Cali Roberson grew up outside of Oakdale, California, where her parents raised horses and sheep. Her dad worked for a large ranch, and Cali spent a lot of time working with him, learning how to handle horses and cattle.

At age 11 she began spending summers with cutting and cow horse trainers Carl and Kathy Gould. She began training and showing her own horses and working for local ranches during shipping season. In order to live at home and continue showing cow horses, she went to her local college, CSU Stanislaus, and received a degree in Art.

After years of trying to work a full-time job, train her horses, and draw, Cali decided to quit her office job in 2009 to be a full-time artist. She is married and raising two little girls on their small ranch in Escalon, California.