My Sample Artwork
From a very early age Sandra was sketching portraits, animals and cartoons. Although she never pursued art as a career she always explored her creative nature through crafts, art and music. Her long range plan was always to paint when retired although she had never painted! Sandra started painting seriously in 2005 (a little premature for the retirement plan) while recuperating from surgery. “When life gives you lemons make lemonade!” She is currently painting part time but looking forward to her retirement when she can really make art her focus.
Born and raised in rural South Western Ontario, Sandra has a love for the outdoors and a keen appreciation for nature. She enjoys spending time outside spring, summer, and fall – she also enjoys camping and gardening. Although winter offers incredible splendour and motivation to be creative Sandra believes this season is best enjoyed through a picture window. Sandra tries to ‘stop and smell the roses’ at every opportunity and enjoys a calm frame of mind while creating her artwork. Art provides an emotional reward and her favourite work is always changing.
“My creativity is inspired by nature and fuelled by the need to express myself in ways that can be shared with others. I have always been a keen observer of nature but painting changes the way a person looks at the world. I never miss the changing seasons or the wonder of the beauty around me and when I paint I try to capture the feeling(s) that are evoked from these visual experiences.”
Sandra opened Evergreen Studio a home studio/gallery in the summer of 2006. The studio is currently open by chance or by appointment.
Sandra’s paintings are signed Sam, a nickname from childhood still used today by family and friends.
Education
Painting part-time since 2005 Sandra is primarily a self-taught artist but has completed the following workshops.
2004 Water Colour – Heather Keating –
2005 Water Colour – Heather Keating –
2005 Oil Painting – Billie Hastie
2006 Oil Painting – Pat Johnson
2007 Acrylic Painting – Fred Harrison
2007 Drawing – Kevin Bice
2007 Acrylics – Mary Louise White
2007 Encaustic – Andrea Bird
2008 Acrylics – Mary Louise White
Exhibitions
2008
St. Thomas-Elgin Studio Tour
Art fest
Iron Horse Festival
St. Thomas-Elgin Artists' Guild - 'Twas the Art before Christmas
2007
Shutter & Brush Mini Show
Portside Gallery Mini Show
Appreciation of the Arts
St. Thomas-Elgin Studio Tour
Evergreen Studio Open House
Quai du Vin Art Nouveau
Iron Horse Festival
The Healing Palette
St. Thomas-Elgin Artists' Guild - 'Twas the Art before Christmas
2006
Portside Gallery Mini Show
Shutter & Brush Mini Show
Appreciation of the Arts
Evergreen Studio Grand Opening
Art fest
The Healing Palette
The Art Exchange Mini Show
2005
Appreciation of the Arts
Technical Abilities
Currently Sandra paints with watercolour, oil, and acrylic paint. Her impressionist art is very diverse and includes portraits, landscapes, still life, and animals. She selects her media based upon the subject matter and the effect she is trying to create. The colour palette for each painting is chosen based on what she sees with her eyes fuelled by her imagination. Her art varies in size from small 1” x 2” to fairly large paintings 48” x 36”. Recently she has been experimenting with texture and mixed-media with more abstract results and is always eager to experiment with new techniques.
Awards
2006 Peggy’s Cove – Watercolour – honourable mention – Port Stanley Artists’ Guild adjudicated show
2007 Appreciation of the Arts –
2007 River Reflection – Acrylic – honourable mention – Port Stanley Artists’ Guild adjudicated show
Memberships
Website Presence
Work on Display
Evergreen Studio –
Abbeywood’s Emporium –
Green Roof Restaurant – 4950 Sunset Dr.,
Laramy’s Restaurant –
Name:
Sandra England
- Drawing
- Painting
- Fine Art
