Kristi Usher was born and raised in northwestern Oregon, where from the very start she possessed an intense love and admiration for horses. Her artistic abilities, which she believes is a gift from God, became evident, also, at a very early age and she spent a great amount of her time drawing, especially her favorite subject, the horse. She received no formal instruction, being educated from experience on top of a horse and from intent observation of life around her. She spent twenty plus years working an eighty-acre horse and cattle ranch, raising Quarter Horses and Paints, standing stallions and keeping several mares producing colt crops each year. Her many years spent with horses, whether pleasure riding, working cattle, being involved with rodeos and ropings, doctoring, showing, delivering colts or simply grooming has given her a genuine feel for her subject. During this time on the ranch, she continued to draw and took up painting. She did commissioned works when time allowed but felt a strong desire to create in the three dimensional. She knew it would be a big step and quite an undertaking, but she felt that God was leading her in the direction of sculpture. So, with faith, she devoted all her time, energy and means to create bronzes. After completing her first bronze in 1998, she knew this is where she belonged; it was here that she felt fulfilled and satisfied. Finally she had found a medium that would allow her to create with all the detail, texture, movement and spirit that was within her. She chose Joseph Bronze, a foundry in Joseph, Oregon, to be her second home. Superb quality of workmanship, the accommodating attitude and the friendly staff at the foundry were just a few of the reasons for making this choice where Kristi will trust her works into the hands of others. She spends countless hours there with the staff to ensure that each casting meets her satisfaction. When undertaking a new sculpture, Kristi does extensive research if there is an area she's not familiar with. It's crucial to her that her work is not only pleasing to look at, but correct also. She meticulously sculpts her bronzes with exceptional detail, realism, authenticity and her entire heart. Her hope is that when her bronzes are viewed by cowboys, ranchers or anyone who is involved in the western way of life, their hearts will be moved and they'll feel the experience of that moment frozen in time. Her faith in God, her passion for art and for the west has given her a vision she wants to spend the rest of her life sharing with the world.