We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sandy Combs. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sandy below.

Sandy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?

The figure I admire is Michelangelo, the great sculptor, painter, poet, and architect of the early Renaissance. While Europe was coming out of the dark ages where culture and standard of living was dire, he was instrumental in bringing the “Renaissance Man” into light. While most of his work and inspiration came from the Bible and classical antiquity, he had a life with many challenges. He didn’t just sit in front of a canvas or slab of marble with photo copies to reproduce, he was a man of the times and got fully immersed in all aspects of production in his work. I am inspired by those who never stop learning, experimenting, and creating with their hands, the beautiful works of their minds. Though life may present setbacks, I especially look to see how they overcame these things.

Sandy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a young person and being a child of European immigrants, I had an innate sense of needing to “make things from scratch” and to create something of value every day. I lived on a ranch for a few years and worked with horses, cattle, and sheep in the back country where you went to town once a month to get supplies. I became a seamstress and made clothing, quilts, and later costumes. The sheep wool was spun and either woven into blankets or knitted sweaters. When my family grew, we moved and I needed a “town” job which I had for several years. After the kids were grown, I spent a lot of time at art museums studying the masters techniques and taking workshops. I then began my career as a painter using oils and watercolors and my subject matter was the area where I lived in the mountains and using my favorite animals as models.
What may set me apart is that I see and paint in a traditional but representational manner that is not a photographic copy. Much of my work is inspired and I become consumed in the moment while I am creating a painting.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Getting real here. Just over 2 years ago, my husband of almost 30 years passed away suddenly from covid. A shock to me as I had to create a new life of my own. He was my muse, inspiration and protector. The best I could do for several months, is just put one foot in front of the other and force myself to accomplish something of value. Going into my studio I avoided and would just say to myself, “No, I just can’t”. My inspiration is gone. Pretty sure no one gets through life without losing someone who is a part of you and you may love even more than yourself. But how do you walk through this with grace and hope? The first year i decided to say “yes” to whatever anyone asked me in terms of giving, volunteering, and donating. I saw it return to me in beautiful ways. The 2nd year was when I realized I could cry and it wouldn’t destroy me. I also saw how blessed I have been and so I wanted to share that.
My smile finally returned. I see how a smile given while looking at even a stranger, will come back to you and could make your day.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

My most important job was having a family and so it took years of hard work with a “regular” job and saving money, before I was able to buy the art supplies, workshops, and fees needed to fund what brought me joy through the work of my hands.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sandycombs.com

Image Credits
Karen Brommelstick (Wild Horses), Lisa Manifold (Salt River Stallion), Rebekah Hall