This tranquil artwork invites viewers into the serene beauty of a golden wetland, showcasing the delicate balance of life within this vital ecosystem. Meandering streams reflect the soft light, weaving through a vast marshland framed by rolling hills and distant mountains. Soaring birds and grazing pronghorns emphasize the harmony of life in this untouched wilderness and the need to preserve and restore such precious resources. The warm, earthy tones and delicate attention to detail create a scene that feels both timeless and calming, making this piece a celebration of nature’s quiet elegance and interconnected beauty.

Art by Monte Dolack.

A native and lifelong resident of Montana, Monte Dolack grew up surrounded by the same sweeping vistas and big sky as artist Charlie Russell. Monte’s love for the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the west are evident in the images he creates and the commissions he undertakes. Some of his best known earlier works—wild animals occupying human homes—comprise Dolack’s Invaders Series which explores the myths of the West and how we view our relationship with our environment.

Monte’s works are part of the collection of the Library of Congress, the American Association of Museums, the National Wildfire Foundation and numerous other museums and corporations. Exhibitions have included Artists of the American West, Bank of Ireland Fine Arts Centre, Dublin, and The Kumamoto Prefectural Art Museum, Kumamoto, Japan. Monte’s work was chosen to be included in The North American Print Biennial, Boston, MA as well as the National Art Museum of Beijing, as part of the 2007 New West Exhibition.

Blending mythology, nature and elements from our modern civilization, Dolack’s work is often infused with a sense of humor and irony. A keen interest in environmental issues has lead to commissions for the Nature Conservancy, Defenders of Wildlife, and Trout Unlimited. In 2014 he was chosen to create the official national commemorative poster for the 50th Anniversary of the American Wilderness Act.