Truly a romantic at heart, Sandra strives to bring emotion and warmth into each piece of art. Born in Burnaby, B.C. in 1957 and enrolled in her BA studies at Douglas College by the 80's. These days you will find her in Salmon Arm painting, enjoying family and friends, raising her son, and teaching PAINTING MADE EASY oil classes.

Sandra's childhood was all about horses! When she wasn't riding, she was painting them. A well-known western artist, Tom Hilbourn, took notice of her work and offered to take her under his wing but she never had time to follow her dreams until now. So with a pocket full of horse memories, she will soon develop a new series. So keep checking in.

Sandy later developed a love of portrait and figurative painting, and by age nine, she completed a rendition of the "The Last Supper" which hung in a prestigious spot on the wall above her grandparent's dining table until their passing. This work, along with many other priceless originals, was lost when her home and studio were claimed in the 2003 Kelowna forest fire.

Even this didn't slow her down. By 2006, she opened a quaint art gallery from her popular 'Okanagan House Bed and Breakfast' in Kelowna. Her art was sought after by guests and collectors from as far away as England and Italy.

You may have recently seen Sandra's work in the Shuswap region shows. Her unique painting style makes her work easily recognizable as she captures some of life's most cherished moments. Sandra earned the prestigious John Edgar Patterson Award at the Shuswap Festival of the Arts 2009 as well as several other Peoples Choice Awards in Salmon Arm and Blind Bay her first year in town. She has recently become involved with Geo Quest donating a collectible mini-series of original oil paintings for this fun and high-tech treasure hunt.

Sandy's personalized painting method often begins with a drawing outlined directly on the canvas, paintbrush only…no pencil sketching. She then blocks in values with warm sepia tones prior to applying any color. According to one of her fellow artists, "Sandy's painting process is entertaining to watch and other painters stop by to observe".

Critics have been quoted as saying: "Her work is strong"; "She has a real facility with paint"; "Empathy for her subject matter comes across so naturally in the actual work"; "A nice story going on"; "A narrative that involves the viewer"; "Nice sense of light, shadow and luminosity". An 'up-and-coming' artist to be watched! Her work is desirable and the price is still affordable.

Look for Sandy's "Painting Made Easy" classes in the Shuswap!

Note: Special pricing on any painting at a show will be honored if you see a price difference online.

Mount Ida Painters Group

July 15-24 2011 SHUSWAP FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS Sorrento, B.C.

July 1-4 Blind Bay Show & Sale, Blind Bay, B.C.

May 3 - 29 2011 FCA ABSTRACT juried show Granville "Transitions" accepted

April 8 - 17 2011 4th Annual FCA Open Show at the Old Courhouse Cultural Centre, Kamloops, B.C.

April 16 - 25 TNSC Open Show - Juried ARTISTS CHOICE - Kamloops Court House "Shuswap Sunflowers"

January 2010 SAGA Art Gallery COLORS OF THE SHUSWAP "Camouflaged in the Shuswap" Juried show in Salmon Arm. November 2009 Federation of Canadian Artists Granville Island Juried Chapters Only Show "Walters Sleigh Ride"

Sept 4 2009 Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Chapter Show "Still Life in Rouge" Jurors Choice.

August 6th 2009 SAGA Art Gallery in Salmon Arm. I have been asked to display my art during the WILD CELLIST PERFORMANCE! The cello workshop is 1-4 and the performance is 8 p.m. you can visit www.wildcellist.com for more details. Look forward to seeing you there.

YEAH! I just got my letter from ArtWalk in Winfield...I have been selected to be there! September 12th and 13th!! It will overlap with the Federation Show...so I'd better get painting to have more work available for both!!

July 15-August 1 Chase Festival of the Arts Chase B.C. Walk about town and view new and original works of art in local businesses. A great summer event for visiting guests and local residents.

July 11-18 Sorrento Festival of the Arts...and my Garden Harvest Painting earned the John Edgar Patterson Award! Yeah! visit www.artsfestivalshuswap.ca Sorrento, B.C.

July 1, 2, 3 Mount Ida Painters Annual Show & Sale Shuswap Sr Centre Hudson Ave Salmon Arm, B.C.

July 3, 4 2009 Blind Bay Painters Annual Show Blind Bay Hall Blind Bay Road Blind Bay, B.C.

