Team Biographies
Our people are among the most talented in the industry. It would be our pleasure to put our extensive experience to work for you.
Donna Toavs.......Raised in Casper, Wyoming, but now residing in Montana, Artist
Donna Toavs is no stranger to Horses, Ranching and hard work. Her paintings depict the ranch and rodeo life she loves. Everything from bucking broncs & bulls, equine portraits, and branding calves to a cowgirl still life are her subject matter. She is an accomplished acrylic, watercolor, pencil and sculpture artist.
She has been a featured Artist at several Art Galleries, and is represented by the Rivers Edge Galllery in Twin Bridges, the Red Poppy Gallery in Ronan Montana and the Distractions Gallery in Casper, Wyoming. She has had work published on the cover of "Precision Scale Co." 1993 issue. and as a CD cover of the Cold-Drill America's Work Force" issue 1992 She has also been commissioned to logos for a number of different companies.
The watercolor portrait "Future Champ" won honorable mention in the horse in art competition in 2010. Recently she was invited and participated in the "PRCACowboys in Art Show" in Casper, Wyoming
Donna has maily worked commissioned art, and produced specialty plasma art patterns for 3 companies over the last 5 years. You may see many of her cowboy and wildlife designs on signs hanging over many ranch gates and entrances from Montana to Nevada. Rodeo, equine portraits and even western art are her primary considerations.
Donna resides in Stevensville, Montana with her husband Rueban. They raised a Daughter Becky and four sons, Cody, Chance, Coal and Kyle. They breed and train Barrel horses and bucking bulls. Donna spends a large part of their time riding colts and barrel racin, aside from her art.
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Randy Boothman...Moving to Nevada from Montana was a welcomed
experience. He and his wife Chris and their Family came looking for a change
in environment...A place to work on his wonderful Artwork . He Artform is very creative and functional in any home or workplace. His canvas has become the walls in homes, either in mural form or in Framed Art.
He uses Drywall and mud to create these awesome portraits, that when finished look as if someone has sat down and tooled leather for days. It is one of the most unique ways of designing I have ever seen...very impressive.
Randy is quite humble, and a very appreciative man. If his Art can in any way make someone smile, He is proud that he had a part in that expression. We are very lucky to have people like him in the world. The ones that make you take notice of the world around us.
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Andy & Nancy........Nancy on her own has been very crafty all of her life, taking
junk and using it to make something fun and useful...From Sewing, quilting, cooking, baking, tooling leather, drawing, wood working, painting.....you name it, she's probably done it . Turning something into a work of art has always been a challenge to her.
Andy, A very meticulis mind, always wants things perfectly measured and I think an "Engineer" at heart. A man with a wonderful heart and a head full of "We could do this !" He has created so many projects in iron, wood, and with an engine. Just tell him what you have in mind, and He will figure out a way to build it.
Together, they are quite a team ! He calls her the creative Artist and she knows he's the Smart one. He builds the "heavy duty"....she makes them "Soft and Fun" ....He does Macho, She does Mommy.. Either way, they come up with some of the coolest things to add to your Home, yard, garden, driveway and fenceposts. From Ironwork to Birdhouses, Fabric to woodwork, Foods to Feathers, you are never surprised at what they come up with next.
As you drive around in the area, check out some of the Ironwork signs on businesses, Chances are, they were built in their backyard.
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Lexi.................."Country Sugar......putting a little of Grandma's house in a jar."
What a concept in this modern day of husstle and busstle. Lexi has brought that old country store look to something that never fails to make us feel home again and feel that heartwarming cozy feeling we all seem to miss these days.
A little sugar and spice, flour and salt. All you need to add is the eggs, vanilla and water and in just minutes you have Grandma cookies, cakes, quick breads and brownies hot out of the oven.....But wait, what about those soups that we miss. Remember when Mom made homemade chicken soup, chili, beef stew and Bean soup.....Just add alittle water and you have a wonderful down on the farm dinner with your family. What could be better than cooking up a simpler time for an hour or so. You deserve it.
As you can probably tell, Lexi spent alot of time with Grandma on the farms in Idaho. Learning the important things in life aren't the ones you buy at the store, but the memories that are homemade with a touch of work and a handful of love...She considers herself very lucky to have that instilled in her heart.
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Alisa Shisler.............This lovely young lady was born in Cottage Grove, Oregon but moved to Idaho at the tender age of two. Growing up in a small town atmosphere with a heart of gold attitude. She knows that the only way to make it through is to be the best that she can be and treat people in the kindest way posible. This thankful and loving touch is what embraces her love of Photography....At the age of thirteen, she became interested in pictures, cameras and the world of possible photos that surrounded her. She jokingly calls herself a "Picture Freak" but has decided that she loves it so much that Photography is what she is stiving for as a career..
