Kristi’s artistic focus is a merging of environmental, social and familial-ancestral Métis designs. The historical and cultural nature of the work requires intensive research and consultation with community elders and patterns from family heirlooms and archives. Her paintings often include native and threatened species, life stages, mirrored design, medicine wheel colours, and traditional Metis flower beadwork imagery. Laying down patterns reminiscent of her ancestor’s work gives the artist a sense of connection to them. Kristi uses environmentally friendly mediums such as quill pen, sepia ink, watercolour, wax resist, with embellishments of bead, quill or hide. Collaborations with her cousin Lisa Shepherd includes gorgeous glass beadwork.
The artist has been featured and awarded in solo and group exhibits in both B.C. and Alberta. The artist has created over 28 children's books, and her work has been shortlisted for Governor General's Awards and several dozen book awards. She was honoured as one of 150 Top B.C. Women Artists by the Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria. and most recently her work was given the Award of Excellence and Jurors Choice at Sooke Fine Arts. Her signature sepia toned pieces can be found in card and print series, environmental works, eastern inspired mandalas and massive canvas landscapes.
To see who Kristi has recently collaborated with, the list of awards her artwork has received, and where Kristi's work has been recently featured in the media; see the IN THE NEWS web page.