APRIL 24TH TO MAY 3RD 2009 - Federation of Canadian Artists TNSC 2nd Annual Juried Open Show, Kamloops, B.C. "Garden Buddies"

TWO "Juror's Choice Award" Sorrento Festival of the Arts 2011 for THE CELLIST & HEY JUDE

PEOPLES CHOICE - 2 First Place awards - McGUIRE LAKE GUESTS, STARGAZER - Blind Bay Show and Sale

"BRONZE" 4th Annual FCA Open Show Kamloops - April 2011 "Minuet #2" Running until April 17th at the Old Courthouse in Kamloops.

"ART VISIONS 2010" Richcraft Gallery AWARD OF EXCELLENCE Federation of Canadian Artists National Show October 2010

"Juror's Choice Award" Sorrento Festival of the Arts for "Camouflaged in the Shuswap" July 11-19 2010

"Juror's Choice Award" 5th Annual Chapter Juried Show by TNSC Federation of Canadian Artists September 4-13 2009 for "Still Life In Rouge"

"John Edward Patterson Award" Sorrento Festival of the Arts for "GARDEN HARVEST" July 11-19 2009 for details on this award visit http://www.artsfestivalshuswap.ca/history.html

"PEOPLES CHOICE" Award - 1st place for RASPBERRY SUMMER and STILL LIFE IN ROUGE Mount Ida Painters Show July 1,2,3 2009.

"PEOPLES CHOICE" Awards - 1st place for GARDEN HARVEST and 2nd place for WALTERS SLEIGH RIDE Blind Bay Painters Show July 3,4th 2009.

**Activate drop down menu to view more award winning pieces.

Feb 13/12 Considering holding another 3 day painting class in the fall on how to apply color to the tonal underpainting. This workshop will only be available to those who have completed the tonal basics class.

Feb 10, 11, 12/12 Just finished a 3 day tonal painting class with 14 artists in attendance at the Blind Bay Hall. Wonderful event and many masterpieces completed! Thank you to Ray Mar for supplying panels for everyone to try!! You are the best!

July 15/11 Looking at starting another oil painting class in addition to the regular Monday morning session 9:30-12:30. Contact me if you are interested in joining a second group.

July 15/11 LIFE DRAWING every Friday here at the studio 10:00-12:00. Only room for 6 artists so you must check in with me as it fills quickly. Will start a second group if there is the deman... which there seems to be. Very reasonable rates which are shared between those visiting artists attending...$4-$10 for a two hour session depending on turn out. The only way to become a master artist is to include life drawing in your arsenal. Drawing 1/2 hour every day is recommended.

Studio is currently holding regular classes Monday mornings 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on a drop-in basis until Spring. Limited seating and it is wise to call in advance if you are not attending regularly. I also have 'open' Thursdays for studio painting for current students where they can paint with me for the day and practise the techniques they learn in class. Thursday night classes are by appointment only. There is currently an evening class running twice a month which has room for two more students. New schedule will be posted for spring. Happy painting.

2010

Studio is open for business and two classes are being held weekly. Wed nights 6:00-8:30 p.m. and Friday mornings 9:30-12:00 p.m. Only two spaces left available on Friday mornings and 1 space available on Tuesday night...classes filled fast! So call to save yourself a seat soon. Possibility of starting another morning class if demand is there. Looking forward to seeing you again:) Sandy

My new studio is almost built! It is just beautiful. Art Lessons will begin again shortly:) I will contact those who have been enquiring very soon. It won't be long until the doors are open...mid February I'm hoping!

2009

Two fall and winter classes now running weekly in my home studio. Tuesday night from 6:15-8:45 pm and Friday mornings 9:30-12:00 a.m. Seating is limited - give me a call to save your spot. Other times available upon request. Gift certificates will be available for personalized christmas gifts.

Fall lessons will begin next Friday October 2nd in my studio at 1460 - 16th Street NE Salmon Arm and will occur every Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 until further notice. Lots of demand for an evening class and adding another morning. Will keep you posted:)

Lessons are on for the next few Thursdays until I go to Gabriola with the Federation for our art retreat...so 9:30 - 12:00 Thursdays until further notice...see you here!

Summer holidays...lots of visitors...no lessons until Thursday August 13th...see you soon!

July 7 2009 Quick update...it seems that there is still demand for a Tuesday night course too...so I've added that back in. Lessons continue on Tuesday night 6-8:30 and Thursday morning 9:30-12:00. See you at my studio.

