Artists' Biographies back to featured artists page

Bryce Pettit
Bryce Pettit was born in northern Utah and grew up surrounded by nature and the outdoors. He has always been captivated by nature and has always had the desire to express the wonder and energy he finds around him. Bryce is a lifelong outdoorsman, natrualist, and fisherman.

Trained as both an artist and a biologist, he uses strong lines and sound design principles to express his feelings about the natural world. Bryce studied biology, ecology and art both at an undergradute and graduate level. His expertise in the understanding of biology and aquatic ecosystems reflects in all his sculptures. He sculpts in both wood and bronze. He spends many hours observing and experiencing nature in an effort to better understand his subject and to improve his art. For Bryce his art is the culmination of his knowledge, feeling and love of nature.

William F Kuehn
Learning of his love for knife making from Hollywood craftsmen such as Tony Swatton and Pat Crawford (who both created custom props used in films,) Kuehn found inspiration in his father's knife work. Learning from his father, Kuehn devoted himself to quality and detail in knife crafting, making each knife as though they were for himself first.

This passion and commitment to his work has created art that went from hobby to his fultime way of life, something that is reflected in his choice of steel, and handle materials. He uses only the finest in steel, including ATS-34 D-2, 01, and 5160.

This young artist's talent shines through his craftmanship, and his unique artistic styling is sure to make his work stand out.

David Talk
David Talk is a member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. He is one of many talented members of the Talk family. The Talk family resides in the Mancos Creek region of the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. The Talks have been successful sheep and cattle ranchers for many generations. However, several of Mr. Talk’s siblings, aunts and uncles are talented painters and bead workers. David works primarily in oil and watercolor. Most of his subjects are traditional Ute people. He has been painting for more than 30 years, since he was a boy.

Gail Holthausen
Gail Holthausen has worked in ceramics for 30 years. She studied sculpture in France and ceramics at Western Michigan University. She also studied at the New School in New York City. For the last five years Gail has taught ceramics at Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs.
Her pottery is primarily wheel thrown, one of a kind, and hand decorated. "I am not a production potter," shes says, "I create my work from all types of clay. I stay fresh and creative by varying the clay medium... I have a very diverse body of work, and I am not limited by style or clay choice."
All her pottery (except the Raku) is food/microwave/oven and dishwasher safe.

Johnny Yazzie
Navajo
Johnny Yazzie, one of the major contributors to the popularity and growth of contemporary Indian painting, was born on December 29, 1945 on the Navajo Reservation east of Tuba City, Arizona. Johnny received his education at Tuba City Boarding School and later transferred to Sherman Institute in Riverside, California. Upon completion of his schooling there, he went on to Vocational Trade School in Dallas, Texas. He eventually gained employment as a carpenter for three years.
In April 1964 he married Peggy Nightwalker of the Cheyenne Arapahos tribe. She later became a major source of support and encouragement to the development of his art career.
In the mid sixties, Johnny moved to Canton, Oklahoma and maintained a steady job as a Panel Operator for the U.S. Gypsum Company for several years. While resideing in Oklahoma, he became interested in art as he and his family would visit different art galleries as part of his family’s entertainment.
Having a steady job and a family to support, he could not find the time to devote to any formal education to develop his talents as an artist. To compensate for this he took it upon himself to invest his past-time to researching and studying different forms and styles of painting.
As time progressed, Johnny moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where he attended the Institute of American Indian Arts and the College of Santa Fe. There he finished with his Associates Degree in Fine Art.
Johnny attributes his interests and natural talents to his up-bringings in a very traditional Navajo environment. His father was a Medicine Man and his mother a traditional weaver.. He realized that this was a source of income that required time, interest, and dedication to perfect a profession that is profitable and unique.
Based on his findings he quit his employment and began to devote all his time and energy to perfecting his art work.
Despite any formal ecducation or training, Johnny is now one of the most successful artists in the United States. While in school in Santa Fe, many international art collectors bought his paintings, sculptures, and jewelry. He says, “I have acquired many friends internationally who have a real appreciation for my work and my culture.” Johnny is well known for his Southwest and Plains scenery paintings.
He says, “Many people ask me why I paint Plains and Pueblo scenes,” he states, “The Plains Indians are a part of my extended family and the Pueblos have been my neighbors for as long as I can remember. It is natural for me.” His love for nature, spirituality and people are usually illustrated through his paintings. He enjoys and loves to share these feelings with other people who have a real appreciation for humanity and nature.
Johnny also sees his artwork as a way to contribute to history and literature for generations to come. This is essential to those who will not have had the opportunity to live in a society where many of the transitions in the Indian wa of life have been so prevalent.
Johnny has been a member of the Oklahoma Indian Art League. He has also exhibited his art at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona and art galleries/shows in Denver, Colorado, Santa Monica, California, Sedona, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also has won awards at the New Mexico State Fair and many other places.
Johnny’s paintings are in Europe, Germany, Japan, and many other nations.