Crystal Orlando

Crystal Orlando is a citizen of the USA. She was born and raised in Texas. From an early age, she wanted to be outside, exploring the environment and spending time with animals. For several years she expressed a desire to be a veterinarian who specialized in equine medicine. While a student at North Central College Crystal worked as a horse trainer in multiple disciplines including hunter jumper, dressage, reining, cutting, and polo. She graduated with her A.A.S. specializing in Equine Science in 1999. Then her desire to travel and spend time outdoors overruled the desire to become an Equine Surgeon. She made the decision to accept a position with a public relations firm in Washington D.C.  After a year and a half with the public relations firm, she returned to working with horses. Both during college and after her time with the public relations firm Orlando distinguished herself as an accomplished equestrian trainer. She trained horses for several prestigious horse ranches in Texas and Oklahoma including a 4-time World Champion Cutting Horse Facility, and a United States Polo Association Certified Umpire.

 It was obvious to those around her that she had a brilliant career ahead of her in the equestrian world. However, her heart pulled her in a different direction. All her life she was compelled to draw. In all her endeavors, a sketchbook was never far away. She was able to accurately draw what was in front of her from an early age. Orlando has been showing and selling her drawings since she was twelve years old. She began to study other master’s art and to work on increasing her drawing skills.

 In 2012 Crystal Orlando became a full time professional artist. For about a year she studied color theory and oil painting with world renown abstract artist Kay Griffith.  Learning how to paint the illusion of 3-dimensional space was important to her. She quickly excelled with oil painting but realized that her first love was working in greyscales. Orlando is primarily self-taught in graphite and charcoal.

In 2013 Orlando was awarded “Emerging Artist of the Year” presented by “Art Galleries and Artists of the South Magazine.

In 2013, and 2014 she was invited to participate in Gala Fundraiser events towards the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center founded by the former United States First Lady, Claudia Johnson. In 2016, The University of Texas granted Orlando a solo show in the Wildflower Center, showcasing her wildlife and botanical drawings.

The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming has sold her wildlife drawing prints in their official gift shop.  She is represented by Amaran Gallery, also in Jackson, Wyoming. In Texas, Crystal Orlando is represented by Griffith Fine Art Gallery in Salado. In 2018, she joined Art London Dubai, curated by Royal Artist, Darren Baker. Also in 2018, 2 of her drawings were auctioned at Kensington Palace in London.

Orlando has participated in multiple solo, group and museum shows across Texas and the US.

* This statement has been provided directly by the artist in association to their 15^th International ARC Salon entries. This content has not been edited for typos or grammatical errors and has not been vetted for accuracy.