20 Aug Krystii Melaine
Scenes from the old West will come to life in paintings and sculptures that will fill the galleries of the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, with the opening of the 10th annual Quest for the West® Art Show and Sale, Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. In one gallery, the only gallery like it in the state of Indiana, visitors can see and be the first to bid on millions of dollars in artwork from 50 coveted Western artists. Meet Quest for the West Artist Krystii Melaine.
Krystii Melaine
Born 1963 in Bairnsdale, Victoria, Australia; lives in Colbert, Washington
AT THE AGE OF FOUR, Krystii Melaine announced that she was going to be an artist. At seven she won her first art competition and she was taking commissions for paintings by the age of fourteen. The Australian native studied painting, drawing, photography, and graphic design and soon set up her own fashion design company, developing it into one of the largest bridal-wear companies in Australia.
A desire to return to painting led Melaine to spend five years studying traditional tonal realism and oil-painting techniques. Inspired by the people and animals of the American West, she is now immersed in an artistic exploration of Native American history and cultures. Melaine regularly participates in several major museum exhibitions. Recently, the Booth Western Art Museum in Georgia purchased three life-sized full-length portraits of Native Americans for their permanent collection. Of her art, Melaine explains, “To capture the essence of a person or animal in a moment of time, to tell beautiful visual stories, and to share the wonders of life with others – this is what I strive for!”
Notable Awards and Achievements
2014 Portrait Society of America, Members Only Competition, First Merit Award – Commissioned Portrait
2012 Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Cowgirl Up!, First Prize Two-Dimensional on Canvas
2012 Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Cowgirl Up!, Artists’ Choice Award
2011 The Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale Salon, Western Award
2009 Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Cowgirl Up!,, First Prize Two-Dimensional
2008 National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Heart of the West, Best of Show
2004 Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, Painting Award
Memberships:
Portrait Society of America
American Women Artists, Master Signature Member
Gallery Representation:
Big Horn Galleries, Cody, Wyoming & Tubac, Arizona
Biltmore Galleries, Scottsdale, Arizona
Broadmoor Galleries, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coeur d’Alene Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Going to the Sun Gallery, Whitefish, Montana
Mountain Trails Gallery, Jackson, Wyoming and Park City, Utah
www.krystiimelaine.com
Támtl’aki Kw’ayawi – Spotted Horse and Mountain Lion, Yakama
2015, oil on linen, 44 x 44 inches
A spirited appaloosa leaps and rears, striking a momentary pose reminiscent of traditional European equestrian portraits. His rider is calmly in control, man and horse moving as one, both in full parade regalia. A mountain lion hide sways over the horse’s rump, a Plateau-style horse-mask flares with the tossing head, while fringe and ermines fly. Inspired by the striking pose, colors and movement, I approached this painting with a blend of traditional training and contemporary ideas.