Sandra Rhodes

Bad News

Pastel on Paper

8 x 10 in

Growing up in the rugged beauty of southeastern Kentucky, I was nurtured by the rolling hills and the steadfast spirit of a community that knew how to endure hardships. To cope with difficulties, I turned to art. My childhood, shaped by the deaths of both my mother and Father from cancer by the time I was nine years old, instilled in me an appreciation for the human experience, which I now channel into portraiture.

I have a degree in Art Education and advanced degrees in educational administration, ultimately resulting in a doctorate. The majority of my career revolved around the management of projects and people. My life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with kidney disease, a condition that brought me face-to-face with my own fragility. The subsequent journey through illness and ultimately, a kidney transplant, became a pivotal chapter in my life. When I finally recovered, I decided to pursue my first love, art.