WILD WOMEN!

Recently, I was one of 8 artists exhibiting in the Wild Women Paint the West 2025 show. When determining the title of the show a few of us were, like, uh, hmm… Not sure if I want to be called a “wild woman” and all the connotations that come with that term. Promiscuous? Undisciplined? Foolish, uninhibited? Sounds like fun…but not really the spirit of who we are.

The nucleus of intent for the Wild Women show was that we were all established professionals with well earned credentials, forging our way through life, kids, husbands, trauma, death, all the while making our practice a high priority, some as the sole provider for our families. The goal, to establish a sorority of like-hearted artists in order to inspire each other, to push our work further in excellence, and to be noticed. Yeah, noticed… Wild Women has definitely worked on the getting noticed side of things.

Part of the adventure was a pre-show painting road trip that took me from the SF Bay Area through Idaho via the Sawtooth Mountains, the Bitterroots, and up and over Skalkaho Pass, approximately 54 miles of unpaved logging road, dropping us into Philipsburg Montana, to unload and hang our show at the gallery.

After a long day of painting the Montana landscape, we sat around the dinner table talking about what this gathering of like minded artists meant. We were all in agreement that the opportunity to showcase our collective individualism of craft on the walls of Illume Gallery West was a blessing. We were 8 painters with a unique perspective interpreting what the West means to us visually, depicting our love for nature. 

GRIT

We shared our stories and how we each got to be at this table. Growing up with without. Raising kids alone. Dead partners. Little to no support. Hustling. Self doubt. All the while working diligently to get better at our craft. The successes. Awards and rewards.  Leaps of fate and faith. No matter how each of us got to that table, it boiled down to grit and determination, while honoring our truth and owning our power.

GRACE

The Wild Women group is of a certain age, where wisdom is queen and we thrive on our independence. It would be easy to start writing about aging gracefully, but that is not where this missive is going.

Grace is what we give ourselves. Letting go of others expectations and societal constraints.

Grace is what we give to others. The support and love we offer to family, each other, and to you.

Grace is what we share in our paintings. The beauty of our natural world.

Grace is divine assistance which we are grateful to receive.

GRATITUDE

Humbled with the gifts we received on this adventure. Grateful for the building of deeper connections with each other. Indebted to all the fine folks that supported this journey, like Jane and Mark Lundgren, owners of Illume Gallery West, and Casey who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the show happen. Grateful to Lorie in Hamilton, Montana for an amazing night of rest and fine food in-between our painting adventures. Grateful to Ellen and Mark Howard for letting me crash at their pad.

Ever grateful for the inspiration that beauty Mother Nature continues to share every single dang time!

What I learned about these amazing Wild Women.

Shanna Kunz- Has a HUGE, open and kind heart that she shares with all she meets. She weaves her passion of the earth into the pigments she places so beautifully on the canvas. A self professed empath, Shanna offers the world a soft gentle place to calm our minds and drift away from the stresses of our lives in her paintings. SHANNA KUNZ FINE ART

Stephanie Marzella-  A life force, full of laughter and joy, but also a deeply thoughtful side that is reflected in her paintings. Her work has a truly universal appeal, spiritual in nature. Much like the richly colored tidal marshes that she paints, the ebb and flow of her work has me swaying to the music she paints. STEPHANIE MARZELLA FINE ART

Suzie Baker- Her zest for life and positive energy shine through in her work. She strives for uniqueness at every turn, never complacent in her approach. Suzie’s unique ideas and adaptation of process ring true in her expressive brushwork. Quick witted and intelligent, it’s her thoughtfulness that brings people together and is mirrored in her work. SUZIE BAKER FINE ART

Lori McNee- A natural beauty, Lori is. Vivacious and completely positive, truly fun and inspiring to be around. But she is deeper than those light airy words. Her reverence for nature and the wild animals that fill her canvases is keenly felt in her work. Lori’s paintings are mystical and atmospheric, almost as if there is an inner light illuminating the brush strokes. LORI McNEE FINE ART

Romona Youngquist- Full of positive energy. Petite in stature, but mighty and courageous at heart. Her paintings vibrate with electricity. But like her, there is a juxtaposition to her work. Bold and powerful, yet ultimately serene and calming, inviting you to join her down the path and into her painting while holding hands. ROMONA YOUNGQUIST FINE ART

Elizabeth Robbins- Every single time I saw her collection of paintings on the brick wall of Illume Gallery West, I lost my breath. Liz is beautiful, inside and out. Her work is deep and masterful, reflecting the passion she has for life, not to mention flowers. She is quietly reserved at first, then her face lights up with kindness and joy as she begins to unfold like the petals of a flower opening up to the sun. ELIZABETH ROBBINS FINE ART

Cindy Baron- Cindy was not able to be with us during the week. Because, like this group of women, we know that hard choices and responsibilities come first. This speaks to the fortitude of this woman. Cindy’s exquisite paintings draw you in, a beautiful reflection of our natural world. One can feel her passion of time and place, as you travel into the depths of her work. CINDY BARON FINE ART

I am honored to call these women friends, and share the Wild Woman moniker with them.

What I learned about myself.

I’m a wild woman, actually have been for a long time. Independent, want to do it my way, not somebody else's. Hard on myself, but also willing to work hard for my family and friends. As life trials come my way, I’m learning that I have an inner strength that I can call on when needed.

So grateful to my husband, Tim, who keeps the house, garden and Melky in shape while I’m on my adventures. For making sure the fluids are topped off in the truck, and for fixing the locking mechanism on the tailgate/cover on my truck right after I loaded it to the gills the night before I was to embark on this 3000 mile journey! 

Where's the next adventure going to take us?