Sandra Leinonen Dunn is a Maine painter.  Her works are part of private collections throughout the United States and abroad.  She is a published children's book illustrator, best known for her illustrations in 'The Henhouse' and 'The Live Bale of Hay' (both by author Carol Dean, published by Downeast Publishing). She operates a studio at her home in Chelsea, Maine.    Ms. Dunn creates paintings which range from realistic, old master style, to more modern impressionistic pieces. Very recently, her artistic explorations have taken a path into the abstract.  Her focus is always on attention to an intuitive use of color combined with free and expressive brushwork.      Sandra is also an educator. She has taught art in the public school system for the past 15 years and has given art lessons and workshops outside the school setting.  Her Bachelor in Fine Arts degree is from the University of Southern Maine.  Sandra also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from the University of Southern Maine.  Her art education includes studying at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts School, Whitelands College in London, Maine College of Art , the University of Maine at Augusta, and the Round Top Center for the Arts.     "As an art educator I have found teaching to be a constant source of inspiration for my work.  I am always interested in learning different art forms in order to expand my own knowledge and skills, which enables me to share these art forms with my students. I paint in a realistic though somewhat impressionistic style and the focus of most of my painting is on nature. I work in both water colors and acrylics, and my preferred subjects are still life and landscapes.  My work in photography has inspired me as an artist, and has allowed me to observe in great detail the wonderful design and beauty in nature."