“The West: a Way of Life”
April 3 - April 25, 2015
Nationally renowned Fine Art painter and sculptor Keith Christie uses
his unique artistry to capture the Western way of life.
His genuine respect for the ranchers and their lifestyle authentically
chronicles the real west.
http://keithchristieart.com/
Friday, April 3 Artists Reception 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Refreshments and live music.
Young musician Nick Leach at our baby grand piano
Pop in Friday and meet the artists, or linger over refreshments, entertainment, and conversation and make an evening of it!
Orland Art Center Gallery
530-865-5920
732 4th St. Orland, CA 95963
Winter hours: 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
Closed Saturdays in winter
http://www.orlandartcenter.com/gallery.html
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Orland-Art-Center/114602481932857
A Professional Artist since 1972, Keith Christie is well known for his Bronze Sculpture, Oil Paintings, and Limited Edition Prints. Over the years he has had Art Shows and Exhibits in many of the Nation's premier Fine Art Galleries including several sell-out shows at the exclusive Prix de West Art Show at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oaklahoma. Articles about Keith and showcased pieces of Art can be found in ART OF THE WEST, WESTERN HORSEMAN and AMERICAN COWBOY MAGAZINES.
Keith’s first Gold Award came at the age of fifteen in a statewide Oil Painting competition for high school students. Since then, his Artwork has won many Gold, Silver and People’s Choice Awards in various juried art shows throughout the United States.
Wells Fargo Bank purchased his entire edition of twelve 5'-6" Bronze Stagecoaches. The Stagecoaches are now featured in the exectutive offices of the Bank's major branches all over the world. This purchase opened the door to several Fine Art galleries, and creating Art became a full time profession. "Best of all" Keith says, "it financed my dream of owning a ranch in the Sierra Foothills of California". Keith continues to live and work on his ranch along with his wife Vaughn. His three children and seven grandchildren enjoy visiting as often as possible.
Since then, Keith has produced well over 160 Bronze Sculpture editions and close to a thousand Oil Paintings. His work is collected by individuals and corporations all over the world. In 1980, Keith's book entitled JUMPING CHOLLA, Genesis of a Bronze Sculpture was pubished by Northland Press of Flagstaff, Aizona. The book details the creation of a Bronze Sculpture from the Artist's initial idea to the finished work of Art. The book is filled with drawings and photographs which are most helpful to beginning artists and collectors who need a good understanding of the sculpture process. In 2002, the Navy selected Keith to create a large Bronze Plaque as part of a Memorial honoring U.S. Military Service Members which is now a landmark at the lookout site on the North side of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Keith has been infatuated with the subject of Cowboys and Horses for as long as he can remember. His early sculptures were carved from bars of ordinary household soap or clay from a nearby creek. According to his Mother "A piece of wood wasn’t safe from his creative whittling once he had been granted the privilege of owning and sharpening his own pocketknife at the age of 8!". To this day, Keith is fascinated with Western images and the enviroment in which they exsist. "I can never imagine running out of ideas when it comes to Western Art." Keith says.
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The Orland Art Center occupies the first floor of the handsome three story Orland Laurel Masonic
Lodge building. Originally built in 1913, this historic building is located at 732 Fourth Street, in the heart of downtown Orland, California five minutes from the 1-5 freeway.
The spacious 2500 square foot gallery space.features a beautifully carved ceiling, wonderful 12 foot high display walls, and stately columns that add to the Gallery's elegance. On a dais at one end of the Gallery, is a baby grand piano, which allows for fine live music during Artist's Receptions and other Arts Commission events.
Monthly exhibits show Fine Art created by local, national, and internationally recognized artists.
The Art Center also provides weekly figure drawing sessions, professionally taught art workshops,
children's art classes, and educational lectures and seminars.
Surrounded by rich farmland, just a fifteen minute drive from the Black Butte Recreation area, the
Orland community is proud of its "state of the art" Gallery and Art Center. "The Orland Arts Commission operates under the aegis of the city of Orland, California, and is comprised of seven members, appointed by the City Council. Four of the seven members are required to be working artists, and the other three are members of the community at large. We provide our own funding for all projects, through donations and fees collected from art exhibits and art sales.
