Sand as a medium is my experiment into the world of abstract art. Oil as a medium is often used in photorealism because its fluidity allows for perfection. Sand is an obstacle to perfection. Its coarseness alone forbids refinement. Because these paintings are composed by throwing sand on a canvas within a few short hours on a beach, the duration does not allow for fussiness. Add into the mix other structural elements like clay slip, strips of metal, paper or natural elements, and the work is forced to go beyond expectation. Grand movement – splashing, tossing, pouring, dripping – defies predictable outcomes and enforces forms in the abstract. The experiment rendered a continuum of complexity. Some paintings are basic with only sand and paint present. Others are complicated with a myriad of mixed media. Juxtaposing a representational approach (in oil) with the abstract element of poured and shifted sand (in acrylic) presents the opportunity to express two styles within one painting and create something new.

Powers-of-the-Earth-by-VLee.jpg (500x375), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Powers of the Earth
mixed media on canvas

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Cascadia-by-VLee.jpg (334x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Cascadia
mixed media on canvas

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The-Realm-by-VLee.jpg (357x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
The Realm
mixed media on canvas

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Remnants...-by-VLee.jpg (500x377), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Remnants...
mixed media on canvas

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Free-Fall-by-VLee.jpg (340x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Free Fall
mixed media on canvas

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The-Philosopher-by-VLee.jpg (203x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
The Philosopher
mixed media on canvas

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Larkspur-by-VLee.jpg (500x222), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Larkspur
mixed media on canvas

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Neskowin-by-VLee.jpg (500x166), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Neskowin
mixed media on canvas

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Eagle-Rock-by-VLee.jpg (362x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Eagle Rock
mixed media on canvas

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Rock-Creek-by-VLee.jpg (500x359), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Rock Creek
mixed media on canvas

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Colonizing-by-VLee.jpg (500x334), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Colonizing
mixed media on canvas

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Surfacing-Anew-by-VLee.jpg (243x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Surfacing Anew
acrylic & sand on canvas

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Navigating-landscape-by-VLee.jpg (500x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Navigating (landscape)
mixed media on canvas

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Navigating-abstract-by-VLee.jpg (500x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Navigating (abstract)
mixed media on canvas

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Releasing-by-VLee.jpg (500x246), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Releasing
mixed media on canvas

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Contending-by-VLee.jpg (500x171), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Contending
acrylic & sand on canvas

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Emerging-by-VLee.jpg (800x401), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Emerging
mixed media on canvas

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Descending-by-VLee.jpg (900x561), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Descending
mixed media on canvas

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Transforming-by-VLee.jpg (500x303), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Transforming
mixed media on canvas

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Across-America-by-VLee.jpg (500x374), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Across America
mixed media on canvas

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Warming-by-VLee.jpg (500x396), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Warming...
mixed media on canvas

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Home-by-VLee.jpg (374x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Home
mixed media on canvas

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Drifting-by-VLee.jpg (124x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Drifting
mixed media on canvas

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The-Richness-of-Life-by-VLee.jpg (333x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
The Richness of Life
mixed media on canvas

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Egret-Escape-by-VLee.jpg (367x500), by Victoria Lee Shepard
Egret Escape
mixed media on canvas

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