Latest Skillman show features local artists

Greybull area art lovers packed into Skillman Art Productions Tuesday, June 24 to see an array of Western photography and paintings presented by two local artists. 

Fifth generation rancher and Shell resident Morgan Flitner displayed a collection of photography, with several Big Horn Basin cowboys featured amongst the faces. 

“I like to take pictures of real working cowboys that are not scripted,” Flitner said. 

Her love of photography developed through 4-H classes, high school yearbook with Lynn Forcella and help from Earl Jensen. She has also taken classes with Christine Garceau in Powell. This was her first time being featured in a true art gallery, though. 

Flitner said she hoped this would be the start of more opportunities to share her work, if and when she can find the time. She thanked her family — Greg, Pam, Colton, Jordan, Scottlyn, Brittany, Kaden and daughter Dunnley — for their support. Her work can be seen online at Morgan Flitner Photography and Marketing on Facebook. 

Also hung were wildlife paintings by Buffalo artist Karen Barton. Barton was a Greybull girl herself between 1966 and 1968, when her father, Philip Bennett, was pastor at First Baptist Church. 

Her favorite thing to do growing up was draw. “It kept me quiet in church,” she said. 

She drew portraits of her friends, getting serious in 1988 and attending school for graphic arts in Spokane. In 2016, she started playing around with wildlife paintings to appeal to tourists in Buffalo and has since been featured at the Hitching Post in Buffalo and in galleries in Sheridan. Her art can be seen at karenbarton.com. 

Skillmans reported the event a success, posting on Facebook, “To date, it is the most artwork sold since we started the showcases.”

The next art show is planned for the end of August.