Build Your Factory!

"A person who works with their hands is a laborer;
a person who works with their hands and their mind is a craftsman;
but a person who works with the hands , and the brain,
and the heart is an artist."
~ St. Thomas Aquinas

Working in various mediums, in different techniques, and on different substrates, I almost always work in series of paintings these days. Searching, exploring, and refining variations of the same subject uncovers hidden nuances with layers of undiscovered possibilities. It exposes a certain depth and proficiency that wouldn't be present in a single work or two.

"The process is not about repetition at all, but rather about being able to explore, investigate, examine or address particular ideas, themes, issues, compositions, concepts or topics in progressively deeper and more meaningful ways, and from a greater variety of perspectives than is possible by making just one or two." ~ ArtBusiness.com

• Check out my new Wet-in-Wet Watercolor Course •

"Repetition is the key to mastery."
~ Sandy Sandy
 Thanks for stopping by. Stay Safe and Happy Creating!

X ♥  O

The Process Isn't About Repetition

"Nature is an endless combination and repetition of
a very few laws. She hums the old well-known air
through innumerable variations."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Star Gazer - Original Watercolor

Although I work in various mediums and in different techniques, I almost always work in series of paintings these days. Searching, exploring, and refining variations of the same subject uncovers hidden nuances with layers of possibilities. It exposes a certain depth and proficiency that wouldn't be present in a single work or two.

Original Galaxy and Aurora Paintings

"The process is not about repetition at all, but rather about being able to explore, investigate, examine or address particular ideas, themes, issues, compositions, concepts or topics in progressively deeper and more meaningful ways, and from a greater variety of perspectives than is possible by making just one or two. It's like looking at something under a microscope as opposed to giving it a casual passing glance. The closer you look, the more you see, and the more you see, the more fascinating your explorations get." ~ ArtBusiness.com

See more about working in a series.

"Repetition is the key to mastery."
~ Sandy Sandy
 Thanks for stopping by. Stay Safe and Happy Creating!

X ♥  O

The Many Benefits of Creating A Series

"A series is a collection of paintings that when viewed

leaves no doubt the same artist created them all.

The theme running through the work is stated and restated

in different yet interconnected ways and the viewer can

look at the collection and understand more easily

what the artist is trying to convey."

~ Lynette Ubel / Ubel Arts, LLC Blog

In Lynette Ubel's excellent blog post, she states, "After the commitment to begin a series is made, it begins to take on a life of its own. With each additional painting in a series, the original thought grows into something more refined and bigger than a singular painting could ever be. Every addition allows the artist’s voice to get louder and clearer, demonstrating that they are on a path,

know what they’re doing, where they’re going, and what they have to do to get there."

I have noticed something happening every time I do a series. It refines my skills as well as my vision. This week's advice to an online student was; "You will really benefit from playing with the pigment without trying to create a masterpiece. (Case in point, below) Because I am rusty at this technique, I did 16 backgrounds - all one right after the other, to re-establish and refine my skills and get comfortable with the results. I didn't get it the first one or two or half dozen, but by the 12th or so try, I felt like I was starting to get the hang of it again. The bottom line is, get help from someone with real experience and don't give up. You need to set up a factory. 

Over the past four Saturdays, I've been giving private lessons to a student
who's been creating a series. She is flourishing and astounded by her progress
and inventory by "building a factory" and doing them assembly-line fashion.

I'm convinced that working on the pieces together and repeating one step at a time,

over and over again can really reinforce and expedite learning and spark individuality.

See John Cage's "Rules for Students and Teachers." 

Actually, I think I'm always working on a series of series these days, lol.

I can't really even remember the last time I worked on a one-on. 

"Not many of us can be convinced that working in a factory is a lot of laughs.

Being a factory may be even worse. But there's something to be said

for building one and getting into it."

~ Robert Genn

Happy Creating!

X ♥  O

 

Six Steps to Sensational Sketches

"Draw, as much 
and as often as you can. 

When drawing lies fallow, 
the skill diminishes."

~ Gene Black

Come learn how to draw a hummingbird

in the Six Steps to Sensational Sketches Technique

at my Special Monthly Class this Thursday 6-25-13.

6 Steps to Sensational Sketches from Sandy Sandy on Vimeo Happy Father's Day & Summer Solstice!

X ♥  O

BABY BLUEBIRD ~ STAY SAFE LITTLE ONE ~SOLD

"When nature made the blue-bird

she wished to propitiate both the sky and the earth,

so she gave him the color of the one on his back

and the hue of the other on his breast."

