The Short Version…

Born and raised in Southwest Georgia,  Sierra Fenton spent the larger part of her childhood outdoors and in a sketchbook.  Her rural upbringing fostered a deep appreciation for the land and the folks and critters that tend it.

She draws inspiration from the landscape, wildlife, and the day-to-day farm and ranch life where she creates her own references via plein air sketches and photographs. She considers herself a lifetime student, constantly observing and studying classical and contemporary masters.  

Oil painting has become her primary medium in exploring the stories of her subjects and preserving the fleeting miracle of light that compels her to set up her easel. Her work has found homes with collectors throughout the country and exhibited at various shows and competitions. Sierra is an associate member of Oil Painters of America and Gilmer Plein Air Group.  Her studio is currently based in Cleveland, Georgia.

Biography

Sierra Fenton grew up on a dirt road in the backwoods of Southwest Georgia.  The oldest of four, she was often the ring leader of her poor mother’s feral brood.  The majority of her childhood was spent outdoors engaged in long hours of work or play with her siblings and a pack of yard dogs. Her early experiences became a catalyst for her creative endeavors. 

Her father managed a cattle operation where her and her brothers were occasionally drafted as extra hands. At age 8, her parents established a horse transportation business which permitted her the opportunity to travel across the country and experience diverse and breathtaking landscapes and fascinating people from all walks of life.

Through the years she maintained an obsession with drawing and sketching sparked by her late grandfather, who was also an artist.  Her first subjects included mostly horses and wildlife, undoubtedly influenced by her grandparents’ western art appreciation and her parents’ rodeo and ranching history as well as her own musings. 

Sierra has fostered her artistic interests through personal works, commission projects and a stint at Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia.  Studying classical and contemporary masters and constantly foraging for knowledge to elevate her practice has had a profound impact on her technique and outlook on life.

Since the birth of her children, she has poured herself into sharpening her oil painting skills while balancing motherhood. Hemmed in a small home studio with two creative little boys soon required a change in routine. To accommodate her growing family and art practice she began painting from life outdoors and stumbled upon the plein air movement.  This unlocked an exciting new world of exploration in color and light (and gave the kids plenty of room to roam).  

Producing her own reference material has also played an important role in her creative process. Photographs and plein air sketches have become invaluable to inform concepts for new paintings. Recently, Sierra has partnered with several farms and ranches of friends and family to document their day-to-day. Immersing herself in a lifestyle that she loves and has so much respect for has been an enriching experience and provided a deeper insight into the stories and feelings she hopes to convey in her work.

Sierra continues her practice from her studio perched in the beautiful North Georgia mountains and frequent plein air sessions near her home and on her travels.

Affiliations, Events & Awards

  • Oil Painters of America, Associate member

  • Gilmer Plein Air Group

2025

  • Olmsted Plein Air Invitational Quick Paint - Atlanta, GA

  • Camilla Invitational Art Show - Camilla, GA

2024

  • Third Place- Paint Livingston Inaugural Plein Air Competition-Livingston, TN

  • People’s Choice Award- Chattahoochee Mountain Fair Art Competition- Clarkesville, GA

  • Second Place- Chattahoochee Mountain Fair Art Competition (Watercolor/Ink Category)- Clarkesville, GA

  • Third Place- Chattahoochee Mountain Fair Art Competition (Oil Category)- Clarkesville, GA

  • Top of Georgia Plein Air Festival- Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, GA

  • “Simplifying Oil Painting” workshop, Different Strokes Artist Guild, Cleveland, GA

  • Love Your Neighbor Community Art Fair and Networking Event- Sautee Nacoochee, GA