Don't Worry, Be Happy!

"Only one thing has to change for us

to know happiness in our lives;

where we focus our attention."
~ G. Anderson

 

2020 Calendars now available HERE.

Get yours before they sell out!

All sold out as of 1/1/20, thank you!

"What we call the secret of happiness is no more than our willingness to choose it."

~ Leo Buscaglia

X ♥  O

P.S.
My paintings and prints are available for purchase online now at 15% Off.

Just Like A Sunflower

“Look at its shape, with vibrant yellows and oranges.

A sunflower can brighten your day.

It's as if it is smiling like a happy face painted on the sun.

So if you do only one thing all day, let it be to smile, so you can brighten the day of others around you, just like the sunflower.”

😊 🌻 ~ Bodhi Smith🌻💛

 🌞

My 2020 Sunflowers Calendars Are In!

Order Yours Early, Before They Sell Out!

X ♥  O

P.S.

My paintings and prints are available for purchase online now at 15% Off.

Overnight Success

"It takes twenty years to become an overnight success."

~ E. Cantor

"The idea that success can happen overnight is a myth. You have to work for it."

Even if you are creating art as a pleasant pastime or hobby, starting off with a beginning art foundation provides practical tools and understanding that can be used with any medium or subject. Being introduced to the "primary" rules about color, values and harmony, through learning to draw and really see, will give you a deeper level of  involvement, dexterity, and enjoyment. Because you had to learn to walk before you could run; it is the same in art; you have to learn the rules before you can break them. Just like in cooking, you have to learn how to read a recipe, work the equipment, select your cookware and utensils and gather your ingredients before you can cook a gourmet meal! 

"Artists get better by sharpening their skills or by acquiring new ones;

they get better by learning to work, and by learning from their work."

~ D. Bayles, T. Orland

Since I was on a roll after drawing every day in June, July and August, 

I signed up for another 30 Day Challenge, called the 30 Day Creative Gathering,

hosted by Sheila Delgado.

To see the first half of this collection, click here.

The second half of this September 2019 collection can be seen here. 

X ♥  O

P.S.

All my paintings and drawings are available for purchase.
Contact me with your inquiries about details and prices, thanks.

Challenge, Process & Progress

"I’ve found that there have to be at least three prerequisites to motivation for the artist. They are; challenge, process, and the feeling of progress. Without challenge, the muse dies.  If an artist underestimates capability or goes too long with outworn motifs, interest fades and motivation fails. Complexity, nuance, even novelty, need to be consciously added to the mix."

~ Robert Genn

This is the second half of a collection of paintings and drawings that
I created every day in September 2019. 

#17 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#18 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#19 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#20 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#21 - 5 x 7" Alcohol Ink on Yupo Paper, matted to 8 x 10"

#22 - 6 x 8" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#23 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#24 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#25 - 5 x 7" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#26 - 5 x 7" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#27 - 5 x 7" Alcohol Ink on Yupo Paper, matted to 8 x 10"

#28 - 6 x 8" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#29 - Drawing done in Photoshop for upcoming Halloween class.

#30 - Drawing done in Photoshop for upcoming Halloween class.

To see the first half of this collection, done in September 2019, click here.

X ♥  O

P.S.

All my paintings and drawings are available for purchase.
Contact me with your inquiries and I'll get back to you with details and prices.

During the summer of 2019, I drew every day.
You can see all 92 drawings and paintings that were created and posted here.
And then, at the beginning of September, I signed up for another challenge for the next 30 days.
It is called the 30 Day Creative Gathering, hosted on facebook by Sheila Delgado.
This made it 122 consecutive days of creating and I think it's a record for me.

The Key To Motivation

"Desire is the key to motivation,

but it's determination and commitment

to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal

- a commitment to excellence -

that will enable you to attain

the success you seek."

~Mario Andretti

This is the first half of a collection of paintings and drawings 
that were created every day in September 2019.

12 x 12" Acrylic Pour with Alcohol Ink • Available by Sandy Sandy

#2 - 'Parisian Window' ~ 6 x 6" alcohol ink on ceramic tile.

#3 ~ Pearlescent Alcohol Ink on black vinyl

#4 - Pearlescent Alcohol Ink on black vinyl

#5 ~ 'Anniversary Bouquet' ~ 9 x 9" watercolor in 140 lb Coldpress

#7 - 5.5 x 7" Watercolor on Med. Wt. Yupo paper

#6 - 5.5 x 7" Watercolor on 140 lb Arches coldpress cotton rag

#8 - 5 x 7" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#9 - 5 x 7" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#10 - 5 x 7" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#11 - 5 x 7" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#12 - 5 x 7" Alcohol Ink and Ink Pen Sketch on Yupo Paper

#13 - 5 x 7" Alcohol Ink and Ink Pen sketch on Yupo paper

#14 - 11 x 14" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#15 - 5 x 7" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#16 - 5 x 7" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

To see the second half of this September 2019 collection, click here.

