Barry
Barry Crisman grew up in Stone Ridge, a small hamlet within the town of Marbletown in Ulster County, New York. He began drawing at an early age and most of his earlier artwork includes pencil landscape drawings. His talents were recognized by art teachers, as he was asked to design banners for the local Lions Club and community organizations.
After graduating from high school and community college, Barry worked in the printing industry while continuing his drawing. In 1987, he moved to Arizona where he met Regina. They were married in 1989.
Visiting his parents’ Arabian horse ranch in Prescott, Arizona, he discovered coyote gourds (Cucurbita palmata) growing wild along the roadside. After they dry, these small round gourds are lightweight and hard-shelled – a perfect medium for hanging ornaments during the holiday season! Barry’s first designs on these ornamental gourds were intricate geometric designs. In 1991, encouraged by his family to sell his artwork, Barry began painting horses on the gourds and sold his first batch to a gift shop in Sedona, Arizona.
Soon thereafter, Barry was painting southwest motifs on gourds. His fascination with southwest petroglyph symbols inspired him to begin painting his interpretation of these ancient designs on the ornamental gourds, as well as larger, farm-grown gourds.
In 2015 Barry started painting on flat panels to answer a request for wall art. Barry paints on masonite board and American birchwood panels, and in 2020, he added southwest landscapes to his portfolio.
Regina
Regina Fraser Crisman grew up in New England and studied graphic design and communication arts at The School of The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. After working over 30 years in the printing and advertising industry, she is now fully devoted to pursuing her life-long ambition of painting.
Regina works in acrylics and leather dyes. She paints on canvas, wood panels and gourds. As an amateur botanist and an avid hiker, her favorite subject matter is nature and landscape art.
Barry and Regina Crisman
Barry and Regina’s artwork is sold in fine gift stores and galleries throughout the American southwest. Links to retail sites and contact information can be found on the Contact page.