© Sandi Garris
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Penn State University and starting a family, I settled in the State College area and began working with a local art co-op. My passion for color and design began to emerge which started a lifetime career as an artist, first as a quilt maker, then fabric dyer and eventually a painter. I feels lucky to be able to do what I do for a living and find myself most at peace in the woods, garden or studio.
© Sandi Garris
I share my joy of nature through my work. While drawing, I work to capture my emotional memory of an experience, simplifying lines and emphasizing shapes. I find no need to adhere strictly to reality in my color palette, using bold colors and contrasts. I choose a silk canvas because it is translucent and absorbs pigment with a subtle iridescence. My organic textures visible through the silk are an integral part of my work. I create these textures using organic plant material and a deconstructive printing process using thickened dyes and silk screens.
© Sandi Garris