Krystii Melaine

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Krystii Melaine’s artistic career bridges classical realism and contemporary innovation on two continents, Australia and America. With a foundation rooted in traditional oil painting, Melaine’s work explores the layered dimensions of identity, culture, and the natural world, capturing the attention of major institutions and collectors alike. Her paintings are held in the permanent collections of several museums including the Booth Western Art Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art.
 
Melaine’s creative path began in early childhood in Australia, with a precocious talent for drawing and painting. After an acclaimed career as a fashion designer, establishing one of Australia’s leading bridal and eveningwear labels in her early twenties she returned to her first love: painting. She studied for five years in the atelier tradition, honing a mastery of realism that has since defined much of her career.
 
Her artistic voice gained prominence through deeply researched depictions of Native American life, cowboys, wildlife, and portraiture. Melaine’s dedication to authenticity extends to crafting traditional regalia, collaborating with Native American and cowboy models, and immersing herself in the American west. This attention to detail combined with her unique artistic vision has made her a respected figure in the Western art genre.
 
More recently, Melaine has ventured beyond the conventions of realism to explore abstraction, minimalism, and modern figurative forms. These new directions reflect a spirit of creative freedom and transformation. Her abstract works include thoughtful compositions where layered textures and expressions of life’s emotional moments combine in a wide variety of visual formats. 
 
In an entirely different direction, Krystii devotes many months each year to creating her exclusive Angel Series. These are larger than life portraits with complex symbolic elements, raised gold pastiglia patterns, and a very modern flair. The Angels are imagined women who reflect bold contemporary interpretations of Krystii’s own thoughts and experiences. Described as “Futuristic Exotica” by a fellow artist, the Angels are an ongoing series of masterworks without parallel. 
 
At the heart of Krystii Melaine’s ever-evolving body of work lies a singular intention: to create art that resonates emotionally, challenges convention, and enhances the lives of all who experience her paintings. Her journey is one of fearless reinvention, guided not by trends or expectations, but by a deeply personal pursuit of beauty, meaning, and expressive truth.
 
Krystii Melaine is a Master Signature Member of the American Women Artists, and a member of the Portrait Society of America.
 
Awards
  • Quest for the West, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art – Artist of Distinction Award 2024 – a major retrospective exhibition in the museum.
  • A Timeless Legacy, Hockaday Museum of Art – Van Kirke Nelson Hockaday Purchase Award 2019.
  • Quest for the West, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art – Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award 2018.
  • Quest for the West, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art – Patron’s Choice Award 2018, 2016, 2015.
  • Cowgirl Up!, Desert Caballeros Western Museum – Patron’s Choice Award 2018.
  • Masters of the American West, Autry Museum of the American West – Merit Award 2017, 2011.
  • American Women Artists – Visitor’s Choice Award 2016, Friends of Western Art Award 2015.
  • Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, Buffalo Bill Center of the West – Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine Award 2019, 2015.
  • Cowgirl Up!, Desert Caballeros Western Museum – First Prize Two-Dimensional on Canvas 2012, First Prize 2 Dimensional 2009, Artist’s Choice Award 2012.
  • Portrait Society of America – First Merit Award, Members Only Competition-Commissioned Portrait 2014.
  • Portrait Society of America – Honorable Mention, Members Only Competition-Outside the Box, & Best Portfolio 2012.
  • Scottsdale Salon, Legacy Galleries – Western Award 2011.
  • Heart of the West, National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame - Best of Show 2008.
  • Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale – Painting Award 2004.
  • Arts For The Parks – Award Of Merit: Bird 2002.
  • NatureWorks Wildlife Art Show – Best of Show 2011, 2006, 2002, 2001, Miniature Award & Best Body of Work 2000.
  • Annual Wildlife Art Exhibition - Eltham Wiregrass Gallery - Most Popular Exhibit 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998.
  • Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Best Australian Native Wildlife 1999, Highly Commended 2001, 1998, 1995.
  • Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - Best Exhibit 2nd place 1998, Best Oil 1997, Geoff Douglas Award 1994.
  • Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - People’s Choice - Most Popular Exhibit- 2000, 1997, second 1999, 98.
  • Wildlife Art Society of Australasia - People’s Choice - Most Popular Artist 1998, 1997.
  • Wildlife Art Society of Australasia – Artist’s Choice - Most Popular Artist- 1997, 1996, second 1999, 98.
  • Wildlife Art Society of Australasia – Artist’s Choice - Most Popular Exhibit-1997, second 1998.
  • Alice Bale Art Award for Oil - Winner 1996, Finalist 1999, 1997, 1995, Travelling Scholarship Finalist 1997.
  • Toorak College Art Exhibition - Best Oil 1997.
 
