“Until 2022, I worked in encaustics. Due to damage in my hands from the process, I hadto pivot. Focusing on painting unapologetic women, I believe all women should be ableto feel their own sense of beautiful and not have to compromise to feel seen.I begin on a black substrate, as I like the way color works on the dark surface. Thesubstrate gets covered with papers - gestures from a life drawing session, hand drawnink drawings on tissue paper, scraps of poems or lyrics, cut outs of lovely handmadepapers. The layers of torn papers, drawings, and poems create visual interest andintrigue before the paint ever touches the boards, mixing a hard emotion with good lineand a soft background. Drawing is important, line is celebrated rather than coveredentirely with paint. The muse is drawn, usually with charcoal and conte, then sealedonto the collage. The pieces are then completed with a combination of oil, cold wax,charcoal, and graphite.”Art was a means of communicating without speaking when I was young and painfullyshy. Figurative elements have always found their way into my work, regardless of thesubject matter. Maybe it's because for so long I struggled with body image. I was tootall, too skinny, too fat. I finally figured out that I don't have to play by the rules, that Idon't have to listen to what is whispered in the ears of women everywhere.​I discovered that I am amazing. I discovered I like myself.I make these vibrant pieces in the hope that they empower other women to see theirown sense of beautiful.”Sandra exhibits along the East Coast at galleries and fine art shows. Her work iscollected internationally.​A Maryland native, Sandra has lived in Baltimore, Md for the last 30 years. She holds aBFA with honors from the University of Maryland, and is involved in many local artsorganizations. While serving on the board of School 33 Arts Center as the ArtistsRepresentative, she was an integral part of initiating the Member's Gallery. She is anhonorary member of The Creative Alliance in Baltimore, and served as the Chairman ofthe Board of The Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Show in Philadelphia, PA from 2016-2023. Under her leadership, the show was votes the #1 Fina Art Festival nationwide.Recently, she began " Art Around Hampden", a monthly event to encourage hercommunity to explore and support the arts in their neighborhood.