Become Who You Are!

"The person who has acquired the habit of study, 

for only one hour every day in twelve months, 

and who keeps to the one thing studied till it is mastered,

will be startled to see the progress made at the end of a year."

~E. G. Bulwer-Lytton

"One of the greatest and simplest tools for learning more and growing is doing more."

~ Washington Irving

7 Tips for a Productive Life

"1. Make a to-do list. ...Give yourself small rewards for completing big tasks. ...

2. Find ways to break up your workday (or night). ..

3. Avoid addictive time-wasting activities. ..

4. Get as much done as early in the day as you can. ..

5. Tackle that really tough to-do first. ... 

6. Showcase your success. ...

7. Tell someone about your goals."

~ Emma Chapman 

Stay Inspired and Productive My Friends
Join me for a summer of sketching everyday! 
 

X ♥  O

Inspiration From Everyday Life

"The MOST important source of inspiration for painting

ideas is our own lives... and what we like the most."

~ Jack Dickerson

Look at this 36" live flower beauty Jerry saved from the trash and brought home

for me to photograph, sketch and paint!  

"One need not travel the world for inspiration.

If one is receptive it meets them half way, everyday."

~ Sandy Sandy

This Sketch is done in my Field Watercolor Journal from the photo I posted above.

"When you do a sketch from life or a photo, don't be

afraid to move things around, use your imagination

and employ some artistic license!" 

~ Sandy Sandy

  This is why people throw out fresh flower wreaths .... They just don't last 🤔 But, I made use of the best looking blooms of these short stemmed beauties and made up several bowl arrangements,

which I photographed and will draw and paint. 

"Opportunity is missed by many people because it is

dressed in overalls and looks like hard work."

~ Unknown

Keeping them safe from flower loving cats in the bathtub. 

Artists - Please feel free to use these as painting reference. 

Stay Inspired My Friends!

X ♥  O

My Sunflowers Are His, In A Way.....

Sunflower Symphony • Sandy Sandy • Tabernacle, NJ 2016

“The sunflower is mine, in a way."
~ Vincent van Gogh

Sunflowers • Van Gogh • Arles, January 1889

The painting is part of the Van Gogh Museum Collection in Amsterdam.

“It is with the reading of books the same as with looking at pictures; one must,
without doubt, without hesitations, with assurance, admire what is beautiful.”
~ Vincent Van Gogh 

A large print of this painting hung in the house of one of my childhood friends.
I found myself admiring it every time I visited.

A few years ago we had a sunflower workshop. See the video HERE.

X ♥  O

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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

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Believe In Your Dreams

"Throw your dreams into space like a kite,

and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life,

a new friend, a new love, a new country."

~ Anais Nin 

Come create 'The Eiffel Tower at Night' in metallic watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black! 

• Space Still Available for 4-13-19 •

 

What a wonderful class we had!!

Studio Class 4/6/19

X ♥  O

 

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Boundless Black - 2019 Art Calendars

“A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black,
because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light."
~ Leonardo da Vinci

 

My 2019 "BOUNDLESS BLACK" Desk and Wall Calendars

 

Please preview the images and purchase while supplies last. 

2019 calendars make memorable presents for all the art and nature lovers
on your holiday list! They're sure to be appreciated year round. 

Desk calendars make awesome family, hostess, co-worker,

 neighbor, teacher or client gifts.

Discounts apply for multiple purchases.

Thanks for taking a look and supporting small American businesses like mine!

X ♥  O

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Owl Bet You'd Love Joyful Art Making

"Misery comes free.
Joy, fun and laughter take planning."
~ C. W. Metcalf

This is one of the demo pieces I did for tomorrow's Alcohol Ink Studio Class here at The Sandarosa. Now WHOO doesn't love having fun, while learning how to paint whimsical owls in alcohol ink? I teach beginners through accomplished professionals all together in one class and the results are nothing short of amazing. I still have a couple of spots available for October 27th (tomorrow's class), but it looks like that may the last ones that are up for grabs during my last studio session for 2018! Get more information HERE and send me a message to reserve your spot!! Go ahead, make a difference in your life, Give a HOOT and come and grab yourself some FUN! OWL always be happy to have you here!!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great Fall.

