Special Featured Artist

Theresa Goldstrand’s first success as an artist came at seven years old when she won a school-wide litter awareness contest – complete with a brightly colored sun, clouds, trees, grass, and tulips, with flying blue birds complimenting a child who threw trash in a bin. Her love of art and language guided her adult career as a published author, artist, and photographer.

She moved to Cortez in 2019 and is the current head of the Southwest Artists League (SWAL) based in Cortez. She started painting in January 2025. “This group inspired me to exercise my ‘creative muscle’ and learn to paint. I’m experimenting with blending realism and impressionism. I primarily use acrylic on canvas.”

Goldstrand is an award-winning photographer, artist, photojournalist, and author. Southwest Colorado is her chosen home after many years in California’s upper Mojave Desert and worldwide travel. Goldstrand’s work is displayed locally at the Cortez Cultural Center; Cortez Senior Center, Cortez library and Recreation Center; Turquoise Raven; Zu Gallery, and is available on FineArtAmerica.com and Amazon.com. Theresa can be contacted at grittygoldstrand@gmail.com.