SPOTLIGHT ARTIST Sandra Wright
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- August 1, 2018
- Thalo Team
Thalo loves to promote artists and each month, we spotlight a member of our community!
This month we are pleased to have Sandra Wright as the thalo Spotlight Artist.
Thalo Team: Can you give an "elevator pitch" of your work?
Sandra Wright: The work of Sandra Wright is represented by strong colors and strokes, full of details and unusual themes that focusing primarily in nudes and portraits.
TT: What is your artwork about and what do you want people to take from it?
SW: I want people to see craftsmanship, liveliness, good work and attention to detail. Also want to awake in them questions, awe and interest because of my unusual subjects.
Little Ballerina, 16" x 20", Pastel
Childhood Clown, 16" x 20", Oil
TT: Which artists do you feel have influenced your art the most?
SW: First the Old Masters and Second all the young modern masters living in the USA nowadeays too many to mention but my favorites are: Casey Baugh, David Gray, Robert Liberace and Scott Waddell, these people are outstanding.
TT: Do you have a preferred method of presentation for your artwork and why? (Examples: workshops, gallery shows, Instagram, etc.)
SW: My own website, social media and online galleries like Saatchi art and Fine America and lastly brick and mortar galleries.
A Study on Still Life, 12" x 16", Oil
Andromeda al Desnudo, 16 x 20, Oil
TT: Out of all of your creations (or bodies of work) which one did/do you find the most cathartic in creating?
SW: My painting "Shhh...". My friends showed intense distaste because of the subject and I even doubted about finishing it. But I did and it got all kinds of attention not just in WV, but California, Kentucky, Virginia and online: Tarttalks, The Blue Door Journal, social media, Linus Gallery becoming the winner of 2015 Best of WV Art Show at the Tamarack, etc. I was going through a divorce with lots of uncertainty but this painting brought me luck and good things to my present life that I never thought possible.
"Shhhh..", 16" x 20" oil
TT: When was your “Aha!” moment that led your work to where it is now?
SW: Meeting my friend and artist Mary Ekroos. She showed me a new way to draw, paint and color mixing techniques that at first didn't make much sense to me but then all it became clear as day.
TT: How has your work (or technique) changed over time?
SW: I still use lot of details in my paintings but now the craftsmanship is 100% better.
Stuff of Nightmares, 24" x 18", Oil
TT: How do you promote yourself and your art?
SW: I contact galleries, artists, websites and newspapers on my own. There is no such thing as being discovered, you have to show the world what you have to offer and make yourself be noticed through good work.
TT: Do you have any tips or advice for fellow artists based off of your experiences thus far?
SW: Be positive, hard working, committed, never get disheartened by criticism and believe in yourself. You have to be fearless in your art and in your life.
Windmills from route 219, 16" x 20", Oil
TT: What are you working on right now and why?
SW: All and nothing, I am doing a commission, working of multiple painting at once: nudes and portraits that I hope to finish some time between the coming year. It is a lot of work.
TT: What would you consider to be your "biggest achievement" with your work thus far?
SW: Being taking seriously after I started wining bigger and bigger competitions, selling my work and get the attentions of newspapers and galleries. I still feel like all was a dream from my humble beginnings but there is more to come.
Mural, 12' x 7', Acrylic
TT: What was your first work of art that you were proud of? Where is it now?
SW: The first portrait I did in pastel; It was my step-grandson Austin, I submitted it for competition at the 2006 Chesapeake College Art Show, I won the first place. My former step-daughter and her mother bought it!
TT: Do you take commissions? Why or why not?
SW: Yes, I do but it won't be for too long. I want to paint the painting I have been waiting so long to do as time waits for no one.
On a Tablecloth, 13" x 13", oil on wood
TT: What do you do when you aren't working on artwork (hobbies, job, etc.)?
SW: Reading, crossword puzzles and plying games on different devices and watching YouTube. All of that relaxes me and bring me new ideas helping me in m thought process
Artist Muse, 12" x 16", Oil
TT: How do you overcome art blocks?
SW: Putting the subject to rests for days or even months and then coming back to it. Also reading about it or talking to other artist also helps.
TT: Where do you see your work taking you in the next 5-10 years?
SW: Being in the bigger galleries in the US and abroad, the sky is the limit!
The Girl From Georgia, 16" x 20", black and white charcoal
TT: Is there something that you would like to share with us that we have not covered, that pertains to you and your work?
SW: That you have to take your time to learn; nothing happen spontaneously, involves work and practice. I started since I was 8 years all with no pressure, just enjoying learning and letting my imagination grow free and I have loved every step.
TT: Follow Sandra Wright on thalo! More of Sandra's work can be seen at:
https://www.saatchiart.com/all?query=Sandra Wright
https://www.facebook.com/sandrawrightart/
