We recently connected with Sandy Newell and have shared our conversation below.
Sandy, appreciate you joining us today. How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?
I am a firm believer in taking vacations. Even a weekend away from our day to day responsibilities can do wonders, allowing us to recharge our batteries and see the bigger picture. As a self employed artist, vacations provide me with new sources of inspiration, new ways of looking at things and a relief I sometimes feel from the pressures and deadlines of painting in my home studio. I love to bring a small set of paints with me and paint outside on location. One of my paintings of a French chateau ended up as an insert in a plastic tumbler. I have sold numerous prints of my Eiffel Tower painting. I tried to capture the magical feeling of being there.
Sandy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I was born in Chicago and currently reside in Scottsdale, Arizona. I work primarily in watercolor, using a pouring technique to create unexpected textures and reactions.
I received her BFA from the University of Illinois and my MBA from Loyola University of Chicago. I began my career as a graphic designer and successfully operated my own design studio for fifteen years. I also taught art at the local grade school for several years, learning as much from my students as they did from me. I began painting full time after I quit teaching.
I am member of the Arizona Watercolor Society and in 2021 received an Award of Distinction for my painting “Poseidon”. I am a signature member of the Illinois Watercolor Society and won a Best In Show in 2018 for my painting”OMG”. I am represented by The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
In my experience I have found that many non creatives don’t really understand or want to understand the process. Some think we just approach our easel and a painting flows out. When I tell people that every brush stroke is a decision they look at me like I’m crazy. There is a lot of research, experimentation, thinking, and letting go involved in every creative act.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
I don’t really understand the appeal of NFT art. It may be due to my age but mostly to my appreciation of hand crafted art, whether it’s jewelry, a painting, a carving or whatever is touched and created by the human hand.
That being said, if an artist is making money and finds fulfillment in creating NFTs then I’m all for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sandynewelldesign.com
- Instagram: Sandynewelldesign
- Facebook: Sandynewelldesign
Image Credits
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