What's with the Green Fine Art?

A lot of people ask me why I am a green fine artist.

There are actually many reasons

1. I've been an artist since I was a little kid. Art classes, art major, artist as a profession. You're always around toxic stuff - paints, fumes, dyes, etc. I'd wake up at night wheezing after exposure to these chemicals. I know how dangerous many of them are. I made a promise to myself a few years ago to stop using toxic materials. 
2. Artists have a tendency to hoard. Okay, I'm not on the scale of those who end up on reality shows, but I do have a room where I store all my paper [junk, mail, postcards, calendars, etc.], paints, crayons, pencils, Styrofoam balls, moss, needlepoint canvas, beads, yarn, tile, glass, mats, stickers, frames, ink, magazines, colored sand, buttons, toys, broken stuff... a whole lotta potentially useful "art supplies" that I always intended to use for something.
3. I am a recycle/upcycle individual by nature. I can't help it. I have 10 times more trash for the recycle bin than the trash bin... and if I hadn't found a giant RAT in my composter, a couple of months ago, I'd be doing that too. I buy art at yard sales, and re-use the canvas, the frames... why not. I ride a bike. I buy local. I use green products.
4. I think of myself as an artist first. I happen to be a green person. My work happens to be made from non-toxic stuff. You could eat it [you can't digest it].

So, it's somewhat from self-preservation, a life-style, a habit, and kismet. I created a technique that is unique to me... and happens to help the environment. It's all good.  I hope you like it, too.

Hope you can attend the opening at Translations Galley in Denver next month!

S A Schimmel Gold - Schimmel Art: Which painting fascinates me most?

S A Schimmel Gold - Schimmel Art: Which painting fascinates me most?

Which painting fascinates me most?

This one.
The Arnolfini Marriage.

The drapery is amazing.
The brass, the convex mirror, the cast off shoes, the little dog...the lighting, the details!
The artist signed the wall [early grafitti] and is reflected in the mirror.
When I was a student, what impressed me most in art is skill. The ability of the artist is amazing.

read more here:
Wikipedia

What's your favorite?

Love is Touching Souls

"Love is Touching Souls"

Original - 24x36"

This is one of my newer pieces, inspired by love.. Adoring, desiring, willing to suffer...love.
The lyrics are written on the image, and phrases on border.
She's in the blue TV screen light...
Part of my newer series of "Emotional Influences" An image, an emotion, a song... inspired by
"A Case of You"-

Lyrics by Joni Mitchell:

"Just before our love got lost you said
I am as constant as a northern star
And I said, constantly in the darkness
Where's that at?
If you want me I'll be in the bar

On the back of a carton coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice

Oh you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
And I would still be on my feet
Oh I would still be on my feet

Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid

I remember that time that you told me, you said
Love is touching souls
Surely you touched mine
Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time..."

[there's more] listen here:

Remember falling in love? Me too, and I hope you enjoy this original work that captures that emotion...forever.

Another emotion - feeling not so confident in love is expressed in this piece:

 "I feel unsteady, where's my love?"

This image reflects that sinking feeling when you're not sure about your lover... where they are, what they're doing... and the depths of that emotion...fear, longing, feeling unsteady. Inspired by "Lilac Wine," performed by Katie Melua. You can hear that here. This piece is huge - 36x48" Acrylic, Ink, Tissue & Junk Mail on Canvas.

Visit my website to read more, find events, galleries, etc. 

Email me for pricing.

Time Enough...

We've got all the time in the world...

Yes, when we're children, we have no concept of time... the limited amount of time we have on earth - our lives seem to stretch out forever - a week seems like a lifetime.

I've just faced the passing of my Mother. Her time on earth was not short, but was it enough? Time enough? She imparted wisdom to her children and grandchildren... don't wait, if there's something you want to do - do it NOW. Of course, this makes me think of my own mortality... and I think of my child, who has a lifetime ahead of her. I hope she appreciates this gift.

We have nothing left... only love...

This is my newest addition to my "Emotional Influences" series. The image of a child, surrounded by a clock, time - linked with the song "We have all the time in the world." Click on the link to hear the song, performed by Iggy Pop.

24x24" junk mail and tissue on canvas. $2300.00

The Journal in my Head

I've read that artists, designers & craftspeople keep journals: filled with inspiration from travel, gallery visits, etc. They're filled with sketches, swatches, tear sheets, photos... all for future use. I keep one too, but it's in my head.

I have a "thing" [call it a phenomenon, a condition, a talent or a quirk] called Eidetic Imagery. Here's the Wiki definition. Anyway, almost anything I see, that really makes an impression or resonates on some level, goes into that mental filing cabinet for future use. I can actually physically recall images from the past - a face, a place, a set of tiles, a painting... a movie... and see it in the air, as if there is a projector in my head, using my eyes as the lens... an invisible screen at my disposal is within 15 inches of my face.

