5/19/10:
Sandy and Eldon Byland with City Councilman Ed Meyer are being welcomed by Kane County Hospital Administrator Sherrie Pandya.
On any given evening or weekend, Eldon and Sandy Byland might be found exploring a jeep road on the Colorado Plateau, standing on a vast overlook waiting for just the right light for the photo shot of the day or perhaps sitting in their Kanab studio at home doing their artwork, writing or working on a documentary. "We inspire each other and together we are more than the sum of us as individuals. The key to our strength is that we truly love being together, working together and sharing everything we do. It’s a complete joy!" they explain.
Eldon and Sandy were married in December of last year. They hit the ground running hand in hand with their creative pursuits. Eldon has been a photographer for many years and has been an avid explorer of the Colorado Plateau for over 35 years. Sandy has been a professional fine artist for 40 years and is also a writer, photographer and documentarian. Growing up in southern California, she first fell in love with the area when the family visited the Grand Canyon. "I’ve wanted to live here ever since," she commented. Sandy is the head of the Humane Education Department at Best Friends Animal Society.
With a degree in geography, a background in teaching and a passion for photography, Eldon’s love of the Colorado Plateau includes a desire to share that beauty with others. After living in SLC for the last 30 years and now calling Kanab home after retiring from the University of Utah, there is hardly a week when Eldon and his bride are not out looking for a new byway. "We are Photo-Artists", explains Eldon. "We take nature and turn it into art through the media of digital photography. It allows us to express ourselves visually in new and dynamic ways. It’s tremendously fun and very satisfying as artists."
Sandy’s mother was a professional fine art photographer and her father was a filmmaker, musician, writer and artist. "It was a marvelous, nurturing environment. I thrived in the love and support and was always encouraged to explore whatever artistic media was moving me at the moment. I gravitated to pastel, having sat for many happy hours watching my father paint in pastels. I also developed a love of fimlmaking and photography." Sandy began showing her work at age 17. An accomplished award-winning fine artist, she has enjoyed a varied career as a professional portrait photographer, Art Director and graphic designer, Montessori teacher and college professor (she has a doctorate in spiritual studies).
The two have plans for workshops and seminars as well as a broad body of work that includes documentaries, fine art originals and prints, photography and writing. There is a lot more to come from the Bylands, so stay tuned and watch for more from this dynamic couple!
Kane County Hospital in conjunction with CEBA and Kanab City are pleased to invite you in for a self guided tour. The Byland’s work will be exhibited through June 12.
