About Krister Eide

From the Cascades to the Bitterroot

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, raised among the old-growth forests and volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range and Olympic Peninsula. My deep respect for the land was inherited from a family of conservationists—my grandfather was born in Montana, and both sides of my family shared a profound love for the wild.

Today, I live near a mosaic of wildlife habitats in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana where osprey and deer are part of the everyday landscape, and I experience a wildlife adventure every day.

Artistic Journey & Education

I’ve been influenced by many teachers and artist in my early life including the Gage Academy in Seattle. I earned a BFA in Illustration from the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, and then had the privilege of learning from a number of master artists including Michael Orwich and Robert Caldwell. 

krister pleinair

Conservation & The Naturalist’s Eye

My artwork is inseparable from my commitment to conservation. While in college, I worked at a wildlife rehabilitation center, caring for large raptors—such as bald eagles, owls, and hawks—as well as smaller birds and mammals. This hands-on experience developed in me a closer respect for these animals and a technical understanding of their anatomy that continues to inform every stroke of my brush.

When I’m not in the studio, I am out in the field tracking animal behavior and teaching a dynamic approach to field sketch observation at WildlifeJournaling.com

I am an active member of several conservation groups, including Artists for Conservation, the Bitterroot Bird Alliance, and The Mountaineers, and am a Montana Master Naturalist through the Montana Natural History Museum. 

 

 

Affiliations & Honors

Through my artwork, I strive to share the stories of these animals and inspire a deeper sense of protection for the wild spaces they inhabit.

  • Signature Artist: Puget Sound Group of Northwest Artists

  • Associate Member: Artists for Conservation (AFC)

  • Associate Member: Oil Painters of America (OPA)

  • Associate Member: American Impressionist Society (AIS)

  • Member: Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Northwest

Krister Eide Art