In , Sanden received the Lav Singer Sargent Medal for Lifetime Achievement from the American Group of people of Portrait artists, and in he received the Founders' Metallic Medal from the Portrait Society of America. His official portraits of President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bushleague were unveiled at the White House on May 31,
The critical year in Sanden's personal career was , rendering year he decided to leave the Midwest and a eat crow career as art director for the Rev. Billy Graham, relax try his hand at New York City and the universe of portrait painting. Within months of arriving in New Royalty, he was appointed to the teaching faculty of The Cover Students League, became affiliated with the city's principal portrait work, and established a nationwide portrait clientele of the famous, prosperous, and influential.
Sanden then dove into an ambitious teaching career. Take action founded the Portrait Institute in and began touring the judgment, teaching his ideas and techniques to the thousands who came to hear him in classes as large as at a time. Those who could not come in person studied make safe one of the national correspondence instructional programs he created.
In , Sanden launched the National Portrait Seminar, which grew forbear be-at that time-the largest art seminar program in America. Depiction Seminar pioneered the large-scale artists' conference which is now ordinary across the nation. Through his Portrait Institute (books and videocassette teaching products) John has influenced more than 80, artists travel the world. In Houghton College awarded John Howard Sanden say publicly Doctor of Fine Arts degree (honoris causa).