My Sunflowers Are His, In A Way.....

Sunflower Symphony • Sandy Sandy • Tabernacle, NJ 2016

“The sunflower is mine, in a way."
~ Vincent van Gogh

Sunflowers • Van Gogh • Arles, January 1889

The painting is part of the Van Gogh Museum Collection in Amsterdam.

“It is with the reading of books the same as with looking at pictures; one must,
without doubt, without hesitations, with assurance, admire what is beautiful.”
~ Vincent Van Gogh 

A large print of this painting hung in the house of one of my childhood friends.
I found myself admiring it every time I visited.

A few years ago we had a sunflower workshop. See the video HERE.

X ♥  O

👩‍🎨

Very Van Gogh

“I feel such a creative force in me:

I am convinced that there will be a time when,

let us say, I will make something good every day,

on a regular basis....

I am doing my very best to make every effort because

I am longing so much to make beautiful things. 

But beautiful things mean painstaking work,

disappointment, and perseverance.”
~  Vincent Van Gogh 

Vincent van Gogh ~ Starry Night 1889

I have been inspired by van Gogh since I was a kid and I'm sure he has influenced

my work in more ways than I realize or more than any living artist or teacher has in my lifetime. 

I have given several workshops (Live and Online), using Vincent as my Muse.

I LOVE YOU Vincent! Thanks for your continued inspiration for my journey!

See a VERY short demo on YouTube HERE.

Have a Very Inspired Day and Happy Creating!

X ♥  O

👩‍🎨🔮

The Art Of Play

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some people are so serious all the time! Maybe they never really learned how to play, or the skill was just stunted as a kid.  Perhaps they stopped playing at a certain age and were told to "grow up", be serious and stop acting "like a child". The sad part is that these people are missing out on a lot of fun in life. Acting silly once in a while is good for the mental well being and soul of all earthly beings.

“A little nonsense now and then,

is cherished by the wisest men and women.”

Jerry was thrilled with my surprise birthday gift; his very own website for his yard art.

www.JerrysYardArt.com

Check out his whimsical creations.

“This is the real secret of life;

to be completely engaged with what

you are doing in the here and now.

And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.”
~ Alan W. Watts

We all let loose, played and acted a little silly this weekend at the

"Inspired by van Gogh Workshop" here at the studio.

See a slideshow of the event here:

Inspired by Vincent Playshop ~ 5.21.17

"Be silly, be honest, be kind."

~ Emerson

Thanks for stopping by!

X ♥  O

Evaluating Yupo Paper Vs. PI-180

"What works for one artist doesn't necessarily work for another - try anything and everything and go with what works for you."

~ Paul Dixon

Yupo paper Vs. PI-180 Comparison Test

A few months back, Rocheux International in Sommerset, NJ contacted me about trying out their synthetic paper. Chris wrote to me that his company supplies a similar product to Yupo and asked if I'd be interested in evaluating their product. I agreed to let them know how their paper compares.

Provided with some of their PI-180 grade, which was closest to the 74# white Yupo., I immediately noticed that it was not quite as heavy as the 74# and had a slicker surface.

Yesterday, after a little prodding from Chris, some tests were conducted. using alcohol inks - the same colors and process on each set, (Yupo on the left and PI-180 on the right). Each set was painted simultaneously and the sequence and timing were relatively the same for both.

Out of all the tests, I liked the Yupo the best for the ability to lift the pigment from the paper. The surface of the PI-180, although slicker, seemed to drag more as if working on a paper with more tooth. Notice how the middle paintings differ. Once set, the ink hardly moved with the splattering of alcohol on the PI-180. That being said, I really love the colors on the PI-180 in the bottom set.

Playing around a little with watercolor on them and yeilded similar results. The pigment on the PI-180 surface seemed to drag and not lift as easily as on the Yupo.

Bottom line - These experiments are only the tip of the iceberg. Many more would have to be done, using more techniques and mediums to come to more firm conclusions. The PI-180 may be a viable alternative when using some techniques. Price comparison, where it is made, if and when this paper will be available to the public is unknown to me. If you wish to find out more and possibly get some samples to test for yourself, you can contact Chris at: ykao@rocheux.com

"All life is an experiment.

The more experiments you make the better."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Creating!!

X ♥  O

 

Inspiration and Interpretation

"Van Gogh failed as a minister, 

failed as an art dealer, 

failed as an art student, 

failed in love 

and failed to sell paintings, 

but he has never failed to inspire us!" 

~ Andrew Hamilton

"Two Windblown Cypresses" 

After Vincent van Gogh

11 x 14" matted alcohol Ink on Yupo

email: sandy@sandysandy.com for purchase info. 

"Two Cypresses" 

 Vincent van Gogh 1889

"Blazing Wheat Fields" 

After Vincent van Gogh

8 x 10" matted alcohol Ink on Yupo

email: sandy@sandysandy.com for purchase info. 

"Wheat Fields with Cypresses"

drawing by Vincent van Gogh

"Wheat Fields with Cypresses"

by Vincent van Gogh 1889

I believe in the value of doing master copies as an approach to learning, so I decided to do a van Gogh "interpretation" lesson in my alcohol ink workshop this Saturday, May 9th. The afternoon session will learn how to use many tools and techniques to achieve a uniquely colorful alcohol ink version of Vincent's work.

Due to a death in the family of one of the participants, we still have one spot available. No previous experience is necessary and I also have a starter kit, so no supplies would be required. Won't you let me introduce you to this exciting, liberating medium!? Find out more about this fun-filled workshop and sign up here.

    
"When you are young, you study the masters

for their techniques and style.

But when you are older, you study them

for their emotion and feeling."

~ Chiang Chao-Shen

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Creating!

X ♥  O

Into The Light

"Oh yes! He loved yellow, did good Vincent.

When the two of us were together in Arles, 

both of us insane, we were constantly at war 

over beautiful colors."
~ Paul Gauguin

"Into The Light"
~~~~~~~~16 x 12" Alcohol Ink On Yupo, matted to 20 x 16"~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~     ~~~After Vincent van Gogh's "Undergrowth"~~     ~~~~~~~~
email: sandy@sandysandy.com for purchase info.

For the past couple of weeks, I seem to be obsessed with Vincent van Gogh's paintings. I've been seeing his works and reading stories about him everywhere online. I really enjoyed working in his color palette and interpreting his painting "The Undergrowth" on ceramic tile, posted here, earlier this month. I decided I wanted to try to paint the piece again only larger and in a vertical format, so here is my second attempt at it. You can see my first painting and Vincent's lovely painting here.

Thank you for your continued friendship and feedback.

Happy creating everyone!

X ♥  O