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Portraiture

Krystii Melaine is a figurative and portrait artist, currently exploring the lives of the people of the American West.  Her oil paintings often include horses which are so important to cowboys and Native Americans, and the wildlife encountered on her travels.  Classically trained in the realist tradition of the old masters, Krystii captures the essence of each personality and provides us with a glimpse into their lives, using the richness and subtlety of oil paints on linen to tell their stories. 

Born in the Australian town of Bairnsdale, Victoria, Krystii Melaine was a quiet child who carefully observed the people and animals encountered in her life. Announcing at the age of four that she was going to be an artist, Krystii won her first art competition at seven, with a portrait of a mermaid. By the age of fourteen, she was selling paintings and accepting commissions. Following university studies in painting, drawing, photography and graphic design, Krystii established her own fashion design company, and in nine years she developed it into one of the largest bridal and evening-wear companies in Australia. A large staff manufactured her seasonal collections which were sold to outlets around Australia and New Zealand, while exclusive designs were sold through her own retail store in Adelaide. Krystii's elegant, sculptural gowns were also shown at major fashion events in Paris and London.  Through the process of designing and fitting gowns for individual clients, Krystii gained an intimate knowledge of the human form and the structure of clothing, which informs her portraiture and figurative paintings today.

A burning desire to return to painting led Krystii to five years of study in traditional tonal realism and the oil-painting techniques of the old masters with renowned Australian artist, Graham Moore. Drawing on Moore's 80 years of artistic experience provided her with a strong background in portraiture, figurative and still life painting. Krystii's fascination with people and animals naturally made them the major focus of her paintings.  A trip to the USA in 1998 was the catalyst for her ongoing personal journey of exploration and discovery of the American West.  Krystii's paintings capture the many individuals encountered on her travels, recording moments in their contemporary lives, or re-creating the lives of their ancestors who shaped the history of the region.  Horses are an integral part of this rich tapestry of Western life, whether as the working partner of cowboys or an essential element of survival and culture for Native Americans.  The distinctive wildlife of this region is another facet of Krystii's repertoire, rounding out her telling of the stories of the West. 

Krystii has recently moved with her husband, Michael, from Australia to Spokane, Washington, to be closer to her favorite region and its people. This allows her more time working with cowboy and Native American friends in all seasons.  Moving to the USA has also inspired Krystii to begin painting the westward expansion of explorers, settlers and soldiers in the 1800's, feeling an affinity with their hopes for life in a new place.  Indepth research informs her historical paintings, and her skills as a fine artist allow us to connect with the people and feel we know them.  Once all the elements and details of a painting have been thoroughly researched and planned, Krystii sketches the composition on a linen or canvas panel, then applies a loose wash of color and tone to establish the basic concept.  Working alla prima, she begins at the focal point and completes each area as she works out and around the canvas, paying careful attention to all of the miriad elements that make up a successful work of art.

Krystii also paints traditional portraits on commission. Her skill in capturing an accurate likeness in a strong, painterly style has led to many official portraits for the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force, and commissions for museum collections, corporate and private clients around the world.

Recognised as one of Australia's and the USA's premier fine artists, Krystii's work is regularly exhibited in major art museums and world class exhibitions across North America.  An impressive list of prestigious awards includes Best of Show 2D at Cowgirl Up! and at Heart of the West , The Painting Award at the Buffalo Bill Art Show in Cody, Best of Show at NatureWorks in Oklahoma four times, The Award of Merit - Bird in Arts For The Parks, Wyoming, and many from the Wildlife Art Society of Australasia including Best Australian Native Wildlife Artist. She has also been voted most popular artist in numerous exhibitions.

Exhibitions in the USA include Masters of the American West at the Autry National Center, Quest for the West at the Eiteljorg Museum, Cowgirl Up! at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Heart of the West at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Night of Artists at the Briscoe Museum, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum's Birds in Art, The Society of Animal Artists' Art and the Animal, The Buffalo Bill Art Show, Arts For The Parks and major solo exhibitions.

Krystii's painting titled "Fur Balls" appears in the 2010 book "Star Wars - Visions". The book Feather and Brush: Three Centuries of Australian Bird Art includes Krystii Melaine among the 34 major contemporary Australian bird artists featured. Articles about her work have appeared in international magazines including Southwest Art, Art of the West, Western Art Collector, Wildlife Art, Wildscape, U.S. Art and InformArt. The 2010 book "Best of Worldwide Oil Artists, Vol. I" features Krystii's snow leopard "Himalayan Princess" on the cover and a two page spread inside.

Krystii Melaine's compelling oil paintings document her personal journey of discovery in the American West, capturing the varied personalities and telling their stories with all the skills of a master fine artist.

