Named by my parents, Sandra Sandy, I have always been known as Sandy Sandy in everyday life. I was born in the mid fifties and grew up in the 60’s. Self expression through art, has taken many forms through the years, but has always been a lifelong pursuit.
I'm living my childhood dream of residing in the country. Surrounded by animals, nature and creating everyday, keeps me happy and inspired. A lover of color, (especially turquoise), I feel something's personally lacking when I'm not wearing it.
I'm living my childhood dream of residing in the country. Surrounded by animals, nature and creating everyday, keeps me happy and inspired. A lover of color, (especially turquoise), I feel something's personally lacking when I'm not wearing it.
Encouraged by my mother, I grew up with a burning desire to create. Compiling completed coloring books, drawing along with Jon Gnagy on TV and sketching animals from the encyclopedia led to childhood contests, clubs and classes. In preschool days, I went door to door with my wagon, selling my art (and homemade glue) to the neighbors. Then teaching started very early on, over fifty years ago. Yes, at the age of thirteen, I put an ad in the Penny Saver and started holding summer art camp in my parents' garage. Later, classically trained in art, I graduated from Moore College of Art, in Philadelphia, with a BFA in painting and Illustration. A sign, advertising and illustration business followed for almost two decades. After a divorce and a new marriage, I've been writing, teaching and painting full time; for over twenty five years now.
My husband, Jerry, and I live on a small spread we call The Sandarosa, in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. It's a place called Tabernacle, on the edge of the Wharton State Forest. We are kept in line by my horse, Rita, six house cats, six barn cats and a bunch of well fed, neutered ferals. Our property is home to wild turkeys, deer, raccoons, skunk, fox, and birds of every description. Although we share our home with prestigious birds such as hawks, owls and an occasional eagle, my favorite among them are the hummingbirds that we get in droves every spring and summer. See information about my book, An Awakening to the Presence of Animal Spirits.
I do my painting in a bright, spacious studio built onto the house in 2001. Giving demos and classes at Sandarosa Studio and other locations from Boston and New York City to Florida, connects me to dozens of artists every year. With my online offerings, I can touch the hearts and link up with minds of others traveling the art dream-way. My aim is to fan the creative flames that lie within you. Since I went to school BC (before computers), I never imagined being able to share my passion and delight with so many other like minded, creative spirits. I am so happy to be living in an age when I can reach out, share my knowledge and spread the love of creating with the click of a button.
See Sandy's Interview on Artsy Shark here.
After painting mainly in watercolor for over 45 years, experimenting and playing with alcohol inks since 2013 has brought more fun into my 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 online classroom platform in 2016 ushered in new beginnings and adventures. My advice to the artists I mentor is to have fun, lighten up, be your own best friend. Enjoy your art. Focus less on perfection and the end result and more on the wonderful, magical, process of creating.
As Emerson said; "Scatter joy!"
For almost a decade, I've been teaching drawing, watercolor and alcohol ink classes on several online platforms. Teaching art in-person for over 25 years, I am looking forward to reopening my home studio to live classes soon after being locked down due to the pandemic. I feel that it’s important to draw regularly and I have completed a personal Drawing Everyday Challenge from June - August for over 12 summers since 2006. I encourage students to stay loose and playful, to be their own best friend and to stop being so critical of themselves. I teach artists not to be fearful of making mistakes, because that’s the way we learn. I often find myself repeating; "Mistakes are your best friends and they tell you what you need to know. Nothing comes for free, except for the gift of mistakes."
My husband, Jerry, and I live on a small spread we call The Sandarosa, in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. It's a place called Tabernacle, on the edge of the Wharton State Forest. We are kept in line by my horse, Rita, six house cats, six barn cats and a bunch of well fed, neutered ferals. Our property is home to wild turkeys, deer, raccoons, skunk, fox, and birds of every description. Although we share our home with prestigious birds such as hawks, owls and an occasional eagle, my favorite among them are the hummingbirds that we get in droves every spring and summer. See information about my book, An Awakening to the Presence of Animal Spirits.
I do my painting in a bright, spacious studio built onto the house in 2001. Giving demos and classes at Sandarosa Studio and other locations from Boston and New York City to Florida, connects me to dozens of artists every year. With my online offerings, I can touch the hearts and link up with minds of others traveling the art dream-way. My aim is to fan the creative flames that lie within you. Since I went to school BC (before computers), I never imagined being able to share my passion and delight with so many other like minded, creative spirits. I am so happy to be living in an age when I can reach out, share my knowledge and spread the love of creating with the click of a button.
See Sandy's Interview on Artsy Shark here.
After painting mainly in watercolor for over 45 years, experimenting and playing with alcohol inks since 2013 has brought more fun into my 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 online classroom platform in 2016 ushered in new beginnings and adventures. My advice to the artists I mentor is to have fun, lighten up, be your own best friend. Enjoy your art. Focus less on perfection and the end result and more on the wonderful, magical, process of creating.
As Emerson said; "Scatter joy!"
For almost a decade, I've been teaching drawing, watercolor and alcohol ink classes on several online platforms. Teaching art in-person for over 25 years, I am looking forward to reopening my home studio to live classes soon after being locked down due to the pandemic. I feel that it’s important to draw regularly and I have completed a personal Drawing Everyday Challenge from June - August for over 12 summers since 2006. I encourage students to stay loose and playful, to be their own best friend and to stop being so critical of themselves. I teach artists not to be fearful of making mistakes, because that’s the way we learn. I often find myself repeating; "Mistakes are your best friends and they tell you what you need to know. Nothing comes for free, except for the gift of mistakes."