Inspiration From Everyday Life

"The MOST important source of inspiration for painting

ideas is our own lives... and what we like the most."

~ Jack Dickerson

Look at this 36" live flower beauty Jerry saved from the trash and brought home

for me to photograph, sketch and paint!  

"One need not travel the world for inspiration.

If one is receptive it meets them half way, everyday."

~ Sandy Sandy

This Sketch is done in my Field Watercolor Journal from the photo I posted above.

"When you do a sketch from life or a photo, don't be

afraid to move things around, use your imagination

and employ some artistic license!" 

~ Sandy Sandy

  This is why people throw out fresh flower wreaths .... They just don't last 🤔 But, I made use of the best looking blooms of these short stemmed beauties and made up several bowl arrangements,

which I photographed and will draw and paint. 

"Opportunity is missed by many people because it is

dressed in overalls and looks like hard work."

~ Unknown

Keeping them safe from flower loving cats in the bathtub. 

Artists - Please feel free to use these as painting reference. 

Stay Inspired My Friends!

X ♥  O

Believe In Magic

“The world is full of magic things, 

patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” 

~ W.B. Yeats

Magical Things by Sandy Sandy SpiritArtist

Testing out some new (for me) paper. Stonehenge Aqua Cold Press 140# from Legion Paper. I mostly work on Yupo these days, but have also exclusively used Arches for over 4 decades. Really feel rusty working on the cotton, but liked the soft, forgiving, absorbent quality of this sheet. Trying the same image on the Hot Press Stonehenge next. Of course, after using Yupo, these colors really look washed out to me, but I'm getting used to it. This was done wet-in-wet, first wetting both sides of the paper. Your comments and any recommendations for improvements and for working on the HP paper is appreciated.

Have a great weekend and happy creating!!

Thanks for stopping by.

X ♥  O

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge ~ Day 1

"I equate inspiration with desire. 

It's desire that moves us to 

be artists in the first place. 

To attempt to make a painting

without this motivation 

is a waste of time."

~ Nita Engle

"Wash Away Worry"
10 x 8" Alcohol Inks on Tile Board
email: sandy@sandysandy.com for purchase info.

Please join me for the 5th 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge! I'll be painting and posting a new abstract painting here everyday for the whole month of January. Yes, I know it has 31 days, but I also plan to do some extras. In the right column, you can sign up to get my blog announcements by RSS or email, join this site and get notifications via. blogger or Google+. Follow my posts on facebooK here. Or just bookmark my blog and stop back here from time to time to see what's happening. I really and truly appreciate your feedback because I'm navigating uncharted waters. Your feedback, good or bad, will help me evaluate my direction and stay on course.

FYI - The substrate here is "Tile Board". It's masonite with an acrylic coating. That's what Lowe's and Home Depot call it and it is used in construction instead of drywall in showers, back splashes, etc, where there is a lot of moisture and where tiles will be applied. My hubby says Home Depot here will not cut the board anymore, but Lowes will still cut it into manageable pieces of 2' or larger sections. Here is a screen shot from Lowe's website.

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thanks for your friendship and support!!

X ♥  O

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Painting Challenge #5 and Beyond

“Creativity takes courage. ”

~ Henri Matisse

"Burning Desire"
5.5 x 7.5" alcohol ink on Yupo
email: sandy@sandysandy.com for purchase info.

Tomorrow I will be starting my 5th

Leslie Saeta / 30 Paintings in 30 Days CHALLENGE! 

My theme this time around will be abstracts and my goal is to experiment more, continue to grow as an artist and really have some fun! If you are up for an incentive to paint A LOT MORE this coming month, GO AHEAD AND GIVE IT A TRY! It really turbo-charged my painting career back in 2013! You've got ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO LOSE! Find out all about it here:

Here's an overview of my past challenges:

# 1 - January, 2013 - Here's How that First Challenge Started:

The January 2013 Collection:

# 2 - Here's How the September 2013 - Second Challenge Started:

September 2013 - Second Challenge Series:

# 3 - Here's How the Third Challenge 1/1/2014 Started:

January 2014 - Third Challenge Collection:

# 4 - Here's How the September 2014 - Fourth Challenge Started:

September 2014 - Fourth 30 in 30 Collection:

# 5 - Here's How the January 2015 - Fifth Challenge Started:

January 2015 - Fifth 30 in 30 Collection: 

Wishing each and every one of you all the best in 2015.

Thanks so much for following along on my artistic journey.
Happy creating!

X ♥  O

Art Is A Powerful Gift ~ That Can Outlast And Outshine All Others

"The artist gazes upon a reality 

and creates his own impression. 

