ARTIST STATEMENT JULY 2011
My creative journey began suddenly in 2006 –amongst the chaos and trauma following the tragic sudden death of my eldest son Bryan and my eventual diagnosis of PTSD. My art is an expression of and an outlet for emotions that are beyond words – the ones that no one talks about. My art gives me somewhere to go when I have no-where else to go. Most of my work is based around loss, grief, chaos and the search for healing of the spirit. I am self taught and experimental with my artwork and materials. Following an accident in 2007 I now also have physical disabilities which limit my mobility and use of hands and arms.
I’m often inspired by random words or quotes, which have spiritual meaning, but my main inspiration is Bry, whose love stays with me as mine goes with him.
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a brighter day
42 x 59 mixed media on card
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supermoon tor glazed no2
21x30mixed media on paper
part of a series of glastonbury tor images inspired by the supermoon earlier this year
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AS LONG AS THERE ARE ANGELS
59 X 84
Inspired by a random phase found in a magazine- this work explores spirituality, life after death, belief and faith
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vivid tor large on canvas
41x51mixed media on canvas
glastonbury tor in bright and glorious mood
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CONFUSION
84 X 59
I am often in a state of utter confusion and this work attempts to capture that feeling of disorientation and muddled thoughts -
HOWLING AT HURT MOON
81 X 102
Raw grief and emotion screaming and shouting at the world -
BOLLYWOOD TOR
30CM X 41
Glastonbury Tor is a favourite image for me -this work is inspired by the amzing colours and fabrics shown in Asian magazine and also explores spirituality across differnt cultures -
LANDSCAPE OF GRIEF
65 X 95
A mother alone and lost and consumed by grief -reflecting the detached and unreal feelings whch accompany PTSD
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WE ARE BEAUTIFUL
58 X 41
We are beautiful is an anti stigma message -the butterfly image to me means regeneration, evolving and hope. All of us are beautiful with our disabilities and conditions-no matter what people tell us. Very much inspired by the words of the Christine Agulera song
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run for the hills
31x41mixed media on paper
the urge to run away, both physically and mentally is very strong
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rainbow sky tor
30x40 mixed media on paper
from the glastonbury tor series -one of my favourite places to sit outside and paint in all different moods and lights
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as it should have been
41x41 mixed media on canvas
this is how things should have looked in my world if things had turned out differently
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overwhelmed
31x41 mixed media on paper
how I feel a lot of the time
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chaos and calm no1
102x127 mixed media on canvas
small and unexpected precious moments of calm in a life filled with chaos
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chaos and calm no2
102x 127 mixed media on canvas
small precious unexpected moments of calm in a life of chaos
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Fragile series no2 large
51x41 mixed media on canvas
fragile is how i feel most of the time
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grief ball sculpture at castlerigg stone circle
14cm diameter -unfinished sculpture-aluminium
part of my grief ball sculpture project and work in progress. I take the sculpture to remote and sacred places to work on it and to weave in the magic into the layers as I work
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into the pit again
31x41mixed media on paper
a recurring theme -falling into the pit -sometimes sliding slowly but other times falling suddenly and scarily fast
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out of chaos no1
107x122 mixed media on board
spiritual work showing female figure created from and rising from chaotic and dangerous origins
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memories of the girl who used to be me no1
13x30 cm mixed media on card
first of a series inspired by finding an old box of make up from before I was ill-I had no recollection that this was mine
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SPIRITUAL TOR
42 X 59
Glastonbury Tor is a very special place for me in terms of peace and spirituality and a calming of the soul. This worktries to capture that precious essence
Comments
Martin Coughlan
My favourite piece is bollywood tor. The colours make me feel like i'm in India. Great work.
Lucy Robinson
Beautiful.. Would look lovely on my living room wall.
Morag Cuthbert
Very strong works. I especially like As Long as there are Angels, for its colour, atmosphere and complexity. Hope to see more of this artist on Outsidein.
Lesley Hancock
Sandra, you've got some some very powerful pieces in that collection. I love the darker peices, Run For The Hills and Overwhelmed are fantastic. xx
Cecilia Montague
You have the talent to create art with a range of different techniques and media. Your exhibition of art works is very fine.
Cecilia Montague
Your art has a lovely tactile quality.
Andrea
Sandra's work has a passion and expression of emotion that is hard to put into words, I know from viewing some of her artwork in an exhibition just how powerfully she can evoke mood and feeling. Despite all, her work continues to move from strength to strength. I love 'a brighter day' and the Tor series in particular as they are such a vibrant use of colour. You inspire and provoke thought in equal measure Sandra, it is lovely to see your work being shared in this way xxxx
sandra totterdell
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