Dunrovin Ranch

THE Destination Ranch of Western Montana

Laura Christie

Laura Christie

Artist’s Website: LauraChristieArt

Artist’s Biography

Laura Christie’s art comes from her passion: to live in Rapport with horses. Ignited in childhood, that passion led her to a successful thirty year career as a professional horse trainer. From that career comes a lifelong study of equine form, movement and anatomy…and the intimate knowledge grown from having trained hundreds of equine souls in partnership. And therein lies Laura’s purpose in her art: Sharing the Love of Horses!! Laura also has certification in Equine Structural Integration, was an Art/Biology double major, and holds a BS in Biology. She is currently a full-time artist, exhibiting in art shows around the country, and has clients in the US, the UK, and Canada. Laura has resided in Montana for 38 years, and lives with her husband on their farm in South-Central Montana.

Artist’s Statement Regarding Horse of a Different Color

When Dunrovin Ranch contacted me about their Horse of A Different Color Event, I knew immediately what my concept would revolve around….Charlie Russell and Montana Native Americans!   Growing up drawing & painting & riding as a kid, I idolized Russell and the history reflected in his work. Moving to Montana in 1979, I got to experience the legacy of Montana Native American tribes and that of Russell, more intensely.   I believe art should ignite feelings, and tell a story. I hope to do that with my living Horse canvas concept! I’m honored to participate in Dunrovin’s fabulous Horse of A Different Color Event, bringing Art & Horse Lovers together, emphasizing the importance of horses in therapy and rehabilitation, and contributing to the worthy charities involved.

Artist’s Concepts Regarding Horse of a Different Color

Laura concept

 

Artist’s Dunrovin Equine Artistic Partner: Mystery

two with Mystery

Purchase tickets for Horse of a Different Color
on August 19, 2017, at Dunrovin Ranch!

Lisa Gibson

Lisa Gibson

Artist’s Website: www.lisagibsonart.com

Artist’s Biography

Lisa Gibson studied design by squinting at values and patterns in many locations throughout her life. Montana has been her classroom for well over half of it. She explored creativity through photography, quilt making and pine needle basketry before learning that painting combines all of the elements she loves – color and design with a hands-on approach. Besides, she is a lousy seamstress. Her home is shared in Lincoln, MT with her family and spoiled house rabbit.

EXHIBITIONS:

August 12-13, 2017 – Lincoln Art Festival, Lincoln, MT (juried)

July 28-30, 2017 – Bellevue Festival of Arts, Bellevue, WA (juried)

March – April 2017  – Lewis & Clark Library solo exhibit, Helena, MT

February 2017  – “Communicating Nature” duo exhibit, E3 Convergence Gallery, Missoula, MT (juried)

January – February 2017  –  Holter Museum of Art Store Held Hallway solo exhibit, Helena, MT (juried)

November 15 – December 2016  – solo exhibit at Real Foods Store, Helena, MT

November 11-12, 2016  – MT Artists Gathering, The Radisson, Helena, MT (juried)

November 4, 2016 – Fall Art Walk, Dancing Lotus Center, Helena, MT

September 30, 2016  – solo exhibit at Rusty Relics, Lincoln, MT

August 2016  – Art in the Park, Lincoln, MT (juried) Awarded “Best in Show”

June 6 – July 7, 2016 – East Helena Branch of the Lewis & Clark Library solo exhibit

June 3 – July 30, 2016 – “Reflections” juried group show at the E3 Convergence Gallery, Missoula, MT (juried)

May 13, 2016 – Helena Spring Art Walk at Dancing Lotus Center, Helena, MT

May 3 – 30, 2016 – Art Center of Helena group exhibit at the Holter Museum of Art, Helena (juried)

March 15 – April 9, 2016 – Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art 19th Annual Art Auction Exhibition, Great Falls, MT (juried)

December 2015 – June 2016 – Seeley-Swan Medical Center group exhibit, Seeley, Lake, MT

November 2015 – Helena Fall Art Walk at Sole Sisters, Helena, MT

October 2015 – MT Watercolor Society Watermedia Show, Helena, MT (juried)

October 2015 – Civic Center Fall Art & Craft Show, Helena, MT (juried)

