Sandra Greene
In early February, Sandra Greene was selected for membership into the Artisans of the South Carolina Cotton Trail. This prestigious group’s purpose is to promote the tradition of fine visual arts and crafts. The Cotton Trail’s marketing venues consist of shows, website, newsletter, and annual brochures placed at welcome centers, hotels, chambers of commerce, arts groups, etc. The Cotton Trail is known for their consistent high-quality standards. They have a comprehensive two-part jury system for professional membership.
Sandra Greene was born in Southern Pines, NC. After attending Converse College in Spartanburg, she married David Green and lived in Cheraw, South Carolina. While there, Sandra studied under Lorraine Harris, a well known artist. She spent several years at Saint David’s in Cheraw, teaching 3 and 4 year olds. She enjoyed doing many drawings and patterns for the school.
Even as a child, Sandra’s artistic talents were evident. In high school, she won a poster contest for Forest Fire Prevention. It was a landscape scene. Sandra will tell you that she can still see that picture in her mind, just like it was yesterday.
Sitting in Sandra and David Greene’s home, now in Pageland, you don’t have to wonder where she gets her inspiration these days. She is surrounded in her studio by three large windows overlooking Rock Quarry Lake. Their home place has been designated a wildlife sanctuary by the SC State Wildlife Federation. There were several steps in getting that secured. They painstakingly proved the ability to host a natural water, food, and habitat for animals and birds, then had to draw a map of it all. “It was a very detailed process, but it has been a great asset for us.” Sandra, with wide eyed excitement continues, “I’m constantly in the yard, surrounded by my subjects. I see them everyday: birds, turkeys, and the landscapes. In spring, when everything is in bloom, it‘s a wonderful picture!”
With her artistic talent, Sandra sees the things that most people just pass by, caught up in busy lives, not having the time to enjoy their surroundings. That’s probably why her paintings are so popular. People get to see wildlife through her eyes and on her canvas.
Sandra began her wildlife career painting ducks. She was fascinated with them. The opportunity to see them up close and personal came from her son’s love for duck hunting. That’s when she realized their beauty. She also noted that a lot of painters used ducks for subjects, so she moved on to various other birds. She always has a bird somewhere in each art piece, although it may be hidden.
Inspired by Ann Richardson, who painted South Carolina’s yellow jessamine and wrens, Sandra’s works soon gained attention themselves. In 1987, Wildlife Action, Inc. named her the Artist of the Year and her print was chosen as the first official conservation print. Her original works and prints have been auctioned off at the South Carolina Wildlife Federation Banquet in Columbia. She has been featured in the State and Wildlife Pride Magazines, both featuring her painting on their covers.
Acrylic paints and glazes are Sandra‘s tools of choice. “The acrylics show much more detail. They dry fast, building up to 10 layers at times for depth, and they are a lot brighter. Also, it‘s a quick clean up with water.” That fast drying means that she needs to work fast, but she loves it. “With oils, the drying time is really slow. Sometimes it can take days to dry before you can continue working.” She paints colorful subjects on a white background for a dramatic effect. Also, there is really no need for framing her prints. “The paint is permanent. The only reason to put glass on them is to keep the mats that surround the pictures from soiling. And the mats do offer a finishing touch.”
Not only does Sandra love to paint, but she also loves her home town of Pageland. Our conversation moved swiftly from painting to flowers, her other love. She is very active in the community, serving on the Pageland Beautification Committee and the Pageland Garden Club, just to name two of many organizations. These two clubs in particular, along with the Chamber of Commerce, work together to provide the beautiful downtown landscapes and park areas.
Sandra is putting Pageland on the Cotton Trail map. She joins colleagues in our surrounding area and counties to promote the arts here, at home. She will soon be featured on the Trails’ website www.sccottontrail.org. The Cotton Trail provides artist several opportunities to show their works in local venues. Visit their website to plan your trip to see Sandra and other local artists.