Rusti Warner grew up on a cattle ranch near Whitefish, Montana. As a teen she was moved to Havre, Montana, a small railroad town on the outskirts of several Indian reservations.

Memorable high school years brought the artist many great friendships and insights into modern, American Indian life. These youthful times also started the artist's interest in portraiture, artistic anatomy, and oil painting.

In 1996 Rusti was invited to study briefly in the northern cities of Italy. In college, Rusti examined Renaissance style painting methods and began working from life on a daily basis. In 2000, the artist completed her B.F.A. at MSU-B in Billings, Montana.

Rusti is now 33 years old and has had several one-woman shows. Throughout the year, Rusti teaches the time honored craft of oil painting at FVCC in Kalispell, Montana. Warner participates in several group shows in addition to showing annually in her room at the C.M. Russell Art Auction in Great Falls, Montana.

The bulk of Rusti Warner's work is devoted to cultural survival and stewardship.