ACE
Nicole Santucci is an interdisciplinary artist and designer living, working, and playing in Livingston, Montana. Born and raised on a ranch in a windswept and unincorporated area, she owes her outlook on both art and life to knowing the middle of nowhere like the back of her hand. A good deal of Nicole’s work explores landscapes, humans, and what they might have to do with one another.
Cards often play roles as symbols of chance, luck, randomness, serendipity, and
mystery. This piece slightly departs from a classic ace of diamonds design and
references a mysterious experience in which lyrics about diamonds took on a new
dimension for me after I was gifted a Payson Diamond by a wandering and wounded
prospector on the streets of Moab.
TWO
Kay Potter is a Livingston artist who grew up under the skies of Montana. She is inspired by the beauty of the world around her and by the joy that art adds to the world.
This piece was made to be the 2 of diamonds, and so I had to find a way to put diamonds into a painting seamlessly. A recent trip out into Paradise Valley gave me my location, and the winds of Livingston gave me the activity- flying Kites!
THREE
Tony Moore has enjoyed myriad adventures, some wild, some mild, kayaking, exploring the canyons of the Colorado Plateau for over 50 years, coaching nearly 30 youth sports teams, compiling hundreds of hiking miles and thousands of river miles and has gardened extensively and supplied free produce to the community for 30 years.
Living in a small apartment down the alley from the Big Dipper is a toy poodle name Daisy, an energetic yet oft careless dog who love to camp, chase balls and voles and ride on her boogie board in the clean western Montana lakes. But, what Daisy likes best, as represented in the card art, can be summarized by this statement from Daisy herself as she harkens to the poignant strains of the mandolin: “Put my diamonds on, fix my hair up pretty, and me walking in the Garden City.”
FOUR
Kathryn Borneman got a terrific piece of advice years ago that she took to heart “Try to do something creative every day, it will keep you sane.” She’s been wrestling with that ever since.
I’m exploring the relationships between midlife crisis and skateboard ethics, with influences from all my local heroes. What starts out as hope becomes debased into a manifesto of lust, leaving a sense of what could have been and a chance of a new beginning.
FIVE
Dean Nelson has worked in visual arts for more than 30 years, from Producing Educational Television in the Arctic, to shooting award-winning TV commercials in the Caribbean, Canada, the UK and France. While his favorite subjects are expansive landscape vistas he takes on hikes throughout the Rockies and the Desert Southwest with his large format film camera, he does enjoy the flexibility of digital equipment for wildlife.
The juxtaposition of a landscape/wildlife theme with an abstract concept like a number
and geometric shape was a challenge I found amusing. I spent months looking for
repetitive designs in as natural a setting as possible and was blessed when a bluebird
showed up for a cameo to complete the story.
SIX
Aja Shade has a degree in Sculpture from Hartford Art School. She does art in her garage since she can’t park her Jeep in there.
During the creation of this piece, I tried not to be too literal, focused on layering textures, and saw three hobo spiders in aforementioned garage.
SEVEN
Lorin Pope is an artist from Livingston, MT who loves to focus on large scale mural work. Her public work can be found at Jam! and Tarantino’s In Bozeman, MT, and at Saketome Sushi in Missoula, MT.
In trick-taking cards games the7 of diamonds known as the “beer card” where if the winning player wins the last trick with this card, his partner must buy him a beer. This rule is not an official rule, so I felt a snake would best represent this card for its striking ability.
EIGHT
Paul Andresini is the youngest of four children, was raised by a single mother who is an accomplished painter. He grew up working in a variety of mediums – – from painting to pottery and metal work. These explorations led him to his 13-year career in tattooing – – currently at Sacred Images in Bozeman. His focus is now split between tattooing and painting while his love and exploration of the arts continues to grow.
As the theme was “Queen of the Arts,” I went to my roots in American traditional tattooing and tried to capture a strong, yet elegant, “Dancing Queen,” as well as trying to create what I believe would make an aesthetically pleasing playing card, since that was the overall goal.
NINE
Jodi Litchfield began working with stained glass after years of fascination with its ability to change light and mood. She aspires to perfect the craft while bringing original and unique artistry to each piece.
There are two very different outlooks to this seemingly ordinary card. To the Scots, the nine of diamonds is the unluckiest card in the deck. According to tarot, drawing this card calls on the abundance you enjoy will allow you the freedom to be yourself.
TEN
Rachel Rhoden is originally from Louisiana, but since moving to Montana she finds herself continually inspired by the beautiful landscape and wildlife of the area. She creates wildlife portraits mostly in oil, but loves adding the unexpected touch of copper and gold leaf elements.
I am constantly inspired by wildlife while creating art, so for the 10 of diamonds a diamondback snake felt like a natural choice. This is a very different style for me, but it was a fun challenge designing something out of my comfort zone.
JACK
Parks Reece has, for 40 years, lived and painted in Livingston, Montana where he roams the mountains, rivers and taverns, often in pursuit of wild game, fish, and the occasional rattlesnake. “His mind is across the boundaries of nations, and reaches the deepest heart of every audience.” Yan Zhuping, Curator, 188ART, Shanghai, China.
Ever since I used to play poker with a jack rabbit that lived behind the house I have wanted to do a portrait of him and the diamond that he kept in his den. He was sharp, and I usually lost but it was always fun.
QUEEN
Angie Froke spent 6 years not completing her AA in Fine Art and Art History at Las Positas College in Livermore Ca. She has shown work at galleries in California, Oregon and Montana and is co-owner of Raised by Wolves Studios.
“Queen of Diamonds” was inspired by both the All-American Girls Baseball League and the pin ups of the era.
KING
Jeffery Wood is a sophomore at Park High School who loves sports and excels in math. This is his first art show experience.
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