Artist: Sandra Elderberry
Title: Memoir
Medium: Oil on canvas panel
Size:  7.1 x 9.4 in.
Artist Statement: 
Throughout my life, books and films have been my sanctuary—a place to escape, cope, and make sense of the world. Sometimes, my favorite stories feel less like imaginary worlds and more like distant memories. I will always remember the quote by Star Wars creator George Lucas: "You can't change the world. It's not possible. All you can do is try to make your own world and then invite other people to be a part of it." This painting captures that specific moment when you open a favorite book and suddenly feel like you’ve stepped inside the story. Even though we are all different, traveling through these stories connects us and reminds us that we aren't alone facing with life challenges. I wanted to paint the feeling of being transported, where the line between where you sit and where the story takes you disappears. To visualize this, I placed the main character in the shadows but behind her is a golden sunny sky. The sunlight kisses her skirt, suggesting she is being gently pulled into that beautiful, imagined world. I also added a touch of surrealism to her hair, rendering it in an extra-bright red. This pop of color represents the vivid energy of the story breaking through the quiet reality. To complete the piece, I created a custom frame with a naive, folkloric style depicting web of stars. These stars represent the stories that help forge our character and world around us.