We were lucky to catch up with Sandra Sanchez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sandra, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Throughout my childhood and early adolescence, I was primarily self taught and worked digitally. I used to frequent Oekaki boards growing up, where other digital artists would paint and upload their works for other artists to see. It’s not too different from platforms like Instagram – The main difference is that these platforms also came with built-in painting programs for you to use. I was exposed to more skilled artists constantly online, which drove me to practice and polish my technique every day. The digital online painting community in the 2000s really was the starting point of my art journey.

I started becoming more interested in traditional art in high school, and discovered classical oil painting with a book of paintings from the Louvre that my dad purchased for me. From there, a fiery passion for oils began, and I then attended formal schooling at the Grand Central Atelier in New York City. Here I learned the ins and outs of the medium, mastered the fundamentals of classical art (Such as value, form, lighting and color) and how to solve problems in art on my own so that I could work independently. The traditional oil painting community helped me push myself to my technical limits, and allowed me to see my true potential as a painter.

Post graduation, I struggled making artworks on my own. Regardless, I began with simple subjects, such as still lives and portraits. It took 6 years after graduating until I finally made the connection between my childhood artwork (Illustrative works) and my artwork from adulthood (Classical works), and making works that honor both sides of me. The main obstacle was my own mental blockages and doubts. I worried that making this shift would impact my career in the art world, instead of seeing the new possibilities that were available to me now. I doubted my abilities to weave the two art styles together, and hesitated to the point where I’m only making illustrative oil paintings recently. My message to artists is that technique is essential, but it’s only a starting point (Versus the finish line). Self assuredness and a strong self belief that you can make works that resonate with many, many viewers is what will carry you farther than anything else. I could have saved years of figuring out where to take my paintings if I had honed self belief alongside with honing sheer technique.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a fantasy oil painter and illustrator residing in Northern and Southern California. I’ve been a recipient of prestigious awards, including the Anders Larson-Toich Fund Scholarship, the Alma Schapiro Fund Scholarship, and the Neil Patterson Award of Excellence. I’ve also attended the Hudson River Fellowship in the East Coast, which is a landscape fellowship for classical oil painters.

I also work as an online oil painting instructor and mentor artists of all skill levels. I teach not only the fundamentals of artmaking and oil painting, but how to self-critique and self-analyze students’ own works so that they can eventually improve their own artwork (And not end up dependent on instructors 24/7).

I adore sharing all of my knowledge of my art (Both technique and living as an artist in my day-to-day life). Deeply fulfilling is a huge understatement. It’s my way of giving back to the artistic community.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I would love to encourage other artists to have the courage to create and put their works out into the world, and use my skills in teaching and mentoring to help other creatives reach that point.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

There’s always something to learn, and there’s always opportunity for growth. Never in my career have I ever felt that I’ve learned everything I needed, Nothing really beats this – New accomplishments are always on the horizon!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ssanchezfineart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sand.paints/