At the Royal College of Art, Sandy met Barbara louise Stubbs, the daughter of a banker, who was studying art, dress and needlework. They regularly attended the Chelsea Art Balls. They married in 1931 at St Leonar's church in Heston, Middlesex and settled in the area. Sandy painted and earned a living through commercial art, he designed the logo for Birds Custard and patterns for the upholstery in the London Underground trains, whilst Barbara taught at the Green School in Isleworth. They had a full social life and Sandy played hockey for the Hounslow Hockey Club.
Their first child, Roger was born in 1937, this event coincided with the purchase of their first property in The Crossways, Heston. There Sandy designed the furniture to fit in their next home- all oak veneer, heavy and very 30's. Firs Drive in Cranford, near Heathrow Airport was to be Sandy's home for the next 33 years.
During the war Sandy was in a reserved profession as a draughtsman and spent much of the duration in St Albans. His painting reflected the war, many subjects being of barbed wire, spitfires and aerodromes. This was followed by a period of teaching at St Albans School of Art. Their first daughter Jane was born in 1942, followed by Peter in 1945 and Frances in 1946.
Poppies at Digswell For Auction 5 March 2008 www.Bonhams.comMoney was tight for painters after the war, as most families incomes were focussed on essentials. Against his better wishes Sandy concentrated on commercial work, doing much with Thompson's Agency, but selling paintings whenever he could. He also illustrated books, most notably several of the Janet and John books and Aesop's Fables for Nesbitts.
Throught the Garden Gate 1950
Author - Barbara Sanders, Illustrator - Christopher Sanders
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