Sandra Lamb

Artist Statement:

I collect old photographs, random snapshots from friends, magazine advertisements. It's partially for reference but mostly for that shard of expression or movement that inspires the "what if"? beginnings of a visual story. The process of my work is a bit like designing a set for the climax of a play and then placing the characters, caught at their moment of crisis. Humour often creeps into my paintings and I use it consciously whenever I can. For me art must be communication with the viewer and it must always ask the questions, perhaps only hinting at the answers. As I get older and wiser, I find myself producing looser, simpler images, sometimes just as an ode to the beauty of the moment, often as glimpses of the innocent human spirit. What I am ultimately looking for are the deeper and more complex precipices, the turning points in personal evolution.

Education:

As a "tween" I had the privilege of evening classes once a week from local artists in Calgary, where I learned valuable techniques in various mediums. My design-sense was honed on-the-job in various graphic art/advertising positions during my twenties. Anything after that has been life and practise. And of course, the greatest teacher of all: teaching others in one's chosen vocation.

Awards & Distinctions:

These can be found on my website.

Exhibitions:

These can be found on my website.

Professional/Teaching Experience:

I have taught many mediums locally for about twenty years with occasional invitational workshops. These include portraiture, cartooning, oils, acrylics, chalk pastels, watercolours and book illustration.

Artistic Influences:

Earlier on, I was influenced most by the Impressionists, primarily Degas and Manet and also the Group of Seven. In addition to the countless artists in between, most recently, my artwork has taken a somewhat new direction as a result of the inspiration gleaned from Iryna Yermalova (Britain), Carlos San Millan (Spain) and Silja Selonen (Finland).