Although Sally spent her professional life as a nurse-midwife providing women's health care, the need to be creative has always been pervasive in her life. Through the years, she has explored many different mediums - pastels, clay, oils, acrylics and watercolors - on her own as well as participating in various workshops and classes.
Most recently Sally has been exploring using cold wax and oil in her abstract works. She enjoys the additive - subtractive process of applying the cold wax mixed with oil paint and the freedom it allows for mark making.
Abstraction
To stay fresh I must explore and stretch my creative boundaries. Most recently, I have been exploring abstract design and mark making. The process of playfully layering colors, designs, and images, as well as adding textures has been incredibly freeing and evocative. Expressing myself through mark making is pure fun. Each mark carries an emotion and a specific energy. It can be playful, happy, sad, angry or melodic and soothing.
Landscapes
Being out in nature feeds my soul so it is no surprise that I am passionate about painting the landscape "en plein air" (painting outdoors on location). Holding onto the first impression and painting fast before the light changes is exhilarating. This exudes an energy and freshness to the work. Inspiration comes from a combination of all the elements - the play of morning light, the rhythm of rolling hills, patterns in the vegetation as well as dazzling water reflections. Each painting is a visual description of my emotional response to the sights, sounds and smells of my surroundings.
Awards
- 2010 Second place, Arkansas Valley Art Center, Buena Vista, CO
- 2010 People's Choice, Wyoming Plein Air Event, Cheyenne, WY
- 2008 First Place, Art of the Rockies, Salida, CO
- 2008 Honorable Mention, Pikes Peak Pastel Society, Pueblo, CO
- 2007 First place, Arkansas Valley Art Center Open Awards Show Buena, CO
- 2007 Honorable mention, Pastel Society of Colorado Members Show, Longmont,CO
- 2005 First place, Arkansas Valley Art Center Open Awards Show, Buena Vista,CO
- 2005 Second and third place, Art of the Rockies Open Awards Show, Salida, CO
- 2004 Second place, Arkansas Valley Art Center Open Awards Show, Buena Vista, CO
- 2004 First and third place, Art of the Rockies Open Awards Show, Salida, CO
Representation
Fare Bella Gallery, Manitou Springs, CO
