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Colors of change

Artist Sandra de Nijs takes you on a vibrant trip through her work of the past five years in an exhibit at the Pasco Arts Council's Art Center in Holiday.

For 10 years after Sandra de Nijs graduated from art school in her native Holland and moved to the United States, she did freelance illustrations for the commercial world.

Five years ago, she decided she wanted to spend her time in serious painting.

"I got lots of prizes," she said, which told her that people like her imaginative, rich, colorful work.

A retrospective of those five creative years opened this week at the Pasco Arts Council's Art Center in Holiday and will continue through May 27.

The 35 pieces take the viewer through her nature years, when she did colored pencil, charcoal and paints of flowers and trees, the whimsical period when she did blue horses on red skies - "I interpret little worlds for my creatures," she says - and into her current interest in abstract painting.

"In abstract, you're painting not a subject, but you're painting a thought," she said. She compares it to making a logo for one of her commercial customers, which has to convey an idea quickly and clearly.

"I have to think these ideas and put it in a nutshell and paint that idea."

Ms. de Nijs exhibits her works at art fairs and shows, where the work sells well.

Even so, she's careful to paint where her talent leads her, not what she thinks will get the largest price.

"They say you shouldn't worry about people liking your art," she said.

Her paintings range in size from 18 by 24 inches to 36 by 48 inches and go from $295 to $2,000.

As for this show, "I want to show people how my work has changed, because people see a pattern in your work," she said. "It's growing and changing, it's getting more mature."

Ms. de Nijs found the Pasco art center while she was living in Palm Harbor (she now lives in Orlando).

"It has its own little world back here," she said of the secluded old house turned art gallery and workshop. "Because my work is so open and friendly, it jut feels right being here."

The art center's executive director, Marj Golub, is particularly enthusiastic about the current exhibit.

"Her artwork has a distinctive, vibrant style with colors layered in loose brush strokes," Ms. Golub said of the large canvases. "She wants her art to shine, be real and have power."

"An Artist's Walk and Talk" will be given from noon to 3 p.m. on May 7, when the artist will demonstrate her painting techniques, answer questions about her work and lead a gallery walk.

WHAT: "Catching Colors" art by Sandra de Nijs

WHERE: Pasco Arts Council's Art Center

WHEN: Through May 27. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. "An Artist's Walk and Talk" will be given from noon to 3 p.m. on May 7.

TICKETS: Free