Galen “Mac” McAllister

Raised and rooted in the rugged beauty of Montana, Galen “Mac” McAllister creates art that bridges imagination, humor, and introspection.  Mac developed his artistic foundation early through Bozeman High’s outstanding arts program. His creative drive has since taken him down a long and colorful road — ranging from the mountains of the West to military service as a Navy Russian linguist, from working in pastry kitchens to a guitar factory, and from log home to specialty sawmill laborer. Following his retirement from over a decade in Army international affairs, he rededicated himself fully to art, continuing his studies through Helena College’s excellent arts program and beyond.  Through every chapter, one constant has remained: a deep, unrelenting drive to bring his creativity to whatever he was doing.

Today, Mac’s artwork reflects the full range of his life experience. His landscapes capture the soul of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem and Montana’s vast horizons — places he knows intimately and paints with reverence. His whimsical “Fat Happy Dragon” series reveals a playful spirit and a wry sense of humor. In contrast, his surreal, representational works explore deeper emotional and philosophical themes — memento mori, memory, and the dreamlike intersections of the inner and outer worlds.  His work in three dimensions intersects with each of these genres.

Mac’s paintings have been featured in solo exhibitions and represented by galleries in Maryland, Michigan, and Montana. Now living and working in Helena, Montana, Mac continues to evolve as an artist, crafting pieces that are as thoughtful as they are visually striking — guided in part by the sharp, honest eye of his wife and creative partner, Tina.