Yeah, this is really me in 1959 on my family’s ranch.
“I paint what I love.”
Animals and art have always been the two constants in my life. I grew up on a ranch in Texas, and the livestock and the land are forever a part of my soul.
As soon as I could hold a pencil, I was drawing the horses and cattle on our ranch, and later received private art lessons as a child.
After attending a small rural college, I entered the corporate world and also began a career as a fine-art photographer. When the photographic realm turned digital and became 100% computer-dependent, I sold my darkroom and returned to painting — where, with just a few colors, an artist can almost bring a scene to life — no electricity required!
I’m showing my steer Maverick the painting I did of him as a calf. He loved it!
Other than a few lessons or workshops, my art education comes from observation and practice. I work from my own photographs, but I honestly have no idea where any whimsical elements come from.
I’m often asked why cattle are my main subject — that’s because they are what I know and care about. I have several Texas Longhorns at my home/studio on my small ranch near Columbus, Texas . These animals connect me to the land and to my own roots. So, it is no surprise they naturally become the subjects of many of my paintings as well the Holsteins from a neighboring dairy. The rabbits and birds are just a folly.
When painting in a realistic style, I want the viewer to relate to the same beauty and character in these animals as seen through my eyes. And, when painting in a whimsical manner, I strive to bring a smile or laugh to the viewer. And always, no matter how or what I paint, my wish is to be successful in conveying my vision.
I am very blessed and grateful to be able to support myself doing what I love, and I am honored when a collector chooses to give one of my paintings a home on their wall. Creating my art fulfills me. It gets no better than that.
Gallery of Sandra at work (Click on thumbnail to view larger image):
