“Ever since I could hold a pencil, I have had a love of drawing and animals. So it was only natural that I combine my two loves.”
My passion for art has only grown throughout the years and my love of animals has kept up with it. When my family and I took a vacation to Yellowstone in 2009, my inspiration skyrocketed. We were able to get very close to a large bull elk—something I’ve never done before but had always wished to experience. I discovered the sublime in a powerful way, a feeling I hope is portrayed in all my art. From that point on, I have wanted to excel in the field of wildlife art while continuing my passion for equestrian art. I graduated in the spring of 2011 from Northwestern College in St. Paul with a B.S. in Studio Art. I quit my day job in July of 2023 to pursue my art full-time—a dream of mine since I was four years old!
-Shalese Sands
Education
Northwestern College, B.S. in Studio Art—2011
Ridgewater College, AA degree—2009
Gallery Representation
James Krom Natural Images, Rochester, MN (www.jameskromnaturalimages.com)
Shows
Group
International Society of Scratchboard Artists Exhibition, Okoboji, IA—2024
Society of Animal Artists 64th Annual Exhibition, Sioux City, IA—2024
Birds in Art, Wausau, WI—2024
“Beyond Measure: the art of scale”, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI—2024
Settlers West American Miniature Show, Tucson, AZ—2024
International Society of Scratchboard Artists Exhibition, Tucson, AZ—2023
Society of Animal Artists 63rd Annual Exhibition, Wheeling, WV—2023
Birds in Art, Wausau, WI—2023
Settlers West American Miniature Show, Tucson, AZ—2023
International Society of Scratchboard Artists Exhibition, Bradenton, FL—2022
Society of Animal Artists 62nd Annual Exhibition, Redding, CA—2022
Birds in Art, Wausau, WI—2022
Birds in Art, Wausau, WI—2021
“IF” (International Fairley), Resipole Studios, Scotland—2021
Mountain Oyster Club Art Show, Tucson, AZ—2019
ISSA Group Show—2018
Mountain Oyster Club Art Show, Tucson, AZ—2016
Senior exhibition at Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN—2011
Foot in the Door, St. Paul MN—2010
Student Juried Show at Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN—2009
Student Exhibit at Ridgewater College, Willmar, MN—2008
Show with Leah Sands at North American State Bank, Willmar, MN—2007
Student Exhibit at Ridgewater College, Willmar, MN—2007
Piece displayed at the WEAC for five years, Willmar, MN—2002
Solo
Show at Willmar Public Library, Willmar, MN—2014
Show at SMAC Gallery, Marshall, MN—2014
Show at Red Rock Center for the Arts, Fairmont, MN—2012
Show at WEAC, Willmar, MN—2012
Show at the Barn Theatre, Willmar, MN—2011
Publications
"Anticipation" selected as a finalist in Strokes of Genius 16 Art Competition for the 2024 edition of The Best of Drawing
“Aurora Borealis” featured in the wildlife editorial portfolio of the September/October issue of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine
"Just Within Reach" selected as a finalist in Strokes of Genius 15 Art Competition for the 2023 edition of The Best of Drawing
Featured artist in article on scratchboard in the March/April 2023 issue of the Artists Magazine
"Mighty Contender" selected as an Honorable Mention in the Artists Magazine Annual Art Competition in the Animal/Wildlife category and published in the January/February 2023 issue of The Artists Magazine
"African Light" selected as a finalist in Strokes of Genius 14 Art Competition for the 2022 edition of The Best of Drawing
"Savage River Kings" selected as an Honorable Mention in Strokes of Genius 13 Art Competition for the 2021 edition of The Best of Drawing
"Mama's Shadow" selected as a winner in Strokes of Genius 12 Art Competition for the 2020 edition of The Best of Drawing
Published in Southwest Art Magazine's April 2020 edition with "Soul Fire" featured as Editor's Choice
Published in the 2019 edition of Southwest Art Magazine's "21 under 31" issue
Selected artwork for America’s Parks Through the Beauty of Art I exhibition published online at http://davidjwagnerllc.com/Americas_Parks_1.html and featured in two online articles here and here.
Winning artwork for the BBC Wildlife Artist competition published online at www.discoverwildlife.com.
Winning artwork published in the Appaloosa Journal in the November 2007 issue
Pieces featured on Lesley Harrison’s blog
Winning relief carving of 2005 featured on carverscompanion.com.
Awards and Other Information
“Strut Your Stuff” juried into Birds in Art—2024
“Kickin’ Up Dust” juried into Society of Animal Artists 64th Annual Exhibition—2024
“Symmetry” selected as an Honorable Mention in the Richeson75 Animals, Birds, & Wildlife Competition—2023
“Sitting Pretty” juried into Birds in Art—2023
“Lunch on the Go” awarded 2nd place in the Master Division of the ISSA online show—2023
“First Light” juried into Society of Animal Artists 63rd Annual Exhibition—2023
“Mighty Contender” awarded the Silver Award in the Masters division of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists Annual Exhibition—2022
“Lunch on the Go” purchased by the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum for their permanent collection—2022
“Savage River Kings” awarded 1st place in the Master Division of the ISSA online show—2022
“Lunch on the Go” juried into Birds in Art—2022
“African Light” juried into Society of Animal Artists 62nd Annual Exhibition—2022
International Society of Scratchboard Artists – Master Member—2021
“Sound of Silence” juried into Birds in Art —2021
“Mwindaji” selected as a finalist in the Richeson75 Animals, Birds, & Wildlife Competition —2020
Awarded "Best Overall Body of Work" at Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee! —2019
Awarded "Best 2-D Body of Work" at Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee! —2018
Won "Best of Show" for the 2018 Out West Art Show Quick Finish event
International Society of Scratchboard Artists – Signature Member—2017
Society of Animal Artists – Signature Member—2016
Awarded “Best 2-D Body of Work” and tied for “People’s Choice Award” at Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee!—2015
Awarded “People’s Choice Award” at Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee!—2013
Artwork accepted in the America’s Parks Through the Beauty of Art I international exhibition (Top 50)
“Commended” in the International Category for the BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year 2012 competition
Awarded “Best 2-D Body of Work” at Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee!—2011
Mentored briefly under the world renowned wood carver, Fred Cogelow