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

Don't Stop Playing!

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

we grow old because we stop playing."

~ George Bernard Shaw

Dolphin Spirit ~ Natural Rhythms

Social ~ Relaxation ~ Exercise ~ Exuberance

~  8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper

Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

Here's a few in-progress shots for today's painting.

First Step - Paint the eyes and body.

Because I wanted the dolphin lighter than the

background, I started with light to medium mid-tones.

Second Step -

The background wash and swirls were added.

Third Step -

As in previous posts, the painting was finished

by adding the calligraphy, lifting a little pigment

here and there and adding a few darks and darker mid-tones.

Dolphion Spirit -  Full frame/ Uncropped

Thanks again for all the comments and emails
from old friends and new!

I hope you are having a playful day.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

X ♥  O

Superstitious About Friday the 13th?

"On Friday the 13th,

Don't walk under any ladders,

Don't break any mirrors,

Don't spill any salt,

And don't walk by any black cats."

Friday the 13th happens only once this year; today, May 13th. The belief that Friday the 13th is bad luck is one of the most prevalent legends of the 20th and 21st century. It is hard to pinpoint the exact origins that are responsible for it's popularity because there are so many! Follow the links to see more information about this day! 

Friday The 13th

~~ 7.5" x 5.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper ~~

Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 8" x 10"

Signed and certified by the artist.
Purchase the painting here.

Happy Friday the 13th everyone!

A HALLOWEEN WEEK GIVEAWAY!

"Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen,


Voices whisper in the trees, 'Tonight is Halloween'!"


~Dexter Kozen

It's Halloween week! (And guess what I'm going to be this year?!) In celebration of my favorite holiday of the year, I decided to launch A HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY. THIS  SATURDAY I'll pick someone by 3:00pm EST through RandomNumber to receive this free original alcohol ink painting by yours truly.  All you have to do to win it, is comment below this blog post or under the original post on my facebook art page and include the words, "I love Halloween." or "I'm in!" (If you comment on both, you'll get two entries.) Open to everyone worldwide! Good luck! Please pay it forward and share. 

I will announce the winner on this blog and on my facebook art site. The winner will have 24 hrs. to respond by email to: Sandy@SandySandy.com with their mailing address. If I do not hear from them, the next name will be announced and they will also have 24 hrs. to respond and so on.

Thanks for stopping by and GOOD LUCK my pretties!

X ♥ O

Standing Room Only

"An inconvenience is an

adventure wrongly considered."

~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

It was a rough start to the first in a series of painting demonstrations in New York City yesterday. After our train died somewhere south of Newark, NJ, we eventually had to be rescued by another Amtrak Train which put us over an hour and a half off schedule. There was mostly standing room only as the train we embarked was already 3/4 full. I was pleasantly surprised though about how well most people handled the situation.

So after leaving my house and making reservations with plenty of time to spare, I arrived at the art store over an hour late and proceeded to demonstrate at full throttle. If nothing else, I learned most people handle inconvenience with grace. I also realized that I was taking way too much stuff! I spent the afternoon seriously reorganizing, downsizing and streamlining my YIPPEE 4 YUPO presentation and I am good to go again!

Part of my demo captured on iPhone
by Page from Legion Paper.

Tomorrow  is Number Two of 

Five Spring Demonstrations in New York City

at Dick Blick Art Stores
Sponsored by Legion Paper!

Yesterday's Demo ~ Blooming Cherry Tree
6.5 x 8.8" Watercolor on Translucent Yupo paper

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

As always, your friendship and comments

are most appreciated.

X ♥  O

 

Free Tree Friday Continues . . .

“Trees are poems that the 

earth writes upon the sky.” 

~ Khalil Gibran

The Giving Tree III

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~7" x 5" matted Original Alcohol Ink Painting on Yupo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

N.F.S.
Giveaway - 4  - 18 - 14

Here's my new FREE TREE FRIDAY GIVEAWAY for 4 - 18 - 14 

All you have to do to win it, is LIKE my facebook art page or already be a fan, then comment under this original post HERE or on my facebook art page.  Please include the words, "Free Tree" or "I'm In"! You will get an extra entry this week when you sign up for my newsletter (and yet another if you "SHARE" my post on facebook! Please LMK on your comment if you signed up and / or shared. The winner will be announced next Friday, 4/18/14, after 3:00pm EST here and on my facebook art page. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to check back to see if you have won! If I don't hear from the winner within 24 hours of Friday's posting, a new name will be drawn. Open to everyone worldwide!

Last week's winner was Theresa Lee! 

GOOD LUCK AND PLEASE PAY IT FORWARD!

X ♥  O

IT'S FREE TREE FRIDAY!

"Nature’s great powers, 

like gravity and electromagnetism 

are unseen to our senses, 

but their power is indisputable.” 

~ Rhonda Byrne

The Giving Tree II

~~~~~6.25 x 4.25", Original Alcohol Inks on Yupo Octopus Paper ~~~~
N.F.S.
Giveaway - 4  - 11 - 14

Here's this week's new original FREE TREE painting. I hope you like! All you have to do to win it, is comment below this post or under the original post on my facebook art page and include the words, "Free Tree" or "I'm In". AND . . .  you will get an extra entry this week when you sign up for my newsletter and yet another if you share my post on facebook! Please LMK on your comment if you signed up and / or shared. The winner will be announced next Friday, 4/11/14, after 3:00pm EST here and on my my facebook art page. It is your responsibility to check back to see if you have won! If I don't hear from the winner within 24 hours of Friday's posting, a new name will be drawn. Open to everyone worldwide!

So who's the winner of last week's painting, you say?

I'll admit, I'm really excited to announce today's Random.org pick for our FIRST FREE TREE PAINTING WINNER! It's an artist friend very dear to my heart! Yippee! We have a winner for "THE GIVING TREE"! (And I am sure she will claim her prize and give it a good home, el pronto!) 
AND Drumroll ..........the winner is.....................................
.................

Nan Johnson, who BTW commented here right on my blog! 
Congratulations Nancie! She also put her name in on facebook, but I didn't count it twice. Please email me at: Sandy@SandySandy.com with your ship to: Name and address within 24 hrs. to claim your prize!

Thanks for stopping by. 

As always, I appreciate your interest and input.

Good luck with FREE TREE FRIDAY 

and please pay it forward.

P.S. Be sure to meet me at 
Palmyra Cove Nature Park 
this Sunday, 4/6/14, from 1-3pm for  my 
Flowers Feathers and Fur Show Reception.

One lucky guest will win yet another original painting on Yupo paper then!

Also, I am excited to be
abandoning my first art gifts this weekend!

This giving thing is getting addictive!

Have a great weekend.

X ♥  O