Raised on a ranch southeast of Columbus, Montana, Lois Skibstad Huntzicker learned early to appreciate the beauty in the nature surrounding her in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains. The youngest of six children in her Norwegian family, Lois fell comfortably into her role of helping her father care for the ranch animals. During these years, many hours were spent with the animals that found their way into her care; from cats, dogs, bum lambs, chickens and calves, to an injured mule deer fawn and woodchuck. Though she experimented with various artistic mediums, she was especially drawn to the basic graphite pencil for its ability to capture the spirit, beauty, and strength of the animals she observed and learned the particular importance of the subject’s eye in capturing their soul.
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While attaining an education degree at college, she was able to explore and develop her artistic talent further. Recently retiring as a high school art teacher, she now divides her time between pursuing her art and spending days with her 2 fabulous little grandsons.
Commissioned drawings of customers’ favorite animals are constantly on the drawing table, but graphite pencil and colored pencil drawings of feathered and fur are always happening too. Currently living west of Livingston, Montana, Lois, and husband Jim, can routinely be seen traveling the back roads of scenic Montana searching for the next subject or glimmer of inspiration and are always looking for the next excuse to explore hidden gems throughout the region. |