As a result, their collaborative exhibition, “7 & 7,” will open Friday, June 5, during First Friday Artwalk at Pine Moon Fine Art. It’s an exhibit that pairs wildlife and ecological imagery with the traditional virtues and vices, transforming abstract human concepts into vivid studies of instinct, survival, adaptation and behavior.

“It occurred to me years ago how much fun it would be to do something with the seven deadly sins in relation to nature,” Sandi says. “I didn’t even think about the virtues, but I knew I wanted someone else on the project with me.”

Jill, although initially unfamiliar with all seven virtues, joined in on the project. The process quickly evolved into an unexpected deep dive into biology and animal behavior.

“Finding our subject matter was challenging,” Jill says. “Finding that character in nature that fits chastity or fits wrath, because they all have different behaviors.”

Both artists immersed themselves in research, looking for species whose behaviors mirrored traits humans traditionally categorize as virtuous or sinful.

“I did a lot of research, reaching out to sources to learn as much as possible about each subject to find the right one that went with each virtue,” Jill says. “It was fun and I learned a lot.”

One of the biggest revelations for Sandi was the shrike, a small songbird that she paired with wrath.

“They’re songbirds that kill animals, and because they don’t have any talons, they impale their prey on thorns and barbed wire,” she says. “Which is pretty wrathful. That was a surprise to me, to learn that a songbird could be so gross.”

Jill found unexpected inspiration in elephants, which she connected to kindness.

“Elephants will use their trunks to save or protect other animals, not just their own species,” she says. “That was a fun fact and I didn’t really expect to paint an elephant.”

 "Elephant Salad," Jill Leeson, water media.

Rather than framing morality through religion or social norms, the exhibition examines these ideas through ecological necessity.

“I think the human part of it has been beaten to death,” Sandi says. “We see all of that stuff normally, so I thought it would be interesting to do it in relation to animals.”

Jill sees the concepts as deeply connected to survival itself.

“I feel like sins and virtues are part of survival and you really see that in the animal kingdom and in nature,” she says. The resulting works challenge viewers to reconsider morality not as a uniquely human invention, but as something intertwined with instinct and ecology.

The exhibition also altered the way both artists approached storytelling in their work. Unlike previous pieces that relied heavily on viewer interpretation, “7 & 7” incorporates written descriptions explaining each work’s symbolic framework.

“Maybe if people see this and read the descriptions, they can see themselves in some of it,” Sandi says.

“I think this is the first time that each painting is telling a story,” Jill says. “Usually we fit the concept of the piece into the title and let the rest be up to interpretation of the viewer. This is kind of the first time we’re telling the story behind the painting.”

While the exhibition explores darker themes, both artists ultimately describe the show as celebratory.

“It’s exciting to see all the layers of behavior in all the subjects we found,” Jill says. “They are just as complex as we are.”

Sandi agrees, adding that the show also celebrates creatures rarely centered in Western wildlife art.

“We’re celebrating subjects we wouldn’t normally put in art,” she says. “Animals and birds and bugs that normally we wouldn’t do.”

That unconventional approach may resonate especially strongly in Steamboat Springs, where traditional mountain wildlife imagery often dominates gallery spaces.

“Usually you see typical Steamboat wildlife in galleries,” Jill says. “You see the moose and the bear. So it’s fun for us and it’ll be fun for the locals.”

The project also became personally revealing for the artists. Jill connected deeply with a painting of a paper kite butterfly, inspired by its transformation from caterpillar to winged insect.

“It comes from humble beginnings,” she says. “And I have had to make my own way. I’ve always been very quiet with my artwork. It’s been in the background most of my life. I never really put myself out there until later in my life. Now I get to spread my wings a little.”

Sandi describes the process as creatively inverted from her normal approach.

“We’re working backwards,” she says. “We’re starting out with that idea and making the art meet the idea. It’s almost a reverse thinking process.”

Whether the approach becomes part of their future work remains uncertain. For now, both artists see “7 & 7” as a singular exploration; one that asks viewers to reconsider the boundaries between human morality and the untamed logic of the natural world. Rather than presenting virtue and vice as opposites, the exhibition suggests they may coexist everywhere in nature – and in ourselves.

“7 & 7” opens Friday, June 5 during First Friday Artwalk, 5-8 p.m., at Pine Moon Fine Art in downtown Steamboat Springs. Visitors can view the exhibition throughout the month at Pine Moon Fine Art.