Carly Sanders
Carly was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and has loved art and creating since she was a very young child. Even as a toddler, she would spend Sunday afternoons watching the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross with her dad. She has experimented with many different media, and has experience with acrylics, watercolours, oils, pencil, and others. While creating had always been a hobby, there were occasions over the years when she would receive requests for custom work. These requests encouraged Carly to work towards her long-time dream of creating a more formal portfolio, and becoming a true “artist”.
When she was 15, her father became ill, and sadly, passed away. Knowing that she was grieving, and that she loved to paint, her parish priest asked to hire her to paint wall murals in the church. She had never done a project of this scale, and it proved to be a cathartic and healing experience. She would go on to receive word of mouth requests for custom wall murals to be painted in client’s homes. Additionally, while still in high school, she placed 3rd in Manitoba for the Canada Day Poster Challenge and placed 1st the following year (including placing 3rd for her artwork at the national level).
In the years following high school, Carly focused on studying occupational therapy, and has worked in both hospital and community settings. In 2012, after getting married, her husband encouraged her to find ways to return to painting. She painted the odd canvas when she could find the time. Strangely, it was only after the birth of her first daughter that she returned to the world of art and creating. After finding a painted rock in a park, she discovered a local Kindness Art movement in her community. For those unfamiliar with kindness rocks, artists of all ages, skills and abilities paint rocks and hide them in public places, in hopes of bringing joy to their finders. This brought Carly back to her childhood, where she would paint rocks she found on the beach. Rock painting proved to be the perfect re-entry to art, as it was an activity that she could share with her then three-year-old. It wasn’t long after that she started receiving requests for pieces again. With that, Carly Sanders Art was born.
About the art
Currently, Carly Sanders Art specializes in art on stone. Carly does paint on canvas and paper as well, and hopefully in the future will expand to include prints and other offerings. Carly has experience working with acrylic, oil, watercolour, pen, pencil and ink. In addition to original art, Carly is able to offer custom pieces including portraits of pets or people. All art sold is original and reproductions of copyrighted works will not be considered.
Carly has a variety of stones that can be used for your custom piece. The most popular stones are Santorini Stones, which are natural white stones that sparkle. These beautiful stones come from Santorini, Greece. They are flat and a perfect canvas for portraits and other paintings. Additionally, natural flagstone is available (and perfect for garden pieces). Natural lake and riverstone are also available. Carly enjoys using natural stones that are local to her to reflect the beauty of the environment around us. If you have an idea for a piece, feel free to ask! Most pieces are completed in acrylic paint, and sealed in resin. Other mediums and sealers are sometimes used as well.
Because each piece is original, and often done with natural materials that are not always uniform in shape, pricing can vary. Please refer to the price list for approximate prices of the most-requested styles. Slight variations in price may be determined based on the size and shape of individual pieces, or additional elements or detail being requested in a specific piece. Price will be confirmed prior to booking your commission.
Commission bookings are offered a few times a year. Please look for announcements on this site or on the Carly Sanders Art facebook page. When bookings become available, please submit your request by email to carlysandersart@gmail.com or through social media. You can sign up on the home page to be notified when bookings become available. Art pieces are available for local pick-up in Winnipeg, Manitoba and shipping options are available in Canada and the United States for an additional cost. A quote that includes shipping fees will be provided before beginning the work on your art piece.
Carly enjoys creating art with themes that are uplifting and hopeful. It is the greatest joy to inspire someone or bring joy through a piece of original art!