The Art Of Play

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some people are so serious all the time! Maybe they never really learned how to play, or the skill was just stunted as a kid.  Perhaps they stopped playing at a certain age and were told to "grow up", be serious and stop acting "like a child". The sad part is that these people are missing out on a lot of fun in life. Acting silly once in a while is good for the mental well being and soul of all earthly beings.

“A little nonsense now and then,

is cherished by the wisest men and women.”

Jerry was thrilled with my surprise birthday gift; his very own website for his yard art.

www.JerrysYardArt.com

Check out his whimsical creations.

“This is the real secret of life;

to be completely engaged with what

you are doing in the here and now.

And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.”
~ Alan W. Watts

We all let loose, played and acted a little silly this weekend at the

"Inspired by van Gogh Workshop" here at the studio.

See a slideshow of the event here:

Inspired by Vincent Playshop ~ 5.21.17

"Be silly, be honest, be kind."

~ Emerson

Thanks for stopping by!

X ♥  O

Jerry's Yard Art

“Logic will get you from A to Z;
imagination will get you everywhere.”
~  Albert Einstein

 

My husband, Jerry has really been on a roll with his yard art lately!

He has so much fun with it. And people just love it!

His birthday is this Saturday and I'm going to surprise him with a website for his art.

Shh! It's a secret though...

See more of Jerry's yard art here.

And here ...

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

The Artistic Vision

The vision must be followed by the venture.

It is not enough to stare up the steps;

we must step up the stairs." 

~ Vance Havner

The Hummingbirds Are Here!!

Only 9 days to Mother's Day!

Give the gift of love that outlasts the present!!

The Spring Session Starts on May 14th.

Week - 2  Hummingbirds is going to carry you into the joy of the right-brain shift and of
really seeing value and better understanding color. Introducing more tools and inking
techniques along with some basic drawing lessons.  See More ....

Included in week two are four complete step by step bird lessons
(3 hummingbirds and a cardinal), 27 videos, 19 PDF print outs,
access to view or purchase the starter kit, Blick U supply list and printouts,
all resource links - for one full year, and a lifetime membership
in the private FUNdamentals of alcohol ink facebook group.
More Week Two Details and Supply List ...

Check out the many options and see what people are saying about this course!

Happy Creating!

LOVE PUTS JOY IN THE HEART

Awaken The Joy!

"It is the supreme art of the teacher  to

awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."

~ Albert Einstein

Getting excited about this weekend's Spring Alcohol Ink Workshop here at the Sandarosa.

I have done numerous test demos, trying to whittle my time down to 30 minutes.

Here are the steps taken to achieve the dark background on this one. 

"I'm convinced that the best way to learn is by teaching."

~ John Ferrie

Have a great weekend and Happy Spring!

Rating Hummingbird Feeders From My Reject Pile

The 2017 Ruby Throated Hummingbird Migration
is Underway! 
Get Your Feeders Ready and Avoid These Blunders!

Here is a snapshot of some of my Hummingbird Feeder
discards and disasters.

 I'm sharing them with you, so you don't make the same mistakes!

Going from left to right (clockwise) . . .
Bottom Left:
A. Perky-Pet Brand Hummingbird Feeder - I'm not sure where this came from or when. Pros: Made in USA, Cons: The picture on the box shows the dreaded red-dyed hummingbird nectar which the company still sells! It is common knowledge that at best the dye is totally unnecessary and it may even be harmful to the birds. This feeder would be a nightmare to clean for various reasons. You don't even want to get me started! To tell you the truth, I can't ever remember even opening the box before. And from my experience with flocks of hummers, they prefer the saucer feeders. 

Top Left:
B. No-Name Arty Hummingbird Feeder -Pros: A gift. Unique. Cons: Made in China. Hard to clean, too many parts, not my type. (Probably goes for 70% of all pretty feeders too.)

