Featured artist Manon Sander paints the paradise of her adopted home state of Florida. Visit her website to learn more about this talented artist.
From a very young age on I loved spending my days exploring the places I grew up in: Bavarian villages and in my teenage years the bustling metropolitan Berlin. And I loved drawing and painting. As an adult, I’ve combined those two passions – and it’s always a great day when I discover a scene or subject that seems to be just waiting for me to paint it!
I have drawn in charcoal, painted in acrylics and watercolor, and used acrylics on a large scale when I was painting murals in private homes and stores for over a decade in Chicago. But one day, when I was standing in front of an oil painting by artist Ken Auster, moved by the emotions expressed with thick brushstrokes and rich color, I knew that oil paint had to become my medium.
After studying in a workshop with Ken, I left happy but with the realization that I had so much more to learn and explore. Everything fell into place a short time after, when my family and I moved from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay Area where I found a vibrant art scene and had a life-changing experience: to learn how to make the painting feel truly alive I had to paint from life.
Under the watch of several distinguished and renowned artists, I studied how to make a painting that combines rich texture and vivid color while capturing the expression of my subject and the impression it left on me. I learned to simplify and paint the big shapes before I go into detail. I learned about my new medium, values, temperature, design and about the importance of deciding what my focal point is. The most important thing I learned was to look at something and to just see, without giving the subject a label.
In August 2010 I entered a new phase in my life when once again we moved (hopefully for the last time for a while) to sunny, buggy and wonderful Florida. The ocean and the beach provide me with a never-ending stream of inspiration: the sunlight that creates lavender shadows on the white clothing of people walking by the water’s edge deep in conversation; surfers and paddle boarders catching an aquamarine wave; boats at rest and on a journey; and sea creatures and birds that call Florida their home.
I aim to share my happiness with you in paintings that reflect the color, light and joy that I see in the world – and hope I can create a connection with you of a special place or moment you want to have in your life. Now, I’m off to grab my brushes, palette knives, oils, canvas, a big umbrella and head out for the sun.
Great pieces. The texture and color really draws the viewer in, and the subject matter was very relatable
I would likr to purchace,”Catching Up” It is so us! It belongs in our home!!!! Please let me know if it is available or if you have prints. Thanks, Rachel
Rachel, I will pass your message on to Manon and ask her to get in touch with you.
Hi Rachel,
thank you so much for liking “Catching Up” so much you wish to purchase it. I responded via email but didn’t hear back from you, so I wonder if my email ended up in your spam filter….
Anyways, yes, the painting is for sale. It is a wonderful 12 x 9″ oil painting with lots of light in it, and it is framed in a simple but beautiful plein air gold frame. The painting is available for $325 plus shipping. Please call me at 415-606-7685 and we can discuss the details!
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Manon Sander
I love your work! Your spontaneity is glorious and enviable. (I’ll keep trying for it).
Dear Manon,
So glad to find you here. We painted with the PAPB from 2010-2015. Ian back in Chicago, doing abstract work now, but seeing your luschious paintings, I will get back to plein air this summer.
Most fondly,
Adrienne Aaronson