Elizabeth Sandia, Artist of the Taj
In September of 1995, Elizabeth Sandia gave up her architectural design practice in Key West, FL to relocate to Santa Fe to become a fine artist. Today she is a prolific and a highly publicized pastel and oil painter.
Elizabeth’s award-winning paintings are luminous expressions of her wide range of subjects here and in the West. Masterful use of color harmonies and intimate portrayals of even vast landscapes are her trademarks.
Elizabeth has had nine one-person openings, numerous two person shows, and regularly participates in invitationals, group shows, and fund-raisers like Coors National Western in Denver.
Ms. Sandia has appeared in 34 art publications here and abroad since 2000 and her work has been on the cover of four of them. Three of her paintings were selected to hang in the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. She was commissioned to paint two large pieces to promote open spaces outside of Denver and they hang in a civic building in Golden, CO. A few years back a painting was selected for a wine label and another is on the cover of a recently published book by Cindy Bellinger.
Elizabeth has lectured, been a judge and a juror for several art shows, occasionally teaches a workshop, gives demos, and tutored online for Academy of Art U., San Francisco.
“When I paint en plein air, I am mainly attracted to bold shapes of sunlight and compositional patterns. I no longer feel constricted by an obligation to follow the exact colors or values I find as I was first taught. I prefer the freedom to interpret and express my feelings in each piece. I communicate my vision through the use of contrast and my personal choice of palette colors.
“My current body of work is done loosely and primarily with transparent, single-pigment oils. As a teenager, I painted in oils and returned to this medium six years ago.”
Invitationals:
CM Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT
“Masters in Miniature 2010,” July 30- September 11
“The Russell” Benefit 2011, March 17-19, 2011
San Isabel Land Protection Trust, Westcliffe
September 25, 2010 12 years
State Department’s Art in Embassies Program
US Embassy, Ankara, Turkey
3 paintings selected 3 years, 2006-2009
Coors National Western Sale, Denver, CO
11 years Invitational
PEBC, Denver, Co
3 years Invitational
Colorado Mountain Club, Golden, CO
4 years Invitational
Wine bottle label
Cover and article, “Trail and Timberline”
Le Salon, Denver, CO
1 year Invitational
Arts Council, Colorado Mountain College, Buena Vista
1 year Invitational
Donations:
Beaux Arts Bash, Scottsdale Artists’ School
Yearly since 1999
Mesa Verde Foundation, CO
3 years
Art for Life, Denver, Co
5 years
Rock Bottom Ranch, Basalt, CO
C.R.R.I Research Institute, Durango, CO
Schooling:
Algonquin College, Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Achievement Award for Architecture and Design
Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC
Achievement Award for Illustration/Advertising
H.S. of Art and Design
Achievement Award for Illustration and for Music
Since 1993 have studied with: Matt Smith, Judi Betts, Skip Lawrence, Skip Whitcomb, Handell, Jeanne Dobie, Robert Burridge, and Scott Christensen.
Contact Elizabeth Sandia: 505-603-3624, sandiaelizabeth28@gmail.com
Elizabeth’s works will be on display at the Jefferson County Courts and Administration Building, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO, in the Rotunda, from September 19th to October 9th.
Alderfer/Three Sisters Park, “Allur”, pastel
Elk Meadow Park, unnamed, pastel