Sally Ann Strand

Artist. Maker. It all fits together.

My dad loved to draw, and had taken the Famous Artists Course after he joined the Marines — they advertised in the back of magazines way back when. He always encouraged me by giving me things to draw when I was bored, and when he was deployed, I had those Famous Artists assignments. Funny, because I never considered drawing “Spunky” would foretell my path. An award-winning career in Graphic Design began when I was hired into a small advertising agency – because the art director liked the way I drew hair. This took my childhood love of drawing and making stuff, to an all new level. A lifetime of self-teaching; from drawing board, to graphic and web design on computer, has kept a spark of creativity that seems to light a fire under me to create.

A military dad meant moving all the time. I think the very act of living in so many places; the Carolinas, many places in Michigan (including my hometown of Flint),and as an adult living as an expat in Shanghai, China — lead me to find grounding in the nature of work I’m doing.

I started this chapter of making in 2012, after taking a wonderful painting workshop with an inspiring teacher, Jane Robinson. Since then I’ve created many pieces, and I’m dedicating more and more time to this making of art, my heart!

My materials:

So much stemmed from working with clay — wheel-thrown, hand-built or sculptured — I was drawn to such a tactile medium almost as a counter to working in the confines of my desk, computer or clients needs. Add to that, a newfound love of liquid acrylics — used often as a watercolor or a stain — applying it to wood has been an adventure, feeling like I’m finding what’s hidden in the wood. Many of my handmade frames carry the same application. A relationship with a complex mitre saw…never saw that coming!

Shows include:

Buckham Gallery:
January 2014
Flint Water Crisis Show 2016
Various member events
Totems & Sacred Expressions 2019

Kettering University Water Show

Commissions: Communities First, Inc., Oak Park

Greater Flint Arts Council (GFAC):
Members Show – Best of Show 2018
Members Show – 2nd Place 2019