Bruce Sanford Day

A native of Orange County, California, Bruce Sanford Day grew up on an orange ranch in Tustin. As a child, he played in the sunlit corridors of the orange grove his grandfather planted in 1908. He developed an extensive butterfly collection, which inspired and influenced his feeling for shimmering light and color. Another fascination was his grandfather's art studio. Unused since his death, the studio contained all his portrait and landscape paintings and drawings. Bruce spent many happy hours in the quiet studio trying to copy his grandfather's art. Grandmother recognized his natural gift for drawing and bought Bruce his first artist's materials when he was six years old and continually encouraged him to draw and paint.

Bruce studied art in high school, however, being a teenager in the "50's", he also found a new love: hot rods. He obtained an "old" 1940 Chevrolet Coupe and he became engrossed in mechanics, car clubs and cruising. He also drew more hot rods than anything else in art class.

During his time in the Air Force and the California Division of Forestry he continued his art studies through correspondence school. Bruce's devotion to his art grew to such an extent that he decided to enter Monterey Peninsula College in 1968 to major in art. He transferred to Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles where he studied under Professors Lauser Feitelson and Harry Carmean. He later attended California State University, Fullerton to continue his discipline in painting and drawing. In 1968, Bruce began his career fully committing himself to his art as a life long pursuit of creating a visual celebration of people and nature.

Since 1972, Bruce has lived in a canyon of Saddleback Mountain in Orange County where he still finds magic in the shimmering color and light that once gave flight to his imagination as a child. His inner vision remains as strong today.
 

PERSONAL STATEMENT
 To me, creativity takes precedence over a polished technique. The mood and feelings generated by my paintings are important to me. I deliberately impart an intended emotion. My goal is that the first impression, or feeling, remains after a complete viewing.
 
 I paint from my heart, with the intention of bringing happiness into
 the lives of others.