I often stammer for words - just can't remember the right one...and please don't ask me what year something happened [other than birth of child or year of wedding] or what I had for lunch two days ago...or what I walked in here for... but images, they're always there for reference.

Another thing - my 8th grade science teacher told our class not to study - that we should "rely on our ability to recall," which I might have taken a little too much to heart - not knowing yet about Eidetic Imagery. I remember things that happened in that classroom [Hi, Gaelyn], but I would say, that's not the best advice for teenagers more interested in drawing daisies on their hand during science class.

So, my journal - my head - is filled with images of the classic works of art - from art museums and books, not to mention photos from magazines, charts, maps, comic strips, ruins in Ephesus, people I know, couture collections, my room in Reading, PA, my dorm room in Oneonta, my room on a Kibbutz in Israel, a pair of shoes I bought in Italy when I was 18, a pair of shoes I wore in that 8th grade classroom, the shoes I wore to my high school reunion, jewelry, paperweights, and the image of my husband the first time I saw him in a swimsuit [think Vitruvian Man]... you get the picture [!]... all jumbled and/or filed. And, all available for use.

I usually don't watch a movie more than once, I can see it any time I want. I actually watched "District 9" again the other day, it's so filled with images...but I really liked the story. I could watch "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" another 35 times... but that's just for laughs. I try not to watch scary movies, because the image stays with me forever.

Disclaimer: I do have a few photos taped up in the studio, but I rarely refer to them. I also have a drawer full of photos that might be a jumping off point someday. I do have a shelf full of books - art books, Dover books, reference books...about costume, medieval design, beaded flowers... all kinds of stuff. And, a lot of music to listen to when I'm working.

When I fill a canvas with thousands of images, photos, words... it all makes sense to me, I could point at my head and tell you "You should see what it looks like in here."

Time for tough decisions and new directions

Although I did go to school for art, I'm really sort-of self taught. I never learned, or took the time to take classes about galleries and museums, residencies, grants, etc.


For the past few years, I've tried everything I could think of to make art, get it out into the marketplace and sell it.


From day one, I got a lot of input from all sorts of resources... some of it good, some questionable, some took me off into different directions - enough to make you crazy! I asked for some advice, didn't ask for most of it.


When you see the list below, you'll see I use the word "paint," let that cover painting, cutting paper, mosaic...everything I do. 


Some of the messages I got were:

• anyone can paint, do something different
• no one can paint like you
• make art as fast as you can so you can sell it at art festivals
• don't sell at art festivals, you'll never get into galleries
• your prices are too low
• your prices are too high
• you're not famous enough to get those prices
• paint celebrities
• "if you paint Jackie O, my gallery will sell it immediately" [not!]
• "if you paint Marilyn Monroe, my gallery will sell it immediately" [not]
• paint the Beatles, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Lady Gaga...
• conversely, don't paint celebrities, you'll have copyright issues
• paint Oprah, Ellen, Tyra and give it to them - they'll put you on TV
• don't paint Oprah, Ellen, etc... if they didn't ask for it, it has no value.
• spend an equal amount of time marketing yourself as making art
• don't market yourself, that's the gallery's job
• don't promote yourself, you're supposed to be discovered!
• get a PR agent
• put your subjects in rooms
• do watercolors instead
• paint dogs
• paint landscapes
• paint flowers
• do abstracts
• don't do figurative work
• get into galleries
• don't sell in galleries
• your goal should be to be in museums
• don't waste your time trying to get into museums
• get a rep
• don't get a rep
• you want to be in New York
• you can't break into New York
• you're too old
• you're never too old to be an emerging artist
• you're not supposed to make art to sell it, you're supposed to make a statement
• you're allowed to want to make a living as an artist
• no one except a RARE few make a living as an artist
• you'll be famous when you're dead
• make art that speaks to social commentary
• do what you like
• do what sells
• your art is awesome
• your images are just "pretty pictures"
• you're conceited
• you're shy
• why are you self-depricating?
• only do custom portraits
• don't do custom portraits, your clients will make you crazy
• join art groups and alliances
• give your work away at charity events
• don't give your work away, it diminishes the value of your work in other collections
• You should teach workshops
• why would you share your technique with anyone?
• Your art is GREEN - the green community will support you! 
• who cares if your work is GREEN?

How's that for a lot of noise?

I'm not criticizing ANYONE for their input. It was all good and necessary to hear. I'm in a good place... so NOW...

I'm taking the summer to create a new body of work.

You know how some songs help you get through a hard time...or remind you of when you were falling in love? You know how you have your favorite pissed off song, your favorite holiday song? My new collection will reflect the connection between a song and an emotion. This time, not just pretty pictures. Stay tuned to see more.

I've put together a plan - on paper - for the next year. In order to reach my goals, I'm getting some help. My delightful husband will be taking on some of the tasks I've been doing so I can spend more time in the studio. 

I look forward to hearing from you when you see my new work!

Sandhi