Museum & Corporate Collections
  • Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, Georgia USA
  • Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indianapolis, Indiana USA
  • The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, St. Petersburg, Florida USA
  • Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin USA
  • Pearce Museum, Corsicana, Texas USA
  • Bennington Center For The Arts, Bennington, Vermont USA
  • Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg, Arizona USA
  • George Lucas Collection, California, USA
  • Royal Australian Armoured Corps Memorial and Army Tank Museum, Puckapunyal, Vic, Australia
  • Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Command and Staff College, Weston Creek, ACT, Australia
  • Royal Australian Navy, Australian Command and Staff College, Weston Creek, ACT, Australia
  • 1st Armoured Regiment, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
  • Officers Mess, 1st Armoured Regiment, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
  • Sergeants Mess, 1st Armoured Regiment, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
  • School of Armour Officers Mess, Puckapunyal, Victoria, Australia
  • Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, Victoria, Australia
 
Exhibitions
“Quest for the West” – Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art, Indianapolis, Indiana, annually from 2010, and 2006.
“Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale” – Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Wyoming, annually from 2003.
“Night of Artists” – Briscoe Western Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas, annually from 2008.
“American Miniatures” – Settlers West Galleries, Tucson, Arizona, annually from 2010.
“Miniatures by the Lake” – Coeur d’Alene Fine Art Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, annually from 2010 to 2024.
“Western Visions” - National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, Wyoming, annually from 2022, and 2011 to 2015.
“Masters of the American West” - Los Angeles, California, annually from 2007 to 2017.
“Cowgirl Up!” – Wickenburg, Arizona, annually from 2008 to 2018.
American Women Artists, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015; Featured Artist 2014 at Booth Western Art Museum.
“Miniature Masterpieces”, The Phippen Museum, Prescott, Arizona, annually from 2011 to 2017.
“The Russell” – C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Montana, annually from 2010 to 2015.
“A Timeless Legacy – Women Artists of Glacier National Park”, Hockaday Museum of Art, Kalispell, Montana, 2016, 2017.
“Mountain Oyster Club Art Show”, Tucson, Arizona, 2008 to 2012 and 2016 to 2019.
“Travelling The West” – Southwest Galleries, Dallas, Texas, 2015.
“The Horse of Course”, Tucson Desert Art Museum, Tucson, AZ, 2015.
“Hold Your Horses”, The Phippen Museum, Prescott, Arizona, 2014, 2015.
“Heart of the West” – National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, Fort Worth, Texas, 2010, 2009, 2008.
“Birds In Art” - Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999.
“NatureWorks Wildlife Art Show” – Tulsa, Oklahoma, 2013, 11, 08, 2000 to 2006, Featured Artist 2003.
Solo Exhibition – Mountain Trails Gallery, Park City, Utah, 2018, 2011 to 2015, 2005 to 2008.
Solo Exhibition – Mountain Trails Gallery, Jackson, Wyoming, 2015, 2014, 2013.
Three person exhibition, Broadmoor Galleries, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2016.
Three person exhibition 2010, two person exhibition 2009 – Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona.
“Legacy of Wildlife” – Legacy Gallery, Jackson, Wyoming, 2011, 2010.
Solo Exhibition - Horizon Fine Art, Jackson, Wyoming, 2008, 07, 06, 05, 04, 03 and group exhibitions.
Big Horn Galleries, group exhibitions, Cody, Wyoming, annually from 2005.
Decoys & Wildlife Gallery, Wildlife Art Weekends, Frenchtown, New Jersey, annually from 2002 to 2012.
Jackson Hole Art Auction, Jackson, Wyoming, 2017, 2018.
Altermann Auction in Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2014, 2013.
Dallas Fine Art Auction, Dallas, Texas 2012, 2011.
Texas Art Gallery Auction, Dallas, Texas 2009, 2008.
Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniatures Show, Fredericksburg, Texas, 2010.
Krystii Melaine, Tom Gilleon & Allan Mardon, Borsini-Burr Galleries, Half Moon Bay, California, 2006.
Summer Show, Settlers West Galleries, Tucson, Arizona, 2007.
“Art and the Animal” - Society of Animal Artists, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1999.
“IV Centuries of Birds” – Clarke Galleries, Vermont, New York and Florida, 2004.
“Art of the Animal Kingdom” – Bennington Center for the Arts, Vermont, 2004.
“Arts For The Parks” – Jackson, Wyoming, 2003, 2002.
National Geographic Society – Explorers Hall, Washington DC, 2002.
“Southeastern Wildlife Exposition” – Charleston, South Carolina, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000.
“Florida Wildlife & Western Art Exposition” – Lakeland, Florida, 2000.
Wildlife Art Society of Australasia Annual Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia, 2004, 2001 to 1994.
“Alice Bale Art Award”, Caulfield Arts Complex, Melbourne, Australia, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1995.
Annual Wildlife Art Exhibition - Eltham Wiregrass Gallery, Eltham, Australia, 1994 to 2004.
“Nature's Amazing Tapestry” - The Wise Possum Gallery, Sassafras, Australia, 2000, 1999, 1997.
“A Walk on the Wildside” - Akoonah Park Gallery, Berwick, Australia, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995.
Solo Exhibition - Akoonah Park Gallery, Berwick, Australia, 1998.
Annual Wildlife Art Exhibition - Gull Cottage, Brisbane, Australia, 1999, 1998, 1996.
Camberwell Art Show, Melbourne, Australia, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996.
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.