Kaye Burian: Grounded in Reality - Spring 2007 Issue of Horses in Art Magazine

Kaye Burian: Grounded in Reality

by Sarah H. Crampton

Mom and Me — Oil on canvas, 16 x 20, by Kaye Burian.
Ranching has always been the life of Kaye Burian. She was born and raised on a ranch in western North Dakota and now owns and operates the Lazy 77 Ranch near Manning, North Dakota, with her husband Myran and with the help of one of her sons who lives just four miles away.

The Lazy 77 Ranch raises black and red Angus cattle. The Burians are not far from another ranch that raises quarter horses, and Kaye feels fortunate to have them close for reference, especially the mares and foals, as shown in the endearing oil painting Mom and Me. When her family needs a working ranch horse, they prefer to go purchase a two- or three-year-old, already started under saddle the right way.

Kaye will often have at least four or five paintings going all at the same time. She comments, "I can go from one to the other, work on one for a bit and then come back to it. It keeps the painting fresh and keeps the process interesting."

Kaye was at a rodeo when she saw the scene depicted in Strategists. Someone needed a horse, so Kaye brought one of her own to lend. They were all lined up waiting, several relaxed enough to half-close their eyes, and Kaye took a reference photo. It was the middle of May, but the horses in North Dakota hang onto their winter coats a bit longer than elsewhere in the country. They just don't slick out that early; it's just not warm enough.

Paint War — Oil on canvas, 16 x 20, by Kaye Burian.

Without going further than outside her own front door, Kaye has plenty of references to paint horses, the wilderness, landscapes, wildlife, and western scenes. It is this close proximity to the horses that provides constant glimpses of how they stand and how they act. The oil painting titled Paint War is a colorful example of someone who has been around the behavior of horses all her life, witnessing their daily interactions. Today, painting is Kaye's full-time occupation, and she now leaves most of the ranching to others in the family.

With true dedication to her artwork, Kaye Burian creates oil paintings that are believable and beautiful, always grounded in reality. She is represented by Montana Trails Gallery in Bozeman, Montana, and J Moore Gallery in Bigfork, Montana. View more of her artwork at www.kayeburian.com.

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