Loretta Abbott: Capturing the Spirit of the West

Loretta Abbott is a painter known for her oil paintings that capture the rugged landscapes and serene beauty of the Western United States, particularly Montana. Loretta developed a deep connection with horses and the natural world from an early age. This bond is reflected in her work, where each brushstroke tells a story of the land.

Loretta’s artistic journey began in her childhood, inspired by the vast, open skies and majestic mountains that surrounded her. She pursued formal training in fine arts, honing her skills and developing a unique style that blends realism with a touch of impressionism. Her use of vibrant colors, light and attention to detail bring her landscapes to life, inviting viewers to experience the tranquility and grandeur of the West.

Loretta Abbott continues to live and work in her rural community on the Flathead Reservation, where she finds endless inspiration from the “big sky”, changing seasons and diverse terrain. Through her paintings, Loretta invites us all to see the world through her eyes and to appreciate the timeless beauty of the Western landscape.

Susan Beyer

Kaley Cross – Ceramic Artist & Teacher Kaley focuses her practice on ceramics and is pursuing further training through an internship at the Clay Studio of Missoula, where she teaches afterschool programs and community workshops. She relocated to Hot Springs for love—of her husband (a third-generation resident) and the charm of rural small-town life. With extensive teaching experience across ages—including as a gymnastics instructor since 2014, junior high/high school art teacher in Spring Grove, Minnesota, and leader of fiber/clay family workshops and community murals—she thrives in multi-generational settings. A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with prior work at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, her practice draws from urban art experiences and the inspiring landscapes of the Flathead Reservation and Montana.

Katie Curts – Artist & Educator Katie moved to Hot Springs intending to teach K-12 art, but after the program was cut, she joined the local grocery store, quickly gaining recognition for her vibrant public murals, window displays, and friendly creativity. Holding a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with a focus on Psychology and Counseling, she has a genuine love for working with children. Her youthful energy and artistic talent make her the perfect lead for the project's children's education programs, where she will design and
teach engaging art classes.

Linny Gibson

Kristel Lacy relocated to Hot Springs in 2001 and has been deeply engaged with the Hot Springs Artists Society for most of her time there. The Society promotes music, visual arts, theater, and writing in the community. Through her active involvement, she has helped organize and host juried exhibitions in art, crafts, and photography,
while leading fundraising initiatives via art sales and events to support local children's theater programs.

A seasoned entrepreneur, Kristel owned and operated successful businesses for over 30 years, including a restaurant and catering service, as well as a retail gallery and custom framing shop.

As an accomplished artist herself, Kristel has received awards in juried shows for her paintings in both oils and acrylics. Her work often features animals in natural settings, portraits, and whimsical themes. She began formal art training at age 12 and continues to hone her skills through ongoing study at the Brush and Chisel.

Laura Lanfear is an artist who has fairly recently discovered her passion for oil painting thanks to the tutelage of her art teacher Jim McClure and the encouragement she receives from fellow classmates. Laura lives in a very old, very large house with enough space to have a dedicated art room and a yoga room in the small town of Hot Springs, Montana. She is inspired by the mountains, skies, water and plants that surround her. Her motto is, “The only way to mess up creativity is to neglect it.”

James McClure (Artist Lead, Primary Contact) is the founder and owner of The Brush & Chisel, an artist retreat and studio in Hot Springs, Montana, where he has pursued his lifelong passion for painting full-time since relocating from California. Born in Goleta, California, in 1970, James began his artistic journey at age nine with the clarinet, quickly expanding to proficiency in multiple orchestral instruments before discovering his true calling in drawing and painting.

After a 23-year career in software and application development in the Santa Barbara area—where he balanced professional success with ongoing artistic growth—James honed his skills as a painter, winning numerous awards and selling work through galleries and private shows. He retired from tech in 2009 to attend culinary school, completing it in 2012, which marked the start of his journey to Montana. There, he found and acquired a beautiful historic building that he transformed into The Brush & Chisel, a welcoming space dedicated to oil painting instruction, artist workshops, plein air sessions inspired by Montana's landscapes (including local horse and nature themes), and community creative engagement.

Steve Peters is an oil painter whose work is rooted in the raw beauty and lived experiences of the American West. Raised in a rural environment, Peters developed an early connection to the land—one shaped not by observation alone, but by immersion.

In his youth, he wandered extensively across the western U.S., absorbing its vast landscapes and quiet rhythms. His time spent living in the Alaskan wilderness as a professional hunter further deepened his understanding of nature—not as scenery, but as something immediate, powerful, and unforgiving.

Before turning to painting, Peters worked in a wide range of trades, from ranch hand to machinist to master vehicle technician. These hands-on experiences continue to shape his artistic approach, giving his work a grounded, tactile quality and an appreciation for process, patience, and detail.

An "accidental artist" by his own description, Peters came to painting through a long admiration for those who could capture something true. A turning point came when James McClure encouraged him to attend one of his art classes. McClure's guidance, influence, and patience became a driving force in Peters' growth, shaping both his technique and confidence as an artist.

His paintings reflect a pursuit of honesty—depicting wilderness, solitude, and the enduring spirit of the outdoors. His work carries an earthy, unrefined authenticity shaped as much by lived experience as by artistic instinct.