Native to Pennsylvania, Sandy was born in a small rural town, which fostered her love of nature. From an early age, drawing and painting her interpretations of nature was a natural and essential form of self expression. The interpretation of nature and its moods continue to be the focus of her work today whether painting with pastels, oils, watercolours or acrylics.
Embracing a poetically sensitive and gentle style, she strives to communicate a greater sense of love and peace to her viewers with each new work.
Sandy was an art major throughout high school. She received much encouragement from her mentors and teachers in her earlier years and has worked hard she says, by studying every art book possible, taking classes, through trial and error and by way of blood, sweat and tears.
Although experienced in most mediums, favorites are pastels, oils and watercolours. Particularly passionate about pastels, she loves the dramatic contrasts, the rich layers of colours and the vibrant visual luminescence that can be achieved with pastels. She believes that the pastel medium will help achieve what she wishes to capture in the essence of nature.
Accomplishments are varied. This artist's palette of experience includes the honor of having her work featured in the national art magazine "Pastel Journal", February, 2012 in the article "A River Runs Through It," also having her work included in the book, "100 Artists of the Mid-Atlantic, - 2011 as well as having her work juried and accepted for inclusion in the books, "Best of America - Pastel Artists" - 2009, "Best of Worldwide Landscape Artists," 2011 and being accepted into national art shows, doing illustrations for the book titled "Nature Buffs Story" about Allegheny National Forest, also illustrations for the ghost tours of Lambertville, NJ.
As the exclusive official artist for Hammersmith Farm in Newport, Rhode Island (which was owned by Jacqueline Kennedy's mother and was the Summer White House during the term of John F. Kennedy) she painted numerous pieces which included the landscape, flower gardens and mansion of the property. She has also designed theater sets, has painted wall murals for Designer Homes, private homes and for Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Doylestown, PA .
Moreover, she has taught art classes, organized and managed art exhibits. She was also an invited guest on a television network show where she had the opportunity to exhibit her work and discuss her technique and style of painting. She also is the chairperson for the monthly juried art exhibits held at the Northampton Cultural Library Center, Churchville, PA.
Sandy's Paintings have won numerous awards in pastels, watercolours and oils and have been inhibited in juried invitational and group shows throughout the Mid-Atlantic and New England area. She has also had the privilege of playing piano at some of those exhibits.
Likewise, her paintings are included in private collections throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland and England. Corporate collections include Keebler Corporation, and the Johnson & Johnson Corporation and PP&L (Pennsylvania Power and Light.) Many of Sandy's pastel paintings are in the permanent collection of Ronald McDonald House in Delaware.
In addition to working in Fine Arts, Sandy enjoys playing piano, composing music and writing, gardening, hiking, biking, photography, and interior design.
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Passionate about painting and especially passionate about the pastel medium, I love the dramatic contrast, the rich layers of colours and the vibrant visual luminescence that can be achieved with pastels.
As a little girl, my passion was and still is drawing and painting. The nuns told me it was a special gift from God. That gift was to be given back to Him by doing my best and sharing it with others. My inspiration comes from the pure timeless ever-glorious beauty of nature. The awe and loss of words when seeing the beauty that God created for us is humbling and can bring me to tears. When my work stirs an emotional response in your soul and our souls reach out and touch, than I know that I have accomplished one of the things that God intended me to do. That would be my gift to you coming from God's gift to me, for which I am thankful.
Artist Statement
"I love to take walks with nature, and through my art, I invite you along on those walks."
"Every painting is an experience of life, part of the journey and I love that journey. Just gazing at a tree with its twists and turns is exciting. Nature is ever-changing with an inexhaustible source of inspiration. When I look at our natural surroundings, the landscape, the ocean and sands of the beach, the blades of grass, the rippling water, the serene greens of summer, the sweet blossoms of spring and even the blue and purplish grays of winter, there is no question of what inspires me. All of that has a powerful effect and influence upon what I paint awakening a passion from within my soul.
So, yesterday, today and always while on my journey through life, with a whispered prayer of gratitude to God, I aspire to capture that spirit, serenity and beauty of nature in the hope that your spirit will experience a tranquil uplifting if even for a few moments in time. I invite you to join me on that journey."