 Top:
C. Best One - Giant Hummingbird Feeder - Pros: Made in USA. A half gallon capacity and eight ports! (See bottom in center of basket.)Woo Hoo! Could last me more than 24 hrs. in an emergency situation. (ie: I couldn't be home to monitor the nectar situation 24/7.) Cons: Hard to clean and fill. Very Heavy when full. Top loop broke off from weight and hubby patched it. Plastic has discolored. Too ugly to put back up. I still have good feelings for this object though and will keep it on hand for back-up.
  
Top Right:
D. The Droll Yankee Window Feeder - Pros: Made in USA, Very cute, Really Close-up Viewing, Fun, time consuming project. Cons: Doesn't hold much nectar. Messy sticky windows from hummingbird poo. Many little parts.
Far Right:
E. Perky-Pet Brand - Oasis Feeder - Pros: Made in USA, Hummingbirds love these feeders! I used them for years and just retired my last few. I have phased them out for several reasons. Cons: The company stills sells red nectar. The little yellow flowers are unnecessary and create a lot more work in the maintenance department. They fall off and get brittle and are a bitch to clean. (Please pardon my French.) Loop on top of hanger is smaller, making connector "S" hooks necessary when attaching to a shepherd's hook. 

Bottom Right:
F. Aspects Oriole Feeder - Pros: Made in USA, Quality product, Easy to clean. Nectar recipe on bottom of lid. Cons: I can't seem to attract Orioles. They pass through occasionally, but quickly move on. Only four ports. Not optimal for hummingbirds, but would do in a pinch.

G. Not Pictured (All in use.):
HummZinger - Aspects - Pros: Many! Cons: Few! - I now almost exclusively use Aspects HummZingers. I have many of their various sizes and models and love them for many reasons. See yesterday's post's photo of a 16 oz. HummZinger. There is too much information to go into today, but I promise to tell you more about them, list their features and rave about the benefits of owning these in a variety of sizes in an upcoming post! Until then, Happy Humming! (See HummZingers in video below.)

 

See 5 Steps to Happy Hummingbirds Here

Watercolor on Yupo Class at Rehoboth Art League, Delaware

 “Life remains unchanged till a leap of faith
runs towards heaven.”
~ Santosh Kalwar

Saturday, June 10th,  1 - 4 - The Rehoboth Art League, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Come discover how forgiving and fun painting on tree-free Yupo paper is! Paint a "rainbow feather" (or two or three), in transparent watercolor on synthetic Yupo paper. The basics of painting on Yupo will be discussed while the instructor demonstrates. Students will then have the opportunity to create their own with the "tricks and tips" and hands-on guidance.

Watercolor sits on the surface of Yupo paper, so you don't lose 30% of the brightness like you do on regular rag watercolor paper. You will love creating these feathers. It is simple, fast paced and done without any preliminary drawing! It is fun for all skill levels.

All Yupo paper will be supplied by Legion Paper. Students will only need to bring their watercolor supplies. Instructor -- Sandy Sandy  See more information and register here.

"A person’s mind, once stretched by a new idea,

never regains its original dimensions."

 ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

See supplies needed for the class here.

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

Spring Is In The Air!

"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries

of the earth are never alone or weary of life."

  ~ Rachel Carson

April 9th- Sandarosa Studio Workshop

Celebrate Spring - Get Creative and Play!

See the slideshow from this workshop here.

"Nature is my medicine."  ~ Sara Moss-Wolfe

Thanks for stopping by and
Happy Creating!

Believe In Magic

“The world is full of magic things, 

patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” 

~ W.B. Yeats

Magical Things by Sandy Sandy SpiritArtist

Testing out some new (for me) paper. Stonehenge Aqua Cold Press 140# from Legion Paper. I mostly work on Yupo these days, but have also exclusively used Arches for over 4 decades. Really feel rusty working on the cotton, but liked the soft, forgiving, absorbent quality of this sheet. Trying the same image on the Hot Press Stonehenge next. Of course, after using Yupo, these colors really look washed out to me, but I'm getting used to it. This was done wet-in-wet, first wetting both sides of the paper. Your comments and any recommendations for improvements and for working on the HP paper is appreciated.

Have a great weekend and happy creating!!

Thanks for stopping by.

X ♥  O

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