Yolanda Sánchez draws inspiration from nature in its broadest sense, using her work to translate thoughts, emotions, and sensations into visual experiences. Through an intuitive process, she engages with light, color, and the physicality of paint, creating spaces for viewers to enter, pause, and contemplate. Rather than telling a story, her paintings dissolve the boundaries between subject and object, evoking a “presence without form” that invites awakening and reflection.

The title of this exhibition, In Beauty May I Walk, originates from a traditional Navajo prayer affirming the power of beauty. This sentiment echoes Sánchez’s artistic philosophy and approach to life—one that prioritizes an awareness of and engagement with the beauty that surrounds us. She believes that perception shapes reality, and by immersing ourselves in sensory experiences that encourage stillness, we allow for transformation, however fleeting. Her work fosters a viewing experience that transcends thought, opening perception and anchoring the viewer in the present moment.

Sánchez sees beauty as a force that restores optimism and deepens human connection, encouraging creativity and compassion. Through her art, she seeks to reinstate beauty as a conduit for humanist values, guiding viewers toward a greater appreciation of the world and one another.

For Sánchez, making art is an act of presence—an offering of attention and gratitude. Her work is a celebration of life, an expansion of perception, and an invitation to experience joy.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Yolanda Sánchez immigrated to the United States in February 1960. She obtained a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Florida State University and has practiced and taught psychology at the graduate level for over 30 years.  In her mid- thirties, Dr. Sánchez returned to school, obtaining a BFA and subsequently, an MFA from Yale University in painting. She is a Fulbright scholar, completing her fellowship as a painter in Spain for one year, and more recently, was a Visiting Scholar & Visiting Artist at the American Academy in Rome, Italy. Among her various awards is a latest grant to support a  residency in Oaxaca, Mexico.  Exhibiting nationally and internationally in numerous venues, Dr. Sánchez is also an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University.  She is a curator and writer, and formerly Director of Fine Arts & Cultural Affairs at Miami International Airport, a position she held for 21 years.