July update! Yes, it's July and it's getting hot, hot, hot! Folks are heading out on holidays and yet there is still demand...so I've decided to continue teaching throughout the summer...but only on Thursday mornings until fall. So classes will continue from 9:30 a.m. to noon...or 12:30 beyond if students want to stay for an extra bit:) Looks like there still may be a Tuesday night class too...check with me. Come to my studio at 1460 - 16th Street NE in Salmon Arm - no experience necessary and if you are experienced...come and learn some new techniques. Bring whatever you have...or get what you need here... Remember to bring your happy face! FEE: Summer drop-ins $95 /4 sessions • $180 / 8 sessions. If you miss a lesson just come to the next class.

Due to demand PAINTING MADE EASY will continue throughout the summer. Learn to oil paint - no experience necessary Classes will commence June 2nd TUESDAY evenings 6-8:30 WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY mornings 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 Seating is very limited Please respond early. WHERE: ARTISTS STUDIO 1460 - 16th Street NE Salmon Arm 6:30 a.m. To 9:00 p.m. FEE: Summer drop-ins $95 /4 sessions • $180 / 8 sessions. If you miss a lesson just come to the next class. Bring whatever you have or get whatever you need• Starts June WED Eves 6-8:30 • THURS Days 9:30-12 Visit www.sandravandenham.com Limited space - reserve your seat now 250-803-4215 REQUIREMENTS: No previous art experience necessary This class is open to everyone. Weather permitting we will be painting outside and wheelchair access is good.

May 5th, 11th & 26th FULL Attention all Inspiring Artists! Due to overwhelming requests, 'Painting Made Easy' seminars will be offered again. Classes will be held on Tuesdays. Seating is limited Please respond early. WHERE: THE SHUSWAP SENIOR CENTRE 31 Hudson Avenue Salmon Arm WHEN: Tuesday May 5th NOTE: Venue changed to Artists HOME STUDIO 1460 - 16th Street NE Salmon Arm May 11th & 26th 9:30 a.m. To 2:00 p.m. FEE: $139.00 – plus GST Payment due by Thursday April 30th SUPPLIES: Supplies are included with exception to brushes. Bring your own if you wish...small to large. Please be aware that some techniques require special brushes, which are available for a minimal fee. REQUIREMENTS: No previous art experience necessary This class is open to everyone with a $5.00 membership fee payable to Mount Ida Painters.

STUDENT FEEDBACK - Everyone once again said they would recommend this course to their friends and be interested in ongoing instruction. LOUISE FULLER "Enjoyed individual time spent on each person and loved her painting" DENIECE APELDOORN "Enjoyed trying a new medium without having to purchase new materials and liked the relaxed atmosphere" MIKE O "Enjoyed getting the feel of the brush and watching it come alive...totally enjoyed it" CAROLE LANDRY "Yes, would be interested in more kids portraits and how they were 'shown' techniques...not just told". BRENDA GOELS "Enjoyed ALL...loved the course...loved the instruction...would like it to be even longer". JACKIE MEIKLE "Good teaching, even I felt comfortable, would now consider oils again". JUDY FREDERICKSON "I really learned lots from this past session!!! You are an awesome instructor. I would like to sign up for more summer lessons"...and she did:)

April 6th, 7th & 14th FULL Blind Bay Hall, Blind Bay BC PAINTING MADE EASY Learn the Basics of Oil Painting Bring an 11 x 14 canvas & brushes - everything else supplied Pre-registration required Max 16 students - 4 spaces available

STUDENT FEEDBACK - Everyone said they would recommend the course to a friend. ELEANOR COLLINS "Enjoyed the blending and use of paint & look forward to more brushstroke techniques in the fall!"; SHERYL SCHMULAND "Enjoyed all of it! Great course, learned alot"; SANDY KNOWLES "Easy going support. You're the best. Thank you"'; MARILYN "Enjoyed the medium and the pace. Liked the method"; DEB CUELL "Enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and personal help" and when asked what she'd like to see in a future course her response was... "whatever...it was all good"; LIL "Enjoyed that everyone produced a picture of value and felt accomplishment"; FRAN LEWIS "Enjoyed learning to apply color to the sepia underpainting"; S. DANSEREAU "Enjoyed the expertise and gentleness of the instruction"; KATHY CARPENTER "Enjoyed everything and wanted to take anything offered by Sandy in the future"; JEAN CHRISTIE "She would recommend the course to a friend and would like to do a figure in a landscape next"; LETA "Enjoyed the personal instruction and was losing interest in her own projects prior to the course but is now enthused again to paint"; MAVIS SMITH "Enjoyed the sincere attention and Sandy's pleasant personality"; SONYA YACHIMEC "All Great. Liked individual contact"; LINDA BOCKER "Enjoyed learning a new medium".