X ♥  O

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If The Broom Fits ...

"If The Broom Fits, Fly It!"

“There were reasons dark books were written by women, those who were not allowed to publish, those who couldn't own property, those who had been sold for sex, those who had grown old and were no longer desirable, women in chains, women who dreamed, women who had turned left when it seemed the only choice.”
~  Alice Hoffman

 This original 12" x 12" x 3/4" acrylic pour is detailed with alcohol ink. Created on a gallery wrapped n canvas, it comes ready to hang without a frame (but can also be framed if that's your desire). 'If The Broom Fits, Ride It' is on sale now for only $249. 00.

I also have a 10" x 10" high quality reproduction on 1/2" black foam core,
witch is wired and ready for hanging for $60.00.

This popular image is also available matted to 8" x 10" and as  5" x 7"
all-occasion greeting cards witch are blank inside and come with envelopes.
Both sizes can be put into standard-sized frames.

 

Choose Your Product here:

Original 12" x 12" gallery Wrapped Canvas Ready to hang $249.00 USD Print mounted on foam core, 10" x 10". ready to hang $60.00 USD 8" x 10" matted print, ready to frame $15.00 USD (4) 5" x 7" all-ocassion greeting cards, ready to send or frame $19.99 USD

Thanks for stopping by and for looking!

X ♥  O

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Still Searching And Learning

“Learning is the beginning of wealth. 

Learning is the beginning of health. 

Learning is the beginning of spirituality. 

Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins.” 

~ Jim Rohn

This is a 5 x 7" painting on Yupo paper, matted to 8 x 10" - It is a Birch Tree / Pour Lesson - for tomorrow's Sandarosa Studio Class - "To mask, or not to mask, that is the question".... Both techniques will be demonstrated and practiced. These trees were done by masking the trees before pouring the background.

These trees were done without masking by lifting the ink from the poured ink background.

Registration for enrollment in the 2018 Fall Session of my online alcohol ink ecourse, the Fundamentals of alcohol Ink, opens Saturday, Sept. 22nd at 9:54 pm, EDT to coincide with this year's Fall Equinox. The purchase of the full course or individual weeks comes with lifetime enrollment! Go HERE for more detailed information.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week.

X ♥  O

Sharing His Song

"In spite of everything, I shall rise again; 

I will take up my pencil, which I have
forsaken in my great discouragement, 

and I will go on with my drawing."
~ Vincent van Gogh

This drawing is from my Sketching Everyday Blog. It is from a photo taken at Cedar Run, a local wildlife refuge.The owl in the scene is a beloved male barred owl named Squam.

From the CedarRunWildlife Instagram post;

cedarrunwildlife "It is with heavy hearts we share the news of the passing of our great friend, beloved teacher, and loyal ambassador, Squam. For many of the tens of thousands of people who know Cedar Run, chances are, they know Squam. Squam was a true ambassador and educator. He engaged tens of thousands of our members, neighbors, school children, visitors, volunteers, staff and community members with his sense of calm and endearing looks. It was hard not to feel love when looking upon Squam. A true teacher to the end, his lessons will continue on far into the future. Squam first came to us in 2002, when he was about two years old, he packed a lot of living in his 18 years on this earth. He lived a grand life with us, and will be missed by many. One of his favorite things to do was to share his song with us. He loved to sing in auditoriums, where his song would soar and fill the space, or he would sing to the female barred owls in the wild and try to call them to him, sometimes he would sing to the passing fire engine or to the music he heard on the radio. Sometimes it seemed he would sing simply to share his song."

This is a drawing by student and friend, Judy Scott, who worked at the wildlife center
rehabilitating birds and other animals for many years.

 Judy wrote; "  I have access to Squam and I combined two pictures. This is a sketch of Squam and a fledgling Barred Owl. In 2007 Squam was a foster parent to a young Barred Owl that came into the refuge. Although Squam is a male, he was a great surrogate, teaching the young one to eat and fly. Eventually the fledgling was released back into the wild. Thanks for all your support of Cedar Run."

“When the owl sings, the night is silent.” 
 ~ Charles de Leusse

May your spirit continue to soar dear Squamie.

Please add your own recollections about this awesome wildlife ambassador in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week.

X ♥  O