About the Artist

R.B. Christian III, known as "Bernie" by family and friends, is an artist who is in the beginning stages of making a name for himself with his stunning oil paintings of landscapes, seascapes, still lifes', portraits and more. Born in 1959, Bernie was drawn to art before he could count or spell. One of his earliest and most impactful memories was at 4 years of age when he remembers walking into a hotel lobby with his parents and as he looked up in awe, a beautiful larger than life landscape painting with a woman and a river hung on a wall before him.  It was colorful, brilliant and captivating. He marveled at it and knew even then that the work of art was somehow special in a way he had never known before. As his childhood waned, aside from a high school art class which studied various mediums, it would be years later before he could devote himself to developing his talent. While in his junior year at Middle Tennessee State University, Bernie started teaching himself how to paint in oil. In the mid 1980's he started painting large canvases onto the finished side of birch plywood. Later in the 1990's, Bernie began studying with locally known Fort Worth artist Loretta Hoppe, and this is where he truly began developing his skill in oil painting. It was his first oil painting through her teaching that also resulted in that same piece of work being his first sale in a Gallery on the Square in Downtown Gainesville Texas in 2001. After a period of time, life's distractions intervened and slowed progress towards his artistic goals. However, when an epidemic confined much of the country to their homes for extended periods during 2020 and 2021, Bernie realized there was an opportunity to renew his creative efforts to improve his skill and to produce desirable pieces of artwork. Being driven to improve the quality of his art ultimately led him to study plein aire painting under the renowned painter and art coach teacher Stefan Baumann (of PBS fame) in the summer of 2022. Baumann's tutelage has helped Bernie further refine his art skills, and his style has evolved to incorporate more expressionistic elements that add depth, color, temperature, focus and complexity to his work. Bernie attended one of Stefan's plein aire workshops where the group painted the Nevada landscape. Bernie brought to his studio a lot of inspiration from that workshop which he will be incorporating into future paintings. You can find more information about artist Stefan Bauman at his website;www.stefanbaumann.com.

Bernie's current works of art reflect his lifelong love for nature and the outdoors. He works almost exclusively in oils and has a particular love for Western themes, including landscapes with horses and various other kinds of wildlife but also enjoys painting still lifes' and portraits. His paintings capture vividly and authentically the rugged beauty and unique spirit of the American West, resonating with those who admire his works. Bernie's dedication to his craft is an inspiration, proving that with passion, hard work, and perseverance, anything is possible.

Alongside his work as an artist, Bernie has also had success as a professional real estate agent, working alongside his wife, Terri Christian since 2004, to help clients find the home of their dreams. He says that earning a living as a Realtor fuels his indulgence into his creative artistic endeavors.

Today, Bernie lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with his wife Terri, and they cherish the time spent with their children and grandchildren. 

Favorite Painters

Joaquin Sorolla - Fredrick Remington - Charles Russell

Painting Types and Subjects by R.B. Christian III

Western themes / Landscapes / Still Life / Plein Air / Portraits / Wildlife / Horses

 Note: All the works in this website are property of R.B. Christian III. Any attempt to duplicate, copy his works are prohibited by copyright laws. (C) 2023. All Rights Reserved