MERWIN GALLERY

Sandra Merwin is known for her dramatic motion and bold confident paint strokes that convey movement, spirit and energy.  Kinetic energy springs from her paintings as she uses line, color, texture and light to translate motion and the feeling of fluidity in a style that is uniquely her's.

Sandra took an unusual route to becoming an artist. She had a successful consulting practice in Minneapolis, Minnesota,  had authored six books  and she was feeling a little burned out.  She decided to try something totally different. Without any art background, she stumbled into a a drawing class taught by a visiting instructor from Europe. At the end of the course the instructor took Sandra aside and said, "You need to quit your job and become an artist." Sandra was stunned. The instructor gave Sandra a comprehensive list of books to read, art supplies to buy and a schedule to follow. 

Sandra took her advice and began her  journey in visual art, "I drew 4-6 hours a day, every day. I took my sketch book everywhere. At stoplights I would draw 30 second sketches. While I waited in line at the grocery story I would sketch the items in my grocery cart. When I had lunch with friends I drew portraits  of them.  I did this for four years until my hand and my eye became one and I saw the world through new eyes."

The common theme running through Sandra's art is nature, wildlife and animals.  As third generation Montanan, She grew up being surrounded by animals and the big skies of Montana. From the Pronghorn Antelope and Angus cattle that grazed in near by fields to the Tennessee Walker she rode, Sandra experienced the movement and essence of these animals. Now, as an artist,  she takes her love of Montana and animals and puts it on canvas. She creates paintings that are fresh and expressive.  She usually creates alla prima without an under drawing of any sort.  This direct painting method creates an emotional spontaneity that can't be duplicated.

Her paintings have graced the covers of six magazines. She has won numerous awards and was featured artist at two galleries.  Sandra's painting "Trifecta" is in the permanent collection of the Billings Clinic and hangs in the lobby of the Billings Cancer Center. Her painting of  "Jag" was commission by The Humane Society of the US and belongs to the Governor of Montana. 

To request a curriculum vitae, please email me.