After 32 years of teaching elementary school, I decided to retire. Just prior to my retirement, I took a few watercolor classes at Shasta College to see if all the 'desire' to paint that had been waiting patiently for its turn in my busy life could materialize into something that would represent my best efforts to replicate the beauty I see in the world. I wanted to share it in such a way that people would want to 'take the closer look' and further appreciate the world and creation around us.
In the first two years, I produced 20 paintings and framed them all with the encouragement of my husband (who doubles as my easily available art critic). As I painted more and more, I became more adept at putting together the elements that create a successful painting and started to see my work improve dramatically.
My challenge became a desire to give a sense of almost photographic 'realness' to my subjects by including details that might be missed or overlooked by the more casual observer. Having the quality of evoking a feeling of 'peacefulness' is also usually an important emotional component of my work for myself that I hope the viewer can enjoy as well.
Sandi Howell joined Fine Art America on February 6th, 2013.
