Sandra Davison Plein Air Paintings

Artist's Information

Artist's Statement

I respond to the energy of nature, light and change primarily through pastels outdoors. The work is most often done on site, en plein air, and whenever possible is done at a single location over the course of repeated opportunities.This often translates to months at a single location and since 2005 has meant the locations are primarily swamps.

My passion is for the very dynamic life force that appears most strongly to me through wetlands and my interpretation is with color, stroke and spark.

Life forms are great metaphors of life; giving, taking, dying, changing, growth wild or slow. Expressive directions in growth create amusing shapes and sculptural manifestation.

There are personalities and great metaphors for our human condition that nature holds out when I'm surrounded by the daily business of eat, live, fly, die. The trees are very figural and as they loosen their bark become beautiful limbs leaning against another for support or rising above the surface and allowing their sculpture to remain long after the life force has left.

The greater whole that humans are a part of unfolds in an ordinary way.

The pieces painted on site are enlivened by the unpainted interactions with curious green herons, complaining other mammals and the persistent attempts by other creatures to use me as furniture, food, and home. I am part of the life system and they the painting process. Painting en plein air, each color and selected mark is contained in the whole of life at that spot in that moment.

New subjects are a search for life force and flow, the spirit and energy of a subject. A new series of cityscapes and urban scenes done as tiny oil paintings express this search for life force and spirit. As new subjects are included in the work, a search for life force and flow, the spirit and energy remains the subject.

I'm dedicated to pursuing my "Jewels In the Landscape" series, collecting additional painting environs and continue to convey the chaotic, reassuring, exceptional quality of life on this planet by sharing the insights through the work.             -Sandra Davison

Resume

Sandra Davison, working in in pastels en plein air since 2002.

Professional Recognition & Awards

  • Featured in "CreateBetterPaintings.com", July issue 08
    • Honorable mention, "HHAL National Exhibit", Hilton Head SC, 05/08
    • "Jack Richeson's 75 Small Works Exhibit & Book" book, Fall/08
    • "Workshop Scholarship Award", Scottsdale Artists School, Lorenzo Chavez, 03/08
    • "Jack Richeson's Artist Choice" book, due summer 08
    • Honorable mention, "Paint the Hocking Hills", OPAS plein air competition, 09/06
    • "Jack Richeson's Fine Art, Vol. I: Plein Air New Mexico", published 11/06

Show History

  • "Renaissance in Pastel 2008", Connecticut Pastel Society, West Hartfort, CT• Oct 08
    • "Jack Richeson's 75 Small Works", two of two works, Kimberly WI • April/May 08
    • "Northeast National Juried Pastel Exhibition", Old Forge NY, March/April 08
    • "HHAL National Art Exhibition", Hilton Head SC • April/ May 08
    • "Texas National Art Competition", Midland TX • 03/08
    • "National Pastel On Paper Competition", Wichita KS • 2 of 3 entries • 03/08
    • "Springfield Museum of Art Curated Plein Air Show" • 2 of 2 entries • 11/07
    • Banyan Gallery • Solo Show "Life Force Landscapes – Plein Air" • May/June 07
    • "Plein Air: The Ohio Plein Air Society", ArtSpace, Lima Ohio • 08/06
    • "Plein Air New Mexico National Juried Show", Ventana Gallery, Santa Fe NM • 12/05
    • State of Michigan First Gentleman's Office • August/September 05
    • "Lansing Art Gallery Member Juried Show", 2 of 3 entries, MI • July/August 05
    • PSO National Juried Exhibition, 2 of 3 entries, Roseburg OR • 09/04
    • Trillium Gallery, East Lansing Michigan • 10/02
    • Todd Mack Gallery, Old Town Lansing Michigan • 10/01
    • Launch Exhibition "toycamera.com", Lansing MI • 10/98

Training and Education

  • Associates Degree Applied Science; Photographic Technology, Lansing Community College • Lansing Michigan • 1985
    • Advertising Photographer 1986-2004
    • Adjunct Faculty teaching electronic illustration, design, software with the Art Design and Multimedia Department of Lansing Community College • Lansing Michigan • 1997 to 2002
    • Course work at Michigan State University in Interdisciplinary Humanities specializing in Philosophy, Sociology and Journalism

Professional Affiliations

  • The Great Lakes Pastel Society
    • The Degas Pastel Society

Professional Workshops

  • Lorenzo • Chavez, Plein Air, Tucson AZ • March 2008
    • Ken Cadwallader, OPA • Portrait • Grand Rapids MI • Oct 2007
    • Susan Ogilvie, PSA • Landscape • Roseburg OR • Oct 2003
    • Bill Hosner PSA • Plein Air • Romeo MI • June 2003
    • Jim Markle, PSA • Pastel Painting Grand Rapids MI • May 2003
    • Larry Blovits, PSA • Pastel Making • GR MI 2002

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