I am amazed how beautiful the world can be. Looking at a lovely beach on a sunny day can leave me speechless. I am overcome with the beauty of the colors, shapes, textures and the crackling feeling of “Life” permeating the environment. The beaches around Hawaii and Australia, or anywhere in the world, are wonderful for experiencing this.
I have been taking photos ever since I was 6 years old. My grandfather, my father and my grandmother were all keen photographers. All through high school I was a member of the camera club and at university I studied Fine Art and did a Masters degree in Art Education with a thesis in Photography.
A few years ago I suddenly woke up to the fact that “I am a photographer!”
I grew up in Hawaii living right on a beautiful beach. I spent many hours looking at the surf and was influenced by the stunning beauty of the ocean and beaches. I lived in Byron Bay, Australia for several years and again I fell in love with the beautiful beaches and ocean scenes. I now live in Clearwater Florida near the beach. I want my art to convey this beauty. It is difficult to capture “Life” in nature in a small photo or painting, but that is what I am trying to do.
My favorite artist is Paul Gauguin. Perhaps because he was so in love with the tropics, but in my opinion, his work is an example of Art that communicates the feeling of “Life” that I am talking about.
It is hard to describe what it is like to stand in front of a Van Gough and experiencing the LIFE that bursts from the painting.
Sandy Abbott
Education
Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in Art Education. Thesis in photography.
University of Hawaii , 1980.
High School Art Teachers Certificate
University of Hawaii , 1978.
BA degree. Fine Arts Major, Science Minor
University of Washington , Seattle , 1973.
High School Diploma
Punahou High School , Honolulu , Hawaii Graduated 1967.
Honor roll, Emphasis in Art
Art Related Employment
1980-2005 Taught Art and Graphic Design in High Schools and Community Colleges in
Melbourne and Sydney Australia.
1978-79 University of Hawaii . Art Department. I helped 1st and 2nd year students with art projects
and exam preparation.
Exhibitions
1967 Punahou Art Festival Honolulu Hawaii .
1968 University of Washington Student Art Exhibition
1974 Orlando City Art Show Orlando, Florida
1977 University of Hawaii Student Group Show
1978 University of Hawaii Student Group Show
1978 Honolulu Magazine Annual Photography Contest Honorable Mention
1979 Hawthorn City Art Gallery Victoria Photography show.
1980 St Kilda Art Festival
1981 Echuca Arts Centre One many Photography show.
1982 St Kilda Arts Festival
1995 Celebrity Centre, One man painting show. Portland Oregon
1996 Community Centre Byron Bay NSW, Group art show
2000 Group show Waywood Gallery Byron Bay
2001 Group show Waywood Gallery Byron Bay
2004 Manly Art Market