Tomorrow Never Comes

 "One of these days is none of these days."
~ H.G. Bohn

"I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else." ~ Joseph Campbell Hello Creative Art Loving Friend, I am excited to offer my new online course, GALAXY SKY CONNECTIONS! Working 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 theme 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. Learn how to create an art factory and produce your own Series of Galaxy Sky Paintings in wet-in-wet watercolor. For Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced Artists • All Course Videos Are Now Available •  • Three Archived Live Zoom Classes With Related Demos • • Access To Class Materials List ______________________________________   "Thank you Sandy, I loved loved loved the course! Your method of teaching and coaching along really made it a pleasure to dive into. The set up and supplies, the volumes of lists and documentation you provided really made this a breeze! I would never know what to buy without this. I'm going to do another set and watch again soon!" ~ Lisa   ___________________________________   "If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page." M. Houlahan _____________________________________ Supply List Downloads, Links and Videos Come Join Our Online Community! ______________________________________ Thanks so much for Your Friendship, Sandy@SandySandy.com "Practice like good musician; draw every day." ~ S. Bongart   "I am not a teacher but an awakener." ~ Robert Frost “The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are; first, hard work;  second, stick-to-itiveness;  third, common sense.” ~   Thomas A. Edison

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

 

Thirty New Paintings of Animals I Love

"An animal's eyes have the power 

to speak a great language."

~ Martin Buber

Here are the paintings I completed during the month of January 2014.

Spirit Guides and Animals I Love

8.5" x 6.5" Watercolors On Yupo Paper 

I am very excited to present this collage of artwork which represents my third 30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge series! Each number and title links to a larger view with painting prices, details and the symbolism associated with each animal. Because I'm envisioning these pieces will make some very interesting groupings, you will receive a discount on original paintings from this series in sets of three or more!  Just place your order through the PayPal shopping cart and I'll happily refund 10% of the total price of the artwork.

I'm also planning on offering prints in various sizes on a few of these images, based on popularity. If you'd be interested in a print of one or more of these paintings, please leave me a comment with the name or number in the comments section here or on the painting's individual blog entry. Some of these images have been tweaked since my first post, so please follow the links to see the current version. I'd really appreciate your input too. It will be very helpful in deciding which ones I may offer as prints.

1. Bison ~ Gratitude    2. Deer ~ Gentleness    3. Cardinal ~ Reincarnation

4.  Rooster ~ Confidence      5. Wolf ~ Family and Protection

6. Eagle ~ Inspiration      7. Frog ~ Abundance     8. Dog ~ Loyalty

9. Cat ~ Independence        10. Elephant ~ Ancient Power

11. Rabbit ~ Instinct      12. Hummingbird ~ Love      13. Turtle ~ Patience

14. Hawk ~ Courage      15. Crow ~ Protection      16. Fox ~ Observation

17. Owl ~ Wisdom      18. Horse ~ Power      19. Moose ~ Strength

20. Butterfly ~ Transformation      21. Bear ~ Knowledge

22. Dolphin ~ Playfulness   23. Unicorn ~ Passion   24. Pig ~ Intelligence

25. Heron ~ Focus    26. Squirrel ~ Foresight      27. Goat ~ Balance

28. Dragonfly ~ Magic    29. Groundhog ~ Dreams      30. Chickadee ~ Joy

"If all the beasts were gone, men would

die from a great loneliness of spirit, 

for whatever happens to the beasts 

also happens to the man.  All things are connected. 

 Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. "

 ~ Chief Seattle

See my first 30 Paintings in 30 Days Series,
"Paintings Inspired By Quotes About Trees" 
January 2013.

My second 30 Paintings in 30 Days Series,
"Myths, Folk Tales and Legends" 
September 2013.

Remember, based on popularity, I plan on offering prints 

in various sizes on a few of these new animal paintings. 

Please pick your favorites and voice your opinions!

I appreciate your interest and support very much.

With Heartfelt Thanks,

X ♥  O

Happy Accidents in Art Making ~ Help to Develop a Unique Style

"By playing with 'happy accidents'

that occur while making art and 

following them like unexpected paths

to see where they take us,

we end up developing
our own unique styles."

~ Kim Niles

Happy accidents are prevalent in watercolor,

especially when working on Yupo paper.

Painting over 100 pieces so far in 2013 using this synthetic paper has definitely helped refine my style. By staying loose, experimenting and going with the flow, I stay open to Yupo's unique qualities and let it suggest what to do next.

Sunflower Sunrise

7.5" x 5.5" hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

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

Signed and certified by the artist

Painting Options

matted w/ backing (in sleeve) $85.00 USD matted / framed / med- wood $105.00 USD art only (in sleeve) $80.00 USD

This quote describes how I feel about painting on Yupo paper perfectly -

"In my case all painting... is an accident.

I foresee it and yet I hardly ever

carry it out as I foresee it.

It transforms itself by the actual paint.

I don't in fact know very often

what the paint will do and

it does many things which are very much

better than I could make it do."

~ Francis Bacon

Look at the computer desk and matching table Jerry picked up for me at a yard sale this past weekend! It's even got teal accents! You know how much I love the color - turquoise/teal. You'd never guess how much it was ... It was only $20. for both pieces!! Can you believe my good luck? I am in totally-organized-computer-station-heaven. 

Have a great day!

Thanks so much for your friendship,

emails and comments!

X ♥  O