~ John Burroughs

BABY BLUEBIRD ~ STAY SAFE LITTLE ONE ~ When the bluebirds fledge, we are all on edge ... looking, waiting and hoping to see them again soon. Those first few days are so critical. There are so many dangers in the big wide world. Their parents do all they can with their limited resources. The babies need to hide, eat and grow. They need to learn their flying and survival lessons quickly. We can only stand by helplessly and hope and pray that luck will be on their side and keep them out of harms way.

Baby Bluebird ~ Stay Safe Little One

8" x 6" hand painted watercolor on translucent Yupo paper

acid free double mat w/ backing in sleeve - 8" x 10"

Signed and certified by the artist.

• SOLD

This bluebird piece was drawn and started as a demonstration with one of my students on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, another student came and we drew and painted this cardinal. Both reference photos are from Paint My Photo. When I heard the exact same comment from both ladies; "I didn't think this was going to be so hard.", I had to chuckle.

In painting, like in any skill, I think the basics take the longest to learn. Once the fundamentals are understood and repeated many times, with determination and desire they should become second nature. Things eventually do become easier. I think it's the most challenging endeavors in life that give us the most satisfaction in the end.

"Happiness does not come from doing easy work

but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes

after the achievement of a difficult task

that demanded our best."

~ Theodore Isaac Rubin 

Do you agree? Where do you find your satisfaction?

Have a nice weekend and as always, thanks for stopping by.

X ♥  O

Rescue a Cat or Two

JUNE IS HERE!

 And It's Adopt a Shelter Cat Month!

Each spring, thousands of kittens flood into the already overloaded shelters throughout our country. Litters of cute cuddly, newborn kittens join the millions of older cats desperately in need of a loving, forever home. Petfinder is a great place to start to find individual fur babies that are looking for a family to call their own in your area. Donations, foster parents and shelter volunteers are needed now more than ever.  You can make a difference! Please pass this post on and find out more about how you can help to place the many lovable felines in need. 

Rescues, Fosters and Shelters - I would like to donate artwork to help raise funds for this cause.

Contact me at: sandy@sandysandy.com if you are interested.

Sketching Soothes my Soul and Saves my Sanity

Today's Sketch from George Stubbs' Whistlejacket

I've been getting back into sketching during my convalescence. Today I copied George Stubbs' painting, Whistlejacket. Sketching and painting takes me to a place where I am not aware of myself, the present, past or future. It connects me to a power that is much greater than I am. Without this outlet, I probably would have been much less content than I have been during this ordeal.

 "If you get into the habit of sketching, you'll never be bored." ~ Me

George Stubbs' Whistlejacket

ROM Cam Walker

After reading this blog post by one of my favorite bloggers, I ordered my cam walking boot online.   Read the comments for this post if you are in the market (or may be) for a boot yourself.

 Yesterday I got my cast cut off (again).

I got new x-rays and was fitted into my new stylish black boot. About 10pm last night, it started hurting. When I took it off, I could see it had partially cut off my circulation, so I am wearing it very loose today. I see the physical therapist tomorrow and will request more information on fitting the boot properly.

Spring has sprung here at the Sandarosa. Jerry took this photo of a momma turkey and her brood from the kitchen window.

And one of Chuckie the Woodchuck under the bird feeders, yesterday.

(Does Chuckie have nipples or am I seeing things?)

And Fuzzy Tail, congratulations, looks like you are expecting twins!

There's never a dull moment around here at the Sandarosa Animal Sanctuary!

The Feral Cat Saga continues, but I'll leave that story for next time.

Have a great evening everyone!

A Challenging Commission and a Bum Knee

For the last month, I've been working on a commission for a Ukrainian Priest! It's an involved project and at times I'm wishing that I had never agreed to do it at all. The Father came to my studio in December, loved my Spirit Art and bought an original watercolor. At that time, we talked about his ideas for a commissioned piece. He said, no rush, he just wanted it by Easter. So I didn't think much about it in January and February. Then all of a sudden, we were half way through Lent!

Sketch #1

His idea is to portray the soul (my interpretation here) ascending, with an angel holding a flaming sword in battle with the grim reaper or death (his interpretation). It is going to be big  (20-24" to 24 x30"). He's been thinking about this painting for a very long time and has many ideas. In Sketch # 1, I was thinking very loose and symbolic. Mostly monotone on the angel and reaper with minimal detail. The soul is the star here so it would be in bright yellow, orange and golds with a touch of blue for the eye and soul center. We agreed that the emphasis would be on the soul. Father O. liked the soul very much but thought the figures looked too cartoonish. It was tough understanding him over the phone with his thick accent, but I wrote down all the changes he wanted. In the meantime, I recruited the assistance of my friend, Judy, who had sent Father O. to me from her church. Judy owns a large collection of my work and that is where he first saw my paintings.

