Happy 2014 ! ~ Year of The Horse

"According to the Chinese astrology calendar,

the Year of the Green Wood Horse

will begin Feb. 4, 2014 and it will be

a year full of true spirit, opportunity,

determination, focus and endurance."

The horse will lead us into a year full of great turning points, opening a new period of human evolution and change which will set the stage for the next 25 years.

Year of the Horse

Signed and certified by the artist and matted to 8" x 10".
Purchase information here.

Here is a shot of my first wash on the Yupo paper.

As you can see, I wasn't real concerned with staying in the lines.

The darker colors can be painted directly on top of the initial wash.

If the colors were lighter, the surface could first be wiped back to clean paper.

Starting tomorrow, for the whole month,

I'll be doing my third

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.

This time, I really feel prepared.

I've settled on the theme of "Spirit Guides"

and have already done 36 thumb nail sketches.

I pre-cut all my paper and plan to use the same color palette

throughout the series.

In January 2013, I didn't even find out

about the challenge until January 3rd,

but was able to complete all 30 paintings in my series;

 "Paintings Inspired by Quotes About Trees".

In September, my "Legends, Myths and Folktales"

proved to be more complicated than I had anticipated,

so this month I've decided to K.I.S.S. it.

"Keep It Sensationally Simple"

I hope you will follow my daily posts, give me some feedback,

come join in the fun and paint along if you have the gumption.

"In truth, people can generally make time for what they choose to do;
it is not really the time but the will that is lacking."
~ John Lubbock

Have a great New Years Eve.

Wishing You Health, Happiness, Love and Prosperity in 

2014, The Year Of The Horse!

"Think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year's."
~Henry Moore

X ♥  O

Furry Family Member

"The difference between friends and pets

is that friends we allow into our company,

pets we allow into our solitude."

~ Robert Brault

Tan Tan
Commissioned Portrait • SOLD

Some bitter-sweet Christmas gifts were commissioned this year for one dear family

after the sudden premature death of their beloved furry family member,

Tanner Sanchez Heil.

Tanner Sanchez Heil
Commissioned Portrait • SOLD

"Connor loved his picture of Tanner "Sanchez" (lol)

he held back the tears but said inside he was very emotional.

The picture of Tanner "Tan Tan" was very emotional for Sammy when she opened it 

but she was so very excited to have a picture of Tanner for her room.

They both said that it was the best present ever!"

~ Dorrie Crouse-Heil

*****************

Knowing that we will probably

outlive our pets can be a very sad thought.

All too well, we avid animal lovers can relate to

the grief and healing process of losing a beloved furry family member.

I feel fortunate that my art will serve as a

permanent memorial to a unique individual.

I also hope it will provide some joy and comfort along the way.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you are enjoying the holidays!

X ♥  O

The Greatest Story Ever Told ... ~ SOLD

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day;

their old familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet the word repeat

of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Away in a Manger

8" x 10" framed original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Signed and certified by the artist.

• SOLD

*********

In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census be taken of the entire Roman world.  And everyone went to his own town to register.

Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be his wife, being great with child.  

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born and Mary gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room at the inn.

An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  A great force shone around them, and they were terrified, but the angel said to them, "Do not fear. I bring news of great joy, for today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

A multitude of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men."

*********

Especially now, I am reminded of how lucky, blessed and totally thankful I am

for you; friends and family and for your support through thick and thin.

Today I'm Wishing You and Everyone You Love

A Bright Christmas and Joyful Holiday Season!

Peace and Love

X ♥  O

SEASON'S GREETINGS! ~ SOLD

"No one really knows when Christ was born.

It was settled on December 25th

for mythological,

not historical, reasons." 

~ Joseph Campbell

HAPPY YULE, WINTER SOLSTICE WISHES,

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Madonna and Child

8" x 10" framed original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Signed and certified by the artist.

• SOLD

I've been hearing a lot about "Keeping Christ in Christmas" this year, ...However, we also must remember that people were celebrating the YULE around the winter solstice way before Christ. Many traditions (tree, giving presents, lights, foods, songs, etc. were taken from Pagan traditions.) Just sayin' ... even if Christ isn't in your Christmas, it's not going to happen by people telling you to put him there. As long as your spirit is in the right place, personally, I think it's all good!

