Since 2012, Sandra Curran has been creating art inspired by the forests and beaches of the West Coast of Canada. Sandra’s unique style of paint pouring, helps her to capture the wild waters of British Columbia.
Sandra began in 2012 by crafting three-dimensional canvas flowers with intricate sewing techniques and later diving into the remarkable, albeit messy, art of paint pouring.
Each piece of Sandra’s art reflects her willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of conventional art. Her method of paint pouring consists of layers of acrylic paint swirled together on the canvas, like the splashing water the pieces represent. Sandra prefers to keep her art unnamed so audiences can experience the pieces with their own thoughts without the influence of the artist’s context.
Sandra’s passion for art was cultivated from a young age. Creativity ran through the family roots, her mother being skilled in textiles and her father being a collector. In high school, Sandra immersed herself in visual arts, actively participating in gallery showings and exploring a variety of creative outlets.
Sandra, a now three-decade campus veteran, applied for UVic’s Mentoring Program in 2012. For the program, Sandra worked with John Threfall, Special Projects Officer for the Faculty of Fine Arts, to create the first campus art tour. With Sandra’s skills in art, digital design and photography skills, she created a self-guided excursion of the university’s art collection.
Graphic design plays a pivotal role in Sandra’s art and professional dealings as an artist. Sandra, armed with a certification in Professional Graphic Design, uses her graphic design skills to elevate her canvas. She marries her paint pouring, graphic design and newfound love for photography, and merges her photos atop her pieces. The outcome creates a stunning meld of mediums.
Sandra has displayed her work at coffee shops and restaurants. She prefers art to be shared in a casual but intimate space, where her art can be enjoyed with a friend and a snack. Her most recent showing was at the restaurant Meet over the summer of 2023. Sandra custom-designs her layout concepts and labels for each location. Her graphic design proficiency brings a layer of professionalism to the displays.
Sandra spends her days hiking in Sooke with her significant other and working in UVic’s Art History & Visual Studies Department. In the future, she hopes to continue her pieces in mixed media and begin a series of paintings inspired by waterfalls.
-Written by Kaya Crawford
Sandra Curran 