PLAYFUL PERSPECTIVES
“My dynamic and ethereal compositions immerses the viewer into an underlying sense of calm and wonder. I have spent the past several years honing a method of abstracting images from reality. My paintings respond to the subjectivity and disruptions of modern experience. These swooping and sometimes serene perspectives experiment with the essence of an urban or rural setting. As I create it is rooted in play, and exploring my art with technology, drawings and paintings.” -Sandra Mucha
A donation is made to the relevant conservation organization for every sale.
INSPIRATION
I am an expressive abstract artist and photographer (born in Buffalo, NY). Living and working in Richardson, TX. Art and technology has been a huge passion since my youth, however as much as I wanted to major in computers and graphic design for my university studies, painting and drawing was my primary choice. In 1998 I started experimenting and combing my “painting” with my digital photography.
My earlier paintings were mostly of cityscape of my own photographic images, which gradually transformed over time to mixed media paintings with only hints of photography. Photography remains a huge part of my life and a preferred way of recording observations of color, design, textures, lines, shapes and more.
The inspiration for my work is found in details discovered during exploration and how similar movements appear in – nature, old architecture, and how both provide a playful composition of light, shadow. Color, mark making, and composition are my focus. The magic happens with the explore of these elements. My inspiration of a scene is sorted and selected with my camera and photoshop till it feels right for a possible painting idea. This practice of image play on my computer, sketchbook and pencil, or with my slr allows me to see the balance and composition, guided by my painting and intuition.
I feel my work will continue to evolve due to the awareness of my surroundings here and far. These wanderings with technology and my paint comes from not only the discovery, but also the replication of these details. My challenge is to combine my background of urban and rural experiences into a balanced piece of art that exposes strong personal meaning.
My painting portfolio lead to a career as a textile CAD artist and graphic artist for a major retailer. I have exhibited in galleries, juried into various art exhibitions and my art work is part of several private collections.
TEACHING
I have loved teaching how to add play and movement to my student’s art with step-by-step instructions for many years. At a young age I wanted to learn more about art, but was too shy or worried about creating the perfect image. Today, I enjoy guiding and helping students increase their artistic confidence and habits from my friendly and secure virtual art studio. I present lessons inspired by my own playful use of line and color, while guiding others to see where their creativity will take them. Ten minutes before each Monday class begins, students are welcome to discuss art contest,(list available in their online curriculum). Contest guidance based on my five consecutive years of having winning students.
Curriculum Vitae
SOLO EXHIBITS
2015 “Urban Confliction: featuring Sandra Mucha..”, PAA Gallery, Plano Tx Oct 29 -Nov 29
2014 “Works by Sandra Mucha..” The Gallery at The Courtyard Theater, Plano, Tx Dec 15- Jan 18
2004 “Views by Sandra (Kutas) Mucha” Gallery One Fine Arts, Brownwood, Tx Feb 17-March 14
2000 “Places” featuring Sandra (Kutas) Mucha, Union Gallery, University of North Texas, Sept 18-Oct6
JURIED EXHIBITS
2018 “CITATION” Texas Visual Art Association, Mesquite Art Center, Mesquite, TX November 2018, Juror-Mary Vernon
2017 “New Member Show” Texas Visual Art Association Gallery, Dallas, Tx Jan 9-3
2016 “TVAA Annual Member Exhibition” Medical City, Dallas, Tx May 8-22
2016 “125 Show” Plano Art Association Gallery, Plano Tx, August 23 – September 24
2015 “125 Show” THE ARTS Gallery at Collin County Community College, April 27- May 13
2014 “Politically Incorrect: Not What You’d Expect”, Plano Art Association Gallery, Oct 18-Nov15
2000 Voertman’s Student Art Competition, UNT’s Visual Arts Gallery
GROUP EXHIBITS
2016 “May Flowers” TVAA Gallery, Dallas, Tx May 2-31
2014 “PAA’S Panoramic Holiday Show 2014”, Plano Art Association Gallery, Dec 6-Jan3
2014 “International Day of Peace Exhibit”, Plano Art Association Gallery, Sept15 – Oct 16
2012 Design Exhibit, JC Penney, Corp. Inc., Plano, Tx, April
2001 Dallas Visual Art Center, Nov 10-Jan5
2001 Fiber Art Show, School of Visual Arts, University of North Texas, Denton, Tx, Feb
2001 Fiber Art Show, Union Gallery, University of North Texas, Denton, Tx, March
2000 UNT Sr Show, Cora Stafford Gallery, Denton, Tx, Dec 10-15
2000 Dallas Visual Art Center, Dallas, Tx Nov 10-Jan5
1997 “On My Own Time” Art Exhibit, JC Penney, Corp. Inc. Plano, Tx
1995 “On My Own Time” Art Exhibit, JC Penney, Corp. Inc. Plano, Tx
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2015-Present Certified Painting and Drawing Fine Arts Instructor
2013- 2015 Art Teacher, New Century Montessori Academy, Garland, TX
2012-Present Art Explorers, Owner/Artist, Richardson, Tx
2002-2012 Sr. Textile Graphic Designer, JC Penney’s Private Brands, Plano, TX
EDUCATION
2014 Graduate Work in Art Education, Morningside College
2000 BFA in Painting and Drawing, University of North Texas
2000 BA in Visual Arts Studies, University of North Texas
MEMBERSHIPS
2018- Richardson Civic Art Society
2015 – Dallas Visual Art Society
2013-2015 Texas Art Education Association
2011- Plano Art Association
1992-94 Dallas Kaligraphos
AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS
2017 “New Member Show” TVAA Gallery, Dallas, Tx Jan 9-3, Honorable Mentioned, Pegasus’s View| 4″×8″ | Oil on Canvas
1988 Douglas Chandor Memorial Art Scholarship
ARTIST ASSISTANT/INSTALLATIONS
2015 “Urban Confliction: featuring Sandra Mucha..”, PAA Gallery, Plano Tx Oct 29-Nov 29
2014. “Works by Sandra Mucha..” The Gallery at The Courtyard Theater, Plano, Tx Dec 15- Jan 18 Design
2012. Exhibit, JC Penney, Corp. Inc., July
1999. Whispers From the Walls – An Installation by Whitfield Lovell,
University of North Texas Art Gallery, Denton, TX