Bakke book a sampling of art, Montana history
By BROOKE ANDRUS/Bigfork Eagle
From the time he was old enough to hold a pencil, James Bakke was an artist. Since then, Bakke, a Montana native who just celebrated his 80th birthday, has produced hundreds of paintings, drawings and photographs documenting the rich history and natural beauty of the Treasure State.... CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE
Through Bakke's Eyes
Book showcases Whitefish artist’s 70 years of work
By HEIDI DESCH/Whitefish Pilot
Whitefish artist James Bakke, much like his idol Vincent van Gogh, is largely unknown but still widely talented.
Bakke’s extensive work includes portraits of friends and family, paintings and drawings of his cats, still life, and landscapes of the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park..... CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE
BAKKE'S GIFT TO QUEEN ACCEPTED
By HEIDI DESCH/Whitefish Pilot
When Whitefish artist James Bakke received a letter from the Queen of England earlier this month he couldn’t have been happier. “James was so thrilled,” said friend Donna Hopkins. “He said, ‘The Queen has found pleasure in my painting.’”
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photo by HEIDI DESCH/Whitefish Pilot
A Truly Montana Artist
Largely unknown, James Bakke has painted landscapes from the prairie to the railroad
By MYERS REECE/Flathead Beacon
WHITEFISH – After growing up on a farm in Montana’s plains, James Bakke spent three decades working on the railroad straight out of high school. Given this resume, Bakke may seem an unlikely disciple of Vincent van Gogh, the great Dutch post-Impressionistic painter.
But a new book on Bakke’s artwork demonstrates a pervading van Gogh influence, both in his landscapes and in the occasionally surreal skies that hover above those landscapes. Bakke refers to van Gogh as “Vinnie,” like a longtime buddy.
New book showcases artwork of ‘Van Gogh of Montana’
By LYNNETTE HINTZE/Daily Inter Lake
In the swirled clouds, deliberate brush strokes and vivid hues, a hint of “Vinnie” shows up in a lot of James Bakke’s paintings.
Vinnie is Bakke’s term of endearment for Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh. The longtime Whitefish artist has always felt a sort of kinship with Van Gogh and explains his passion for Van Gogh’s work in a new coffee-table book, “James R. Bakke, Montana Artist,” written and compiled by Donna Shane Hopkins of Whitefish and published by Scott Company Publishing of Kalispell.... CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE
Leaving a gift of nature
Artist bequeaths property to city for a ‘natural park’
By HEIDI DESCH/Whitefish Pilot
An artist who captured the beauty of nature in his paintings has bequeathed four acres of land off West Seventh Street to the city of Whitefish to use as a natural park.
James Bakke, who died two years ago, donated his property in the southwest corner of town that features large trees and open fields where wildlife make a common appearance. It’s one of a few slices of open space withing walking distance to downtown, yet still retaining a rural character.... CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE