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

👩‍🎨🔮

Have Courage, Take A Leap Of Faith

"The most salient mark of a creative person... is not physical courage...

it is a personal courage, a courage of the mind and spirit,

psychological or spiritual courage that is the radius of a creative person:

the courage to question what is generally accepted; the courage

to be destructive in order that something better can be constructed;

the courage to be open to experience both from within and without;

the courage to imagine the impossible and try to achieve it;

the courage to stand aside from collectivity and in conflict with it, 

if necessary; the courage to become and to be oneself."
 ~ D.W. MacKinnon

This is a very short video showing a couple of shots of my new gallery at 33 South Main St. #HomeTownUSA #ArtOnMain in Medord, NJ 08055. The work in my #currentartshow will be coming down soon to make way for my new show, in #May2018 - #Hummingbirds #Hummingbirds_MagicIntheAir. If you are interested in viewing this show before it comes down at the end of April, email me at: Sandy@SandySandy.com. We are #medfordartwalk in #artsytownusa, #destinationmedfordnj. Many of the paintings in this show, BOUNDLESS BLACK AND BRILLIANT WHITE are demonstrated in the 6th Week of My ECourse. Registration closes April 20th! #aiecourse #Fundamentalsofalcoholink at: learnlovecreate-courses.com

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Have a creative day!

X ♥  O

An Evolution of Passion - Solo Exhibit

"An artist must evolve to quell the voice within 

and find new ways to speak unspoken ideas." 

~ William Scott Jennings

Don't miss this "Once In A Lifetime" 
"One Woman"Show!

 "You have to evolve as an artist, 

and this is really a lifelong process." 

~ Mary Beth McKenzie

Mother, As Sweet As A Flower

"If love is as sweet as a flower,

then my mother is that sweet flower of love."
~ Stevie Wonder

HAPPY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you moms; of humans and fur babies!
I HOPE YOUR WEEKEND IS CREATIVELY FABULOUS! 

Please enjoy this FUN time-lapse #video of painting #Lilac-Like flowers in #alcoholink on #Yupo paper using #RangerInk's products. The mini ink dabber and the (controversial) BLENDING PEN were the main tools used to create this painting. Work in progress photos, with a detailed description of each step of this project is scheduled to appear on the Ranger Ink Blog on May 15th. I hope you enJOY this video, check out the #stepbystep pics on Monday and give this technique a try. Please pardon the cross posting, but I wanted to get this gift message out to all my creative online friends.

Thanks so much for stopping by and for helping me celebrate.

Have a great Mother's Day and happy creating!

X ♥  O

P.S. Don't forget, registration ends and the May 14th Spring Session 

gets rolled out this Sunday!

Alcohol Ink on Yupo Demo Sponsored by Legion Paper

"I value a "don't know" attitude highly,
because it's ambiguous, and fosters a 'beginner's mind'
in which there are more possibilities than in an 'expert's mind'."
~ Theresa Bayer 

 

I had the pleasure of doing an alcohol ink on Yupo demo
sponsored by Legion Paper at a local art club on Monday.

  
I was able to view the awesome art that these dedicated
seniors were working on when I first arrived. I could see that
the group was comprised of some very accomplished artists.

  
All were very attentive and eager to learn something new.

There was so much enthusiasm and so many great questions.
I just love those qualities!

OMG! I LOVE my job!!

Thanks to Marc Schotland and Legion Paper

for making these demonstrations possible! 

And thanks to the inspiring group of artists from the

Leisuretowne Art Club for having me.
 

"We don't stop playing because we grow old.

We grow old because we stop playing."

~ George Bernard Shaw
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks so much for stopping by and for

helping me spread the joy of painting on Yupo paper!

Have a great day and happy creating!

X ♥  O

Free Painting Demonstration Event Tomorrow - March 21st!

“Engagement with creative activities has the potential to

 contribute toward reducing stress and depression 

and can serve as a vehicle for alleviating 

the burden of chronic disease.”

~ Heather L. Stuckey

Alcohol Ink Painting on Yupo paper by Sandy Sandy

 

Live Alcohol Ink on Yupo Paper Demo - Open to the Public
Where - One Medford Leas Way, Medford, NJ 08055
In the Holly Room - Across from The Art Gallery
When - 11am - Noon  / on March 21st 2017

I will be demonstrating the new, exciting, fine art medium - Alcohol Ink
on this amazing substrate! Sponsored by artist paper distributors, Legion Paper.

Free Yupo Paper Samples to the first 30 attendees!

"Sandy's down-to- earth, warm, generous and inspiring style

created the most enjoyable and delightful atmosphere." ~ Chris P.

"I learned so much in such a short time.
Sandy provides a wealth of information!" ~ Steve L.

See more about Sandy's Demonstrations here.

About Sandy - Experimenting and playing with alcohol inks has brought more fun into life, turbocharged the imagination and sparked my creative soul. My wish is that through learning, loving and creating, it will do the same for you! The launch of my e-course ushered in new beginnings and adventures. My advice to the artists I teach is to lighten up, be your own best friend, enjoy your art and focus on the process of creating. As Emerson said; "Scatter joy!" See more about Sandy here:

Sign up for my General Updates or Workshop and E-Course News Emails 

and receive special offers to subscribers only. Feel Free to contact me about my art

 or services at: 609.268.9106 or by email at: ssandyssan@gmail.com

Tips For Painting on Yupo Paper in Watercolor and Alcohol Ink

“Refuse to give up, your mistakes don't define you.
They don't dictate where you're headed,

they remind you”

~T. J. Harris

New -  FREE Download

12 Tips For Painting in Alcohol Ink on Yupo Paper

Also See

12 Tips For Painting in Watercolor on Yupo Paper

The Trees Are Not Serious

“Take hold of your own life.
See that the whole existence is celebrating.
These trees are not serious, these birds are not serious.
The rivers and the oceans are wild,
and everywhere there is fun,
everywhere there is joy and delight.
Watch existence, listen to the existence 

and become part of it.”
― Osho

30 Paintings in Alcohol Ink by Sandy Sandy - Jan. 2017

As some of you who follow my work already know, I've been knee deep this month in creating #30paintingsin30days. I decided to revisit the theme of my very first 30 in 30 back in January of 2013 - Paintings Inspired by Quotes About Trees.

You can see each one of my 2017 alcohol ink paintings close-up on my website blog.

And some of my favorites have already sold, YAY! 

The 30 in30 is a great way to jump start the year! This is the 9th one and 

I highly recommend it if you're not afraid of a little pressure!

Now I'm looking forward to painting something other than trees!

Happy creating!

Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and Happiness!

X ♥  O

Yupo Demo Opportunity

ARTIST OPPORTUNITY - We are looking for someone who's somewhat accomplished with watercolor and/or alcohol ink on YUPO paper who lives in the Salt Lake City, UT area. If you are interested in a paid demo opportunity, at the NAMTA (National Art Materials Trade Show), please send a few samples of your work to me at: ssandyssan@gmail.com. Thanks.

Alcohol Ink on Yupo paper by Sandy Sandy

Day 25 - 30 Paintings In 30 Days - Only 5 days to go! 

See all images for the January 2017 Challenge here.

There are still two spots open for my Feb. 5th Alcohol Ink Studio Workshop.

See details here.

“We often miss opportunity because

it's dressed in overalls and looks like work”
― Thomas A. Edison

Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and Happiness!

X ♥  O

Live Your Life's Purpose

“You are one thing only. You are a Divine Being.

An all-powerful Creator. You are a Deity in jeans

and a t-shirt, and within you dwells the infinite 

wisdom of the ages and the sacred creative force 

of All that is, will be and ever was.”
~ Anthon St. Maarten

I am so happy to see so many peaceful demonstrations around the country this weekend.  A heartfelt thanks to all the caring women, men and children who participated. We have come so far, to turn back the clocks on knowledge and compassion in place of misinformation and fear.

I am still participating in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge and have painted and posted 22 tree paintings in alcohol ink so far. You can see my daily entries on my website blog here.

First 20 Trees in the 30 in 30 Painting Challenge

  
There are only two weeks left before my Valentines Alcohol Ink Playshop!

I still have three spots available and I am keeping the Early Bird Discount Price until it's filled.

I have some very special projects planned and of course, there's all the usual extras!

"You can do anything if you want it enough.”
~ Cherise Sinclair

Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and Happiness!

X ♥  O

You and Me

“Sometimes the smallest things

take up the most room in our hearts.”

~ A.A. Milne, Winnie The Pooh

Here are two of my regular student's paintings, based on my class demo today.

It was their first time using masking fluid on Yupo paper and they both loved the technique.

I don't use masking very much, but have been utilizing it recently for a few of my 30 in 30 pieces.

We used slate and black for the birches. I wrote down the colors that

were used for the backgrounds and listed them under each piece.

Ranger Inks - Bkgd. - Terra Cotta, Pool, Slate

  "Thanks It was fun. Happy with my piece today. ( : Time flies when we are so focused on our art. Never enough time. Grateful that your willing to share your talents." ~ Buck
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I really love how the unique, individual personalities of the makers

always shine out in these alcohol Ink pieces.

Ranger Inks - Bkgd. - Lettuce, Bottle, Denim, Slate

"Thank you Sandy, I was thinking today how blessed we are to have you in our lives.

What wonderful creators we are to have manifested the perfect art teacher and friend." xx ~ Lynne

My colors (see tomorrow)  - Ranger Inks - Bkgd. - Sunset, Willow, Meadow, Latte, Slate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks For Stopping By And For Your Friendship,

X ♥  O

An Old Acquaintence

"I frequently tramped eight or ten miles
through the deepest snow to keep
an appointment with a beech tree,
a yellow birch or an old acquaintance
among the pines." 

~Henry David Thoreau

I based today's painting on one I did for the first 30 in 30 in 2013.

I used masking to preserve a few white areas in the painting.

See today's painting, Day 13, now

and the finished painting for "An Old Acquaintance" - Day 14
tomorrow here on my website blog.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks For Stopping By And Thanks For Your Friendship,

X ♥  O

The Oaks Ignored Their Pleas

"There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.
 ~ Neil Peart
 

I based today's painting on one I did for the first 30 in 30 in 2013.

This is one of the many stages this piece went through.

I wanted to revisit the theme of this favorite, very visual quote.

And after squinting at this for a while, I realized that the light sky value at

the bottom right was distracting, taking emphasis away from my focal point.

I decided to try to make it better, so I changed one thing, and then another ...
Please check it out and let me know if you think I achieved my goal.

See today's painting, Day 12, now

and the finished painting for "Unrest In The Forest" - Day 13
tomorrow here on my website blog.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow, we are quickly coming up to the half way point of the challenge.

It's all down hill from there my friends!

Thanks for stopping by. Wishing You Much Happiness,

X ♥  O