Artist Spotlight: Sandra Busby
1. Tell us a little bit about how you got your start?
I used to draw all the time when I was little.
For my bears, my inspiration comes from atmosphere; A dimly lit room, a stack of dusty books, a vintage object…
But generally speaking, anything either light reflecting, or that is of some sentiment to me, inspires me to want to paint it.
I also find other art blogs to be a constant source of inspiration, not just because of the huge variety of art on show, but because of the endless encouragement and support I get from those people who leave comments on my own blog. It’s those comments that keep me motivated when things aren’t going well in my art studio!
But if I had to choose my favourite famous, living Artist, it has to be Rolf Harris! He is 81 years old and very much alive! He was an all round television entertainer as I was growing up, but his main talent has always been painting.
I hope that he will one day be remembered as an ‘Old Master’ of the 20th – 21st century because, entertainment factor aside, he is an incredibly talented Artist.
Amongst my list were bubbles, glasses and marbles, but right at the top of the list was my Dad’s childhood bear.
I had always wanted to learn to paint with oils in the traditional way and had also wanted to paint a portrait of someone of importance, like the old masters used to.
But I wanted to inject my own personality in to the painting too, so instead of an actual person, I painted a portrait of Dad’s old bear, in a vintage style but with my own modern twist.
I enjoyed every brush stroke and so I decided to do an entire series, which I am part way through :0)
Apart from that, I generally choose subjects that I either have some sentiment to, or simply attracts me in some way – often by the way it reflects light.
I do dabble in watercolour from time to time and I plan do do more of that this year – but the short answer is oils. That is my first choice :0)
Never give up! Treat every failure as a lesson that you would never have learned had you not made the mistake.
Draw inspiration from other Artists, but try not to be too heavily influenced – this way you will eventually find your own style.
And paint what you ‘want’ to paint – definitely not what you think you ‘should’ paint.
Stubborn
Compassionate
Creative
Persistent
