Life & Work with Colleen Sandland of Sherman oaks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Sandland.

Hi Colleen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started painting as a child and knew at age 3 that I wanted to be a famous artist. Now, as I’ve evolved, I realize that fame isn’t important. My mother and brother were artists, so it seemed to have ran in the family. Growing up, as I doodled in my notebooks, while I was watching my brother attend art school, he encouraged me to also go to art school. In elementary school, middle school, high school, my mind was always focused on making art. My passion and my mind was always there. It was always an identity, and I knew it was always who I was. I went to Otis college and fashion school where I learned to make florals for textile designs. I was pursuing the fashion and apparel world when I got into my first selling out show in college at a gallery in chelsea. From there I also started selling internationally and globally.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been bumpy. I feel these days are harder for most artists and galleries because of the polarity of changes that our society has undergone in the past 5 years starting in 2020 and onward. I feel this could be a part of a movement, however, because art is always going to have something to say. Art isn’t silent. Especially when we are challenged or oppressed as a society, it is always very possible to use art as a voice to make changes.
I share the same struggles as most artists, and most people throughout the world who just want change.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I primarily paint pictures of vividly dripping florals. The paintings mesmerize the viewer with captivating color trios and details in the flowers. I focus on foreground, middle ground, and background to juxtapose the sense of reality and to distort consciousness. With a magnetic sense of beauty that I capture, I make others see the lense through a much different angle. My flowers are not “typical” but they are layered with character, life, and some with transparency to give the viewer a tangible experience of life.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most is being connected to my own voice as a creator and having it flow from me with natural, poetic energy. Being connected to my creativity, my zest, drive, and inspiration. As I am inspired, I inspire others to do so as well. Inspiration is passing the torch to the next person who can see the light.

Pricing:

• 18×24 $250
• 30×40 $1,200

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.colleensandland.com
• Instagram: colleen_beatnik
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flowerpowerlovesand?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Other: https://colleen-beatnik.myshopify.com

Image Credits
Ho-Kwan Tse