Sandee Endahl specializes in studying the equine nature and expresses the simplicity of “herd” wisdom in her watercolors. Her art reflects the silent communication found between the unique equine and human experience. She shares a spiritual journey of healing and enlightenment through the equine connection.

Each watercolor in itself is a journey into the soul. Water represents the fluidity of life. Colors depict the beauty in our world. Paper is the foundation of the earth upon which creation is built. Sandee has been an artist since childhood. Born in Longview, Washington, raised in Southern and Central California, world traveler, and a Butte, Montana resident since 1994, her talents to express inner natures of being continue throughout her ventures.

She studied at Monte Capanno in Perugia, Italy as part of the Tutorials in Letters and Science Program offered through California’s San Jose State University. She received Phi Cappa Phi honors with a Bachelors of Art degree in 1972. Her education continued at the University of California-Santa Cruz in drafting, mentored with the late prominent Bay Area, California graphic designer, Steve Madiera, and received Magna Cum Laude honors in first year’s Professional and Technical Communication masters program at MT Tech in Butte, Montana.

Her artistic ventures involve textiles (weaving, basket making, organic crocheted sculptures, card weaving, spinning, and quilting), oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, woodworking, metal casting, pottery, paper-making, calligraphy, and graphic design. Pen and ink drawings of Montalvo in Saratoga, California were commissioned in the mid 1960s. In the late 1960s under her Professor David James Gilhooly’s guidance at San Jose State University, she experienced “thinking-outside-the-box” by creating 3-dimensional art in all mediums. Gilhooly’s concepts employed in his “Hippo Fountain”, initially called “burping bowls”, left an indelible impression on her future work alongside fellow textile artist, Layne Goldsmith, and 3-D artist, Christine Klyce.

In 1976 to late 1990s, she was consumed by raising her three children and teaching art history, watercolors and textile design to local school programs for gifted youth. She served on the Butte Silver Bow Art Foundation Board of Directors from 2000 to 2005.

She currently serves on Butte Special Riders Board providing therapeutic riding programs for children (NAHRA), helps with the equestrian Special Olympics, and chairs the Butte Silver Bow Americans with Disabilities Act Advisory Committee reinstated by Butte’s Chief Executive, Paul Babb under the direction of Todd Hoar, BSB ADA Coordinator and director of BSB Developmental Disabilities Council. Under the guidance of the Montana Independent Living Project in Butte, Montana, she actively advocates for people with disabilities.

Art has always been her calling as she returns to sharing her talents at local Montana art walks in Uptown Butte, trade show for 2008 MSU Equine Conference, and Montana Quarter Horse Association Conventions in 2007 and 2008. Her most memorable experiences present themselves through the equine and animal communication courses by Jeri Ryan, PhD of the Assisi International Animal Institute, Inc. sponsored by Jane Heath, Executive Director of Helena’s Montana Horse Sanctuary, where emphasis remains in “herd” relationships. Current artwork is for sale at Books & Books at 206 W. Park Street and the Butte Frame Shop & Gallery at 126 S. Main Street in Uptown Butte, Montana.

Creating the expressions of the equine brings joy and pleasure to many along the spiritual journey of life. Thank you for the opportunity to share this experience with you.