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. My work is inspired by the still life of the 17th century Dutch masters.
My choice of scratchboard as one of my mediums 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.
My other medium of choice is watercolor. I love the unpredictable nature of how the pigment disperses over the paper and mimics the organic manner of nature. The loose painting and vibrant colors offer me respite from the intense, detailed work of scratchboard.
Through my art, I would like for you to find a space of peace and contemplation of the enduring, and the transient, beauty that surrounds all of us.
Biography:
Sandra Willard is a Canadian-American artist whose work creates a narrative that prompts contemplation of beauty that is fleeting, juxtaposed with beauty that endures, through still lifes inspired by the 17th century Dutch masters.
Willard had her first solo show in 2011, when her series Scratching the Surface: The Art of Sandra Willard was exhibited at the Illini Union Art Gallery for the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL. Since then, her work has been shown in a range of exhibitions and galleries nationally.
Among the awards Sandra Willard has received are the 2025 National 2D Competition, Cape Fear Studios, Best in Show; 2025 Arts North International 30, Hopkins Center for the Arts, 2 Sponsor Awards; 2014 Art Renewal Center, 2013-2014 ARC Salon, Finalist; 2012, Art on the Square, Belleville, IL, Best of Show.
Her work will be published in the upcoming Best of Drawing magazine by The Artist’s Magazine that will be available on newsstands in December 2025.
Sandra Willard currently works in her studio located in Deer Park, Washington. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband, Thomas, and their two birds.
Selected Awards:
2025, ACWF Small Works Juried Exhibit, Wichita Falls, TX, Honorable Mention
2025, Jun-Aug, National 2D Competition, Cape Fear Studios, Fayetteville, NC, Best of Show
2025, Trails End Gallery, 6th Annual Chewelah Winterfest for the Arts, 2nd Place 2D
2025, Arts North International 30, Hopkins Center for the Arts, 2 Sponsor Awards
2024, Parklane Gallery, Winter Show of Small Works, 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:
2025, December, Best of Drawing, Strokes of Genius finalist, The Artists Magazine
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
Juried Art Exhibitions & Events:
2025/26, Nov-Jan, 92nd Annual Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature, MPSGS, North Bethesda, MD
2025, Aug-Sept, 2025 National Fine Art Show & Sale, Louisville Art Assoc., Louisville, CO
2025, Aug-Oct, ACWF Small Works Juried Exhibit, Wichita Falls, TX
2025, Jun-Aug, National 2D Competition, Cape Fear Studios, Fayetteville, NC
2025, Jul, 33rd Annual International Miniature Show, Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA
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:
2027, To be Announced
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 Affiliations:
International Guild of Realism - Juried Member