Biography of Wendy Sallman
I started painting in 1988. I had just finished studying for a MS in Software Design and Development from St. Thomas University, St. Paul, MN. I was in the learning mode and wanted to take a class for fun. I decided to take a watercolor class because I believed you didn't need to know how to draw, the work was all in the brushes!
That class opened up a new world for me. I learned that creating a painting was difficult, but I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. I spent years studying and painting as a hobby while I pursued a full-time career in Software Design and Development.
In 1997 I was accepted into the Artistic Development Program sponsored by Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts, Fridley, MN. This program was instrumental in encouraging me to continue improving my technical skills and gave me the courage to exhibit my paintings. By this time I had also learned that there was more to watercolor and creating a painting than the brushes. I needed to improve my drawing skills.
A friend, who is a full-time artist, encouraged me to study at the Atelier in Minneapolis. I followed her good advice. I also took workshops from nationally renowned artists such as Bonita Roberts, Richard McKinley, Susan Sarback, Sally Strand, Christina Deberry and Alan Flattman.
In 2005, I made a commitment to art, resigned from my full-time position and began painting full-time. I will always be grateful for this opportunity.
I am a landscape painter because that is what I love and what inspires me. I am inspired by the way light illuminates the land - be it a sunny or a misty day. I paint plein air and in my studio located in the Casket Arts Building in the NE Minneapolis art district. I work in both the pastel and oil medium and use my watercolor skills in the under painting or first stages of a painting. In my paintings I use the tools of the artist to capture some of nature's beauty on canvas. I strive to have poetic paintings that are also interesting to look at because of the color vibrations and paint quality or texture.
Exhibitions:
The first Solo Exhibition of my paintings: "Inspired by Minnesota" was held in June of 2010 at Robbin Gallery, Robbinsdale, MN.
"Medium as Muse", 2012, Robbin Gallery, Robbinsdale, MN. Exhibition with Julie Allen, Melody Allen, Mary Quinlivan, Wendy Sallman.
"5 Brushes", 2014, Stillwater Art Guild Gallery, Stillwater, MN. Exhibition with Jane Hilliard, Rose Moeckel, Ceci Shepland, Jeni Walker, Wendy Sallman
2015-2016, Stillwater Art Guild Gallery, Stillwater, MN.
2011-2016, Art-A-Whirl, Casket Arts Building, Studio 419, Minneapolis, MN.
Awards:
Special Merit Award, 2012, Robbin Gallery, Robbinsdale, Mn.
Second Place, March 2011, Lake Country Pastel Society, Colonial Church, Edina, MN.
Third Place, March 2010, Lake Country Pastel Society, Burnsville Art Center, Burnsville, MN.
First Place, March 2009, Lake Country Pastel Society, Sherburne Government Center, Elk River, MN.
Special Merit Award, March 2009, March Madness, Robbin Gallery, Robbinsdale, MN.
Merit Award, Sept 2002, Lake Country Pastel Society Exhibit, Sherburne Government Center, Elk River, MN.
Juried Exhibitions
2013 Minnesota State Fair, Fine Arts Exhibition.
2011 Kelley Galleries, Woodbury, Small Works Juried Exhibition.
2011 Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition
2010 Arts in Harmony National Show, Elk River, Minnesota
2009 Fine Arts Exhibit, Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN.
2009 Artful Home, Parade of Homes, Lake Elmo, MN.
2008 Northern Showcase, Blaine, MN
2008 Lake Country Pastel Society (LCPS), Robbin Gallery, Robbinsdale, MN.
2007 Extremely Minnesota, Robbin Gallery, Robbinsdale, MN.- Juried
2006 Fine Arts Exhibit, Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN.
2006 Lake Country Pastel Society, Arboretum, Chanhassen, MN.
2005 Northern Lights, Blaine, MN.
2003 Lake Country Pastel Society, Art Resources Gallery, St. Paul, MN.
1998 Pastels Only Premier, LCPS, Vern Carver Gallery, Minneapolis, MN.
