Sandra Russell was born in London, England. From a very early age, she was passionate about art and dreamed about being a painter. She received a full scholarship from London's prestigious Slade School of Fine Art, but her parents, however, prohibited her from attending. They steered her instead toward the fashion industry, which, in the 1960s, seemed a promising career. Sandra went on to explore a range of creative pursuits that included photography, photographic styling, weaving, and clothing design. Upon relocating to the U.S. she began studying painting at San Francisco State University, eventually accumulating far in excess of the basic art requirements for a BFA. But still needs a few units in logistics and statistics – which seemed too overwhelming!

These days, Sandra spends as much time as possible in the studio adjacent to her San Francisco home. She surrounds herself with books, music of all kinds, a vibrant aviary, a flourishing garden, a loyal dog named Seth, and a loud parrot named Freddie. Sandra's paintings are very much about her environment; broad expanses of color, writhing lines and tranquil patches suggesting a mix of harmony and chaos that invite the viewer to imagine her world. She describes her paintings as a search for the spontaneous and uninhibited. Sandra is inspired by many artists, but turns first to Matisse, to the Bay Area Figuratives and other expressive painters such as de Kooning, Guston, Per Kirkeby, Susan Rothenberg and Cy Twombly, and to the writings of Carl Jung.

Sandra Russell has exhibited in a variety of galleries and salons throughout the Bay Area. Her paintings hang in collections in Canada, Colorado, Los Angeles, Oregon, Chicago and San Francisco and they may be seen at SFMOMA Artists Gallery, and the Hang Gallery, both in San Francisco.
sandra russell painting • tel: 415.641.9334 • info@sandrarussell.com