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Chris Owen was born in 1967 in the central Montana community of Billings. Boyhood summers spent on his grandparent's ranch
in the Judith Basin inspired his love of the western way of life, and his Grandpa's tales of having met the great C.M. Russell
helped catalyze the desire to express this love through Art. After studying fine art at Montana State University Billings, Chris was
awarded a scholarship to study at the Art Center College of Design, Los Angeles. Chris lives west of Billings, Montana.
I really enjoy the privelige of being able to live in the country and keep horses. There is nothing more satisfying to me than to
bring a green colt up into a real nice saddle horse that knows how to handle himself and is a pleasure to be around. From the
halter breaking and ground work right on up to all of the roping and getting gates and other ranch chores, each step presents it's
own challenges and the way it's handled can vary quite a bit depending on the individual horse's personality.
Like a lot of folks I take a certain pride in my gear and prefer to ride a saddle that is is exactly to my liking, and to that end
usually make my own. It's a great way to spend the long Montana winter evenings and I end up with an outfit that's just right both
for me and the horse.
The Cowboy endures as the foremost American icon. He is the most compelling of characters and due to his romantic lifestyle
and unique personality a natural subject of artistic interest. His ongoing endurance as the premier American cultural hero stands
as testament to the spirit and values that have made the people of the West great.
Exhibitions
C.M. Russell Western Art Auction, Great Falls, Montana
March 1998-1999-2001-2005-2006-2007-2008-2009
Cheyenne Frontier Days Governor's Invitational Western Art Show, Cheyenne, Wyoming
July 1999 - 2008
Western Visions Miniatures and More Show and Sale
National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
September 2005 - 2008
National Western Coors Western Art Exhibit, Denver, Colorado
January 1999 - 2009
Mountain Oyster Western Art Show, Tucson, Arizona
November 2006 - 2008
Awards
Cheyenne Frontier Days Governor's Invitational Western Art Show, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Museum Purchase Award - 2005
Pearce Western Art Collection - Corsicana, Texas
Museum Purchase - 2004
National Western Coors Western Art Exhibit, Denver, Colorado
Featured Artist - 2003 - The National Western Permanent Collection Purchase Award
Cheyenne Frontier Days Governor's Invitational Western Art Show, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Print Artist - 2001
Benny Award for "A Cowboy's Morning" Finest Giclee 2006 in international competition, Chicago, Illinois
Magazine Features
Western Art Collector - February 2010
Heartland USA Magazine - May/June 2005
Wildlife Art Magazine - January/February 2005
Southwest Art Magazine - March 2004
Western Horseman Magazine - November 2003
Museums and Permanent Collections
Old West Museum, Cheyenne Wyoming
Pearce Western Art Collection, Corsicana, Texas
National Western, Denver, Colorado
Publishing
Somerset Fine Art
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