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

👩‍🎨🔮

Quality Time Memories

"In family relationships, love is really spelled T.I.M.E."
~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I had SO MUCH FUN creating with my nephews visiting from Colorado last Friday!

Alcohol Ink Paintings by Nephews, Dillon & Cody Yates - First-Time Inkers!

We covered a lot of ground, did a bunch of different techniques (on tiles, Yupo and black vinyl),

had a lot of laughs and created some wonderful memories.

Cody and Dillon were naturals.

  I only had to explain things once to them.

They both quickly grasped all the techniques I shared.

Not bad for first timers!

 They are very pleased with their accomplishments and I am very proud of them!

Cody and I pose with the Sandarosa Sentry

Dillon and I with the Yard Guard

So grateful I was able to spend some real quality time with two super great guys. 

 Maybe someday they will find time from their mountain biking and snowboarding

and take up art. I know they both have a real aptitude for it!

"Spending time with your family and your real friends keeps you grounded."

And Don't Forget About -

 GIVEAWAY ON INSTAGRAM- OPEN to ALL MY FOLLOWERS THERE! 

 and ... the FUNdamentals of Alcohol Ink E-Course.

Summer 2018 Class Opens June 6th

Thanks So Much for Stopping By

X ♥  O

The Drive to Strive and Overcome Struggle

"All artists struggle to some degree with their emotional and creative output."

~  Michael Fantuz

6 x 6" Framed Alcohol Ink Tile ~ $129.

I have heard some instructors state that learning is painful. No pain, no gain and all of that. I have been serious about my art for very long time and know this struggle to be true. There were times when I'd had a bad painting day that I wanted to scream or just rip my hair out. But in hindsight, what did this feeling, this attitude, this anguish accomplish? Very little, I'm afraid. 

Since then, I've learned that struggle needn't be so painful if you adopt the right attitude. I've come a long way since then, and I want to tell you that it just isn't all that serious! Setbacks and throw aways are to be expected in the learning process, especially during the first thousand paintings or so, lol. It usually takes time, and lots of just doing it; again and again and again.

When we are struggling and making mistakes, we need to understand that it is all part of the learning process. I continue to learn so much more from my re-dos than from my keepers. And, we can't be afraid to take risks and "ruin" what we are working on; because that step beyond OK is usually what separates the good from the great. Yes, it's a struggle to get there, but it needn't be painful when the right attitude of accepting the process, experimentation and discovery are in place. Instead of asking; "why didn't this turn out?", it may be more helpful to ask, "what did I learn?".

My philosophy and teaching appeals to people who want to learn new approaches that free them from limiting thoughts, fear of failure and anxiety. Focusing on the process and embracing the joy of creativity, my students move into that happy place where time fades away. Here, we are in touch with a universal spirit, truly living in the moment.  Here there is no struggle, only go with the flow, create and learn.

Without putting too much emphasis on the end product, making mistakes, solving problems and building on positive experiences, the learning process isn't painful or frustrating. With my guidance, I see creativity, achievement and fulfillment blossom. When the right foundation has been laid, living with art and experiencing the joy of creativity can help us to live life now, with more engagement, love and enjoyment. See more ...

The Germ Of Happiness

"Growth itself has the germ of happiness."

~ Pearl S. Buck

To me, art is, and always has been, an endlessly exciting experiment.  I am fascinated by the exploration of a world with such diverse, limitless possibilities. Continuing to stretch my physical and mental boundaries as an artist and instructor, keeps me feeling young, alive, engaged and energized. 

Alcohol ink has certainly turbo-charged my peregrination over the past five years! Now, painting almost exclusively in alcohol ink, except for an occasional watercolor on Yupo paper, doors have opened up to me that never even existed before. I am so grateful to be one of the pioneers in the alcohol ink, fine art world. I feel so lucky to live in a day and age when I can connect with a whole community of others traveling the same art "dreamway" with a tap of my finger. The work and journeys of lots of awesome artists online and in-person is a continuing form of enjoyment, growth and inspiration.

After days of editing my video for our spring a.i. conference, I'm (understandably) in a Vincent van Gogh state of mind ... Thanks to Sharen Ak Harris, here's my first attempt on blackout film - "Starry Night Lighthouse" on modeling film and on black vinyl. See my discoveries and comparisons below!

Below is an experiment I did in alcohol inks on

Modeling Film (on the left) and Glossy Vinyl (on the right)

Starry Night Lighthouse on Modeling Film and Glossy Vinyl

*My Opinions and Discoveries

Modeling film                                     Vinyl

Wipe Back -                 didn't wipe back clean                        vinyl wipes back clean

Ink w/ Snowcap -           soft, creamy texture                                 harder lines

Color -                             softer/ more muted                            brighter/ more contrast

Application -                    Less surface glide                             Inks slide on surface

My Cost -                   $15. for 6) 8 x 10" sheets                   $19. for 40) 12 x 12" sheets

*These are my personal findings and not necessarily that of  the majority of other users.

Learn how I achieved this look by watching my 45 min. video - STARRY NIGHT IN ALCOHOL INK
- Make sure to catch my 'INSPIRED BY VAN GOGH' presentation (on Yupo paper, along with 11 other presentations) at the SPRING 2018 ALCOHOL INK ART CONFERENCE - LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE!!!
  This is a Virtual (online) conference - watch the sessions from the comfort of your own studio or home 
- All sessions streamed on a private FB group 
- Lifetime access to replays of sessions and access to materials
- win wonderful door prizes compliments of our SPONSORS! (Ranger, Jacquard, Legion Paper, Marker Supply, and Art Resin)

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Have a really great day!

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