Montana on Canvas: Clay Pape’s Impressionistic West

Montana’s landscapes have inspired countless artists, but for Clay Pape, they are the very heart of his work. A Montana native, Clay’s art reflects a deep connection to the place he grew up—capturing the colors, textures, and moods of the American West in a way that feels both timeless and alive. Known for his impressionistic chalk pastel pieces, Clay creates work that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and experience a sense of place.

We sat down with Clay to talk about how he found his path as an artist, how Montana continues to influence his work, and what advice he has for those hoping to start their own art collections.

Tell us about your journey as a Montana artist. How did it all begin?

I was fortunate enough to grow up in the Bitterroot Valley with a family that valued creative expression. My grandpa gifted me a set of chalk pastels while I was a junior in high school. I quickly fell in love with the medium and decided to pursue a career as an artist. While at the University of Montana in the BFA program, my work took on an abstract, multi-media approach. Whether mixed-media abstract art, or impressionistic scenes in chalk pastel, I have always held the landscape of the American West as the subject matter and source of inspiration for my work.

How would you describe your artistic style today?

While I have enjoyed working abstractly with many different materials in the past, I am mostly known for my impressionistic work in chalk pastel.

What part of the creative process excites you most?

My favorite part of the creative process is the moment in which the piece I am working on starts to take form. While I am almost always working with a specific scene or subject matter, there is always a stage in which certain color combinations start to emerge and it's as if the piece starts directing its own progression, beyond my initial intention. If every mark on the paper were executed perfectly as planned, art would be boring. Embracing the unexpected, and letting each piece take on its own life is what keeps me engaged and excited.

How does Montana inspire your work? Are there particular places you return to again and again?

I really do believe if I hadn't grown up in Western Montana, I may not have become an artist. My desire to express myself through art always begins with a love of the landscapes of Montana. The view of the Bitterroot Mountains from my childhood home specifically, with Dry Gulch, cottonwood stands, and rolling hills in the foreground, is a specific scene that has inspired me for decades.

What’s your approach to creating art that connects with people?

I try to approach art making from a place of humility and sincerity. If I can express the way a particular landscape makes me think and feel, and put forth art that has a sense of place, then I have done what I set out to do.

What common mistakes do you see when people display art in their homes?

The most common mistake I see is when artwork is hung too close to other objects on the wall. If a painting is too close to a mantle, doorway, etc., it can be distracting to the eye and take away from the piece. Most artists pay attention to what's called the focal point within a painting, where naturally the eye wants to end up. This same notion should also be considered when displaying artwork, especially if you are filling a wall salon-style.

For those beginning to build a collection, what advice would you give? Where should they start?

I am a firm believer that art should be experienced in person whenever possible. Going to art galleries, markets, and festivals is the best way to find artworks to collect. Many art galleries also have different programs to help make artwork more accessible to first-time collectors. Dana Gallery, for example, has what they call the Young Art Collectors Program that offers an incentivizing discount and an extended time payment option. Also, at most galleries there is considerably more art available than is on the walls. One could spend hours in the basement at Dana Gallery for instance. Most importantly, whether at a local market, fair, gallery, or major exhibition, collect artworks that you connect with, that move or inspire you, not solely as an investment strategy.

Is there a piece you’ve created that holds a special place for you?

When I was in college, I combined wood stain, tar, ash, and sand on a large wood panel. I pushed the materials across the surface to invoke a snow squall over a midnight ocean. I still think of the immediacy and expressiveness of that piece when I'm working with chalk pastel.

Where can people find your work today?

You can find my work primarily at Dana Gallery in Missoula, MT. I often have work in the Missoula Art Museum Annual Auction, Yellowstone Art Museum Auction, and various exhibitions across the West.