Monte Dolack grew up surrounded by the same sweeping vistas and big sky that inspired Charlie Russell. His love of Montana and passion for the West’s diverse landscapes and wildlife are evident in the images he creates and the commissions he undertakes.
After studying art at Montana State University and The University of Montana, Monte opened his first studio in 1974, 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 helped 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, the American Association of Museums, the National Wildfire Foundation and numerous other museums and corporations. Recent exhibitions include The Montana Exhibition, Manawatu Art Museum, New Zealand; Artists of the American West, Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, Dublin, Ireland, and The Kumamoto Prefectural Art Museum, Kumamoto, Japan. Monte’s work was chosen to be included in The North American Print Biennial, Boston, MA and New American Paintings, a Western States competition sponsored by the Open Studio Press. He was selected at the turn of the century by the Missoulian as one of the one hundred 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 Trout Unlimited as well as over 200 posters and prints for various organizations.
In addition to his acrylic, oil, and watercolor painting, Monte continues to pursue his interest in traditional printmaking, having created numerous original lithographs. With his wife, Mary Beth Percival and staff, he operates a flourishing gallery in downtown Missoula. Monte and Mary Beth have traveled extensively in the US, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, and Japan, visiting important cultural sites and museums.
Ron Craighead interviews Montana artist Monte Dolack, who takes us on an artists’ journey from his early days in Great Falls to Hollywood and back to Montana - revealing a life dedicated to the preservation of wilderness and wildlife through art.
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