Colorado artist Sarah Phippen portrays the West with an understanding that comes from a deep love of the land, people and animals of the region in which she was born and raised. “There is a rich heritage in our relationships with the landscape, and the plants and animals that live side by side with us. The moments that reveal a relationship of harmony between people, animals and their surroundings delight me. For me, every person and animal is an individual worth knowing, and every landscape someone’s home.”

Sarah’s formal training began with private lessons when she was 14. Since then she has studied with prominent artists John Coleman for sculpting, and painters Jay Moore, Jim Norton, Daniel Sprick, Sandra Kaplan, and Anthony J. Ryder, each of whom deepened her understanding of oil painting, color and composition. “Communicating emotions in a visual language requires a fluency in light, color and form, as well as patient observation,” she said. “I am thankful for the teaching and wisdom of so many artists along this path and across disciplines. Everything I have learned is due to their patience and generosity.”

“Horses have always attracted me. As a child they were beautiful, mysterious and powerful. As a young person a particular American Paint Horse mare became my honest companion who helped me make sense of the world. She gave me a sense of freedom as well as plenty of opportunities to grow, fail, ask forgiveness and try again. Now I see how they always require the best from me. Not only the horses, but the whole multitude of creatures in this good green world pull me toward the God who made us all. I hope to include more landscape in my future work, and to work on a larger scale. Though it’s hard to beat the pull of a great photo or the immediacy of a spontaneous still life.”

She is represented by Mountain Trails Galleries in Sedona, and also exhibits at the Broadmoor Galleries in Colorado Springs.