 The viewer gazes upon the impression 

and creates his own reality."

 ~ Robert Brault

~~Friendship Feather~~

Alcohol Inks and Watercolor on Yupo paper

See painting specifications and price here.

"While I recognize the necessity 

for a basis of observed reality,

true art lies in a reality that is felt." 

~ Odilon Redon

Last weekend was a huge success despite the 

nasty weather on Saturday. Sunday was sunny and we hung some older work outside.

Everything's looking really good for this weekend's 

(10/18 & 10/19/14)

SANDAROSA STUDIO SUPER SAVINGS EVENT!

Saturday is supposed to be sunny with a high of 70 and Sunday will also be sunny but a bit cooler. Come out to the country and enjoy the giveaways, freebies, food, drinks, incredible discounts and of course the beautiful fall foliage. No purchase is necessary to come and sign up to win an original painting!

I've been busy all week, matting and framing more work to put on display at lower than ever, once a year prices! You know, it's not too early to start thinking of the holidays and some very special one of a kind gifts! (Time is flying by and there are only 68 days until Christmas.)

"Your art was not opened until Chrismas Day 

and they were clearly the most powerful gifts under our tree. 

Again - thanks for sharing your awesome talent."

~ Dean Wasserman

I hope to see many of you come visit us in the Pines this weekend!

X ♥  O

Spice It Up!

"Variety's the very spice of life, 

That gives it all its flavor." 

~ William Cowper

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Spice It Up!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alcohol Inks and Watercolor on Yupo paper

See painting specifications and price here.

"I often quote myself. 

It adds spice to my conversation." 

~ George Bernard Shaw

My sister and I are having a good time with my mom and dad on their visit to NJ. We toured Philadelphia yesterday and saw all the sites via the BIG BUS. It was a bit chilly sitting on top, but we all had a very good day.

Al & Eve Sandy at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA

X ♥  O

A Retrospective of 30 Paintings In Thirty Days

"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 object." 

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am pleased to present this collage of artwork which represents my fourth 30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge series. Each number and title links to a larger view with painting details and the post associated with each piece.

1.) Sunny Summer Days       2.) The Black Sheep       3.) Inspired By Wine

4.) Hummingbird Magic         5.) Believe in Magic        6.) Spirit of Guidance

7.) Rose Of Sharon      8.) Like a Feather in the Wind        9.) Blooming Iris

10.) Sly as a Fox      11.) Magical Garden       12.) Bold Blue Communicator

13.) Hummingbird Joy     14.) Life is Growth      15.) The Crocus Among Us

16.) Kokopelli's Day    17.) Kokopelli's Night     18.) Talk Like a Pirate Day

19.) A Pirate Legend      20.) The Dreamcatcher      21.) Day Of The Dead

22.) Love Tree           23.) Dream Hawk            24.) Jersey Devil Dragon

25.) Enchanted Garden       26.) Glorious Grapes       27.) A Dragon's Tale

28.) Wisdom of the Trees    29.) Dear Baby Deer    30.) Year Of The Horse

You can see links to all 90 paintings completed in previous challenges here!

I enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and making some new ones this past month. Seeing all the great work produced during the challenge is always inspiring.Thanks to everyone who stopped by my blog and shared their thoughts by commenting here or on Facebook. I truly appreciate your friendship, feedback and interest in my work.

Happy creating!

X ♥  O

Year Of The Horse (Day 30)

I was born in the

"Year Of The Horse" 

with a fascination in them

which predated every other 

single thing I remember. 

Before I knew the facts of life, 

way before I was in school, 

before I learned to read or draw, 

I wanted a horse so badly 

that I was certain one day 

I would have them.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Year Of The Horse~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alcohol Inks and Watercolor on Yupo paper

See painting specifications and price here.

I bought my first horse at the age of 14, after saving up two whole years of babysitting money. My parents said I could have a horse if I paid for it myself and I think they were very surprised when I actually accomplished it. I always worked to support my horse and except for a few short years when I was in college, I have had horses as part of my family ever since. This is an album of photos on facebook of some of the horses I have owned and loved.

Today, another 30 paintings in 30 Days Challenge has come to an end! Now that it's over, I have mixed emotions. While I welcome the break and a slower pace, I will also miss the discipline and connection to the sisterhood of participating artist friends.

I am enjoying a visit from my parents now, along with getting ready for my 2nd Annual Sales Event, so you can be sure I will remain very busy this coming month! My studio show and sale is open to online collectors and actual local visitors. I've got an exciting line-up of recent works and older classic paintings and prints, all on sale at up to 55% off! Last year's show was a huge success. Be sure to mark your calendars and check out the details of this year's show here!

X ♥  O