Welcome to the Cedarburg studio of Sandra McCutcheon Pape.
Sandra is a visual expressionist self-taught artist who has been making art for over thirty years. Her former life included teaching Kindergarten, raising three children, and owning a quilt shop. She and her husband also restore buildings in Cedarburg together.
WOODWALK
Describe your work in three words
SANDRA
Expressive. Thought-provoking. Emotional.
WOODWALK
What do you love about your chosen medium?
SANDRA
Painting and collage are my chosen mediums. Together the two give me endless possibilities to explore.
WOODWALK
Tell us about the body of work you have at Woodwalk this year.
SANDRA
This year beside some of my paintings of women, which included birds, flowers, etc. I included my collages
WOODWALK
What are some consistent aspects of your creative process?
SANDRA
When I enter my studio, I do tend to turn on my CD player and listen to soft, quiet music then I either work on a piece that I had started or many of the other pieces that are in progress.
WOODWALK
What does your ideal day in the studio look like?
SANDRA
I like to work in the morning or later in the afternoon. When I enter my studio, I feel like I’m walking into another mindset. I forget about my to do list and other obligations of reality. A perfect day is when everything just clicks
WOODWALK
If you could go anywhere in the world for a creative residency, where would you go?
SANDRA
Paris.
WOODWALK
What inspires or influences you?
SANDRA
Many things, my mind, my past works, art books
WOODWALK
How has your work evolved over the years?
SANDRA
I started my art career making collages and assemblages and then I started painting with acrylic on textured paper. And then I incorporated painting with collage and that’s where I’m at right now.
WOODWALK
Is there another medium you would enjoy exploring?
SANDRA
I have explored working with encaustic and cold wax, and I would like to experiment more with that.
WOODWALK
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your process?
SANDRA
My process is pretty much free with no rules or boundaries. I enjoy trying different techniques as well as using different media. I have a new studio space now that I've been in for 3 years. My husband built it in our barn and I am loving it. I'm just so happy that I am able to live my life as an artist.