A dual love for felines and fine art inspired “Green Eyes”—the beautiful portrait that has earned Sandy Philips the coveted title of Nature Coast Art League May Artist of the Month. This ‘purrfect’ portrait is exhibited at the Spring Hill Library, 9220 Spring Hill Dr., Spring Hill, throughout the month.
Philips sees her fine painting, which depicts the visage of a fluffy, ivory-furred feline, as an expressive representation of her passion for animal art. “My painting is titled ‘Green Eyes,’ and it is airbrushed with acrylic paint,” she said. “There really is no story behind the painting except that I love cats!”
Art has always played a vital role in the life of this devoted family woman, career woman, and creator. “I have been drawing since I was 14, but only as a hobby, and I have no formal art training,” she said. “There were many years during which family and career took first place in my life; however, in the 80s, I was inspired to build a miniature house that needed paintings.”
At this point, she says, her artistic passion was reborn. “I realized at that time how much I loved painting and decided it was time to renew my relationship with pencil and paint,” she said. “I enrolled in some evening classes and attended workshops. My favorite workshop was a week-long airbrush seminar.”
When choosing her medium for any particular piece, Philips’ interests run the full artistic spectrum. “My favorite medium is a pencil, but a close second is the airbrush,” she said.
Philips is a multi-award-winning artist. “I have won many awards over the years, such as the Annual Regional Exhibition, Ringwood Manor Annual Fall Open Exhibition, Ridgewood Art Institute Regional Open Jury Show, Ridgewood Art Institute Grand National Exhibition, and Community Arts Association National Open Exhibition,” she said. “I was awarded Artist of the Year by the Hudson Artists as well as my solo show, ‘Years in the Making.’” I received an Award of Excellence from Manhattan Arts International and was a finalist in the Artist’s Magazine All Media Art Competition.”
Philips is proud to be an active Nature Coast Art League member. “I read an article regarding the Nature Coast Art League and decided to attend their meeting,” she said. “I met a wonderful group of artists and knew it was the group for me.”
Elsewhere in Hernando, Philips is also a featured artist in a special showcase exhibit at the Brooksville Art Gallery at 201 Howell Ave. She is a participating artist in the gallery’s Shades of Purple exhibit. “As one of the featured artists at Gallery 201, I will be exhibiting my airbrushed ballet paintings as well as my purple submission, ‘Purple Essence,’” she said.
In the future, Philips hopes to spread and share her love for art—in the role of a teacher and mentor, ready to inspire others to create their own ‘purrfect’ masterworks. “My plans as an artist are still evolving, but I would love to get involved in teaching children. Although I have no formal training, I would love to encourage them to follow their hearts through art,” she said. “Artists are wired differently, and to deny the urge to draw or paint is an impossibility.”
