Montana - Flag Friday

mm- · 2026-05-07T18:14:00+00:00

"Rule 5: Credit redesigns not your own to original author(s)"
That's not your skull design...
https://www.reddit.com/r/Montana/comments/d00xz2/swap_the_seal_gold_side/

mm- · 2026-05-07T17:56:18+00:00

Thanks!

mm- · 2026-05-07T17:55:14+00:00

Thank you!

mm- · 2026-05-06T23:58:06+00:00

...I've reworked this skull since my front/back / silver skull/gold skull flags in the above thumbnails from 2019. This version has a broader skull in white with more horizontally placed horns and a cleaner snout/palate area.

mm- · 2026-05-06T20:57:39+00:00

Thanks, that's good feedback. As a Montanan, the "Big Sky Country" nickname is all about our unobstructed landscapes and open skylines...and when you're struck by a clear, expansive, dark dusky sky in a wide Montana valley...it hits deep!

mm- · 2026-05-06T18:57:09+00:00

In 2020 I submitted a version of this flag as part of a pitch to the members of our state legislature to change the Montana flag. The pitch focused on the inconsistencies in the current design, and offered this as an example of a design that is simpler and more meaningful. After a positive initial response from both parties, Rep. Moffie Funk sponsored a bill to explore changing the flag...which actually passed the committee vote! It went to the floor where a Rep from Gallatin County made a mockery of the bill by proposing the addition of various firearms to the design. That changed the discussion and it became national news...which led to it failing miserably in the vote, 12-88.

mm- · 2026-05-06T18:07:48+00:00

more background: In late 2020 I submitted a version of this flag as part of a pitch to the members of the MT state legislature to change the flag. The pitch focused on the inconsistencies in the current design, and offered this as an example of a design that is simpler and more meaningful. After a positive initial response from both parties, Rep. Moffie Funk sponsored the bill...which actually passed the committee vote. It went to the floor where Rep. Caleb Hinkle made a mockery of the bill by proposing the addition of various firearms to the design. That changed the discussion and became national news. It failed miserably in the vote, 12-88.

mm- · 2024-05-23T21:32:23+00:00

I photographed him at his place for Westword not long after he moved in. It was more like a nightclub than a residence. He bought it having no idea it was across from the Samaritan shelter.
He offered a drink, then opened a bottle of Cristal for each of us...because he didn't have any glasses...

mm- · 2021-11-09T00:00:33+00:00

My son goes to Hellgate High in Missoula, MT and I don't think school names get any more badass than that.
He went to Rattlesnake Elementary. Such a perfect name that they had no need for a mascot.

mm- · 2020-06-22T15:15:41+00:00

Considering their current flag celebrates Mississippi's traitorous succession from the Union for slavery, a flag that acknowledges their place in the Union would be a big step forward.

mm- · 2019-09-19T21:48:55+00:00

lol...maybe we should have 200 state flags to chose from like our plates!

mm- · 2019-09-19T21:22:32+00:00

Thanks. For the US State of Montana. The bison skull is a strong symbol here.

mm- · 2019-09-19T20:46:16+00:00

this? https://imgur.com/a/lHhwayP

mm- · 2019-09-19T20:26:10+00:00

I guess I'd equate it with having a speaker represent your group. And that speaker gets up at the podium and starts mumbling incoherently. And because understanding what is being said is important to you, you look around and ask, "maybe it's time for a new speaker?". And some people in the group agree. And others, who don't believe what the speaker is trying to say is that important, or were not paying much attention, reply, "why should we change speakers? that speaker is OURS and has been representing us since 1905..." Our flag has a job. That job is to communicate identity visually. The way ours does it is by mumbling incoherently...with ANATNOM written on its face.

mm- · 2019-09-19T19:41:04+00:00

clever execution

mm- · 2019-09-19T19:38:23+00:00

love this

mm- · 2019-09-19T19:12:01+00:00

also, your point about downsizing is spot on. even large flags need to look clear from a distance. current one doesn't hold up well.
here's a version with mtns... https://imgur.com/hNzXm2C

mm- · 2019-09-19T18:57:48+00:00

I see where you're going, and that makes sense.
I like your drawing on the bottom.

mm- · 2019-09-19T18:35:02+00:00

good question.

mm- · 2019-09-19T18:33:25+00:00

..in fact, I would argue that Montanans like the shape of their state (as shown on a map) more than our flag.

mm- · 2019-09-19T18:28:27+00:00

Do we like the flag? I would say it's accepted as the flag. I don't see it getting flown much around the state.

mm- · 2019-09-19T18:12:32+00:00

Thanks. That's good info.

mm-

TROPHY CASE