August 2015 – Art in the Park, Lincoln, MT (juried)

PRESS:

November 3, 2016 Your Time Article in the Helena Independent Record:  “Fall Art Walk showcases six Artrepreneurs at Dancing Lotus Center”

September 1, 2016 Blackfoot Valley Dispatch Article: “Lincoln Artist Taps Into Unexplored Talent as the Result of Injury”

August 2016 Feature on RedDot Blog: RedDot Reader Profile | Lisa Gibson

July 2016 Feature on Empty Easel: Lisa Gibson: Mixed-media Florals and Landscape Paintings

RELATED EDUCATION:

2016  – Montana Art Council, MT Artpreneur Program

2014 Dream Watercolor Workshop under Karen Leigh

2012 – 2013 Drawing & Painting workshops under Annie Allen

RELATED EXPERIENCE:

March – May, 2017 – intern with education coordinator at Holter Museum of Art, Corks & Canvas class

November 4, 2016 – coordinated group show for Fall Art Walk, Dancing Lotus Center, Helena, MT

September 2015 & 2016 – volunteer with school group at Sculpture in the Wild

Spring Semester 2015 – taught Beginning Drawing, Helena Home School Enrichment Co-operative

2013 – 2014 Lincoln Art Council’s Art in the Park Committee and Juror for Art in the Park

COLLECTIONS:

Works held in private collections in Montana, South Carolina, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arizona and Tennessee, USA

Artist’s Statement Regarding Horse of a Different Color

I’m sure that like me, you’ve had times when you’re consumed by the bummers in life.

A vital practice for me has been in deciding where to place my focus each day. Is it going to be on the sad or infuriating elements? Or on the lovely, life-giving elements that are also always there?

Every day we have that choice and decision to make – some days are harder than others! It’s through this intentional focus that my art is created. We all need connections to each other, to our inner selves, and to nature and beyond. These are beautiful things on which to focus – I invite you to join me!

Artist’s Concepts Regarding Horse of a Different Color

LisaGibsonCollage

 

Artist’s Dunrovin Equine Artistic Partner: Chinook

 

Chinook with No Trim

Purchase tickets for Horse of a Different Color
on August 19, 2017, at Dunrovin Ranch!

Jeannette Wandler

Jeannette

Artist’s Website: www.createtheway.site

Artist’s Biography

I’ve been living the horse-centered lifestyle since I was six. My first horse, Whiskers, came with the house my parents purchased. I couldn’t saddle him and rode bareback in the mountains with my friends. As a teenager, I spent 3 summers working for an Arabian ranch and was paid with a little colt, Destiny’s Starr, whom I trained to ride, shake hands, bow, and give hugs. Both amazing horses have since moved into the lush pasture in the sky, but their images adorn my walls and remain in my heart.

As an adult, I worked for 8 years at a cutting horse facility. I started in the ranch class on my little mare Holly, affectionately known as “Bugs”. I worked 3 jobs to get her trained and I practiced on her at the same time. Most horses would have quit under that kind of pressure, but she has a big heart and a lot of “cow” and we went on to put some very good runs together. When she experienced chronic lameness issues, we retired.  She still keeps her eyes on the far-away cow herds, though.

Horses and animals are the subject of most of my art. I typically use acrylics and mixed media (I’m the person that saves little scraps of everything.) However, as an artist my focus isn’t so much on my creativity, but to guide others to explore their creativity. I facilitate mother and child artist collaborations, day-long journal making events for women, and art camps for children. At the beginning of every workshop people will say, “I can’t draw, except stick figures.” or “I’m not creative.” They leave saying: “I am going to buy my first canvas!’ or “This is something I can do at home!” This work is the sacred work that is most important to me, and I consider it my calling.

In addition, I’ve been a licensed teacher for 12 years with a Master’s Degree in Integrated Fine Arts & Education from the University of Montana, and a background in Social Work. I am a certified Laughter Yoga Leader. I’ve completed 40 immersion-hours in Himalayan Singing Bowls of Nepal and hold monthly sound baths in the valley.  I have certificates  from Mindful Schools and am trained to teach their curriculum.

