About Me

Sandra Dowd received a BFA in Studio Art and Art Education from the University of Texas at Austin and MA in Painting from Texas Woman’s University. She also has studied at the Art Students League in New York City and under such renowned pastel artist as Daniel Green, Raymond Kinstler, David Leffel, and Richard McKinley.

Ms Dowd has been painting for 50 years. Her prize-winning paintings hang in homes across the United States, Canada, and England. They have been reproduced in national magazines and won prizes while being exhibited in many regional and national juried shows. She maintains a studio/gallery in the historic Northrup King Building where her art can be seen on 1st Thursdays of each month and by appointment.

Ms. Dowd is a retired Art Professor from Navarro College in Texas. There she created the first academic computer art program in Texas. Prior to that she maintained a freelance graphic design business in Washington, DC, and worked as a technical illustrator in North Carolina. After moving to Minneapolis 6 years ago she has worked as adjunct instructor for Minneapolis College of Art and Design and has taught workshops to a variety of people.

About My Art

I see life’s primary essence as the struggle to create balance between opposites. I find that same struggle when creating art. In my work I try to walk the fine line between spontaneity and control. I love the contrast of loose, quick suggestive strokes against more tightly rendered areas. I also like pastel because I can bridge the gap between drawing and painting. I think I am more of a draftsman than painter; however, I love color. Pastel allows me to create drawings with color.

The face and body have always fascinated me. I have studied the techniques of the old masters for many years and have been particularly influenced by the Impressionists. I work from live models as well as photos and am inspired by the beauty of the shapes and colors of the human form. I try to use spontaneous strokes that suggest rather than totally describe the person and setting realistically. I hope my pieces give the viewer an exciting visual experience through their texture, color and dancing stokes