Inspired by a love of nature and extensive travels to
Europe, especially Italy, Arizona artist Sandra Marshall draws from a plethora
of stored mental images she has captured over the years. Most recently, Sandra
focuses on contemporary botanical paintings –creating sought-after works of art
that offer unique color combinations that are exquisitely rich and harmonious.
Early on, Sandra showed a talent and love of color and art
and always drew or painted -- receiving accolades from teachers and others who
saw her work. After studying color in a private art institute, she became
accomplished in a variety of media including oils, pastels, acrylic and mixed
media and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education with an emphasis
in Art Education/Painting. A New York native, Sandra is a master colorist and
attributes her passion to childhood memories of her mom, an accomplished
photographer and gardener, who Sandra remembers planting seeds in the cold of
the winter and the delight they received as they bloomed in the spring.
Sandra’s art background is extensive and includes owning a
portrait painting company in which she painted more than 1000 commissions in
oils and pastels, as well as becoming a prominent mural artist around the
country. She also worked as an art director for 3-Ball Productions in Hollywood
in addition to painting backdrops for the Disney Channel and working on set
designs. Before marrying and starting a family back in the states, Sandra studied
art in Italy, which led to co-creating an inventive company in Italy called
“Porta a Porta”, which means door to door in Italian. Sandra would bring
aspiring artists from the United States and fly them to Italy and while under
her instruction, the students would learn to paint as they were surrounded by
the stunning Tuscan Hillsides.
Sandra has used her combination of color mastery, painting
and teaching skills to design a career that has been immensely satisfying for
both herself and her clients. In addition to her works of art that she
continues to push the boundaries of color and beauty, Sandra volunteers in
schools with her successful “I Draw, You Draw program. Says Sandra,” My mind is constantly coming up
new designs and ideas of things to paint and I enjoy sharing that
enthusiasm with my students. The excitement of each new painting is like taking
a voyage to an unknown place –the anticipation, exploration and the journey ---
I can’t get enough!