AWARDS

Honorable Mention, Portrait Society of America, Members Only Competition, January 2012
Western Award, Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art, Scottsdale AZ, April 2011
Merit Award, Masters of the American West, Los Angeles CA, February 2011
Best Of Show 2D, NatureWorks, Tulsa OK, March 2011
Best Of Show 2D, Cowgirl Up!, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg, Arizona, March 2009
Best Of Show 2D, Heart of the West, National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Fort Worth, Texas, October 2008
Best Of Show, NatureWorks, Tulsa OK, March 2006
Painting Award, Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, Cody, Wyoming, September 2004
Award of Merit, Bird, Arts For The Parks, September 2002
Best Of Show, NatureWorks, Tulsa OK, March 2002
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia October 2001 Highly Commended
Best Of Show, NatureWorks, Tulsa OK, March 2001
Eltham Wiregrass Gallery - Most Popular Exhibit July 2001
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Peoples Choice - Most Popular Exhibit- October 2000
Eltham Wiregrass Gallery - "Wild Friends" - Most Popular Exhibit July 2000
The Miniature Award, NatureWorks, Tulsa OK March 2000
Juror's Gold Star Award for Best Body of Work, NatureWorks, Tulsa OK March 2000
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Best Australian Native Wildlife 1999
Eltham Wiregrass Gallery - "Wild Friends" - Most Popular Exhibit 1999
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Runner Up - Best Exhibit 1998
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Highly Commended 1998
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Peoples Choice - Most Popular Artist 1998
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Peoples Choice - Most Popular Exhibit- second 1998
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Artists Choice - Most Popular Artist- second 1998
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Artists Choice - Most Popular Exhibit- second 1998
Eltham Wiregrass Gallery - "Animal Instincts" - Most Popular Exhibit 1998
Toorak College Art Exhibition - Best Oil 1997
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Best Oil 1997
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Peoples Choice - Most Popular Exhibit 1997
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Peoples Choice - Most Popular Artist 1997
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Artists Choice - Most Popular Exhibit 1997
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Artists Choice - Most Popular Artist 1997
Rotary Club of Camberwell - Highly Commended 1997
Rotary Club of Ivanhoe - Encouragement Award 1997
Alice Bale Art Award $30,000 Travelling Scholarship - Finalist 1997
Alice Bale Art Award for Oil - Finalist 1997
Alice Bale Art Award for Oil - Winner 1996
Rotary Club of Mt Waverley - Highly Commended 1996
Rotary Club of Camberwell - Encouragement Award 1996
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Artists Choice - Most Popular Artist 1996
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Highly Commended 1995
Alice Bale Art Award for Oil - Finalist 1995
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Geoff Douglas Award 1994
Rotary Club of Box Hill - Highly Commended 1993

GALLERIES

Legacy Gallery, 7178 Main Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 USA, 480-945-1113
Legacy Gallery, 75 North Cache, PO box 4977, Jackson, Wyoming 83001 USA, 307-733-2353
Mountain Trails Gallery, 301 Main St, Park City, Utah 84060 USA, 435-615-8748
Big Horn Galleries, 1167 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414 USA 307-527-7587
Big Horn Galleries, Tubac, Arizona USA
Decoys & Wildlife Gallery, 55 Bridge St, Frenchtown, New Jersey 08825 USA, 1-888-996-6501
The Hayden Hays Galleries at The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado USA, 719-577-5744

