Being one who likes to give, I am on many mailing lists. For those among you who also get a lot of direct mail from fund raisers, have you noticed the amount of requests to supply food? One the organizations I give to annualy is Doctors Without Borders, they too are requesting funds for food. Remember with winter comes the increased need for help.

I was sent a video to watch about an art organization in New Mexico, take a few minutes and view it, by doing so a donation will be made to help the homeless. Here's the link:

mudhouseadvertising.com/artstreet

Remember, I am just in the beginning stages of The Visiting Artists Program, working with children in the inner city. We are a not-for-profit organization and get funding solely through sponsorship, donations and the fund raiser on November 13 at The Highland Park Art Center.

I hope you will be able to support our local need and find a way to give to one of these causes.

My primary intention as an art instructor is to foster and develop the creative thinking, visual literacy and problem solving skills considered necessary for my students to function effectively in the future, whatever their discipline.

In a supportive & nurturing atmosphere, you have a chance to study a variety of drawing & painting techniques. Level appropriate exposure to many disciplines to include, but not limited to:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Printing
• Art History

I have been teaching out of my home studio space for 3 years and now have open spots on Monday and Wednesday mornings for adult beginners or adult advanced students.

 Fruit Still Life by Andrea Lum     |      pencil sketch

There is also an opening in Sunday's class from 1 to 2:30 pm for two school-age students in 5th grade or above. In addition to the lessons listed above, we explore a wider variety of mediums including encaustic and 3D. Drawing will include the use of pencil, charcoal, and pastel.These classes emphasize traditional techniques and an exploration of contemporary concepts.

Call me at 847.549.8214 for more details.

During this past year I have been dividing my time between my art and a not-for-profit organization I have initiated with a partner, called The Visiting Artists Program; Understanding Through Art! 

This program introduces lower income, ethnically diverse children to professionl artists, who will use art as an empowering tool, to help the students develop a visual voice to nurture their identity and self confindence. Currently we are working in the Glen Flora School in Waukegan and the Waukegan Park District.

You are Invited!

We will be hosting our second fundraiser. On Friday, November 13, we have arranged for a special evening event where we will pair wine with different styles of art.

This will be held at the Highland Park Art Center from 7 pm to 10 pm. If you would like to join us, please contact me by clicking the contact button on this website or email me at donnasands@att.net. Tickets are $45.00.

One thing I've learned over the years — look forward and stay in motion! Be positive!

Recently I have had a chance to purchase stretcher bars and have aquired a whole box of 60 inchers. Is bigger better? I shall soon find out. After many hours of building and fortifying the frame work, it is now stretched with it's first coat of gesso applyed. This is going to be fun! I will be painting a woods scene and I am going to make it seem like the trees are coming out and surrounding the viewer!

Also, I have just been introduced to a wonderful encaustic artist, Jenny Learner and look forward to contiuning my own encaustic series in wax.

Note This!

Stevenson High School will be showing my landscapes during the month of January. I will be sure to give all the details about this exhibit.