“Get Out Bozeman Daily Chronicle June 14, 2013

By Ali Everts, Chronicle Staff Writer

Melissa Summerfield’s paintings interpret Bozeman’s growth, much as impressionist Vincent Van Gogh’s impactful landscapes commented on the industrial revolution.

“I have seen first hand the enormous growth of Bozeman over my lifetime,” said Summerfield, a Bozeman native who has traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe. “But every time I come back to our Bozeman bubble after traveling, I feel secure and home, like little Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. That’s why I want to preserve these familiar places around Bozeman in my art, so I can share that safety with others.”

Summerfield doesn’t necessarily want people to be inspired to become land conservationists from her paintings, but to become more aware of what our imprint on the land is and how it impacts our community.

“I want to show people the enjoyment of the land through the medium of my escape, painting,” Summerfield said.

Her first show, “Landscapes of Montana in Oil,” will be featured at CTA Architects Engineers, 411 E. Main St., for the June and July downtown art walks.

Summerfield paints as a form of therapy, and the inherent calm is evident in her work. Her mother passed away when she was still at Bozeman High School. It was through the art and art teachers that she was able to help find her purpose and journey.

All 30 paintings in the show illustrate unique Bozeman scenes: from iconic pictures of Bridger Ridge and the Tinsley House barn, to more subtle images of Cherry Creek and the Anceny grain elevator. Summerfield focused on making the paintings recognizable, while added her own impressionistic eye.

“This being my first show, it has been a fun six week renaissance for me of rekindling the fire of painting landscapes in high school and reconnecting with my dreams of being a gallery owner that I scrawled on our yearbook,” Summerfield said. “So now that I am in the gallery, I can show our community the fleeting moments in time of nature and how that can be our own grounding and relief.”

Ali Everts is an avid art consumer who would love to hear your comments or suggestions. She may be reached at aeverts@dailychronicle.com or 582-2632.

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/go/article_d7d2b186-d441-11e2-955b-001a4bcf887a.html



Montana Parent Magazine September Issue 2013

By Melissa McPherson Summerfield & Katie Lineberger Thomas

In October 2006 after I had my first son, I resigned from my Marketing and PR Director position for a local company and decided to give full-time, stay-at-home mommyhood a try. I figured it would last a year or two. Cut to 2013: we have since added a second son to our clan, and I am still at home full time and will be for two more years. When it’s all said and done, I will have been out of the workforce for almost a decade. Now what?

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. There are a whole slew of us “once-had-a-profession” (OHAP) moms in Bozeman, with jitters about everything from not being tech-savvy anymore to replacing our yoga pants with power suits. Not many have the desire to return to the high stress, heavy demands and long hours while trying to juggle kids and a household. Instead, we are longing for jobs that ignite our passions, push our potential, stretch our brains, and yet have family-friendly hours and allow for sick kids, school plays and summer vacations. Is there really a job out there that matches this description? I am here to say yes: I was able to get creative and utilize bits of my past experience to achieve this, but it wasn’t possible without the help of my family, my fellow OHAP moms and Facebook.

I returned to landscape painting in the fall of 2011 after a nearly 11-year hiatus. In April 2013 I got an email from an architecture firm, offering me an art show with the Bozeman Downtown Art Walk in June and July. A neighbor had passed along my info without my knowing about it. I had to pinch myself — could this really be happening? I was thrilled that they offered me a show, but could I really pull this off in just six weeks?

There was a lot to be done: 13 new paintings in order to fill the space properly, framing, hanging, and marketing — not to mention caring for my 6½- and 3-year old sons. This is when I made calls to my family, friends, and closest OHAP moms, and they came to the rescue. One of these, an interior designer and mother of two, lent her expertise with design and layout for the show in exchange for child care. An old high school friend, another mother with excellent photography skills, was delighted to shoot my work for marketing and my website. My sister and brother-in-law, who have two kids, took my professional artist portrait. I secured a trade with my hair stylist with the promise of a future painting. I paid an editor friend in wine. Not one of these people asked for anything in return; they were just happy to help an OHAP mom launch her hopeful new career.

Via Facebook and a few postcards, I launched a marketing campaign that announced my show across the valley. The Chronicle’s Get Out section ended up running a full-page story on it.

The show was a huge success; a steady stream of people came in and I sold six pieces at that first opening.

My accomplishments aside, what matters most are the loved ones who took time away from their extremely busy lives to lend a hand. They supported me launching my passion of painting, which has allowed me to maintain my other passion of being a mom.

Imagine how our community would benefit from tapping this resource of talented and experienced professional moms. Next time an opportunity arises for a unique task, think of OHAP moms who are re-entering the work force, and you might just be surprised by the outcome.

Melissa’s next show will give back to the community: 15% of sales will benefit Gallatin Valley Land Trust and their efforts to preserve the landscapes captured in Melissa’s paintings. An artist reception and presentation by Kelly Pohl of GVLT is set for September 19th from 7pm-9pm at the Montana Movement Arts Center (The MAC), at 1871 S. 22nd, Suite 2. Light refreshments will be served. For more info contact Melissa.summerfield@gmail.com or visit www. themacmontana.com.

Melissa is a Bozeman native, she holds an Art History degree from MSU. Katie is a local freelance writer, editor, she is a regular contributor to the Bozeman Magpie.

GVLT WEBSITE LISITNG

Melissa Summerfield’s work, titled “Montana Landscapes in Oil,” will be featured at the Montana Movement Arts Center (theMAC) located at 1871 S. 22nd Suite 22 (behind Stockman Bank on S. 19th and Kagy) in August and September. Her work depicts familiar landscape impressions from southwest Montana, with an emphasis on the interplay and movement between earth, water and sky. With opening receptions on August 7th andSeptember 19th, Melissa will be donating 15% of her proceeds to the Gallatin Valley Land Trust.

A native Bozemanite, Melissa states, “My paintings depict the unique landscapes of our region and highlight how thriving communities connect to open landscapes. The work of GVLT – conserving working farms and ranches, wildlife habitat, and healthy rivers – is vital to protecting the things that make our landscape so beautiful.”

On August 7th, meet the artist at a reception with refreshments from 6:30 – 8:00, followed by a “Spirit of Bozeman” dance party celebrating the diversity of dance and culture in the Bozeman area. A free dance lesson is included from 8:00 – 8:30. Dance from 8:39-10:30pm


http://digital.turn-page.com/i/161586 (click to page 62)”