EXHIBITIONS

"Masters of the American West", Autry National Center, Los Angeles, California, annually 2007 to 2012
"Quest for the West", Eiteljorg Museum of the American Indian & Western Art, Indianapolis, Indiana 2012, 11, 10, 06
"Cowgirl Up!", Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg, Arizona, annually 2008 to 2012
"The Russell", CM Russell Museum, Great Falls, Montana 2012, 11, 10
"Birds in Art", Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau Wisconsin 2011, 10, 09, 08, 07, 04, 02, 01, 00, 99
"Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale", Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming, annually 2003 to 2012
"The Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art Show", Tucson, Arizona 2011, 10, 09, 08
"Western Visions", National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, Wyoming 2012, 11
"Small Works, Great Wonders", National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City 2011
"Heart of the West", National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Fort Worth, Texas 2010, 09, 08
"Night of Artists", Briscoe Western Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas, annually 2008 to 2012
Krystii Melaine Solo Exhibition, Mountain Trails Gallery, Park City, Utah 2012, 11, 08, 07, 06, 05
Western Artists of America, Pearce Museum, Corsicana, Texas, 2012
"Dallas Fine Art Auction", Dallas, Texas 2012, 11
"March in Montana Auction", Great Falls, Montana 2012
"American Miniatures", Settlers West, Tucson, Arizona 2012, 11, 10
"Legacy of the American West", The Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona & Jackson, Wyoming 2011
"Legacy of Wildlife", The Legacy Gallery, Jackson, Wyoming 2011, 10
The Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona, Three person exhibition 2010, Two person exhibition 2009, "Holiday Small Works", 2008 to 2011
"Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art", Scottsdale, Arizona 2011
"Miniature Masterpieces", Phippen Museum, Prescott, Arizona 2012, 11
"Summer Roundup", "Fall Classic", and "Merry Little Christmas", Big Horn Gallery, Cody, Wyoming, annually 2005 to 2012
"NatureWorks", Tulsa, Oklahoma 2012, 11, 08, annually 2000 to 2006, Featured Artist 2003
"Miniatures By The Lake", Coeur d'Alene Galleries, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 2011, 10
Group Exhibitions, Decoys & Wildlife Gallery, Frenchtown, New Jersey, annually 2002 to 2012
Fundraising Gala, Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, Georgia 2010
"Christmas Miniatures", Whistle Pik Galleries , Fredericksburg, Texas 2010
"Wild & West" Solo Exhibition, Horizon Fine Art, Jackson, Wyoming, annually 2003 to 2008
Texas Art Gallery Auction, Dallas, Texas 2009, 08
"Art and the Animal", Society of Animal Artists USA, 2004, 01, 00, 99
"IV Centuries of Birds", Clark Galleries, Vermont, New York and Florida 2004
"Art of the Animal Kingdom", Bennington Center for the Arts, Vermont 2004
"Krystii Melaine, Tom Gilleon & Allan Mardon", Borsini-Burr Galleries, Half Moon Bay, California 2006
"Arts for the Parks", Jackson, Wyoming 2003, 02
National Geographic Society, Explorers Hall, Washington DC 2002
"Southeastern Wildlife Exposition", Charleston, South Carolina, annually 2000 to 2004
"Florida Wildlife & Western Art Exposition", Lakeland, Florida 2000
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia Annual Exhibition, Melbourne 2004, annually 1994 to 2001
"Alice Bale Art Award", Caulfield Arts Complex, Melbourne, Australia 1999, 97, 96, 95
Annual Wildlife Art Exhibition, Eltham Wiregrass Gallery, Eltham Australia, annually 1994 to 2004
"Nature's Amazing Tapestry", The Wise Possum Gallery, Sassafras, Australia 2000, 99, 97
"A Walk on the Wild Side", Kerry Anne's Akoonah Park Gallery, Berwick, Australia 1999, 98, 97, 95
Solo Exhbition, Kerry Anne's Akoonah Park Gallery, Berwick, Austrlaia 1998
Annual Wildlife Art Exhibition - Gull Cottage, Brisbane, Australia 1999, 98, 96
"Camberwell Art Show", Melbourne, Australia annually 1996 to 1999
Queensland Wildlife Art Society Annual Exhibition, Brisbane, Australia 1996
“Birds” - Boyd Fine Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia 1996
“Krystii Melaine & Ron Muller” - The Valley Gallery, Steeles Creek, Australia 1995

PUBLISHED WORKS

"Suddenly Still", "Keeping Watch", "Distant Challenge", "The Spectator", "Calling The Twilight" and "Close Call", Limited Edition Fine Art Prints by Cattle Creek Publishing, Logan, Utah, available from Krystii Melaine.
"Parrot Paradise", "Superb Parrots", "Koala", "To Sleep, Perchance to Dream", "On The Prowl" and "African Queen", Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, by Origin Publishing International, Brisbane, Queensland Australia, available from Krystii Melaine.
"Any Shade Will Do", Limited Edition Fine Art Giclee, Edition sold out at publisher, Artist's Proofs available from Krystii Melaine.

"Star Wars Art - Visions", 2010 book, painting titled "Fur Balls" appears on pages 60-61, biography on page 165
"Best of Worldwide Oil Artists - Volume I", Cover image and 2 page feature, 2010 book, by Kennedy Publishing, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

Birds Australia Calendar, Address Book and Field Book, 2000
Healesville Sanctuary Poster Calendar 1999
RSPCA Calendar, 2008, 2007, 2006, 1999 and 1996
Cover design and illustrations for a series of military technical books.
Illustrations for a variety of environmental books, brochures and signs.
A set of four Limited Edition Art Prints from graphite drawings of military vehicles.
Greeting cards showing selected paintings.

COMMISSIONS & CORPORATE COLLECTIONS

Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, Georgia USA
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin USA
Bennington Center For The Arts, Bennington, Vermont, USA
Australian Defence College, Weston Creek, Australia
Chief of Navy, Canberra, Australia
Chief of Airforce, Canberra, Australia
RAAC Memorial & Army Tank Museum, Puckapunyal, Victoria
School of Armour, Puckapunyal, Victoria
1st Armoured Regiment, Darwin, Northern Territory
Officers Mess, 1st Armoured Regiment, Darwin, Northern Territory
Sergeants Mess, 1st Armoured Regiment, Darwin, Northern Territory
Peoples Government of Pingdu Province, China
Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, Victoria
The George Lucas Collection, USA
The Corporate Teamwork Collection, Queensland, Australia