Kristi was born and raised in northwest Oregon, where from the very start she possessed an intense love and admiration for horses.
Her artistic abilities, which she believes is God given, became evident, also, at a very early age and she spent a great amount of her time drawing, especially horses.
She received no formal art instruction, being educated from intent observation of life around her and translating what she saw into works of art.
Her love of horses and many years of ranching led her to sculpting western themes with inspirations come from her life experiences, from her children, her pets, or merely an idea that came to her in the middle of the night. Her hope is that when her bronzes are viewed by cowboys, ranchers or anyone who appreciates western art, their hearts will be moved and they’ll feel the experience of that moment frozen in time. Her passion for art and the for the west has given her a vision she wants to spend the rest of her life sharing with the world. more...
Welcome to the Gallery
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In a great cloud of dust a top cowboy and his equally skilled bronc buck and ride with all they’ve got! 22” x 18 ½” x 9 ½” - $3450 |
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‘Twas back in days of old, you see, when Autumn made it’s sigh |
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"From the proud blood of his sire, the Arabian colt |
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He’s been watching his Dad and wants to be just |
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Little boys and puppies, they seem to be cut from |
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"Proud and beautiful, the Arabian moves and |
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Patina variation |
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Paintings on Brazilian Agate
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She spent twenty plus years working an eighty-acre horse and cattle ranch, raising Quarter Horses and Paints, standing stallions and keeping several mares producing colt crops each year. Her many years spent with horses, whether pleasure riding, working cattle, being involved with rodeos and ropings, doctoring, showing, delivering colts or simply grooming has given her a genuine feel for her favorite subject.
During this time on the ranch, she continued to draw and took up painting. She did commissioned works when time allowed but felt a strong desire to create in the three dimensional. Kristi was attracted to sculpture since high school, but due to the time spent raising a family on the ranch for so many years, she suppressed the urge to sculpt until 1998. It was then she explored working with clay and found this media the most satisfying. Being very detail-orientated, Kristi was able to incorporate all the realism she envisioned into her sculptures. Her first bronze, “Straywatch”, was cast in the spring of 1998. It’s of a cowboy sitting on his horse, hipshod, the wind blowing saddle strings, mane, tail, reins and grass with his dog sitting on the ground.
She prefers working with certain foundries in eastern Oregon. Superb quality of workmanship, the accommodating attitude and the friendly staff at the foundries were just a few of the reasons for making this choice where Kristi will trust her works into the hands of others. She spends countless hours there with the staff to ensure that each casting meets her satisfaction.
When undertaking a new sculpture, Kristi does extensive research if there is an area she’s not familiar with. It’s crucial to her that her work is not only pleasing to look at, but correct also. She meticulously sculpts her bronzes with exceptional detail, realism, authenticity and her entire heart.
Many editions later, Kristi has developed a consistent style that’s easily recognized. The details that are so important to her get noticed, especially by the cowboys that have been up close and personal with the moments she captures in bronze.
They comment on the position of the horse, and the shifting of the cowboy’s body when his horse is hipshod. They notice the horse’s ears cocked back, listening to his rider slapping his lariat against his chaps as he’s driving cattle, or the concentration on the young boy’s face as he tries to bit up his pony. They’ve felt, and recognized, the hump in the back of a green colt as he’s being mounted for the first time. Kristi includes the tiniest details, even if they can’t be seen. The shoes and nails on the feet of the horses, even the frog of the hoof, which can’t be seen, but can be felt. These things are the soul of her work, the reflections of her childhood, the life that she’s lived and the visions that will always remain in her heart.
Her hope is that when her bronzes are viewed by cowboys, ranchers or anyone who appreciates western art, their hearts will be moved and they’ll feel the experience of that moment frozen in time. Her passion for art and the for the west has given her a vision she wants to spend the rest of her life sharing with the world.