My soul is interwoven with the immense and ever-changing landscapes of our region, which I express through capturing moments in time on paper and canvas. I usually strive for fidelity to the actual scene, working both from life and also from photographs I’ve taken as I explore the unique beauty of our area. As is fitting for the wide open landscapes and low population of Montana, much of my work revolves around the solitude found in our terrain as a way to capture our human experience. My ultimate objective is to paint landscapes which, while successfully linking those ideas also appear just as engaging from a viewing distance of twenty inches as from a distance of twenty feet — a challenge which should keep me busy until I too pass and become one with the landscape.
Note - I’m very slowly revising my website to break landscapes out into several generalized categories such as “Yellowstone” etc. - and since I’m so slow at it, there are still some duplications between the various pages. This page will also include some other realistic/representational work soon: still-life, wildlife art, and the like.
Scroll down and take a look! Enabled images will enlarge when you click on them.
As time and budget permit, I intend to turn many of these pieces into prints. If you’re interested in prints when they become available, or in the originals, please use the “contact” tab to let me know!
Autumn, MacDonald Pass; Galen; watercolor, 18x29”; 2023
previously on exhibit at the Holter Museum of Art [original matted & framed, $1600; unmatted giclee print, $400 limited to 10 signed and numbered]
A few years ago, I was hiking just south of the highway when I was struck by the colors of autumn - the extraordinary reds everywhere.
(above) Fairy Lake, Bridger Mountains; Galen; watercolor, 18x29”; 2023
previously on exhibit at the Holter Museum of Art. [original matted & framed, $1600; unmatted giclée print, $400 limited to 10 signed and numbered]
If you’ve been to Fairy Lake, you know… yes, the water really is that color. It’s one of the most beautiful lakes in southwest Montana, but in danger of being ‘loved to death’ - if you travel there please respect the place and stay on the trails!
(above) Hyalite Creek, Gallatin Range; Galen; watercolor, 18x29”; 2023
previously on exhibit at the Holter Museum of Art and at Montana Veterans’ Creative Arts Festival; first prize, watercolor [original matted & framed, $1800; unmatted giclée print, $400, limited to 10 signed and numbered]
A few years ago, a group of us took a hike to Hyalite Lake (not to be confused with Hyalite Reservoir) to scatter the ashes of my great friend, best man, and master photographer Tim Stiller. Not wanting to hold up the group, I only paused for a moment to take a photo with my cell; this painting is done from that photo. There are many stories to tell about Tim, as well as about our final tribute…
Ross Peak, Bridger Mountains; Galen; watercolor, 19x28.5”; 1998; this painting was sold at the Holter Museum’s annual Gala juried art show and auction, with 100% of sales proceeds benefiting the Holter. [Original sold; unmatted giclee print, $400 limited to 10 signed and numbered]
This was before that end of the Gallatin Valley was so developed….
Evening Moonrise over Canyon Ferry Reservoir; Galen; watercolor, 18x29”; 2023 [sold]
Moon, clouds, geese, reflections…. what more could you want?
Three glass vases; Galen; acrylic on masonite, 18x24”; 2022 [unframed, 150]
The Veteran in Spring; Galen; Acrylic on Masonite, 2023; 20x24”; previously on exhibit at the Montana Veterans’ Creative Arts Festival, First prize, acrylic painting [NFS]
Early Morning Fog Towards Bridger Canyon; oil on canvas; approx. 1’x5’; 1984 [sold]
One morning, while sitting at the coffee counter of the Apple Tree Restaurant (long since gone), I saw the early morning fog enveloping the Bridger foothills (on the left) and the Story Hills (on the right)… I went home and painted this piece. It’s not exactly faithful to the scene, but it is close enough that you’d be able to recognize it. The scene has since been transformed by fires and by development.
Two-track near Gold Creek, MT, acrylic on canvasboard, 14x18”, Galen McAllister, 2023 [unframed, $450]
Autumn in Montana is my favorite season. Even though it can be quite short due to our latitude and altitude, it can also be incredibly colorful… yellows dominate.
Detail, Autumn, MacDonald Pass
Detail, Fairy Lake, Bridger Mountains
Detail, Hyalite Creek, Gallatin Range