"And now today, whether observing Yule or Christmas or one of the other seasonal festivals, all are variations on the same theme. The good cheer, jolly music, sprigs of mistletoe, wreaths of holly, brightly wrapped packages at the foot of trees decorated with shiny ornaments and colored lights common to the season are culturally inflected expressions of five thousand years of human tradition."

~ Joseph Campbell

WISHING YOU HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY

DURING THIS FESTIVE SEASON AND IN THE YEAR TO COME!

X ♥  O

2013 Was A Very Yupo Year

"There is no harm
in repeating a good thing."
~ Plato

I just finished this painting and it is headed up to NYC to be included in

the corporate collection and gallery display of Legion Paper.

You can see snapshots of my trip to Legion Paper

and my Yupo Paper Demonstration on facebook.

See my NYC 2014 Spring Demo Schedule here.

Starry Starry Moonlit Night

11.5" x 14.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Signed and certified by Sandy Sandy

Corporate Collection, Legion Paper, NY, NY

• SOLD

Marketing Director, Marc Schotland, liked my "swirl series",

so I did several versions and this is the one he chose.

Looking back, it has been a Very Yupo Year!

I never dreamed that I'd paint over 160 "keeper" watercolors

on the slick synthetic surface in 2013. My success was largely

facilitated by the jump start I got listening to the Leslie's AHA

blog casts and participating in Ms. Saeta's 30 in 30 challenges.

In January 2014, I'll be doing my third

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge with Leslie Saeta

along with over 200 awesome artists worldwide.

I'm getting a little nervous though, because I'm still not
sure what my next month's theme will be.

In January 2013, I did "Paintings Inspired by Quotes About Trees"

and in September I did, "Legends, Myths and Folktales".

If you've got any ideas or suggestions, I'm all ears!

Follow along, come join in the fun and paint if you have the gumption.
In any case, wish us all luck and stick-to-a-tive-nous!

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Oh, one last thing, I'd really appreciate a small favor tonight.

Please share my work and spread the word about my 

year end studio sale to your family and friends.

It would mean so much to me.

X ♥  O

THANKS FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP!

Best Wishes Always to You and Yours

Painting Exhibit Extended Through December

"There is no telling how many miles

you will have to run

while chasing a dream."

Charge On Rhinoceros Spirit!

What I've learned so far ...
In order to become a successful artist, one must grow 2" thick skin
and continually charge after goals with persistence and tenacity.

Our Black Friday, Saturday (& Sunday) Sale was fairly successful. Everyone who came had a super good time and left with some free gifts and new art treasures. Although more than a dozen pieces of art found new homes (or will be waiting for one under the Christmas tree), this event did not meet my projected goals. I was disappointed in the number of people who actually showed up. If I had a dollar for everyone who said they were coming and didn't, I could buy myself a very nice dinner. It's human nature that people are trying to be nice, I guess. So tell me artists, don't you prefer honesty over brown-nosing politeness? If someone dosen't have any intention of coming why tell me otherwise? It's like hearing the old line, "I'll be back" at art shows. One time after hearing that a dozen times in a single day, I just blurted out in frustration, "Oh, no you won't!" I know it was wrong of me, but now it kind of makes me chuckle to remember the shocked look on that well intentioned lady's face.

It took a lot of planning and a couple of days of hard work to get the studio set up for this event. We are very pleased with the display and have decided to leave it up during the month of December.

I am offering appointments to view over 150 framed and 100 matted original watercolors accompanied by 30 gallery wrapped and framed acrylics painted over the past decade. 

A 20% discount will be applied to all items purchased at the studio until Christmas. This is a substantial savings. My regular original painting prices will be going up 10% as of January 1, 2014.

I also have gift certificates which can be used for lessons, paintings and prints; all purchased now through the end of the month at a 20% discount. 

I hope some of you local people reading this will consider making an appointment to come by my studio.

Give me a call at: 609.268.9106

or email me at: Sandy@SandySandy.com. 

I don't know if and when I'll have such a varied

collection of work on display together again.

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you didn't mind a little ranting.

Have a good one!

☺