Shandel can't remember a time when she wasn't drawing or painting. Many of
her best memories include after-school arts and crafts at the local recreation
department.
Her serious interest in art began in high school under the tutelage of
artist and educator, Steven Fountain. There, Shandel began to develop her own
style of painting. For the next twenty-five years, Shandel concentrated on
developing her talent as a portrait artist.
Shandel's journey from portrait artist to wildlife artist began with a
painting of a mountain lion. Fascinated by the power and majesty of this
creature, she discovered a new joy in painting wildlife.
Shandel's wildlife paintings combine her skill as a portraitist with her
love of wildlife. Painting in pastel (soft chalk) on board or sanded paper,
Shandel emphasizes her subject as the focal point of the piece by contrasting
the tight, detailed subject against a background that is loose and slightly out
of focus.
Shandel lives in Santee, California, one of the few remaining rural areas
of San Diego County. Her paintings and prints may be found in private
collections in the United States and Canada.
For a more detailed Artist Vitae, go to the download section of this website.
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