Sandra FitzSimmons

My creative journey may have begun when I was 12 years old got caught drawing on the lining of my mother’s custom-made drapes. After being roundly punished for this creative adventure, Mother put me in a drawing class where I was taught to drop rubber bands on a piece of paper and trace around them. Supposedly, what I thought was a very silly exercise, was meant to teach me how to “loosen up” my drawing skills!

Earning a BFA in painting from the University of Georgia….on to achieving an MA in education from SUNY Buffalo…to more formal training at the Ritins School Toronto for advanced instruction in European painting techniques of glazing, handmade ink washes, frescoes, which enhanced my artistic growth. 

Attending Isabel O’Neill’s New York workshops in fine furniture and painting finishes of trompe l’oil, egg tempera, gouache, faux finishes, eglomiese all developed into a into a personal and unique style of layers of washes and custom mixed paints approach to my painting. 

A seasoned career as founder-owner of my interior design firm and in-house design consultant to luxury homebuilders gave opportunity to create custom furnishings, murals, and personalized paintings for clients throughout the country.

Painting in a sun-filled loft studio with large windows overlooking a lush lagoon, on any given morning I may awaken to gators soaking or lazily lounging on the bank, visits by a giant old turtle, gazing at Herons strolling around in this bucolic scene, there is never a loss of natural wonders to keep me gloriously inspired…and, oh yes, I still make my regular “field trips” to the Alligator Farm same as when I was a little girl…just to stay in touch!