‘My paintings are inspired by the fragility and the beauty of nature, but also its power.’
Sandra Blackburne was born in Brisbane. She trained as an illustrator and graphic designer, graduating from the Queensland College of Art, before undertaking a career in advertising and graphic communication. She studied painting at The National Art School in Sydney. In 2010 she graduated from the University of Sydney with first class honours on The Language of Art in the work of Patrick White
Sandra’s work explores the textures and layers of the Australian landscape. “I have always been drawn to the natural world both micro and macro images. In Australia there is a raw energy coupled with the intense light. My work has a sense of this. I’m interested in representing the effects of light and the beauty of the landscape which survives in spite of the harshness of our country. Thus the paintings focus on the power of nature to reassert itself.”
1966 - 1970 Graduated in Design and Illustration, The Queensland College of Art.
1971-1982 - Designer/ art director for advertising agencies in Australia and the UK,
1983-2003 - Owned and managed a Corporate Communications and design studio, SB Designs. Studied painting at the National Art School.
2005 -2008 - Graduated with first class honours from the University of Sydney.
2010- present Painting professionally.
Teaching at the Workshop Art Centre, Willoughby
Sandra has painted throughout her career, painting professionally since 2010, supplemented with regular masterclasses with contemporary artists including Idris Murphy, Luke Sciberras, Ross Lawrie, Tim Allen and Roger Crawford at the National Art School in Sydney. She teaches at the Willoughby Art Centre in Sydney and runs her own workshops in drawing and plein air painting in Sydney, and from her studio in The Hunter Valley.
Recent Exhibitions:
2022 Solo Exhibition, ‘Open Spaces’ Incinerator Art Space, Willoughby
2019 Solo Exhibition, ‘Shorelines’ Incinerator Art space, Willoughby
2018 Solo Exhibition 'Coastlines' Incinerator Art space, Willoughby
2018 Solo Exhibition, ‘Journeys’ Me Artspace, Atchison St St Leonards
2017 Solo Exhibition, ‘Shadow Country’ The Incinerator Art Space
2017 Finalist, KAAF art prize, Korean Australian Art Foundation, Sydney
2016 Finalist, Hunters Hill Art Prize, Council Chambers, Hunters Hill
2016 Solo Exhibition ‘Desert Light’ TWT Creative Precinct, Living Art
2016 Group Exhibition, ‘Drawing the Line’, Me Art Space, St Leonards