Sandy’s Studio

I take inspiration from the natural world – the way the landscape changes through the seasons, the play of light on waves, the fall of shadows across a country lane. I love to try to capture the spirit of a place, the lonely beaches of the Outer Hebrides, a misty morning on Exmoor, an English hedgerow jewelled with hips and haws. But I also enjoy painting still life, apples on a table, pebbles with their unique markings, chunky jugs, flowers. I paint mainly in oils, but also use watercolour and occasionally acrylic. I like to experiment with texture and collage elements, and also love to make things out of driftwood collected on the beach, such as a row of seaside cottages, lighthouses and “beachcombing treasures” – framed collections of seaglass, shells, stones and sea-pottery, weathered by the waves. I believe these things are as beautiful as rubies and diamonds. My first novel is also available to buy in paperback: “A Dazzle of Poplars” by Alexandra Kendall (my full name) is about a young artist and features one of my paintings on the cover.