By Bonnie Gangelhoff
ART EDUCATION: After graduating from college, I sought out workshops by artists whose work I respected—Don Demers, Joseph McGurl, and Scott Christensen. In 2005, I was fortunate to meet Richard Schmid and I started studying with him. I still do.
STYLE: My subject dictates how I will paint something, but at the moment my style would probably be best described as realistic impressionism.
MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE WAY YOU WORK: Each brush stroke has a purpose.
SECOND-CHOICE CAREER: Jedi master.
BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Trust what you see when you squint.
CREATIVE SPARK: My life experiences inspire me. How a subject is lit is what compels me to paint it. In the right light, anything can be a worthwhile and exciting subject to paint.
PRICE RANGE: $1,000 to $8,000.
GALLERIES: Rehs Galleries, New York, NY; www.swatlandstudios.com.
Featured in our annual “21 Under 31” feature in September 2009