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2009 : Newest... .November... .October... .September... .August. .July.. .June. .May. .April.. .March.. .February...January

2008.........2007

"Spirit is the essence of art."

~ February 2010 ~

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February 4th ~ So Many Injustices
I'd be even more neurotic than I already am if I let all the horrific and unjust current events on our planet really get to me. Emails flood my inbox daily from numerous human rights, animal rights and citizen's rights organizations as well as many forwards from friends and acquaintances about all kinds of maladies and unsettling statistics. How does one deal with all of this information overload? Any reasonable ideas will be considered. At the moment I've got my dander up about the BLM''s Wild Mustang Roundups and the AIG's outrageous bonuses.
"Getting bombarded with information on the internet is lsimilar to constantly getting blasted with a fire hose!" ~ Sandy Sandy

This image is one of many available for licensing, found online in my microstock portfolio.

View My Portfolio

sandy sandy
February 1st ~ The Amazing Global Market Place
I am currently post processing photos from a shoot I did a couple of weeks ago. I found a professional imaging lab in Kansas that I am going to use for my client's prints. In this day and age, if you can navigate the web, the world is truly your oyster. It excites me to think about the limitless opportunities that await us on the iworld - wide horizon.

"Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks." ~ Unknown

"Getting information off the Internet is like taking a drink from a fire hydrant." ~ Mitchell Kapor

"The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow." ~ Bill Gates

This image is one of the many shots of "Elena", the very talented, photogenic subject of my January 16th photo session.

~ January 2010 ~

sandy sandy
January 28th ~ Education
There is so little time and so much to learn! I've been spending my days and nights learning image editing software and photography lately. It is often frustrating and I frequently try again and again before I grasp the idea. However, there is a deep satisfaction when I finally understand a method, develop a skill and produce an acceptable end product. My friend, Nan Louie, says we must continue to learn or we get "lazy brain". I do believe that in some ways, the mind is like a muscle. The more we exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more we are capable of. I strongly believe one of the ways to stay young is to always continue to challenge yourself by learning new things. I also believe that the harder you struggle, the greater the satisfaction is in the end.

"A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed-seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind." ~ James Allen

"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. " ~ Aristotle

"For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them." ~ Aristotle

Today's image is what I was working on today in Photoshop. I isolated this hummingbird and Columbine  from their background and created clipping paths. They are not completely finished as I have to go back and refine my selections. I plan on uploading these and others to my microstock sites. This will allow designers to change the color of the background or add these elements to other images with a couple of clicks of their mouse. See the original painting, which is still available for sale, here.

sandy sandy
January 25th ~ Affirmations
Affirmations are positive statements that express a desired situation. When repeated many times, these words impress the idea as truth on the subconscious mind. Formal declarations have been proven time after time to generate a positive outcome when repeated with conviction and emotion. It is said that the fastest way to make something happen is to believe and act as if it is already so.

"I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest." ~ Muhammad Ali

"Affirmations are not bound up in rules. An affirmation can be long or short, poetic or plain. If you love a phrase and find that it helps you, that is a valid affirmation." ~ Eric Maisel

"Affirm it, visualize it, and it will actualize itself." ~ unknown

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January 18th ~ Best Friends
This past weekend I had the pleasure of conducting a photo shoot here with a couple of dear friends. It was fun, heartwarming and inspirational to see the close relationship that a mother and daughter can have. These two people are truly "best friends". I think that their memories of our fun filled day of photography will stay with them for a long time. It may even stand out as one of life's wonderfully happy memories. I am honored to document the transition of this lovely girl as she turns into a young woman and be a witness to the genuine love, caring and respect that they share for each other. 

"A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future."  ~ Author Unknown

"My mother wanted me to be her wings, to fly as she never quite had the courage to do." ~ Erica Jong 

"A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend."  ~ Author Unknown

"My mother's my teacher, my advisor, my greatest inspiration." ~ Whitney Houston

This is the last photo of our lengthy photo session. Although the shoot was for her daughter, I convinced mom to join in for the last few. I love this shot. For me it really portrays the essence and spirit of mother/daughter love.

