Christy's Gift

Christy Daniels is a self-taught sculptor. She was born in Fargo, North Dakota in 1968 and was raised, and has lived, in Montana since 1970.

Christy was born with a gift - an incredible and innate talent - and was encouraged and inspired by her artist mother to draw from earliest childhood. It wasn't until late in her teenage years however, that she found her exceptional talent was in the 3 dimensional world of sculpture.

Growing up in rural Western Montana, Christy learned early that she had more than an unusual love of animals and a passion for capturing their very essence in n paint, pencil or what ever medium was available. During her childhood, her love for horses was nurtured and she was an accomplished rider by the time she reached adolescence. Summers would find her riding deep into Montana's famous Bob Marshall Wilderness at horse camps and later she roamed the mountains close to her home - just her and her horse.

To paraphrase one of America's greatest western-theme sculptors, 'Christy knows the horse'. So, it is no surprise that her first serious attempts to sculpt at age 17 was the three dimentional image of a running horse which her uncle graciously had cast for her. Several years later she sculpted a mare and her foal that she entitled "Bedtime Story". After resculpting it with the assistance and advice of her favorite current bronze sculptor, Gabe Gable, it won a blue ribbon at the Western Montana Fair and was cast in a limited edition which was destined to sell out. Since then her career has steadily matured, taking a back seat only to her family. Inspired to create more by her biggest supporter, husband Deeder, she branched into wildlife. Her first grizzly fishing piece (still available) led to more support and acclamations.

Raising a family and raising horses can have it's limitations so rather than going far afield for more formal training Christy secured a job in 1999 at the Big Rock foundry near Missoula, and spent four years learning the lost wax bronze casting method and perfecting her skill in that which had become her passion - 'The Bronze'.

In 2002 Christy began her showing at the Kalispel Western Artists Show.  She also showed at the Spokane Western Artists Show where, in 2005, she was awarded Best In Show Three Dimensional for her sculpture "Salmon Buffet".

Christy also shows annually at the Western Heritage Artists Show in Great Falls, Montana, where, in 2006, she received 1st Place Bronze Sculpture for her sculpture "Thunderheads". This piece was also accepted into the Montana Skies Art Exhibit in Big Fork, Montana that year. It was the only bronze depicting Montana skies, being a vision of Bison rumbling across the sky as a thunder storm. 

At the Western Heritage Show, in 2007, Christy received Best In Show, People's Choice and Honorable Mention for “The Crossing”.  At the C.M. Russell art Auction,in 2008, “The Crossing” won People's Choice and was the top selling bronze at that year's auction. The original title of this piece was "The Crossing". The cowboy depicted in it atop his willing and agile herding horse was modeled after Christy's uncle and God father, John Jack Chase. Jack passed away before Christy completed this piece and in his honor she refined it's title to "The Crossing, See You On The Other Side". John Jack Chase is now in the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Christy enjoys showing at Cowboy Poetry and Art gatherings, conjoining her sculptures with other art mediums in paying tribute to the historical life of the cowboy.

Christy's sculptures depict real life western and wildlife experiences. Her exceptional understanding of animal body language and emotions, not only flow through her pieces but help her tell a story forever preserved in a three dimensional snapshot. As well as the body language and necessary conformation, Christy feels "the look in the eye" of her animals is key to drawing the viewer into the story.

In addition to the original sculpture, Christy likes to make her own molds, pour and chase her own waxes, chase the rough cast bronze and implement her own patinas whenever she can.

After the considerable recognition that she has received in the past five years, Christy has fallen into a routine of working six days a week from her studio in the Clark Fork Valley of Western Montana.

Having gained an increasing following Christy's goal is to produce at least one major piece (like last year''s highly acclaimed "The Crossing") per year. She has no shortage of ideas and inspirations for future projects.

  

"I begin a piece never completely sure of exactly where it will take me," she confides. But from the original concept there emerges a story. Her sculptures each materialize from an original inspiration that may begin with just one piece and slowly evolves with the addition of another piece and another until she is happy with it. Constantly amazed at what she can create, and the passion that drives her, Christy truly believes that she has a "gift from god"!

While not at a show, at the foundry, or riding her horse, Christy can be found at her studio in Frenchtown where she lives with her husband and her two teenage sons.