Annabelle studied Fine Art at the University of Sydney, whilst concurrently studying Fashion Design part time at night at the National Art School at Darlinghurst. Following her Bachelor of Arts degree, she completed a Graduate Diploma in Visual Arts (Plant and Wildlife Illustration) at the University of Newcastle.
The COVID shutdown provided the time and space to set up a temporary studio in the dining room at The Racecourse Inn in Longford, Tasmania. With an enduring fascination with the natural world and a love of animals, after 30 years of painting in watercolours, Annabelle has returned to oils, painting portraits of the animals around her.
Latest Works

Hare
Annabelle Sandes, 2020
Oil on canvas
$1,500
SOLD

Nell
Annabelle Sandes, 2020
Oil on canvas
$3,500
SOLD

Bleat
Annabelle Sandes, 2020
Oil on canvas
$3,000
SOLD
Artist's CV
1987 – 1990 BA Fine Art – University of Sydney
1987 – 1990 Certificate Fashion Design (part-time) — National Art School, Darlinghurst NSW
1994 Graduate Diploma Visual Art (Plant and Wildlife Illustration) – University of Newcastle, NSW
1994 Margaret Senior Award for Plant and Wildlife Illustration, University of Newcastle
1994 Exhibition – The Chancellory, University of Newcastle
1994 Group Exhibition, Watt Space, Newcastle NSW
1994 Group Exhibition – University of Newcastle, UK
1999 Group Exhibition, “Botanica”, Botanic Gardens, Sydney, NSW
2000 Group Exhibition, “Botanica”, Botanic Gardens, Sydney, NSW
2004 Solo Exhibition, Catanachs, High St Armadale VIC
2004 Solo Exhibition, Catalina Gallery, Broome WA
2007 Solo Exhibition, “Tide Lines”, Catanachs, High St Armadale VIC
2007 Solo Exhibition, Catalina Gallery, Broome WA
2008 Shortlisted – Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award, Natural History Museum, London UK
2019 Group Exhibition – Woolmers Estate, Longford, Tasmania