Sandra Kranz Art Studio Online Gallery - Links

Sandra Kranz Art Studio has a diverse range of paintings from Landscape to Portraits and Still Life.

Sandra has a special selection of painting of the beautiful Grampians scenery.

Sandra also specialises in Commission Portraits.

Sandra Kranz Art Studio Gallery is situated in Dunkeld Township just off the Glenelg Highway, 34 Glass Street. Map. It is open most days or by appointment on: (03) 5577 2258 or Mob: 0417 345 184. Or by E-Mail: kranzartstudio@bigpond.com

A mural painted with Dulux Paints to commemorate the Eureka Stockade has been unveiled in Geelong.

The Mural, painted by well-known local artist Sandra Sargent-Kranz, is located on the wall of the Geelong Trades Hall and measures some 20 metres wide by 12 metres tall.

Sandra Kranz has been an active figure in the arts scene in Western Victoria for many years. She has painted portraits for several well known subjects including Barry Jones, Bruce Ruxton and Trades Hall Secretary Lee Hubbard. Her portrait for Frank Hardy was near completion when he died.

Sandra Sargent-Kranz with her Eureka mural.

Sandra Mary Kranz was born in Melbourne on 3rd January 1950, the eldest daughter of Mary and Alan Sargent. Since childhood Sandra loved to draw. Sandra soon discovered she had a keen eye for light and shade and was soon fascinated by the patterns and images evoked as light moved across the landscape. Sandra had a deep desire within her spirit to capture these images and, with a deep need to paint, her art began.

It wasn't until Sandra reached the age of 30 that she began professional training in her art. Sandra attended classes with Eric Tonkin in Warrnambool, who introduced her to the painting of Max Meldrum, Sandra was very impressed with his work. It was at this time Sandra read about Shirley Bourne, not knowing that Shirley had once been Sir William Dargie's assistant, Sandra applied to join one of her summer schools and was accepted. Sandra began her professional training at the Victorian Artists Summer School under Shirley's tutelage.

Whilst Sandra lived in Portland with her husband John and three children, she would travel to Melbourne, to the Malvern Artists Society for classes. Sandra did this for eight and a half years a round trip of approximately 660kms, rising at 4:30 a.m. and returning home at 11 p.m., which indicates Sandra's passion ofr her art. Sandra moved to Geelong with her family in 1990 and attended the Victorian Artist Society each Friday night for four years, again under Shirley Bourne's tutorage. Sandra was one of the founding members of the Portland Artist Society where she was president. Sandra also held her own art classes which resulted in her starting an art school called Holland's Art School, which enabled her to assist local young artists.

Sandra began specialising in still life and portraits, winning praise from several art shows. Sandra has been selected on more than one occasion to display her works at prestigious Alice Bales Art Show, which is judged by the "Twenty Melbourne Painters". Sandra was asked to be guest artist at the "GAN" Hawker in the Flinders Ranges 1992.

Sandra's focus has been portraiture, and she has had some interesting people sit for her including; Barry Jones Minister for Science, Bruce Ruxton President of the R.S.L. Unfortionately Frank Hardy Passed Away before Sandra had finished his portrait. Other notables include Gordon Scholes Speaker for the House, Lee Hubbard Trades Hall Secretary, John Higgins Secretary of the M.U.A. plus a few Lord Mayors.

But it's when Sandra's passions have been stirred and she paints from the heart and soul that she is at her best. This was discovered when she painted the 100-day dispute East Swanston Dock 1998, this painting is now owned by the M.U.A. there were 1000 prints done of this painting and they are to be found in all major ports around Australia. There is even one in Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein leader's office. Also Nelson Mandella and Captian Arne Rinnan, Captain of the MV Tampa, have a print. The Liverpool Dockers soccer team in the U.K. also have the print on display. Long Shore Union in California have the print on display in their Hall of Fame.

Another painting Sandra undertook, against all advice from many of her peers. Sandra spent several Wednesday nights on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, painting Flinders Street Station and oung and Jackson, in the pouring rain, attaching an umbrella to her easel to enable her to continue her work without the need to use photographs as Sandra will only paint from real life. Sandra's peers were fearfull for her safety, as this is where a lot of homeless people spend their time. Sandra did not let this deter her and in her words, "found these people to be fascinating and very nice people". Her love of people overcame the difficulties. The painting was displayed in Young and Jackson for 6 weeks.

Sandra comes from a long line of well known artists, both John Singer Sargent and Sir William Dargie are cousins of Sandra's.

Sandra has works in private collections in England, Holland, New Zealand and Indonesia.