Bogy making trip to Jackson festival

It has been an amazing start to 2017 for Whitehall based artist Janice Bogy.

She was recently accepted into the Society of Animal Artists as an associate, and later this week will be traveling to Wyoming for the prestigious Jackson Hole Arts Festival.

A renowned harpist, Bogy spent over 30 years playing professionally in the Washington D.C. area. She said both music and art have been her passions since she was little, and while finds both rewarding, Bogy has now turned her attention to art where she finds inspiration without having to leave her property.

Bogy uses the nature around her residence with a view of the Highland Mountains to create stunning works in paint, pencil, and stone. Whether Bogy is creating art of a deer, coyote, or eagle, Bogy wants to capture the soul of the animal, the majesty of the landscape, and the beauty in everyday. Bogy added she wants to also capture the individuality of each animal.

While she loves painting in color, Bogy is also extremely drawn to the drama of black white, and the majority of her work is done is scratchboard.

Bogy said scratchboard is a Masonite board covered with clay and then covered with several layers of black ink. She draws by using a sharp blade (Xacto #11 is her most used tool) to scratch off the ink and reveal the white board underneath.

"It takes careful planning as once you have scratched off the ink, you cannot put it back. There is no room for mistakes," Bogy said.

She has submitted her work several times to the Jackson Hole Arts Festival and is excited to finally have her work accepted for the 2017 show, as well as the chance to spend time with other artists. She said while art is solitary, it is rewarding to be around other artists, view their work, and to also make friends.

Bogy was honored to be accepted as an associate in the Society of Animal Artists, stating it was an affirmation her work was paying off. Bogy said she would continue to work on her skills with the goal of making signature status.

Her work can be seen in Montana at the Mountain Sage Gallery located at 433 N. Last Chance Gulch in Helena.

She also has several more shows and displays planned this year across Montana as well as Sedona, AZ.