Location: Maudlow, MT - Northern Bridger Range, Sixteen Mile Creek
OPEN EDITION
May 11th, 2024 12:35 am
I was extremely excited, and pleasantly surprised to see how many people were able to get out and see this last absolutely unbelievable display of the northern lights! Not only here in Montana but all over North America and the world, it was a sight to behold!
I follow several Aurora Borealis websites to keep an eye on when there are possible chances for a flare up to go out and take some photos. And, along with the excitement of everyone else, it seemed like this was going to be a big one.
I loaded up the camper and all my gear to head north, trying to find a good location that would give me the best possibility of seeing the Northern Lights again, not only from absence of city lights, but also the absence of people and wandering car lights. With a little due-diligence and studying of my trusted-heavily-marked-on and-falling apart Montana Gazetteer maps, I was able to find just what I was looking for out at at the old Maudlow Schoolhouse on 16 Mile Creek. The intact though decrepit school house from 1909 still has the old teeter totters, swings, and basketball hoops still up in the playground. It is such a beautiful place in time, that you can almost hear the children still laughing and playing in the distance.
With no cell service, and no one else around, I could hear the roaring spring waters of 16 mile Creek in the distance as I sat and watched the mind blowing dance of colors throughout the night. It was such an amazing experience, that I really had a hard time keeping myself focused on just taking photos, and ended up just laying down in the grass and watching the dancing show for the rest of the night into the early morning before crawling back in the camper for a couple hours of sleep.
"Hoop Dreams Under the Stars" - Maudlow, MT
"School District 91" Maudlow, MT
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Honored to have these two large pieces part of a permanent collection in the grand entrance of the new Montana Historical Society in Helena!
December 05, 2025
Honored to have these two large pieces part of a permanent collection in the grand entrance of the new Montana Historical Society in Helena. This place is absolutely stunning, and due to the generous gifts by many benefactors and the hard work of countless people, this museum is open to the public and always free. The art galleries alone are worth seeing, let alone the amazingly displayed history of Montana.
I used to wander the halls of this old building almost 30 years ago, browsing through the historical archives of photos and art, getting excited as a young buck in my early 20s, fresh out of MSU as a naïve intern for Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks - design and construction. To see it now, so many years later, in its brilliant new found glory, and to have some of my work part of it now, is truly an honor.
Here is a link to my youtube with short video at the start of the presentation:
And here is another link to a short video on Facebook made by Kevin League Photography. Kevin is a very talented photographer based in Helena, and has 2 pieces up in conjunction with my images up in the permanent display.
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Christmas order deadlines 2025:
December 01, 2025
"Harper Puckett" Spanish Peaks, 2014
I will be closed from Dec. 23rd through January 6th.
LOCAL ORDERS & PICKUPS:
-Local orders can be placed and picked up through Dec. 23rd.
IN STOCK FRAMED PRINTS and BOOKS:
In stock framed prints will be shipped out in 1-2 days from order date, and will ship up to Dec. 22nd depending on location. Local orders can be placed and picked up through Dec. 23rd.
NEW FRAMED PRINT ORDERS:
All new framed print production orders must be in by December 5th to ensure delivery by Christmas. (orders may still be placed, but may not arrive in time) For orders that will not arrive by Christmas, I will send you a 8.5x11 pdf printout with a sample of the photo to give as a gift before the print arrives. (see below sample)
Questions? Check the FAQ page, then shoot me an E-Mail or call my office at 406-522-7798
(I rarely answer the phone these days, but leave a message or text, and I will call you back)
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New work, taking a social break and launching a new business...
July 02, 2025
New Work:
"Spanish Balsamroot" Spanish Peaks, 2025
"3 Dollar Eve" Madison River, 2025
New Projects:
"Calving Season - Flint Creek" Philipsburg 2017
New Projects:
I closed my shop and gallery back in 2016, both to save money to build a home studio and spend more time at home with my family. But this time not running the shop has luckily also given me time to pursue other endeavors.
In the fall of 2018, I took on a construction project in Philipsburg to rebuild an old cordwood structure that I had known about for years. I had met the previous owner David years ago while working for Montana FWP in Anaconda helping build an interpretive center at the Washoe fish hatchery in the summer of 1996. I had stopped into his shop "Montana Possibles" and was amazed by the home he was building next door. The seed was planted.
Fast forward 2017, and we were looking at a gallery space to purchase in Philipsburg that unfortunately did not come to fruition. Shortly following that deal falling through (congrats to Pat - Fish Eye Guy - who has since made it into a great gallery space!), I found out that Dave had passed, and his place down the street was up for sale. It was in very, very rough shape, unfinished, and barely salvageable. Luckily, I had just finished taking a week long cordwood building class with Rob Roy in upstate New York. My plan was to use this technique to build a new studio in my backyard at home, but life had other plans. With my wife's encouragement and blessing, I took the money I had saved to build the studio, and put it all down on Dave's place in Pburg, got a loan from the local bank, and got to work right away with the plans to turn it into a rental property / gallery.
Now after 7 years, much blood, sweat, tears, cash and countless hours working on the project, I am very happy to announce that it is "done" and the Sasquatch Sanctuary is now officially open to the public!
It is currently set up as a short term rental on VRBO or Airbnb, and I am and am still slowly working on it while adding more installations and artwork for all to enjoy. So far this spring, the feedback has been great from everyone who has stayed.... Be sure to check it out if you are needing a little getaway!
The Sasquatch Sanctuary, a livable work of art in Pburg.
I must apologize:
This is my first emai and blog post l since Christmas, and I've been purposely ignoring all social media since then as well for a little mental break. These days, social media is still needed for business, but I was burnt out and honestly had become addicted to all of it as well. The break was very good me, and not sure how much I will get back to it in the future, but will continue to do the best I can!
Thank you for your continued support!
All the best,
Craig
Feel free to send me an Email or call 406-522-7798 if you have any questions or comments.
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