This week’s artist is Lee Bialczak. Lee creates pastel paintings of mostly wildflowers and landscapes, and has been doing so since about 2014. She started out by being challenged by family members and entered the Great Falls fair. Since then, she has received numerous Judges Choice Awards in the Montana State Fair in the pastel medium, and she was awarded the People’s Choice 1st Place Award in 2016. Also in 2016, she earned a Merit Award in the “New Beginnings” on-line exhibition, with Manhattan Arts International. She also earned the Judges Choice Award in the Western Heritage Art Show and Sale during Russell Art Week 2017. She has been selected to be put on their permanent wall at the Great Falls fair grounds building this year.
Lee uses 320 grit sandpaper, which allows up to 25 layers for in depth piece without muddying up what you are doing. She loves the vibrance of pastels, the pigment is in its purest, most vibrant form with just enough binder to hold it together.
Lee also works part time at East Glacier in the summer at the John Clarke gallery where more of her artwork can be found.
To see her work and many others, stop by Latigo & Lace at 122 Main Street in Augusta.