Being born and raised on a ranch in western North Dakota, Kaye Burian, finds her western way of life easy to portray.  Many times she has drawn from her rodeo and ranching background to give her paintings an authentic and realistic look. Ranching is still a part of her life as she and her husband, Myran, own and operate Lazy 77 Ranch, near Manning, North Dakota.

It is here where they raise red and black angus cattle along with a few quarter horses to help with the ranch duties. Their oldest son is in partnership in the ranching business with his wife and family. Their youngest son is currently manager for Clinical Trials Business Development in Kansas.  The ranch and its surroundings help Kaye encounter the natural world and its inhabitants face-to-face and bring that experience to her art. She is close enough to nature to understand the unforgiving landscape, where man and animal struggle to survive. It has helped her demonstrate how factors of time and place give meaning and value to her works of art.

She hasn’t climbed the highest mountains but has heard the lonesome call of the coyote, felt the harsh winter wind and studied the daily routine of animals at peace in their wild and free surroundings. Their emotions help her portray her subjects with fidelity and realism.

The Mandan North Dakota Rodeo helped celebrate their 125th Anniversary by having Kaye do a painting and print of former world champion saddle bronc rider, Alvin Nelson in 2004. In 2005 she did a painting and print of world champion saddle rider Brad Gjermundson and in 2006 she did a painting and print of world champion bareback rider, Wayne Herman. In 2007 Kaye will be painting PBR world champion bucking bull, Little Yellow Jacket of the Berger Bucking Bulls .  Kaye is grateful to everyone who invites her to their western activities or to tour the surrounding country. "It further enhances my knowledge of and appreciation of the cowboy way of life," said Kaye. Some of the most important picture themes can be found in the quieter drama of every day life.  Kaye graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Dickinson State University, Dickinson ND. After teaching art and elementary education for six years, Kaye turned to painting full time at her studio at the ranch.  In 2006, Kaye was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Fellows Award in Fine Art from Dickinson State University.

 

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