Mari Bolen lives in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley of western
Montana. In an art career that has spanned 47 years, she has
been a television, motion picture and theater art director,
packaging designer, forensic sculptor, restoration expert and
bronze sculptor. Her career began in 1964 as art director of
Montana State University's Film and TV Dept. and the Zoology
Dept, as well as free-lance work for the Dept. of Fish and Game.
Moving into the private sector, she became art director for
independent television stations in Arizona and California, as well
as free-lance work for network TV. She also taught sculpture at
extension classes for the University of California and San Jose
Adult Education.
Montana. In an art career that has spanned 47 years, she has
been a television, motion picture and theater art director,
packaging designer, forensic sculptor, restoration expert and
bronze sculptor. Her career began in 1964 as art director of
Montana State University's Film and TV Dept. and the Zoology
Dept, as well as free-lance work for the Dept. of Fish and Game.
Moving into the private sector, she became art director for
independent television stations in Arizona and California, as well
as free-lance work for network TV. She also taught sculpture at
extension classes for the University of California and San Jose
Adult Education.
In 1980, she returned to her beloved mountains in Montana
and built her home and studio.
Her work is seen in galleries throughout the west and she
shows in many national art shows such as: C.M. Russell Art
Show & Auction, Loveland Sculpture Invitational, Rough Rider
International Art Show, Montana Professional Artists
Association Show, Sedona Sculpture Walk, Montana Land
Reliance Show, Treasure State Invitational and others. She
teaches privately and at various workshops. Her work is in
private, corporate and museum collections in every state and 5
countries. She is President and co-founder of the Montana
Professional Artists Association (MPAA).
Now known for her sensitive and evocative studies and portraits
of native culture, animals and old west characters, she relishes
commissions for portrait work of both people and animals,
especially horses...digging deep into their character to make
the finished piece come alive with emotion and movement. In
2007, she was chosen by the Montana Arts Council to create a
monument for the Belgrade Armory depicting a Gulf Wars'
soldier. It will be installed this autumn. In 2009, she won the
competition for a monument to be installed at Fort Sill in the
Vernor Auditorium. A sculpture of Saint Barbara, the protector
saint of artillerymen, was installed in May of 2010 and
dedicated in June, 2010, during the reunion of the 30th Field
Artillery Regiment Association.
Artist's Statement:
"My knowledge of The People of the Plains Nations has taken
me on a lifetime journey. I am proud to be a part of their lives
and history. I have depicted the everyday lives of the ancient
ones in my study called "Children of the Earth". The 32 Plains
Nations are depicted in this collection. I hope that the viewers of
my work can walk away from these pieces knowing a bit more
about the people, the history and the animals that make the old
and the new west so exciting."
maribolen@bolenbronzes.com
www.bolenbronzes.com
and built her home and studio.
Her work is seen in galleries throughout the west and she
shows in many national art shows such as: C.M. Russell Art
Show & Auction, Loveland Sculpture Invitational, Rough Rider
International Art Show, Montana Professional Artists
Association Show, Sedona Sculpture Walk, Montana Land
Reliance Show, Treasure State Invitational and others. She
teaches privately and at various workshops. Her work is in
private, corporate and museum collections in every state and 5
countries. She is President and co-founder of the Montana
Professional Artists Association (MPAA).
Now known for her sensitive and evocative studies and portraits
of native culture, animals and old west characters, she relishes
commissions for portrait work of both people and animals,
especially horses...digging deep into their character to make
the finished piece come alive with emotion and movement. In
2007, she was chosen by the Montana Arts Council to create a
monument for the Belgrade Armory depicting a Gulf Wars'
soldier. It will be installed this autumn. In 2009, she won the
competition for a monument to be installed at Fort Sill in the
Vernor Auditorium. A sculpture of Saint Barbara, the protector
saint of artillerymen, was installed in May of 2010 and
dedicated in June, 2010, during the reunion of the 30th Field
Artillery Regiment Association.
Artist's Statement:
"My knowledge of The People of the Plains Nations has taken
me on a lifetime journey. I am proud to be a part of their lives
and history. I have depicted the everyday lives of the ancient
ones in my study called "Children of the Earth". The 32 Plains
Nations are depicted in this collection. I hope that the viewers of
my work can walk away from these pieces knowing a bit more
about the people, the history and the animals that make the old
and the new west so exciting."
maribolen@bolenbronzes.com
www.bolenbronzes.com
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226 Peaceful Dr.
Hamilton, MT 59840
406.961.3887
Hamilton, MT 59840
406.961.3887
