Sandra Gonek was born in 1966 and grew up in a rural community just outside of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Drawing and art have always been a favourite pastime for her. She absorbed all that she could from art classes offered in the junior and senior high schools she attended. Upon completion of high school, Sandra entered a post secondary nursing program and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1986. It was in 2002 that Sandra was encouraged by her friends and family to enrol in Pro’s Art School in Edmonton, Alberta. Sandra was instructed on contemporary realism, naturalism, and impressionism based on the aesthetic principals of the masters through the medium of oils. In May 2003, with a group of artists from the school, Sandra travelled to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, USA to visit the many renowned galleries which house works of the great masters. From this trip she found much inspiration leaving her with an increased desire to paint. Sandra takes a very patient approach to her painting and spends many hours focusing on each detail of her work. Sandra has quickly developed a passionate interest in creating portraits in the style of classical realism. It is evident that Sandra is most inspired by children and equine subjects and her love of them radiated from the canvas. Sandra has begun to create commission work for customers in Alberta and the USA. Painting brings great pleasure and fulfillment to Sandra and she looks forward to a long career of creating works of art.