Sandra’s life has always been deeply connected to the Blue Mountains. To her, the quiet, nature-filled suburb of Blackheath is peaceful and the inspiration for much of her creative spirit. She enjoys the closeness of local communities like Leura and Katoomba, and twice a week you’ll find her at her favourite pie shop.
At 48 years old, Sandra moved into the Old Rectory in Katoomba when her parents passed away, or as Sandra would say, “went to be with God and the angels in heaven”. A little more than 14 years ago, she moved into Sylvanvale’s Supported Independent Living home near Evans Lookout. There, she shared her days with housemates Jim, Mark, Debbie, and Chris.
When the site closed in 2022, Sandra moved into her current home in East Katoomba, where she now lives with Debbie, Margaret, Lisa, and Michelle. The move brought new opportunities, including a dedicated art room that she treasures deeply. While she once shared an art space converted from a garage at Evans Lookout, she now loves having her own space to create in her new home, filled with the tools and paints that bring her artwork to life.
A Passion for Art in All Forms
Art is at the heart of Sandra’s world.
She is especially drawn to painting bottles, captivated by their elegance and beauty. Landscapes are another favourite, inspired by the natural wonder of the Blue Mountains. She beams with pride when showing off her work, particularly her landscapes. Last Christmas, she painted a festive Christmas tree landscape that the house is planning on displaying every festive season. And she doesn’t always work on these masterpieces alone; a favourite artwork of Sandra’s, which she calls the ‘daisy cottage’, is one that she made with her support worker Cher.
Sandra also enjoys drawing intricate patterns. Sometimes she experiments with bold, vibrant colours; other times she works entirely in black and white. Her designs are complex and imaginative, reflecting the creativity that runs through her veins.
Puzzles are another beloved hobby. She appreciates how beautiful they look once finished, although if they’re too easy, she simply moves on to something more challenging. She has even gifted a few of her completed puzzles to her site manager, Carolyn, who proudly displays them in her home.
Rhythm, Routine, and Community Connections
Alongside her visual art, Sandra has a strong love of drumming. Every Wednesday, she joins African drumming sessions at NADO and this year she received a bongo for her birthday, a gift she uses often.
Sandra is also something of a local radio personality. For the past two years, once a month, she has appeared on a nearby radio show to help introduce songs on air. This month, she proudly introduced tracks by Green Day and one of her favourite bands, the Foo Fighters.
Sandra lives a full life with a good balance of support, independence, and friendship. Sandra will happily tell anyone who asks her she loves her life and wouldn’t change a thing.
