Artist Profile

I have always loved painting and began painting professionally thirteen years ago. My formal art education consists of four years of art study at high school followed by a semester at East Sydney Technical College.  Although my preferred medium is acrylic I also experiment with mixed media and a variety of styles and subjects. My favourite subjects to paint are seascapes, birds, animals, abstracts and children but I am willing to paint other subjects when commissioned.  I love to take on challenges and extend my skills with a variety of subjects, often working on up to four paintings at a time as my mood takes me. I have a large studio attached to my home, which you are welcome to visit, and there is always a painting in progress on one of my easels.  My other works can be viewed at https://bluethumb.com.au/jenny-ellis-newman

Painting is something I pursue to express the need to create, mainly using acrylic paints and often including mixed media.  I apply layers of colour, using sometimes very large brushes, sticks, sponges and even my hands and fingers.

I love the challenges in producing a work that speaks for itself with no preconceived idea, by letting go and using my intuition and letting the layers of colours and forms tell their own story.

Sandie is passionate about the arts in all its forms and colours.

“Since my childhood on the Mediterranean shores of Lebanon, I remain under the spell of the seven seas. I try to capture the moods of the ocean and its vibrant colours through my acrylic works. I’ve just started experimenting with watercolour and different mediums.

In 2011, I have moved to Australia with my family after being in Dubai for 10 years.

My first exhibition was in July 2016 at the Grove Library, Peppermint Grove.”

I currently work part time as a geologist and now spend much time creating art, mostly acrylic/mixed media painting and more recently digital art using Photoshop and Corel Painter software.

I grew up in Brighton, Victoria until I started work as a geologist, living in many remote locations… until finally settling down in Perth, WA in 1995.

Outback landscapes, rock formations, desert sunsets, textures and colours have inspired much of my artwork.

I love to place paint onto the canvas and let my imagination take over often using bold, bright colours, different textures and patterns. Outback landscapes, rock formations, desert sunsets, textures and colours have inspired much of my artwork. I enjoy the freedom of creativity and feeling of escape while painting, which is in direct contrast to my work as a geologist which is very structured and exact.

I exhibit my work regularly through several local art club exhibitions. I won first prize in Freedom School of Art 2012 exhibition. I am currently a featured artist for Autumn 2020 on OzArtFinder.com.

My work is not inspired by anyone in particular. I attended the Freedom School of Art run by David Giles where I studied many different abstract artists. I owe a big thanks to Jacky McFarlane who introduced and taught me how to use best quality ‘Golden’ paints, mediums, and texture pastes in all of my artwork.