In the hands of a Master, a rapidly executed watercolor thrills with its immediacy, energy, and sheer boldness; what may appear simple in execution can take years to perfect, and this quality often discourages all but artists with the determination and discipline to undertake the challenge of learning to paint in watercolor. In the case of artist Sandy Newell, she masters her pigments by quite literally 'going with the flow.' Growing up in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Sandy enjoyed yards of green grass, miles of bike riding, and creating arts and crafts with her best friend, who just happened to live next door. Each day, a new adventure in creativity.
The creative flow stayed with Sandy through grade school and high school, and the accumulated skill set launched her into the University of Illinois, Champaign, on a scholarship to complete her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Illustration. The undergraduate curriculum required a broad base in various media, one of which was watercolor. Sandy says, "When I took my first watercolor painting class, it was 'love at first sight' from the start." One of those first paintings still hangs in Sandy's home as a reminder of that fateful turning point. Sandy subsequently attended Loyola University, Chicago, for her Master of Business Education, a move she saw as a way to ground her creative talent into a business. This business education, combined with her artistic skills, prepared her to open Sandy Newell Design in Chicago, where she spent the next fifteen years turning her creative nature into a career.
During Sandy's years in the design business, she worked with many educational publishers in the Chicago area. She recalls, "I liked the design challenge and the people; however, I didn't enjoy my time as much as computers began to edge into the design business." Life has a way of presenting forks in the road at the most reasonable times, and this came for Sandy when her children ended grade school. She jumped into volunteering at the school. It didn't take long before Sandy was offered a job as an art teacher, and she took that road. "I accepted the job and loved working with the students. In many ways, I learned as much from them as I did from them. The job was gratifying."
A few years into Sandy's art teaching career, her husband sold his business and decided to take some time off. At this point, Sandy chose to devote more time to her fine art painting aspirations. The choice worked out well, Sandy says, "I haven't looked back since." Sandy's husband found a business in Phoenix, which he eventually purchased. The family began visiting the area more often and eventually bought a condo to make commuting easier. About that time, the Covid shutdown happened, resulting in the family staying in Scottsdale. Unsurprisingly, they fell in love with the area and now spend most of the year here in the Valley of the Sun.
Today, Sandy works from a small studio in her home in Scottsdale, with breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain. Like many artists, she draws inspiration from nature, the plants, animals, and insects that naturally inhabit the desert spaces. But her inspiration doesn't stop there. Sandy is an active member of the arts community, enjoying the company of fellow creators, exchanging ideas, and learning from their observations. She is a strong advocate for workshops, classes, and visits to museums, galleries, and art fairs, all of which are rich sources of inspiration for her work.
The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek, Arizona, represents artist Sandy Newell. She is a member of the Arizona Watercolor Association and Frankfort Art Association. Sandy's work has not just been featured; it has been celebrated in many art magazines and newsletters over the years, and she has received several awards from exhibits in which she's participated. Her website lists her honors, awards, accomplishments, and extensive collections of her past and current work, a testament to her success and recognition in art.
Email: snewdesign@comcast.net
Website: www.sandynewelldesign.com
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