Sandra Starkey was born in San Antonio, Texas, traveled with her Airforce parents, spenting most of her life in Texas, Hawaii, England and Alabama.  In her formative years she learned to appreciate the arts from her talented, entertainer mother. 

 Upon her mother's death, an accomplished watercolorist/oil artist, Helen DeVoto, guided Sandra through her teenage years. It was in El Paso, Texas that Sandra was exposed to painting and studied oil painting with Harry Shelton. 

 She continued her painting while simultaneously pursuing successful careers in real estate and cosmetology.  In 1990, after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Park University of Missouri, she moved to Huntsville, AL, then to Virginia to continue her art career.