Sandra Blackburne

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'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 with a BA, with double majors in English Literature and Art
History from The University of Sydney. She also achieved First Class Honours in
Australian literature. She has painted continuously throughout her career. She is
interested in particular in the collision between modernity and the natural
environment.

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.
2005 -2008 – BA Major in English Literature and Art History, University of Sydney.
2010 – Honours thesis in Australian literature on 'The Language of Art in the
work of Patrick White', University of Sydney
2010- present Painting professionally. Studied painting at the National Art School.

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 also runs her own workshops in drawing and plein air
painting in Sydney, and from her studio in The Hunter Valley.

She travels frequently, finding inspiration for her work throughout Australia, and
divides her time between Sydney and The Hunter Valley.