Sketch #2

Here is a color rendition of my second submission with all the requested revisions. It was done on tracing paper, Zeroxed and then colored in with pencil to give him an idea of the colors I had in mind. 

Sketch #3

Via Judy, Father O. wanted more changes, which I executed in sketch #3. Changes included flipping the image and multiple alterations to the angel and reaper.

Sketch #4

This is the last sketch I am doing, although Father hasn't seen it yet. It is full size. I have decided to do 3 small painting studies (soul, angel, reaper) so I can figure this out before I go large. I've only been doing small paintings lately and am afraid I'm rusty at working big. A painting of this size, done in transparent watercolor, with all the components involved, takes methodical planning and confident execution.

When I'm working on an illustration like this, I often use tracing paper, then resize elements on my copier and play around with the placement and scale. These are working drawings. They aren't pretty and don't photograph well. I was reluctant to even show them at all, but had time to kill and  thought maybe someone would be interested in seeing the process here.


I am writing this post on my laptop. My knee is on ice, propped up with pillows on the blow-up bed in the studio. Yesterday, I stepped off of the second rung of a tall ladder thinking it was the last step. Twisted my knee, leg, hip and ankle. Yes, it's a doozy and the clock is ticking on this commission. It's another lesson learned the hard way. When am I going to start  paying attention to what I am doing? Sometimes I feel like such a klutz! Do you think it is in my genes? If so, there is a possibility I get it from my dad.

Stay safe and unlike me, pay attention to what you are doing. Comments, feedback and suggestions are always appreciated here, my friends, thanks!

Snowflake the Mother Raccoon is Alive!

About eight to ten years ago, Snowflake the raccoon came into our lives. She was out in broad daylight, up in a tree on the edge of the yard. Jerry thought she was sick, but I knew she wasn't. Just looking at her, you could tell she was the picture of health. She most likely had young ones to feed and was out scouting around for a meal.

A couple of weeks ago, we sadly found a dead momma raccoon on the side of the road, by our driveway. Not wishing to think that it was our own long time resident, Snowflake, we kept hoping for a glimpse of her. She had moved this years' litter out from under the hay shed several weeks ago. We hadn't seen her and the three babies since.

Jerry was working in the yard today when he saw a raccoon out around noon. He called her name several times and each time she paused and looked up, obviously unafraid. We are certain it was her. She is the only raccoon we ever saw out in the middle of the day here. YAY Snowflake! We are both relieved and happy.

Is Your Left or Right Brain Dominant?

WHICH WAY DOES SHE SPIN?

Watch this video and see if the dancer moves clockwise or counter clockwise. If she moves clockwise, you're probably more right brain dominated. You often function using your NON VERBAL, intuitive, creative side. If you see her move counter clockwise, you are in the majority and are more of a left brain dominated, VERBAL, analytical individual.

ACCORDING TO BETTY EDWARDS, AUTHOR OF DRAWING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN, "The right brain perceives and processes visual information, in the way one needs to see in order to draw, and the left brain perceives in ways that seem to interfere with drawing."
"An individual's ability to draw is... the ability to shift to a different-from-ordinary way of processing visual information - to shift from verbal, analytic processing to spatial, global processing." ~ Betty Edwards

I just got my new, revised, expanded and updated copy of Betty Edwards' wonderful classic, "Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain"! Betty says learning to draw is like learning to drive or ride a bike. Once it's learned, we don't have to think about it. I decided to go through the book and do the whole class again. (It has been a while.) Follow along with me this summer as I go through Betty's course and sketch everyday.

Too Much To Share And T.M.I. !

I started looking at my Squidoo Lenses this past weekend and realized most of them had way T. M. I. - TOO MUCH INFORMATION ! So I decided to break them down into more digestible chunks.

I've got two new lenses so far. I hope you find them interesting, helpful and worth your time.

An Obsession With Hummingbirds was inspired by a comment left recently here on my web log.


Simple Sketching Steps contains a new drawing demo.

In Simple Sketching Steps, I also explain my materials and make supply recommendations. My SketchingEveryday Blog starts in one week, so if you plan on following along and doing my sketching challenges this year, make sure you read this short lens and pick up any materials you may need.