Sandra Wakeen.

Biography:
Sandra Wakeen, nationally and internationally renowned painter and teacher, has pursued a life-long devotion to her art. Following a family tradition of three generations of artists, Sandra began her studies at Paier School of Art, graduating with honors in 1978. Beginning as an illustrator and portrait artist, she continued her studies with Tony Ryder in a month-long residency at Studio Escalier in France and with Betty Pat Gatliff studying Forensic Facial Reconstruction at Scottsdale Artists School.
Possessing a passionate desire to further her understanding of painting brought Sandra to the studios of David Leffel and Sherrie McGraw and a whole new way of “seeing”. Their work evoked a feeling that is "beautiful and painted with excellence”. “These two masters, as well as master artists Koo Schadler and Ron Boehmer,” Sandra says, “inspired me not only to explore the surface of a painting, but to also explore my own philosophy in art, with curiosity, humility and always a sense of wonder.”