ARTIST, American Watercolor Society

The beautiful Columbia lambskins that come from the Imperial Stock Ranch market lambs, are handcrafted into garments. The skin (leather) side is a canvas just waiting for a very special touch. We have found that touch in the talent and hand of artist Nancy Tipton Steensen. Nancy currently lives in Pendleton, Oregon, but has spent much time in the Deschutes River country around Maupin. Her artistry can be seen throughout the lodge (Imperial River Company) on the river in Maupin.

Nancy grew up in Centralia, Washington, becoming interested in oil painting as a high schooler. She went on to college where she majored in art, and got the attention of one of her professors who encouraged her to apply to Burnley School of Art in Seattle, Washington. Nancy attended Burnley with emphases in graphic, illustrative, fine art and life drawing. She has attended numerous prestigious workshops of other artists.

Nancy is a very accomplished artist with versatile capabilities. She has received numerous honors, awards and commissions, including the Hal P. Moore Award, American Watercolor Society, 1996. She has done numerous exhibitions including a one woman show April 2003 at the Lawrence Gallery in the Pearl District in Portland, Oregon, and another there in February, 2004. She has a permanent solo exhibit at the Lawrence Gallery in Sheridan, Oregon since 1994 to the present. She is the most sold artist at the Sheridan gallery.

Nancy has been painting beautiful primitive motifs on the skin side of the Imperial Stock Ranch reversible lambskin garments. Not only is each garment a one-of-a-kind creation because of the uniqueness of each pelt, but the unique painting on each garment makes it truly a wearable art treasure. We are so grateful to Nancy for her creative talent, and for becoming part of our extended family.