How many artists are there in America? One thousand? Ten thousand? Perhaps even more - from professional to amateur.
But there is one artist with a unique niche --- a different style of art. It was carved from his mining background, a passion for heavy equipment, and a lifelong experience of drawing these behemoths. At the same time, he pursued drawing his second love: Montana wildlife. The son of a Butte, Montana, miner, Gene Pasini grew up in a mining camp among the trucks, mining equipment, and wildlife, and spent his early days drawing sketches of all that he saw. During this time he also worked as an underground miner and helped hand-lay railroad ties between Butte and Anaconda. After high school he studied at the Burnley School of Professional Art in Seattle, where, for 3 years, he fine-honed his drawing skills. Art school was followed by working for 30 years as a commercial artist in Montana until he retired in 2004. His interest in heavy equipment is not just limited to art, as he is an avid collector of models of trucks and heavy equipment. In addition, he frequently goes to logging and construction sites with his camera to gain more insight into the metal monsters he loves. Since retiring, Gene has developed his own business, doing freelance art work on commission. He has done numerous drawings of oil rig trucks, heavy haul trailers, and mining and logging equipment. Some of the companies he has drawn for are Towhaul Equipment, Blackhawk Crane, Kenworth, and various logging companies, to name a few. |
He has also designed a "Creation Series" of many big game wildlife in Montana; a unique story-board in pen and ink of the rut season, romance, and the spring outcome of newborns.
In whatever venue he works, Gene is a stickler for accuracy, and, prior to drawing any piece, he researches it, takes photos and talks to others. He then carefully sketches each piece with pen and ink – a mode avoided by most artists due to its demand for perfection. “One mistake and you have to throw it away and start all over,” Gene explains. He is also careful to research the background of the drawings – whether it is an open pit mine, a logging truck in the Northwest woods, or an elk in its habitat. He works slowly and carefully, averaging 30 hours on each piece. If a client wants color, he then hand tints each one. Services such as matting and framing can also be provided.. Yet, his prices are reasonable. Gene (or “Geno”, as he is affectionately called) works out of his studio in a 130 year old home in Boulder, MT. Someone once said, “It’s not what you’ve got; it’s what you do with what you’ve got.” From his humble background in a mining camp to a career as a recognized artist, it is clear that Gene’s work epitomizes that saying. He continues to accept commissioned work from companies and individuals and can be contacted at phone number 406.465.4787 |