Wild Women of Montana

Second Stop of THE LONG DISTANCE ART PROJECT

HELENA, MONTANA

Thank you for joining me for the next chapter of The Long Distance Art Project. I have landed under the big sky of Montana. I’ll be uncovering stories of badass women who came to the state during a time of great opportunity and fought to get a piece of the pie. From trailblazing politicians to the infamous madams of the gold strike era, I will showcase these remarkable ladies in a collection of portrait paintings. I will also draw inspiration from the natural beauty and incredible architecture of the area.

I would like to personally thank the town of Helena and the Montana Historical Society for their marvelous job of thoroughly documenting the rich history of this state. The attention to detail with every museum, guided tour, and local historians has made my research immensely enjoyable. When you visit Helena, I recommend every tour you can get your little hands on!

Current work in the studio

Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail

Susie Yellowtail was an incredible nurse from the Crow Nation in Montana. She broke new ground in healthcare for Native American communities. Such an inspiring figure who eventually made it home to her land. I love finding images of this sweet soul, her kind eyes are everything.

Meet Josephine Hensley, better known as Chicago Joe in her green velvet dress with a train she carries over her arm and a high pink lace collar.

There aren’t many photos of these infamous madams and brothels from back in the day, mostly because the women often changed their names to stay under the radar. But I have been diving into Victorian design and architecture, pulling together images I’ve found to create these compositions. It’s been fascinating piecing together the atmosphere of that era from what little visual evidence remains.

When you visit Helena…

You gotta check out Last Chance Tours. They do awesome historic tours on open-air trolleys. You get to see amazing spots like the fancy mansion district, the stunning Cathedral, and the governor’s houses. You will go past a restored miners’ village and through Last Chance Gulch with all its unique architecture. This is one of the first guided tours I have ever been on. For real.

Go check out Montana State Capital building. The dome from the inside is wild!

There are deer everywhere, gardens are heavily protected to keep out the deer and all the little bunnies. There are tidings of magpies all over town. They are thought, by the Blackfoot tribe, to have special powers and the ability to communicate with spirits. I love to see these beautifully painted crows. The photo above is of a deer we saw while camping in Livingston, Montana.

On the first day into town I got to see fabric sculptures of Frank Hyder and the wild ceramic masterpieces of Tom Bartel.

The Holter Art Museum in Helena, Montana, is a vibrant cultural gem that showcases a diverse range of contemporary art. Housed in a beautifully restored historic building, it features rotating exhibits from both regional and national artists.

If you like to hike or bike, this is the place for you. We have three trail heads to choose from right out our front door!

Thank you for joining me on this wild ride. I will keep you posted on the dates of my Pop-Up art exhibit and The Untamed Ladies of Montana collection drop. Forward this to anyone you know who loves to travel and explore new places!

Katy Kirby

Here is a link to my website from my collection from spring 2024

The Long Distance Art Project

While staying for a few months in every new location, I will dive deep into each town’s history, research the people who make the stories rich, and visit unusual sites for inspiration. This will all come together as a pop-up art exhibit to showcase how I see what makes each destination special. These paintings are created in real time while discovering a new place.

If you want to buy me a coffee to keep me caffeinated in the studio

Venmo @katyk-studio

Thank you!

Email me with painting & drawing commission requests

katykirby@katykstudio.com