Artist makes the grade

By Emma Sun
DOVETON painter Leah Sandow has made a name for herself through drawing Aboriginal art.
The 39-year-old has painted all her life with the support of her close family.
“I learnt from my biological father, who taught me and gave me permission to carry on with the artwork,” Ms Sandow said.
“My mother and my step-father have encouraged me for my whole life.”
Ms Sandow said painting comes naturally to her and it is something she likes to share with those around her.
“I love the freedom, it feels right to be able to create something you can see in your head and put it on canvas or anything, really,” she said.
“I just want to be able to share with everyone. I’m always trying to look at things differently and I’m always exposing myself to different types of art of all mediums.”
Her paintings have been featured in the Murdoch Institute of Children’s Research’s ‘Let’s Read’ program and many of her artworks have travelled around Australia and even overseas.
“My work actually replaced Disney’s work and if I go somewhere, I see my work on people’s walls, on brochures, on posters and even people walking around with my artwork on them,” Ms Sandow said.
“To have my work go as far as New South Wales, Queelsland, Torres Strait islands, America and Scotland, it’s unbelievable, it’s more than I could ever imagine.”
Ms Sandow said she tries to see something amazing in everything and doesn’t restrict herself when she paints.
“I see beauty in everything and if I don’t I try to,” she said.
“I’ll paint things like spiders and snakes because they are beautiful creatures when you actually look at them and even sharks and stingrays.”
She is currently experimenting with airbrushing, but said she will continue with painting no matter what.
“I’ll continue to paint – it’d probably kill me if I didn’t paint,” Ms Sandow said.