ART & CONSERVATION: ARTIST AND LANDOWNER MEET — Boerne Star
Art and Conservation: Our Hidden Treasures is a biennial exhibition and sale intended to raise awareness and promote conservation of the hill country’s natural resources. Juried artists are paired with land owners and given access to private property to create artwork inspired by experiencing the land.
In late November, I visited with Sondra Forrest, artist, and Sandra Haldeman, landowner of Rancho Champa along with her husband, Bryan – both first-time participants in the program. Even though it was a blustery morning in the hills and too rainy to take photos or walk the land, we enjoyed a great visit and a review of Forrest’s work. Haldeman also drove us around the property pointing out points of interest. Once the sun came out, Forrest would take photos and then paint her work of art in the comfort of her home in Clovis, New Mexico.
Haldeman found the property about seven years ago; it was the last piece of property the agent showed her and she explained, “it spoke to me.” Haldeman lives part time on the ranch and renovated the house a few years ago. She is a doctor and volunteers at the community clinic in Bandera. Since purchasing the property, Haldeman has taken classes at Cibolo Nature Center learning about water conservation and wild life valuation plans. She tends a large vegetable garden, has planted more than forty native trees, put up a large number of bird feeders, clears cedar and creates rock berms so the rain can saturate the hilly areas to allow the natural plants to grow.
Forrest was born in the Texas panhandle moving to New Mexico at the age of three. Being a native of Texas she has always enjoyed traveling in the state. After retiring from teaching fifth grade, she took some drawing and painting classes at Clovis Community College resulting in a job offer to teach drawing. However, she ended up teaching design elements and principles for seven years at CCC. In that timespan she also managed the art exhibits in the Eula Mae Edwards Museum on campus. Her study in design proved very valuable when Forrest and her husband created forged iron and metal artwork. The portfolio we reviewed had some amazing pieces.
The artist’s favorite media are pastels and watercolors. She has been a member of West Texas Watercolor Society since 2007. “Light and shadow are everything”, she exclaims. Her commissioned and noncommissioned portraits are very well received by the families. Most include a background in multi-colors which is very striking. She also has created clay ornaments for charities.
The day I visited Haldeman and Forrest was the first time they had met, but they had become great friends via email and telephone. The women were warm and friendly - I thoroughly enjoyed learning about them. I hope to visit the property in good weather and take some photos. Forrest feels fortunate to have a great place to inspire a beautiful piece of art.