The Russell Museum events offer a broad and sometimes bold palette, including Ennis artist Bern Sundell's acrylic, "The Believer," to Colorado painter Ruth Soller's "Lower Falls of the Yellowstone," and Missoula artist Julie Chapman's "Harmony," all of which will be offered at this evening's silent auction sale at the museum. The Russell live auction Saturday night also features some colorful pieces, giving bidders a chance to brighten up a wall if they are not overcome by the boldness of it all.
"Is it a trend?" asked Julia Becker, professor of art at the University of Great Falls. "Is it more popular? I don't have an answer to that."
However, Becker said she has used bright colors as an artist most of her life, and she is undeniably in the colorist camp.
"Color is power," she said. "It makes people happy."
Becker directed two colorful mural projects in Great Falls' downtown area the last few years, and a project to paint downtown traffic control boxes in a splashy manner has been a hit with many residents.
Bright colors don't always produce great art — colors can clash or a painting can be poorly done, Becker said.
Nelson said he believes the keys to a work of art are drawing, composition and color — and if they are all done well, the piece is a good one.