I have been married to Mike for 8 years and we are kept busy with our garden, horses, dogs, cats, ducks, sheep and our beloved turkeys, Jolene and Schmitty

Artist’s Statement Regarding the Horse of a Different Color

I chose a mandala-style design because it is a visual symbolism found throughout history in many different cultures. It can represent a form of meditation, be a symbol of the universe, or a reminder of the cycles of life. As in meditation, riding involves both the seat and the breath. One must be ever mindful and present when collaborating with a horse. Creating a mandala on a horse seems like a sublime way to explore mindfulness, creativity, and our partnership with the equine spirit.

Artist’s Concepts Regarding the Horse of a Different Color 

Wandlercollage

Artist’s Dunrovin Equine artistic Partner: Chief

Chief with NoTrim

Purchase tickets for Horse of a Different Color
on August 19, 2017, at Dunrovin Ranch!

Julie T. Chapman

Girlpower

Artist’s Website: www.julietchapman.com

Artist’s Biography

I adored horses, but never had one as a kid (even though I grew up on a small family farm in Ohio! the injustice of it all…). I loved science, math, and art, so – naturally enough – got an engineering degree and went to work for HP in northern California after college. There I finally got into horses, and competed in dressage and 3-day eventing for years.

Despite long hours in R&D and marketing at HP, I never stopped drawing. Winning the 2003 Arts for the Parks $50,000 Grand Prize kicked me in the butt in many ways, so we moved from California to Montana, and I became a full-time artist. I already knew and loved Yellowstone and Glacier for wildlife reference material, but in Montana I discovered the joys of small-town summertime rodeo (color! drama! horses in action!).

I recently made my first trip to Africa – the holy grail for wildlife artists – and fell in love with the beauty and diversity of the animals there. I’m enjoying exploring African subject matter in my scratchboards and paintings, and I can’t wait to return.

I’m very privileged to have work in museums and collections in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, and to be juried or invited into a number of national and international shows annually (subscribing to my Artzine will keep you abreast of my event calendar). I’m also honored to be represented by a wonderful coterie of galleries in the U.S. and abroad (see the list above). My sincere thanks go to the ever-increasing number of collectors who have brought my work into their homes – they inspire me to keep growing!

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

2016: FIVE different articles in 5 different publications! (see Biblio)
2016: Steel Dust Award (best of show) — America’s Horse in Art, Amarillo, TX
2014 – 2015: Wild 100- National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, WY
2012: Birds in Art – Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum of Art, Wausau, WI
2012-2013: David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year Exhibition – London
2011: Cover, December issue of Southwest Art
2011: Best of Show (Flatwork) – Calgary Stampede Western Showcase art auction
2011: “Wild West – Beauty of the Beast” (an invitational of 5 painters and 5 sculptors) – Rockwell Museum of Western Art

MUSEUM & PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

2006 Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum – Wausau, WI
2005 Lookout Mountain Nature Center – Golden, CO
2005 Hilton Garden Inn – Missoula, MT
2004 Commission for the Baltimore Ravens NFL team – Baltimore, MD
2002 The Wildlife Experience – Denver, CO
2002 Hiram Blauvelt Museum – Oradell, NJ

S E L E C T E D NATIONAL & INTERNATIONALJURIED, MUSEUM & INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS

2014-17 America’s Horse in Art – Amarillo, TX
2015 The Horse in Contemporary Art – Dorset, England
2015-17 Southeastern Wildlife Expo – Charleston, SC
2012-13 David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition – London, UK
2011-17 Cheyenne Frontier Days Western Art Show – Cheyenne, WY
2010-14 Calgary Stampede Western Art Show & Auction – Calgary, BC, Canada
2008-15 Panhandle Plains Museum Invitational – Amarillo, TX
2006-15 C.M. Russell Auction – Great Falls, MT
2004-15 Western Visions / Wild 100 – National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, WY
2011 “Beauty of the Beast”: 5 Sculptors & 5 Painters – Rockwell Museum, Corning, NY
2007 “Out West, The Great American Landscape”, Meridian Internat’l – China
2003, ’06, ’12 Birds in Art – Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI

