Artist Statement:
I am a self-taught, realism artist who appreciates the delicate beauty of flowers, the elegance of antique silver, the sparkle of crystal, and the intricate patterns of handmade lace. By bringing together these elements into an engraved image, I am creating a narrative that prompts contemplation of beauty that is fleeting, juxtaposed with beauty that endures. My work is inspired by the still lifes of the 17th century Dutch masters.
My choice of scratchbord as my medium allows me to explore the subtleties of light and shadow with tremendous precision. I am able to render the textures and surfaces in a realistic manner and the exposed kaolin clay reflects light which can make my subjects sometimes appear to be lit from within.
Through the process of removing ink, I am mirroring the transient nature of organic subjects but when I apply transparent, pigmented colored inks over the engraved areas it is as though life is once again restored and it now has a permanent image to be enjoyed.
Through my art, I would like for you to find a space of thoughtfulness and connection where the past and present intertwine in a dance of layered engraving and colors.
Biography:
I was born in 1970 in Ontario, Canada to two German immigrants who escaped eastern Germany while the Berlin wall was being constructed. Surviving World War II as children gave them the desire to live in a country that they hoped would not suffer from political unrest.
My family found that peace in Canada and I lived there until my early thirties when I met my American husband and became an immigrant myself to the United States in 2004.
I have created art as far back as I can remember. My mother always had a pen and paper in her purse to keep me occupied as a young child. My father would encourage my passion for art by taking me to art stores and then hiking in the Rocky Mountains for inspiration. My first art sale was to a fellow student of an architectural elevation drawing I created for an art class.
I am a self-taught artist and have participated in both online and local art classes to widen my experience.
Around 2008, I came across a small scratchboard kit in a local art store and once I tried it out I fell in love with the medium immediately. I have been obsessed with it ever since.
I grew up looking every day at an oil painting of a vase with flowers that my parents brought with them from Germany. It has greatly influenced my love for still lifes. I am inspired by the classical works of the dutch masters.
While working full-time in a technology career, I found respite in creating many still lifes. Family and friends encouraged me to pursue my career as an artist and in 2010 I was able to make the leap.
I have enjoyed much success through the many patrons and clients that have supported my work since then. I have had the opportunity to participate in numerous exhibitions and have learned so much from the many talented artists I have met. I am proud to be a member of the International Guild of Realism.
Representation:
- Currently considering representation -
Formerly represented by:
2011 - 2023
NanEtte Richardson Fine Art (Retired Dec 2023)
555 East Basse Road, Suite 105
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Selected Awards
2025, 6th Annual Chewelah Winterfest for the Arts, Trails End Gallery, 2nd Place 2D
2025, Arts North International 30, Hopkins Center for the Arts, 2 Sponsor Awards
2024, Winter Show of Small Works, Parklane Gallery, Board of Directors Award
2024, Camelback Gallery, Realism 2024 Juried Art Awards, Bronze
2018, Parklane Gallery, 26th Annual International Juried Miniature Show, Honorable Mention Still Life
2014, Art Renewal Center, 2013-2014 ARC Salon, Finalist
2014, Parklane Gallery 2014 International Juried Miniature Show, Bowman Juror's Award
2014, Elizabeth Specht Memorial Miniature Show, People's Choice Award
2013, The Artist's Magazine 30th Annual Art Competition, Still Life - Finalist
2013, 7th Annual Miniature Fine Art Show, Artistic Designs Gallery - Best of Mixed Media
2013, Richeson75, Still Life and Floral 2013 - 2nd Place
2013, Elizabeth Specht Memorial Miniature Show, Sierra Artist's Gallery, Mariposa, CA - 1st Place
2012, 7th Annual International Guild of Realism Exhibition - Pioneer in Realism
2012, Art Renewal Center 2011/2012 Salon - Finalist
2012, Art on the Square, Belleville, IL - Best of Show
2012, The Artist's Magazine's All-Media Art Competition 2012, Honorable Mention
2011, Art Spectacular at the Carillon, Springfield, IL - 1st Place Fine Art
2011, Illinois State Fair Prof. Art Exhibition, 2nd Place - Drawing category
2011, Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair, Springfield, IL, 2nd Place (in Show)
2011, Art on the Square, Belleville, IL, Best of Category
2011, Richeson 75 Small Works 2011, Honorable Mention
2010, Best of Wet Canvas 2010 Art Competition, Grand Prize
2010, Council for the Arts, 26th Miniature Art Exhibition, Hon. Mention
2010, Downtown Downers Grove Art Festival, Award of Merit
2010, SCAA 23rd National Juried Exhibition, Award of Excellence
2010, Illinois State Fair Prof. Art Exhibition, 1st Place - Drawing category
2010, North Shore Festival of Art - Old Orchard, Award of Merit
2010, Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair, Outstanding Newcomer
2010, Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair, Fourth Place - Children's
Publications
2024, October - American Art Collector - “In Touch with Reality” - Article
2012, "Strokes of Genius 4: Exploring Line", North Light Books, Rachel Rubin Wolf (editor) - Contributing Artist
2011, October - Amercian Art Collector - "Get Real" - Article
2009, "The Grapes of Wrath. A Reconsideration.", Rodopi Publishing, Michael Meyer (editor) - Contributing Artist
2009, July 30 - State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL - Article
2009, Featured Artist, ATC Quarterly, Fall Edition
Juried Art Exhibitions & Events
2025, Jun, Intn’l Guild of Realism, 19th Annual Exhibition, Sugarman-Peterson Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2025, Apr, Richeson75 Still Life & Floral 2025, www.richeson75.com
2025, Feb-Apr, 6th Annual Chewelah Winterfest for the Arts, Chewelah, WA
2025, Jan-Feb, Arts North International 30, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hopkins, MD
2024, Nov, UNDER2500 2024 Art Sale, Maryland Art Place, Baltimore, MD
2024/25, Nov-Jan, Realism 2024 Juried Art Awards Exhibition, www.camelbackgallery.com
2024/25, Nov-Jan, 2024 Winter Show of Small Works, Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2024, Nov-Dec, Small Works, SE Center for Art, Greenville, SC
2024, Sept-Dec, Int'l Guild of Realism Fall Salon Online Exhibition (realismguild.com)
2021, Feb-Apr, Richeson75 Small Works 2021, Madison, WI
2014, Richeson75 Still Life & Floral 2014, Madison, WI
2013, Sept-Oct, 64 Arts, Buchanan Center for the Arts, Monmouth, IL
2013, July, 7th Annual Miniature Fine Art Show, Artistic Designs Gallery, Brownsburg, IN
2012, Feb-Mar, Richeson75 Small Works 2012, Madison, WI
2011, Oct, Int Guild of Realism 6th Annual Exhibition, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2011, Sept, Art Spectacular at the Carillon, Springfield, IL
2011, Aug, Southern IL Open Competition, Cedarhurst Cntr for the Arts, Mt. Vernon, IL
2011, Aug, Illinois State Fair Professional Art Exhibition
2011, May, Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair, Springfield, IL
2011, May, Art on the Square, Belleville, IL
2011, Richeson75 Gallery, Small Works 2011 Exhibition
Solo Exhibitions
2011, Dec to Jan 2012, "Scratching the Surface: The Scratchboard art of Sandra Willard", Illini Union Art Gallery, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
Professional Memberships and Affliations
International Guild of Realism - Juried Member