In spring of 2023, a host of mythical creatures began to appear on trails, in parks, and even in a museum! Created by mother and son duo Jill and Riley Logan–the artists behind the
Unicorn Forest Portal
on Sourdough Trail–these mythical creatures appear on trees in unexpected spots around the valley.
Using optical illusions and just a smidge of magic, each creature slowly popped into focus when the viewer stood in just the right spot.
No trees were harmed in the creation of these temporary outdoor installations. The artists used a biodegradable tree paint which faded away slowly over time, causing no damage to the trees or the environment.
These installations were visible through May 2024.
About the Artists
Jill Logan was born and raised in Missoula, MT where she lives with her husband Jeff and their super smart Border Collie, Boo. She is primarily a painter, often painting aspen trees with hidden messages *wink*. She loves to experiment with unexpected materials to see how they react with paint. You can find her on
instagram and
etsy.
Riley (Jill’s son) was born and raised in Missoula but was called to the mountains of Bozeman to attend graduate school and study optics and photonics. In his free time, Riley likes to chase his dog, Bodhi, around Bozeman’s many trails and help his talented mom create beautiful and whimsical art.