M Stark Gallery presents Sandra Keely: Excavated Color
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M Stark Gallery presents
Sandra Keely: Excavated Color
June 6 – July 19, 2026
Opening reception Sunday, June 7, 1-4PM
First Friday Artist Talk, July 3 @ 5PM
727 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
mstarkgallery.com | 415-407-8743
For years, Sandra Keely worked primarily in oils, but her recent artistic evolution has led her to a strikingly tactile process: carving into acrylic paint. Each piece begins with over 100 layers of different paint colors meticulously applied to birch wood. Once the surface is built up, she uses carving tools to incise deep, expressive designs. The resulting works reveal a dynamic interplay of color, texture, and depth—each groove exposing unexpected combinations and hidden histories within the layered paint.
Keely worked as a professional character animator in commercial studios for decades, during a period when the industry still relied heavily on the hand of the artist. She began as a cel painter on the assembly line, learning her trade on the job through employee art classes such as live model drawing, and later continued her training through night courses in fine art to advance her skills. Keely went on to teach animation at Collins College in Tempe, Arizona, offering instruction in animation fundamentals, sketching, drawing, and portfolio development.
Keely received her BFA in museum studies from Arizona State University. She lives and works in Redwood City.
Pictured: Sandra Keely, detail
Sandra Keely: Excavated Color
June 6 – July 19, 2026
Opening reception Sunday, June 7, 1-4PM
First Friday Artist Talk, July 3 @ 5PM
727 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
mstarkgallery.com | 415-407-8743
For years, Sandra Keely worked primarily in oils, but her recent artistic evolution has led her to a strikingly tactile process: carving into acrylic paint. Each piece begins with over 100 layers of different paint colors meticulously applied to birch wood. Once the surface is built up, she uses carving tools to incise deep, expressive designs. The resulting works reveal a dynamic interplay of color, texture, and depth—each groove exposing unexpected combinations and hidden histories within the layered paint.
Keely worked as a professional character animator in commercial studios for decades, during a period when the industry still relied heavily on the hand of the artist. She began as a cel painter on the assembly line, learning her trade on the job through employee art classes such as live model drawing, and later continued her training through night courses in fine art to advance her skills. Keely went on to teach animation at Collins College in Tempe, Arizona, offering instruction in animation fundamentals, sketching, drawing, and portfolio development.
Keely received her BFA in museum studies from Arizona State University. She lives and works in Redwood City.
Pictured: Sandra Keely, detail
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Where is it happening?
727 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA, United States, California 94019
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherM Stark Gallery
