Vibrant contemporary pastel landscape paintings by Santa Barbara artist Ann Sanders are featured in a one-woman exhibition at The Arts Fund Gallery from November 17 - December 22. The winner of nearly two-dozen awards in area art competitions, Sanders is recognized as one a fast rising talent in contemporary landscape painting.

In talking about her artwork, Sander emphasizes her interaction with the land as a visual experience. "What I love most about painting is how it makes me focus on my environment, even when I'm not painting at that moment," says Sanders. She continues, "Unremarkable activities like a drive down the freeway become exciting when I try to figure out how I'd paint the light on the trees, the reflections in the cars, the color of the mountains."

Painting almost exclusively on location, Sanders' artwork is faithful to both the scene and her materials. "Ann's strength is her skill in using pastel like pastel, understanding and respecting its inherent qualities as a medium" according to Arts Fund Director Cody Hartley. "As a result, her paintings read 'true' both as images of nature and as artworks."

Sanders was offered the solo exhibition as the recipient of one of the Arts Funds Individual Artist Awards. Since 1988 The Arts Fund's Individual Artist Award program has awarded over $125,000 to more than 100 professional artists in the visual arts, the performing arts, and literature as part of the organization's commitment to nurture the arts in Santa Barbara County. The 2005 award in pastel was made possible the generosity of Leatrice and Eli Luria, and Patty and Gene Sinser.