ARTIST BIO
Born in Bairnsdale, Victoria, Australia, Krystii Melaine discovered her passion for art early, winning competitions and selling paintings by fourteen. After studying fine art, photography, and graphic design, she founded a successful fashion design company, honing her understanding of the human form—an expertise that now shapes her portraiture and figurative paintings.
Her artistic journey deepened through five years of study with renowned Australian artist Graham Moore, mastering traditional tonal realism and the oil-painting techniques of the old masters. In 1998, a trip to the United States ignited her fascination with the American West, inspiring her to depict its people, landscapes, and historical narratives.
Now living in Cody, Wyoming with her husband, Michael, Krystii is building her artist studio and home while immersing herself in the region’s wildlife, cowboy culture, and Native American heritage. Her creative process begins with sketches and studies that evolve into compositions reflecting both visual and emotional depth. Working alla prima, she applies a single wet-on-wet layer of oil paint, reveling in its texture and movement. “I love the feel of oil paint—mixing intense colors, pushing thick impasto, applying delicate washes, and layering fine details.” Combining precision with expressive brushwork, her bold compositions convey life’s power and vibrancy.
Krystii’s work is showcased in prestigious museums and exhibitions, earning accolades such as Best of Show at Cowgirl Up!, Heart of the West, and Nature Works (three-time winner). She is a sought-after portrait artist whose work has been featured in Southwest Art, Art of the West, and other leading publications.
Through her compelling oil paintings, Krystii Melaine shares her passion for life, capturing the beauty and diversity of the natural world and the people who shape it.