Now only Twenty Three, she has a great start on the Passion of Pictures. She loves taking Pictures of everything, but loves Animals and Scenery. Living in a rural community, she has found a vast and never ending canvas of opportunity, just waiting for her perfect shot !! She says she can walk around town with her camera in hand and take hundreds of photos of cute animals and beautiful landscapes every day. She would eventually love to travel and extend her talents to many unknown places...There is a huge world out there and plenty of room for a little girl with a love of life and the Camera to Document it.
Her Artform known as "Pixie Print Photography" may even show up in your Neighborhood before you know it....
We wish her all the luck and We know she can go a long ways.
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Anthony Adams......One of our newest Artisans to add to our group of Creative People, Anthony brings a "Free Spirit Motive" to add to the world all around him...Very Humble about his work, but treats each piece of Art as a part of the Family. He instills his whole heart into the creation of these lovely pieces of Pottery and Raku..
He was born in Orange County, Califonia...where the suns shines bright on any creative mind. Then moving on over to New Mexico where He was raised in a world of unmatched Beauty...He now makes His home In Winnemucca, Nevada...Just Dreaming of Being known as an Accomplished Potter and Artisan of the Great Western Area of our Great Country.
Being Raised in a very large collage of Family Members, he has come to know the importance of
working together to becoming the best that you can be. Being and doing His Best, shows in the work He does. Patience, Time and Love makes a Precious piece of Art mean even more to those who enjoy it in their homes.
Aside from His Pottery, He enjoys the Great Outdoors and all the wonders it holds. Camping,
Fishing, Hiking or just simply watching Wildlife as it goes about the day, It is a wonderful way
to pass a day.
Please enjoy the sample Pictures in the Slideshow ahead and be sure to come out and see the Unique pieces in Person.
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Paul Latham.....An Old Time Cowboy...Through and Through.....Started his life in the early '40's. Born on the Western Slope area in the great state of Colorado. Moving as a young Man to Casper, Wyoming, He spent most of his life being a Cowhand, Cowboying and doing a hard days work for a little bit of money....But no complaints ! He was doing what he loved the most.
As time went on, He worked for the Highway Department on the Powder river Pass in the Big Horn Mountain area. Being in the Mountains and surrounded by Trees, is where his Log Furniture Creations took ahold of his Heart. He quickly learned that he could create beautiful Furniture and make a few bucks on the side.
Making a few bucks was a welcomed thing at that time. He and his Wife had two little cowboys to raise. As they got older, the Rodeos came around fast and the Family wallet seemed to open alot faster. The cost of all that teaching and training Paid off though. they had two son's following in Mom and Dad's footsteps.
Both sons went on to be professional Saddle Bronc riders and both went to the National Finals. A tragic accident took one son, but the other continued to live out His own and his Dad's dream. His Son, Craig, is a Rodeo Coach today in Goodwell, Oklahoma at the University there.
Paul builds beautiful Custom Furniture at his home...a steady stream of orders pour in from all over. If it can be made out of Wood, He can do it.
Whe he's not in the woodshop, you can always find him outside doing something. never enough time for all that he loves to do......Gardening,fishing, hunting, and of course Woodworking. If the weather doesn't permit any of that, You can find him in front of an old John Wayne movie or any other old Western where cowboys were real cowboys.!!!! I think as long as he feels like he can make someone smile and tell them a funny story, his day is complete....
HIS MOTTO...I didn't come here to stay, I came to here to play !
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Jim Cisna.......His products known in the Area as "Made In Winnemucca, Nevada 89445" are the finest example of Horseshoe Art. There is not much you can't make out of a set of Horeshoes if you set your mind to it.
Jim was born in Hayward, California and was raised as a ..self proclaimed U.S. Airforce "Brat". When he grew up and ventured out on his own, He met and Married his wonderful wife Vicki. They have, at this time been married for 43 years. They have two sons,,,,,Will, who has 21 years in the Air Force and Jim III, who has served for 18 years in the Air Force. Jim, himself served for 26 years. This is a Family, like so many across America, who We are all very grateful to have the honor of knowing.
His Artform comes in the way of Horeshoe Art and some Woodworking. He creates so many different types of products, You will just have to come to a show and see them all...His Display is very impressive, to say the least...Not to mention, if you have an idea, He is very willing to work on Custom Orders.
His hobbies involve Lots of Horeshoe art, woodworking projects, Rebuilding, Finishing, etc...He says, Not much else...But I know He never quits, He always has an idea to work on next !!!!
His hopes for the Future ????? To stay "RETIRED"
We are very fortunate to have him in our little Family of Artisans.
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Bios to come........
Patricia Powell
Marlene Shier
Laurie McerQuiaga
Flora Wilson
