Fine Western Art Collections
West Lives On Gallery

Montana Blue Heron

Marilyn Evans and William Stevens, two self taught weavers, have taken willow structure weavings from simple basketry into the realm of woven sculpture and three dimensional wall art. Indeed, their work has won not only Best of Fiber but Best of Sculpture at western state art shows from Scottsdale and Sedona to Sun Valley and Sausalito.

Marilyn has been weaving for nearly twenty years. Her craft focus was fine bead work until she spent a summer day visiting with her sister in Illinois and learning the amenities of basic wicker weaving. Upon her return to Montana she went to the river to find willow, bulrushes and cattail and in a few sunlit, riverside hours she was ensnared. Her background is still manifest in the embellishments which are the finishing touch of nearly every piece.

William joined her thirteen years ago, bringing with him an attraction to and avocation of form and coloration previously founded in ceramics.

Their collaboration is nearly total as every piece reflects the input and influence of their shared vision, and beyond that, the great majority of their work has both their hands on each creation. William is often the "what" of the work. Marilyn is almost always the "how."

In the spring and fall each year they travel to various river valleys, from the Tobacco Roots and Flathead in the northwest corner of Montana to the Beaverhead and Big Hole in the southwest part of the state. There they pick the bundles of willow wands and dogwood shoots which are the "bones," the foundation of each individual creation.

These bundles, representing the next six months body of work, are stored in a large chest freezer, coolly awaiting selection for their final task. "Our clients and patrons tell us again and again that it is coloration which is the prime mover in their selections, but for the two of us, the heart and soul of each piece is found in the willow, which imparts grace and form, size, strength and durability."

Over these willow "bones" or ribs are woven the variegated weavers of rattan, sisal, sea grass, jute and raffia, the colors ranging from the brilliant to the sublime.

The creations of Montana Blue Heron are the issue of a four-legged platform: color, texture, shape and durability.

Aspen Wall Sculpture
#1907 • $4,800

Medium Aspen Wall Wreath #0307
$3,750

Double Antler Urn #1507
$3,800

Large Wreath Wall Platter
#60 • $4,750

Fiesta Urn #1707
$3,200

Wreath Wall Platter #59
$4,250

Fallow Deer Urn #1607
$3,200

Aspen Tapestry  #0208
$2,750

Fallow Deer Pot #0108
$2,500

Natural Colored Aspen Pot #0308
$4,950

Grass Dancer #2607
39"H x 19"W • $3,500

Moose Handle Basket #1
$2,950

Swan Neck Bottle #2907
36"H x 18"W • $3,500

Sunset Vase #55 • $3,500

Pine Handle #34 • $1,800
 

Antler Handler #0507
$2,500
 

Large Aspen Topped Urn #80
$2,700
 

Serenity Now
$3,900

Tranquility #2707
42"H x 22"W $3,950

Aspen Rim Urn #1807
$2,800

Aspen Bottle #1306
$2,750
 

Antler Tapestry #1006
$2,950

Elk Antler Urn #0407
$4,500
 

Aspen & Turquoise Urn
$2,600

Double Antler Urn #1206
$2,950
The Bottle #1106 • $2,750

Antler Topped Urn #42
$2,400