Skies inspire painted poetry

AS a school art teacher, Sandra T Sanders spends her working days supporting young people to discover their unique styles of creativity and to develop their visual awareness.

But the painter’s new solo exhibition this month at Soldiers Hill’s Old Butcher’s Shop Gallery is her opportunity to show the community how she expresses herself through acrylic on canvas.

A collection of paintings depicting country landscapes of the Ballarat region, Sanders’ Atmosphere is on until the weekend before Christmas.

“When I moved to the area in 2007, I recognised how incredible the skies were,” she said.

“Up here, you see so much more sky than you do in the suburbs in Melbourne, and I love a moody sky.

“I love the way the light reflects off the landscape, and how the landscape forms marry with the sky and have a relationship.

“I also love the abstract quality of the sky, which is grounded by the landscape below. The land is the full stop, and gives the sky context.”

Sanders stops to take photographs in the early mornings and late afternoons, when she is driving to and from work, which she uses as references.

All the pieces in the show are of local scenes, and viewers may recognise landmarks like Mount Beckworth.

“I don’t replicate the photo exactly, it’s more about creating the atmosphere,” she said.

Sanders said she has always been passionate about painting and recalls copying the Mona Lisa at eight years of age.

The creative practice is her own form of meditation, and she said she sees the result as a form of poetry.

“I have an emotional connection to the landscape, I love the landscape, and I hope that comes through in my work,” Sanders said.