THE ARTIST: JILL SANDERS

It is so weird to sit down and write a paragraph on yourself and try to be humble, funny, intelligent, yet still offer what people want to read. I don't know, I am me. I am an individual who is at times just like you and at other times off the track. I have always been an artist regardless of what I was doing to make money. I painted initially as I started my early college years at Otis/Parsons. I found that I just liked gear and electronics too much to stick with just paint. The sound of the shutter is very seductive.
I ended up moving to NYC to graduate from Parson's School of Design. I was in a class of 8 students from around the globe who have all succeeded with their art. I was mentored by the great Lillian Bassman, Mary Ellen Mark, and David Vestal. It was a special, creative, amazing, gritty, life-expanding time to love/live in NYC in 1989.
I then traveled to Europe after graduation to experience the unplugged existence of backpacking and hostels. 34 countries in 3 months. I have some connections with people that I knew for a few days that have had a greater impact on me than peers I have worked with for years. I recommend all people in their 20s to travel, to experience, to feel, to love, to live.
Your teachers exist every day along your path. Learn to really listen.

I returned home to discover I had an epidermoid brain tumor lodged in my head. I was 28 and life really did a full 180 at this point. I lost a lot of confidence and battled with anxiety for years. I did make a full recovery from surgery.

At 42, my husband and children were in a terrible car crash. They all survived and beat the odds of crashing into a tree at the speed of 55mph. This event has actually affected me more than any other experience in my being. Holding your babies’ hands while they are in an induced coma is life-altering. Nothing has been the same since. Life is so temporary and we must embrace it fully.

At 51, I was diagnosed as a brca1 carrier. A crazy diagnosis that led to 4 cancer preventative surgeries. I had to learn to accept this new woman. It knocked me down for a year without any breaks to photograph or create. If anything that was really hurt, it was my creative ego. I need that outlet and to be honest, it really sucked to not be able to do what you love. But, I am healed and ready again. I am cancer-free and was a lucky person to have been given this information before the odds of getting cancer won. So I now throw myself 100% more into my work. Travel, shoot, edit, create, feel, explore.....One life and I want to experience it all.

Photography is my zen. It is my security blanket into which I wrap all my emotions.

All of these scars above, whether physical or emotional, are colors in my palette. I have plenty of amazing colorful, happy memories as well but the depth of one’s creativity is tested by what one has mentally processed. The mind is infinite and ever-expanding. I take these lessons and challenges head-on and proudly wear my “badass” medal of personal honor. I pull out the peace within my images and show how we must seek the focus of resilience in order to truly see and experience the true beauty of our spirit.

I have an incredible family who support me and encourage me to follow my love. I am so lucky. I love what I do and I am still able to do it...

Graham and Jill in Colorado.