Cristen J. Roghair
About:
Born in Bloomington, Indiana, raised north of Chicago, IL, central Wisconsin, and Murdo, SD. Cristen graduated from Jones County High School in 2000. A pastor’s daughter and the oldest of eight. She spent four post high school years working full time and attending the College of Lake County, IL, learning the basics of dark room photography. She is mainly self-taught. Cristen ventured to Ontario, Canada for a 10 month Leadership Development Program at Medeba. In October 2005, she married Marty Roghair and moved to his ranch in Okaton, SD. This is when her love for the prairie started to flourish.
“Art is a reflection of God’s creativity. An evidence that we are made in the image of God.” ~Francis Schaeffer
To read her full bio, please visit her About page on her website.
See Cristen’s work at:
Prairie Edge, Rapid City, SD
South Dakota Art Museum Store, Brookings, SD
Mediums: Photography
“Often over looked and classified as the “fly over states” are those that contain the prairie. I have come to view the prairie as anything but “fly over.” I have discovered deep lines in the contrast of shadows, vibrant skies in the wide open spaces, and rich landscapes no matter the season. There is a song in the wind, harmony in the waving prairie grasses and the grand percussion of sunrise to sunset. The clouds are big and full of life, the storms so close you can reach out and feel the electricity. From my working cattle ranch in western South Dakota, I get to watch the prairie and the weather she boasts, and experience the cowboy lifestyle. My landscape photography is front row seat of the vast land and sky, how each season changes the landscape. My western photography portrays the authentic working cattleman and ranch quarter horses. I have been photographing the prairie for the past 11 years and have grown to deeply love this land. That loves fuels my passion to share its beauty with you. I invite you to enjoy these wide open spaces with me: hear the sounds of the prairie, take in its sweet scent, and listen to the storm in all of the quiet. “
–Cristen J. Roghair
Artist Info:
