Mari Bolen lives in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley of
western Montana. In an art career that has spanned 43
years, she has been a television, motion picture and
theater art director, packaging designer, restoration expert
and 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.
western Montana. In an art career that has spanned 43
years, she has been a television, motion picture and
theater art director, packaging designer, restoration expert
and 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.
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
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.
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