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January 14th ~ Symbiotic Relationships
The dictionary defines symbiosis an interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both. In my last post, I mentioned that after viewing a new PBS documentary about hummingbirds, I now understand how so many multiply and thrive here. There has recently been a discovery in Arizona which I am sure is also true here. Hummingbirds build their nests in close proximity to those of Coopers Hawks, of which we have plenty! This prevents or greatly reduces the predation of the hummers' offspring by Crows, Blue Jays and others. The hawks don't seem to take much interest in their tiny neighbors. The comparative giants probably see them as just too small, feisty and agile to bother with. If this is a true symbiotic relationship however, the hawks must get something out of it too. This little example reminds me that there are so many natural mysteries and lessons yet to be discovered!

"The world basically and fundamentally is constituted on the basis of harmony. Everything works in co-operation with something else." ~ Preston Bradley

 "It is probably not love that makes the world go around, but rather those mutually supportive alliances through which partners recognize their dependence on each other for the achievement of shared and private goals." ~  Fred A. Allen

"Nothing in the universe exists alone. Every drop of water, every human being, all creatures in the web of life, and all ideas in the web of knowledge are part of an immense, evolving, dynamic whole as old, and as young, as the universe itself." ~ Unknown

Today's image is a two minute gesture drawing from last July's Drawing Everyday Project.

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January 11th ~ Magic In The Air
I had the good fortune to catch a wonderful premier film on PBS last night called; Hummingbirds, Magic In The Air. It really got me pumped up because it verified some of my own findings and solved the big mystery about how I attract an ever expanding number of hummers to my yard year after year. This one particular amazing fact blew me away and I will share it with you in my next post. I finally understand why I have SO MANY here! You Spirit Art followers know what a hummer lover I am.  Although maintaining my huge colony is a lot of work in the summer, the birds are a great source of joy, inspiration and encouragement to me. This stunningly beautiful documentary really got me missing my little flying friends; (Munchkin, Yard Dog, Mommy Girl and all the many others) but I felt much better after I went through all my hummingbird images and ordered the DVD for myself.
Today's Image is from my August 2007 Drawing Everyday Blog 8/30/07 ~ Hummingbirds And Columbine ~ I got a little carried away with this idea sketch, but I was having so much fun! Crossing a fine line between a sketch and a painting, this was created in my sketchbook, so it's more a study than a painting. Besides, tomorrow's the end of the Drawing Everyday Blog for this summer and I'd like to go out in style!

I can hardley wait until the return of my hummers and Drawing Everyday 2010!

See My Hummer Feeding Frenzy video from 2008 here.

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January 7th ~ The New Age
As I see it, our planet and it's inhabitants are simply moving into the next stage of evolution. This age is one which embraces personal spiritual development.  I was delighted to find an enlightening article by Andrew Lutts online which simplified and clarified many New Age beliefs for me.

"This New Age is one of awakened consciousness where people give up their limited third-dimensional survival mode of existence and awaken to a higher, more enlightened world. This coming New Age is an era of harmony, progress, knowing, and enlightenment." ~ Andrew Lutts

"What is most important is that an effort is being made to transcend our limitations and seek out a higher good." ~ Andrew Lutts

"One reason the New Age path is popular is that it is more concerned with the ultimate truths themselves, rather than the process of how they are arrived at." ~ Andrew Lutts

Andrew Lutts / What Is The New Age?


8" x 10" ~ Silver Level ~ original watercolor
Double Matted and Framed ~ $149.00
"Friends Are Treasures"
(painting is without text)


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sandy sandy
January 4th ~ Kindness
Various "old standby" emails have been circulating this holiday season pertaining to kindness and making a difference in people's lives. Today I got  the one about the kid who offers assistance and befriends the "nerd" who was about to commit suicide. The moral of this story is that small gestures of friendship often mean far more to someone than we can imagine. It reminded me of my Christmas Eve incident and instills in me a desire to better recognize opportunities where I can be more thoughtful and kind.

"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles.  It might be the only sunshine he sees all day."  ~ Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

"Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are."  ~ Author Unknown

"What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of the kind."  ~ Cleveland Amory



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~ December 2009 ~

sandy sandy
December 31st ~ Happy New Year
Cheers and Happy New Year one and all!  I know this is going to be a great beginning to a new decade. Be prepared for happiness and success and expect the best in every situation, because we can influence the favorable outcome of events with our positive thoughts. See things turning out the way you want them to in 2010!  Visualize it, feel it, believe it's already a done deal and I promise, you won't be disappointed!

