Celebrating arts and culture in our community
Featured in The Springfield Beacon (November 7, 2007)
Bonnie Sandland: Jasper native stumbled upon a talent she never knew she had.
By Austin Berger
For the Beacon
It would seem that an ostrich doesn’t take kindly to having his or her picture taken. “I took its picture, and then he tried to eat my camera,” says Bonnie Sandland regarding her most recent piece, “Balderdash,” inspired by an Ostrich at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. One could guess it comes with the territory, and it’s definitely worth it.With her photorealistic shots of nature, this 60-year old Jasper native may appear like a seasoned veteran; but looks can deceiving. Truth be told, her talent is something of a serendipitous affair.
Inspiration to begin: Bonnie's inspiration didn’t derive so much from a desire to draw, but of what she had a desire to draw. She’s always had a loving relationship with nature. Growing up in California, she found a serene appreciation for it on the fishing trips she took with her dad in the reservoirs near Modesto. The car trips alone always had her looking out the window, looking for the bird on a telephone pole. Proverbially speaking, she still looks for that bird, having her weekly scenic drive to church in Blue River serving as a constant well for inspiration.
Despite her longtime love of nature, and a longstanding dexterity with sewing and stitching, Bonnie never picked up a paintbrush until 2001. Paul, her husband of 35 years, had a voucher from the Emerald Art Center for a day long oil painting class. But, having to take a business trip, Bonnie went instead.
“Seven hours later, I had a painting.” says Bonnie, whose newfound talent took the notice of the teacher, Shirley Reade. “Shirley came up to me and asked me how long I’ve been painting. I told her ‘for seven hours.’… I had a talent that I didn’t even know I had.”
Mentors: Being exclusively a nature painter, Bonnie regards Terry Isaac, a world-renowned nature painter from the Northwest as a mentor with great reverence. This kindred spirit of sorts was teaching classes in Salem. Bonnie and Shirley Reade, whom Bonnie also credits as a mentor from the beginning, would often trek up the I-5 corridor for 65 miles to catch his class. “Oh, we’d pick his brain,” says Bonnie laughingly. “We didn’t go to learn to draw. We went there to be taught.” She also credits her husband for being her “resident critic,” and thus helping her make a better picture.
Art and Quality of life: When one learns how to be trained in anything, the logic he or she possesses can either become a weight that anchors them in one place or wings that take them anywhere. In Bonnie’s case, it appears to be a latter, with art showing her that within the serenity of nature, there is also complexity. “You see everything differently: the birds flying by, the colors, textures, faces…It’s almost like you took the blinders off and became aware of your surroundings.”
In addition to her newfound perspective, Bonnie also gets to hone her baking skills about twice a month. Having earned the affectionate title of “cookie lady,” she bakes six dozen chocolate chip, peanut butter, and raisin cookies; all of which find their way to the trays and bowls of the Emerald Art Center Gallery.
Her legacy as an artist: Like many people involved in the Emerald Art Center, and perhaps artists in general, family comes first to Bonnie. Having five children and 14 grandchildren, she wants every one of them to have something of hers. For everyone else, she simply hopes that her paintings will do a good enough job in helping the viewer appreciate nature as much as she does. If people viewing her art could learn one thing, in her own words is this: “It’s a beautiful world we live in.”
You can see Bonnie Sandland’s paintings at the Willamalane Adult Activity Center at 215 West C St. in Springfield. Also, beginning Nov. 28, 2007, her art will be on display at the Oregon Community Credit Union in Thurston.
"Balderdash" by Bonnie Sandland
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About the Artist:
Birthplace: Modesto, California
Favorite type of media: Acrylics
Favorite subjects: Animals and landscapes (anything that’s nature)
Arts organizations: Emerald Art Center
Awards: Various ribbons at Mayor's Art Show in Springfield; 2nd place 2004 North Light Book Club award.
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