About Krystii

"My work has always been about life, whether expressed through the careful
rendering of a human face or the abstract suggestion of a fleeting emotion.

Realism taught me discipline, structure, and observation. Abstraction has
taught me freedom, intuition, and the courage to evolve. I no longer feel bound
by expectations or traditions.

I follow where inspiration leads, creating from a place of curiosity and joy. My only rule is that it must feel authentic and look beautiful. I hope my paintings bring happiness to the world, inspiring moments of quiet introspection or pure delight to all who see them.”

Krystii Melaine

Krystii Melaine is a celebrated Australian-American painter whose dynamic career spans traditional realism and contemporary abstraction. With a foundation in classical oil painting, she is renowned for her emotionally resonant portraits, finely rendered wildlife, and evocative Western imagery. Recognized for her technical excellence and unique artistic vision, Krystii’s paintings reside in many museum collections across the United States and Australia. From realistic portraits to bold modern expressions, her art continues to evolve while remaining grounded in authenticity and craftsmanship.

Melaine began her creative journey in childhood, selling her first paintings by the age of fourteen. After founding a successful fashion design house in her early twenties, she redirected her path to fine art, undertaking rigorous atelier studies in tonal realism. Her work quickly gained acclaim for its refined depictions of wildlife, cowboys, and Native American life, anchored in deep cultural research and authentic personal experience.

In recent years, Melaine has expanded her artistic vocabulary with a bold departure into abstraction, minimalism, and large scale contemporary figurative work. These pieces explore the intangible—energy, memory, atmosphere—with layered compositions and modern aesthetics that feel both elegant and expansive.

What unites the breadth of her portfolio is a singular artistic vision: to create work that elevates, inspires, and enhances the environments in which it lives. Melaine’s paintings are not merely visual statements; they are emotional invitations, designed to resonate with collectors who seek meaning, beauty, and originality.

With numerous major awards and a long-standing presence in prestigious museum exhibitions, Krystii Melaine continues to shape the contemporary art world through fearless reinvention. Her work is a testament to the power of disciplined skill meeting boundless imagination — a timeless yet ever-evolving artistic journey.

"Krystii Melaine paints quiet moments of thoughtfulness and emotion, and life's brief moments of pure joy and explosive action.

Her stories are subtle but very deep if you look beyond the surface. Poetic rather than narrative, Krystii's paintings often contain symbolic details that hint at the full story.

There is room for interpretation and discovery, room to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation over time. Krystii's paintings speak quietly but profoundly to those who pause to listen."

Full Biography

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 nterpretations 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.