Sally Vannoy lives in Bigfork Montana in the beautiful Flathead Valley. Being raised in an environment surrounded with towering mountain ranges, pristine rivers and lakes and an abundance of wildlife has helped shape Sally into the artist she is today.
Sally grew up on a horse ranch and has ridden horses and had an affinity for animals since a very young child. Her paintings include horses, wildlife and the natural landscape. “I like to think of my paintings as a journal of my life. I paint my actual experiences and adventures. This brings a real connection to each painting because the stories and feelings from these experiences are reflected in the piece.”
Being just a short drive away, Glacier National Park is a place where Sally consistently spends a lot of her time. “I had the opportunity to work in Glacier for an entire summer. I was fortunate to live at Lake McDonald Lodge. All of my time off was spent exploring, climbing peaks and really getting to know the park. I always loved Glacier National Park, but this took my love to new heights!”
Drawing is second nature to Sally. She has been drawing ever since she could hold a pencil. A pivotal point in Sally’s life and career was when she moved to the Wind River Valley in Wyoming for 4 years for her husband’s work. Although being an accomplished draftsman, painting was a new endeavor. In Wyoming, Sally met some of the country’s premiere western artists whom she now calls mentors and friends. With no formal training, her mentors saw her raw talent and extremely hard work ethic and took her under their wing.
You will often find Sally painting en plein air in some of her favorite locations in Northwest Montana. Her love for animals and the environment are gracefully depicted in oils on canvas. “Fine art is the perfect career path for me. Art gives an opportunity for continued growth, learning and progression. One can always attain a new level of excellence. For me, art is not a choice - it is part of who I am.”