During the summer of 2019, I drew everyday. Once you make it a habit, it's a breeze.
You can see all 92 drawings and paintings that were created and posted here.

And at the beginning of September, signed up for another challenge for the next 30 days.
It's called the 30 Day Creative Gathering hosted by Sheila Delgado.
You can find out more about it on facebook here.

X ♥  O

P.S.

All my paintings and drawings are available for purchase.
Contact me with your inquiries and I'll get back to you with details and prices.

Be Active, Energetic And Faithful

"When you do a thing,

do it with all your might.

Put your whole soul into it.

Stamp it with your own personality. 

Be active, be energetic and faithful,

and you will accomplish your goals."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

#DrawingEveryday • 8-31-19 • Watercolor Sketch on Cotton Rag

The whole summer of sketching every day 2019 has passed. For 92 days,

from June 1st - August 31st, I drew and painted as part of my daily routine. 

The benefits are immense. The skills of seeing and hand-eye coordination are

developed and refined by daily practice, in my opinion, like no other can.

See my daily attempts in reverse (blog) format on SketchingEveryday.com

"Among all the accomplishments of life,

none are so important as refinement;

it is not, like beauty, a gift of Nature,

and can only be acquired

by cultivation and practice."

~ James Ellis

 

X ♥  O

P.S. I am not done sketching and creating every day though!

I have signed up for another challenge for the next 30 days.

It's called the 30 Day Creative Gathering.

You can find out more about it on facebook here.

Maybe you'd even like to join us!

Be More Than Ready

"Be prepared! All of your gear should be in a state

of readiness so you can concentrate on painting.

Choose your supplies as you would

choose weapons before battle."

~ R. Schmid
~~~

#DrawingEveryday • 8-27-19 • Watercolor and ink on 140lb Coldpress

"Be more than ready. Be present in your discipline.

Remember your gift. Be grateful for your gift

and treat it like a gift. Cherish it, take care of it,
and pass it on."

~ A.D.Smith

Sketch done while waiting with limited supplies.

If you carry reference material and pocket-size supplies,
you'll seldom waste time waiting again!
~~~

This sketch was started at the dentist's office

this morning and was finished at home today.

Supplies Clockwise - paper towels, kneaded eraser, Pentel Aquash Water Brush, soft or 2B pencil, (I forgot my Pigma Micron pen, but a plain ole black ballpoint pen worked just fine), Field Artist Pro travel box, with additional half pans from the Dainayw Watercolor Set (optional), and 
6 x 6" Global Arts WC Journal. The reference is a free image from Pixabay.com

These supplies can be purchased through my Amazon Store here.

"Isn't it amazing how 'lucky' the people are
who put in countless hours of preparation?"

Stay Inspired and Positive My Friends!

See more sunflower paintings here.

 

X ♥  O

Keep Following The Sun

"Keep your face to the sunshine

and you cannot see the shadows. 

It’s what the sunflowers do."

~ Helen Keller

There is nothing that celebrates life quite like the sunflower. It follows the sun's position in the sky like a satellite dish all through the day. Wherever the light is, even if it is dim and obscured by clouds, these flowers will seek out the sunshine. We humans can learn a valuable lesson from the symbolism this flower represents. Even in our darkest hours, we should attempt to make an effort to look for the good things that life offers us every day. Lets try to be more like the sunflower and follow the sun, even on our most overcast days.

The Symbolic Meanings of Sunflowers: 

• Happiness  • Magic  • Good Luck  • Healing  • Focus  • Opitimism  • Faith

• Spirituality • Friendship  • Loyalty  • Strength  • Longevity  • Celebration

“Today, I will strive to be more like the sunflower,

inspired by its strength, charm and sunny disposition.”

~ Sandy Sandy

Stay Inspired and Positive My Friends!

See more sunflower paintings here.

 

X ♥  O

Spontaneity and Gesture

"I am motivated to find the essence of my subjects

through spontaneity and gesture.

Viewers can interpret as they wish... 

Thus they become more personally involved 

with what they see before them."
~ S. Flaig

#DrawingEveryday - 7-29-19 • Watercolor and Ink

Make It An Inspired And Productive Summer
Join me for 2019 sketching everyday! 
 

X ♥  O

Give Yourself A Chance

"If you give your Self a chance,

your Self will give you all the chances."

~ Yogi Bhajan

5 x 7" Pen & Ink with Alcohol Ink Sketch on Yupo

"When you let go of fear and resistance, a whole new world opens up. Opportunities for growth and enrichment are all around us. We have to be careful not to over think it,
rather just roll up our selves and dig in."

~Sandy Sandy

8 x 10" Pen & Ink with Alcohol Ink Sketch on Yupo

I'm really enjoying this technique and it's given me a brand new approach to SketchingEveryday.

I will be demonstrating this technique and others this coming weekend on July 21, from 11 -1:00,

at the Bick Art Materials store at t 401 Park Drive in Boston, MA.

Stay Inspired and Productive My Friends
Join me for a summer of sketching everyday! 
 

X ♥  O