"New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights."  ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."  ~ Oprah Winfrey

"Every man should be born again on the first day of January.  Start with a fresh page.  Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past."  ~ Henry Ward Beecher

"New Year's Day is every man's birthday."  ~ Charles Lamb



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December 24th ~ Christmas Eve
Oh My Gosh, here it is another Christmas Eve! Running various holiday errands this afternoon, I encountered a young man ahead of me in a line who didn't have the right change. He would have had to break a twenty which he really didn't seem to want to do, since it looked like the last one in his wallet. Without thinking, I dug out some coins for him. He was so impressed by such a small gesture, that he thanked me several times. It caused the cashier to really break a smile and I in turn felt good about helping out. I vowed then to "pay it forward" not just at Christmastime, but throughout the coming year in small ways at every opportunity. So remember, love will be in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. Take the time to remember the true meaning of the day. Love is what we all want and need. When you make someone feel special, it can make you feel wonderful too. Thanks to all of you for your greetings of the season! Your well wishes are welcomed and appreciated more than ever! May the beauty and peace of these holidays remain with you each day of the coming year.

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.  ~W.T. Ellis

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.  ~Charles Dickens



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See photos of A NJ Winter Wonderland.

"After The Storm" slide show here:

sandy sandy
December 21st ~ Christmas Time
With the onslaught of 21" snow here and much time devoted to shoveling the stuff over the past weekend, I am more behind than ever in my Christmas obligations and preparations. I know most of it will get done if I take it one step at a time. This season is a time of great fun and excitement. It can also be a time of stress if we allow it. Today I'm just going to turn up the Christmas music and plow ahead. With my Santa's helper hat on, I'll be savoring the season and whistling, singing and dancing as I work.

"Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority."  ~ W.J. Cameron

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."  ~ Burton Hillis

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveler, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!"  ~ Charles Dickens



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This is one of the photos I shot last week of Sam,
a cute Santa's helper and a wonderful model.

sandy sandy
December 17th ~ A White Christmas
Will you be waking up to a winter wonderland this Christmas? See the Weather Channel's White Christmas Probability Maps here. Although it's cold enough, it says there's only a 10% chance we will be waking up to the white stuff covering the ground here on December 25th. Check out the map, it's fun. Even if you live in Florida, hey, anything can happen on Christmas if you believe, right?

"Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home."  ~ Carol Nelson

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."  ~ Roy L. Smith

"Christmas, children, is not a date.  It is a state of mind."  ~ Mary Ellen Chase



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Original Watercolor ~ "Winter Friends" ~ 8" x 10" ~ $149. framed y

sandy sandy
December 10th ~ Correspondence
Yesterday I received a hand written letter from E. A.Whitney student and my previous instructor, Joan Rudman. It has been over six years since that week long workshop in Vermont with her, however I vividly remember how I relished Joan's stories about the old days with the famous watercolor instructor. Ed Whitney is renowned for his motivational  wit and a unique approach to teaching watercolor technique, philosophy and design. He produced some of the foremost contemporary watercolor painters and instructors alive today. A sincere handwritten note is just the spark I needed  to rekindle my relationship with Joan and possibly continue on to another chapter of the Edgar A. Whitney legacy.

"In an age like ours, which is not given to letter-writing, we forget what an important part it used to play in people's lives."  ~ Anatole Broyard

"It seems a long time since the morning mail could be called correspondence."  ~ Jacques Barzun

"Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company."  ~ Lord Byron

"What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters.  You can't reread a phone call." ~ Liz Carpenter



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December 7th ~ The First Snowfall
We had our first snowfall here over the weekend. Although it was mixed with rain and sleet, and lasted only a short time, it beautified everything it covered all the same. 
"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?" ~ J.B. Priestley


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December 3rd ~ The Future
Mark Victor Hansen said; "You control your future, your destiny. What you think about comes about. By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set into motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands ­ your own." I think this is good advice for us all to consider. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating everyday in the here and now. So dream big, live better and really believe that you can create the future you desire.

"Nothing we can do can change the past, but everything we do changes the future." ~ Ashleigh Brilliant

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

"This next Age is about each of us recognizing the Inner Fire of Creativity at the core of our being, and living and creating very different life experiences by being focused enough to make the connections to spirit." ~ J. Bruce Wilcox



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This is one of my new holiday backgrounds now available for licensing as a royalty-free image.



~ November 2009 ~

Get inspirational emails with images delivered free to your mailbox every Monday and Thursday.
Just email
me with "spirit art subscribe" in your email. ~ Sandy

This blog is updated twice a week, so please bookmark this page.sandy

2009 : Newest... .November... .October... .September... .August. .July.. .June. .May. .April.. .March.. .February...January

2008.........2007

"Spirit is the essence of art."

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