Söndra N. Rymer

“Once upon a time…” These four words have captivated conceptual photographer and digital artist Söndra Nell Rymer since she was a little girl. Söndra vividly remembers when she was six years old and her mother gave her fairy tale storybooks and corresponding cassette tapes that made the magical stories come alive with voices and music. She memorized every story and tape and spent hours pouring over the illustrations on each page. Söndra's most beloved fairy tale storybook was “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen, and it became a significant part of her childhood reading and imaginative play.
Söndra spent her education participating in theater, art, and photography classes. Earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in photojournalism and theater from Texas A&M University, Söndra continued her love of the arts and imagery where she worked in various photography forms, including theater and people lifestyle feature stories. She managed a photography department for a large publishing company for 14 years in which she engaged in the creative process for published curriculum and books including all aspects of photo shoots, from procuring costumes and props to hiring models and make-up stylists, writing contracts, licensing and legal permissions.
After her two children were born, Söndra was inspired to revisit her love for fairy tales and fantasy stories. Her passion is creating whimsical, enchanted imagery that communicates the story and evokes a fantasy world. While she uses vivid color for most of her art, she occasionally explores darker or gothic fantasy stories, which she portrays in a more mature visualization.
Both traditional fairy tales and present-day folklore and imagery from around the world infuse her work. Söndra creates stunning visual imagery from beloved fairy tales, unique and imaginative fantasy worlds from her imagination and personal made-up stories.