2020 Seventh Annual Missouri Falls Fine Arts Show & Sale Featured Artists
Steve Nelson, Great Falls, Montana,
Arts Association of Montana member
I do highly representative Montana landscapes, especially mountain scenes. Many include wildlife, teepees, horses, or other icons of the West. I work in a variety of colored mediums on flat surfaces including canvas, watercolor papers, Brazilian agate, and even relatively flat surfaces such as buffalo skulls or old wooden shingles. These mediums include watercolor, acrylic, oil, and pastel, all of which lend themselves to expressing the creativity of the soul. In my mind we are uniquely privileged to call this good part of creation our home and are given the mission of caring for it as the home of future generations.
I enjoy the very fine quality of art represented during Western Art Week and enjoy visiting with fellow artists and the willingness of the vast majority to share their thoughts about materials, techniques, and inspiration.
I’ve been painting and drawing for about 60 years. I’ve always loved art and have a natural gift for it. But I constantly work at improving as well.
Steve is a native of the state and grandson of pioneering homesteaders.
Arts Association of Montana member
I do highly representative Montana landscapes, especially mountain scenes. Many include wildlife, teepees, horses, or other icons of the West. I work in a variety of colored mediums on flat surfaces including canvas, watercolor papers, Brazilian agate, and even relatively flat surfaces such as buffalo skulls or old wooden shingles. These mediums include watercolor, acrylic, oil, and pastel, all of which lend themselves to expressing the creativity of the soul. In my mind we are uniquely privileged to call this good part of creation our home and are given the mission of caring for it as the home of future generations.
I enjoy the very fine quality of art represented during Western Art Week and enjoy visiting with fellow artists and the willingness of the vast majority to share their thoughts about materials, techniques, and inspiration.
I’ve been painting and drawing for about 60 years. I’ve always loved art and have a natural gift for it. But I constantly work at improving as well.
Steve is a native of the state and grandson of pioneering homesteaders.
Bill Ryder,
Ryder Horses Studio, Helena, Montana
I have created a body of work expressing movement and dynamic tension.
My art reveals the dynamic and powerful nature of a horse by shaping
curves into sleekly formed metal. Blending the flowing lines
of naturally weathered driftwood within a metal welded structure,
an elk takes on a unique presence.
In 2000, I welded my first large horse in the driveway of our rental house. A man and purchased it, naming the horse Rusty, He was installed on a visible street corner in Helena where Rusty still is today.
Drawing on my improvising skills, developed by years of working as a motorcycle mechanic and growing up on a farm, I began creating horses of all sizes. My sculptures use new and found metal, driftwood, and exquisite pieces found at estate sales. An old Singer sewing machine that has been stored in the garage for years morphs into a proud horse sculpture that is treasured and displayed as a family heirloom. My large art sculptures became well known as I drove around town with my latest full size metal horse or driftwood elk in the back of my pickup.
Deep primal feelings are evoked which are expressed in tears of joy,
smiles and laughter when people interact with the large driftwood elks as well as the tiniest wire horses. The look of wonder in the children's eyes as they
see their own faces reflected in the body of a shinning metal horse continues to inspire me.
Each year I work with local schools where the students are involved in
assembling projects that I weld together. The students’ projects are auctioned to raise money for their art programs.
Several fine art gallery shows as well as commission pieces displayed in public places has increased the popularity of my art.
"I have been working with metal most of my life. The last fourteen years I have been exploring the energy of representing the Spirit of the Horse and Elk to create art that comes to life.” Bill Ryder
Ryder Horses Studio, Helena, Montana
I have created a body of work expressing movement and dynamic tension.
My art reveals the dynamic and powerful nature of a horse by shaping
curves into sleekly formed metal. Blending the flowing lines
of naturally weathered driftwood within a metal welded structure,
an elk takes on a unique presence.
In 2000, I welded my first large horse in the driveway of our rental house. A man and purchased it, naming the horse Rusty, He was installed on a visible street corner in Helena where Rusty still is today.
Drawing on my improvising skills, developed by years of working as a motorcycle mechanic and growing up on a farm, I began creating horses of all sizes. My sculptures use new and found metal, driftwood, and exquisite pieces found at estate sales. An old Singer sewing machine that has been stored in the garage for years morphs into a proud horse sculpture that is treasured and displayed as a family heirloom. My large art sculptures became well known as I drove around town with my latest full size metal horse or driftwood elk in the back of my pickup.
Deep primal feelings are evoked which are expressed in tears of joy,
smiles and laughter when people interact with the large driftwood elks as well as the tiniest wire horses. The look of wonder in the children's eyes as they
see their own faces reflected in the body of a shinning metal horse continues to inspire me.
Each year I work with local schools where the students are involved in
assembling projects that I weld together. The students’ projects are auctioned to raise money for their art programs.
Several fine art gallery shows as well as commission pieces displayed in public places has increased the popularity of my art.
"I have been working with metal most of my life. The last fourteen years I have been exploring the energy of representing the Spirit of the Horse and Elk to create art that comes to life.” Bill Ryder
