Biography

Honorary Artist Member since 2021
Myron Sahlberg’s second grade teacher, Miss Nelson, in Stephen, Minnesota, was the first person outside his family to tell him he’d be an accomplished artist one day. With that early encouragement, Sahlberg determined to follow the path of becoming an artist. After four years in the Navy and service in Vietnam, Myron received his BFA in illustration from Kansas University. His career in art then took off: first as a sought after illustrator who did work for major magazines and college sports teams; then as an instructor, by invitation, in the Communication Art and Design program Alexandria College in Alexandria, Minnesota; and finally as an oil portrait artist – all overlapping careers of the past 30 years. He has a MA in teaching from the University of Saint Thomas, and further training at the Minnesota River School of Fine Art and training with individual artists – Bonita Roberts, John Howard Sanden, Carolyn Anderson and Richard Whitney.

Along the way, Sahlberg’s work has received recognition and awards – such as the Silver Medal from the American Advertising Federation of Central Minnesota, and an honorary artist lifetime membership in the Mountain Oyster Club in Tucson, Arizona. His start in western art came with an invitation from Stuart Johnson, the owner of Settler’s West Gallery in Tucson, to exhibit at the American Miniature Show in 2016 and at every subsequent annual show. Sahlberg also exhibits at the Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art Show in Tucson, the Small Works, Great Wonders Show at the National Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City, and the Miniature Masterpiece Show at the Phippen Museum in Prescott, Arizona. His western art, commissioned portraits, and other paintings are in the permanent collection of many private collectors and two museums.

“Painting is one of my joys in life. Each day I get to paint is a great day! I am motivated to keep painting because I have the impression that I am making progress, and I am very thankful that God created me to be an artist. My spiritual moorings are never far from my work; I relish the beauty of God’s creation, especially in the people I have chosen to paint. I am willing to take risks with painting techniques, but always focus on the quality, beauty, and an uplifting message in each painting I create.”