“All my ventures started as accidents,” she said. “After high school, I exhibited paintings in local restaurants and banks, and designed logos and ads for local businesses.”
She opened a studio/gallery in Waynesville; then, during a trip to Michigan, “I saw a wildlife art show and it changed my life.”
Starting her “accidental” venture into wildlife art, she traveled — to Yellowstone Park, Alaska, Asia and Africa — observing and sketching animals and their surroundings so her work would be accurate.
“I became involved with the Dayton area Ducks Unlimited and National Wild Turkey Federation conservation groups,” she said. “I donated paintings to auction off at their fundraising events, and many limited-edition prints were auctioned.”
She’d finished a painting for the 2001 Ducks Unlimited banquet scheduled for Sept. 11, 2001, which was postponed after the World Trade Center 9/11 attacks; to deal with her own emotional response, she started a new painting of an American bald eagle with the reflection of the twin towers in its eyes. “It was still wet for the auction, but set a record sale.”
Six of her wolf paintings were bought by the Franklin Mint for a series of collector plates, but her success as a wildlife artist didn’t prevent another accident, which led her into jewelry making.
“My health started deteriorating,” she said, “and I couldn’t travel to study animals. I didn’t know what to do; then, I went into a bead store, bought a bunch, played with them, and it just clicked.” She began making jewelry, adding such materials as minerals, stones, feathers, bones and leather.
“I start a piece and never know how it will turn out, but they sell at art shows, and I do commissioned pieces.”
Then, several years ago she attended a doll workshop in Tipp City, “and within an hour I was hooked.
“Made of polymer clay, my outrageous art dolls are one-of-a-kind; I sculpt each one, then create their costumes and accessories, hand-sewing the garments. The personalities form themselves and I truly enjoy watching each little character unfold.” Several of her dolls have been featured in national magazines.
Her engineer husband, Lew, says, "When we married she promised it would never be dull. Being with an artist has been full of adventures, laughs and a house full of art stuff … lots of art stuff."
“You’ve got to have a sense of humor to do what I do or live with it,” Cassandra said.
That humor and her artwork has kept her going through severe health issues.
“I’ve had several bouts with cancer during the past seven years, but thought that was over; then, two years ago — after being misdiagnosed with asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) — I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, an incurable heart and lung disease,” she said.
Ironically, Graham considers herself fortunate.
“I’m at the age where I’ve had a good run, but it hits children and young people and is often misdiagnosed, like mine was, so I try to create awareness.”
Graham can no longer paint because the oil fumes aggravate her condition, but she says, “I get the same pleasure from my jewelry and dolls that I got from painting, so I consider myself lucky.
“I’ve been one of the rare, fortunate people to have made my way in life solely as an artist. My art has taken me to fascinating places in reality and in my mind. It’s been a long, interesting and exciting career.”
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