Artist’s Statement Regarding Horse of a Different Color

My concept is based on the Indian ‘color’ holiday Holi, which uses colored cornstarch powder flung over participants. The “Color Run” fun runs here in the US borrow from that idea. I plan to use colored cornstarch powders and chalk paint (used by kids to decorate themselves, sidewalks, etc.) to create an abstract design, borrowing a bit from Jackson Pollock, on whichever horse I’m assigned. My color choices would depend on the color of the horse. A chestnut would probably get a lot of turquoise and yellow powder; a bay would get chartreuse and blue; a black horse would get ‘hot’ colors (magenta, orange, yellow) with some cool color thrown in. Chalk paint would be used for thin lines and drips. Please note that I do not intend to actually “fling” powder onto the horse; it can be applied by hand or by sifting lightly. I would experiment with color powder on both dry and wet areas of the coat. Given all that, any sketch I submit can only be a very rough approximation of the actual outcome.

Artist’s Concepts Regarding Horse of a Different Color

Julie Chapman

Artist’s Dunrovin Equine Artistic Partner: Butte

Butte collage

Purchase tickets for Horse of a Different Color
on August 19, 2017, at Dunrovin Ranch!

A Dunrovin Totem?

Recently I returned to my second home state, Alaska. When I lived in Alaska, I called myself a misplaced Montanan; and now that I am back in Montana, I sometime refer to myself as an away Alaskan. In truth I belong to both states. I call myself a Montanalaskan. They hold tightly to my heart and my spirit. I carry them both deep in my bones.

As a biometrician working for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, I was able to experience Alaska as few do.  My work took me on countless field trips to nearly every mountain range, every river drainage, every small village, and the few bigger cities in the state. I spend hundreds of hours in small airplanes, helicopters, river boats, ocean going vessels, on snow machines and on foot hiking throughout the state. I know Alaska’s waters, mountains, tundras, and forests. My experiences span Alaska’s two primary seasons: winter and the Fourth of July. I have done much the same in Montana, although here my preferred mode of transportation is clearly that of riding one of my steadfast and back country savvy steeds.

P1010261

The first stop on my Alaska trip was Sitka. During a quiet walk through the coastal trail of the Sitka National Historical Park with my longtime friend, Susan, I was once again spell bound by the beauty and the significance of the Tlingit and Haida totem poles standing silently among the towering spruce trees. Totems are sacred, religious symbols created by different clans, families, or groups honoring their relationship to their worlds – their worlds filled with the animals that sustained them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These are beautifully carved works of arts clearly and loudly proclaims the creator’s reverence for and attachment to the animals depicted. These monuments sing to me. I feel the power of the connections between the animals and the totems’ carvers. The depth of their gratitude to, and reverence for, the animals portrayed is obvious to all.

Totums1

The totem images haunt my imagination. I envy America’s first nations’ closeness with nature, their intimacy with the seasons, the plants, the animals, their knowledge of the stars and the waters and the wind, their oneness with their surroundings. Modern cultures seem intent on isolating us from nature’s embrace, sheltering us from the natures’ moods and disassociating us from all that the natural world entails – both the challenges and the joys. This is not meant to be. Human nature is really one with nature. Our separation is felt deeply, whether we recognize it for such or not. Our souls grieve its loss, with that grief commonly being expressed in unhealthy ways.

Totums2

Those of us lucky enough to reside in places like Montana, where we continue to live close to the land with animals surrounding us, still have some tenuous threads to those ancient feelings, those ancient ways of knowing. Our daily lives reverberate with nature’s demands and glories. I give thanks for this way of live.

My mind plays with the prospect of a Dunrovin totem. To which animals would we pay homage? Clearly the ospreys would have to be included as their presence practically defines a Dunrovin summer season. Horses would most certainly be prominently featured as they are nearly our reason being who and what we are. Dogs have been our livelong companions and guides. Bears have been the focus of intense study by my husband and the source of endless hours of fascination and delight. Salmon and trout have lured us to river after river in both Montana and Alaska to seek their schools and grace our tables with sustenance. Yes, I think that Dunrovin would be the clan of the horse, dog, bear, trout/salmon, and osprey.

What animals would appear on YOUR totem? Why are those animals important to you?