It’s been close to 10 years since Geno Pasini had his art on the walls in Boulder, and he’s grateful to see his framed wildlife sketches prominently displayed for the customers of the Elkhorn to see.
The son of an Italian immigrant turned Butte miner, Pasini grew up in Meaderville, a small mining town at the base of the Butte mine that was razed as the mining pit was expanded. He grew up working in the mine, but early on was drawn to art. His early sketches were of mining equipment and wildlife.
This fascination never waned. After graduating from Boys Central High School in Butte, Pasini enrolled at Burnley School of Art in Seattle, where he fine-tuned his drawing skills. Following graduation, Pasini stayed in Seattle for several years and worked as a graphic artist for advertising agencies. Although he enjoyed the Pacific Northwest, it was Pasini’s goal to return to southwest Montana. He got this opportunity in 1976 when he was hired as a professional commercial artist at Helena’s Sage Advertising. In 1980 he became art director for Publication and Graphics for the State of Montana, a role he cherished until his retirement in 2004.
Freelance work has kept Pasini busy, as he’s drawn for Towhaul Equipment, Blackhawk Crane, Kenworth, various logging companies and commissions for locals.
Pasini carefully sketches each piece with black pen and ink. Many of these pieces, he said, tell a story, such as his “Creation” series of elk, moose and rams, which includes one of his favorite compilations: “the rut, the romance, the outcome.” Other notable sketches of Pasini’s include moose, deer, loons, cougars, bighorn sheep and beavers.
For more information, or a drawing, call Pasini at (406) 202-5224, email him at genopmt@yahoo.com or visit his website, https://silvertipillustrations.weebly.com.
