Vic Payne - Owner

Noted western sculptor and artist, Vic Payne has been sculpting for over 34 years.  He was born in 1960 to sculptor Ken and Priscilla Payne. Moving to a ranch in New Mexico instilled in Vic the roots of the West and became central in the shaping of this sculptor’s character. His families’ ranching heritage, tales of Billy the Kid, the Lincoln County Wars, pictures of paintings and bronzes by Charlie Russell and Frederic Remington made the “Old West” come alive and inspired Vic to try his own hand at sculpting. Vic's distinctive style and artistic approach to sculpting along with his attention to detail is widely recognized as being imaginative and innovative, chronicling the life and era of our nation’s history.  A sculptor of various sizes, including monumental bronzes, Vic's mission is to lead the viewer through an emotional journey telling a story with his art.  Whether he is creating wildlife, Native American or Western sculpture his passion is to capture the spirit of the West evoking the pioneering, independent, mystical spirit of the land and its people.  Studying and drawing inspiration from Master teachers such as Bruno Luccesi, Lincoln Fox, Fritz White and the impressive artistic works of European Master Michelangelo has had a significant impact in his work. As the demand for Vic’s work continued to grow, in 1991 he eventually opened his first gallery called Mountain Trails Gallery.  Vic and his father, Ken Payne, were pioneers in an innovative concept of bronze sales through clay works-in-progress while sculpting in the gallery. This concept is now widely used throughout the Southwest Art Community by most sculptors. Over the past 30 years, Vic has been commissioned to sculpt numerous monumental bronze sculptures for corporations, municipalities and individuals. Commissioned by Cabela's, Vic has had the honor to sculpt several monumental bronze sculptures for their stores in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Texas, Illinois and Louisiana.  His work is collected worldwide and can be found in such notable collections as the Raymond James Financial Institue Collection, the Booth Western Art Museum and The Pearce Civil War & Western Museum.  By incorporating his passion to preserve the history of the West to what he studies and creates has proven to be a successful marriage in Vic's career. Vic and his wife, Angie Maria and family now make their home in Cody, Wyoming, the home of legendary Buffalo Bill and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Accolades

• Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale
• Pearce Civil War an Western Museum
• Booth Western Art Museum
• Raymond James Financial Institute Collection

Angie Payne - Owner

Michele Couch - Executive Director, Partner

Born in New Mexico, I was raised in Santa fe during my childhood years, and moved to Colorado for most of my young adult life. Upon getting married, I found myself back in Santa Fe where I got my start at Mountain Trails Gallery in 1997 with Vic Payne. I've since raised two beautiful children and have experienced wonderful opportunites but my true passion is and will always remain in the art world. I am very grateful to God for giving me this beautiful life, where I am surrounded by amazing talent and wonderful people.

Kristen Tiniel - Fine Art Consultant and Social Media Marketing

Originally from Colorado, I was raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I am a visionary who is very goal oriented, and currently hold a bachelor degree in Science from the University of New Mexico. I have been with Mountain Trails Fine Art for nearly eight years but have been apart of this gallery since I was a child. My mom Michele, has been the director for many years, but now she is part owner! I am a sales consultant and also handle our social media marketing. Art is something I am very passionate about and I love sharing that with people who have become more than clients but friends, along the way. I am not a professional artist but I do enjoy sketching and plan to take workshops under some of our amazingly talented artists soon. 

Sonia Leyba - Fine Art Consultant

I was born in Santa Fe, NM, raised in Corpus Christi, Tx, and moved back to Santa Fe after high school. After living here for a little over a year, I moved to Los Angeles to study acting and then had a change of heart as I realized my love for the arts when I began working for Vic and Angie Payne in 1999 at Mountain Trails Gallery. I left the gallery 19 years ago and went on to sell real estate, coffee, and then met my husband who is an entrepreneur. I worked with him the past 14 years on our local beverage and distribution company. We have 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls, who I have the honor of homeschooling. In June the opportunity arose to come back and work in the gallery as Vic and Angie partnered with Michele to purchase the gallery back. As soon as I walked in the door, I felt like I was home. I remember one day before Indian Market, we were talking in the gallery and Vic stopped and said, "We got the whole gang back together!" I love it here, it is a true family and I thank God for each and every one of our owners, staff, artists, and clients. As Angie says, "Team work makes the dream work" ;)