Quick Draw 'pressure cooker' raises $52,750      Back to Articles
March 19, 2006
By CLIFTON ADCOCK Tribune Staff Writer

Great Falls resident Charles Fulcher backs away from his subject to get a better look.

"Go dad! Go dad!" his son Victor chants.

After a couple of seconds of consideration, Fulcher dives in again, making careful strokes with his paint brush.

This was Fulcher's first year to participate in the Quick Draw event at the C.M. Russell Art Auction on Saturday, but with his son nearby, it was just like painting at home.

"It feels like home because he's always bugging me, but in a nice way," Fulcher said, laughing. "He's going to be a good artist someday, too."

Fulcher's piece, a picture of a park setting titled "A Walk in the Park," sold at the auction for $2,500.

The event raised $52,750 for the C.M. Russell Museum.

The only thing missing, he said, was the action music. Fulcher said he usually paints in his room with Led Zeppelin playing.

"I just miss the music aspect. Other than that it's OK. I'm painting among greats, no pressure there," he said with a laugh.

Indeed, artists such as Gerald Balciar, Larry Zabel, Neil Patterson and Loren Entz were all around, painting and sculpting.

The 12 artists rushed to beat the one-hour time limit set to complete their works.

While artist Monte Dolack made quick, flitting, precise strokes on a landscape scene with his brush, Balciar stood near him, furiously molding, squeezing and shaping lumps of clay into what would become a sculpture of an eagle. Entz had a boxer's stance as he made broad sweeping strokes on a painting of an Indian.

"It's a pressure cooker," said Jay Nance, who came to watch the artists race the clock. "Especially when they tell then they have two minutes left."

Jim Scott, who came from Billings to watch the event, said just watching the artists' creations come to life was an amazing sight.

"I think it's a chance to see an artist do a work," Scott said. "They have in mind what they want, and in an hour's time, it takes form. It's wonderful to see how much art they can produce in an hour's time."

Most artists said just being there was an honor.

"It's always a challenge," said artist Nicholas Oberling. "It's an honor to be invited."

Oberling said nerves weren't an issue when he was working — just during the auction.

"The scariest part is the auction," he said. "You always hope your piece does well. That's the only time I'm really nervous."

Artist Neil Patterson's advice was this: Don't sweat the details.

"When you have limited time, you have to put down the essentials," Patterson said. "You can't get picky. You put down what you need and nothing more."

Patterson said the reason he participated in the event is simple.

"I love to paint," he said, smiling.


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