Phillips Studio & Gallery presents a new exhibit, “Big Skies & Rocky Mountains,” featuring the work of Kalispell artist, Ardith Karlsen, with a reception on First Friday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. In each of her paintings, Karlsen captures the beauty and serenity of Montana’s big skies and Rocky Mountains while awakening a sense of delight and wonder.

Karlsen was born in Warroad, Minnesota. She has lived most of her life in Alaska, Colorado, Montana and Washington. In 1976, she began painting and exploring with oils, acrylic, color and light. In 2007, Karlsen discovered pastels and their ability to portray light and shadow in natural settings. Her passion for creating stunning landscapes in pastels of rugged mountains, expansive skies and sparkling waters has also expanded into exploring watercolor. She finds inspiration for her artwork in the serene sunsets and rugged mountains and has an intense appreciation of color and its power to evoke emotion.

Karlsen enjoys the challenges of plein air painting. The light is constantly changing, which gives painting on location a sense of urgency to get an accurate rendering of the scene. Living less than an hour away from Glacier National Park, she takes advantage of the opportunities for painting on location in the park while the daylight and weather continually shift. Karlsen also enjoys working in her studio from her photo references of familiar mountains, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. The sketch provides a foundation for multiple layers of pastel paint. As the layers are added and colors are blended, her artistic interpretation of the photo emerges.

Karlsen has studied with notable local artists such as Mark Ogle, Janet Sullivan, Aaron Schuerr, DeNae Weimar and Bill Jasper. She is a member and exhibits at the Hockaday Museum of Art and Sassafras Fine Gift Store in Kalispell, and online at phillipsfineartgallery.com/ardith-karlsen

Karlsen’s solo exhibit, “Big Skies & Rocky Mountains” will be on view through Oct. 29 at Phillips Studio & Gallery located in the Kalispell Center Mall.