Sandy Dooley
Artist Interview
You graduated from St Martins College of Art, London. How did this experience help you in your Art practice?
St Martin’s was such an inspiring place to work, everywhere I looked, talented students were creating.
I had never experienced such a creative environment. It motivated me to work hard and to be adventurous.
Your landscapes are so colourful, what inspires you to create them?
I have always loved colour and vibrancy. My landscapes came about when I moved to the countryside and saw how much colour was around me in the natural world.
Do you have a favourite season?
Every season! Each month has its own charms and being outside is very important to me.
You are well known for painting ‘en plein air’ what is it about being outside that you like?
I love being in nature, the sky, the quality of the light and the ever changing landscape really helps me to be in the moment with my paintings.
What feelings do you try to evoke from your paintings?
I see painting as a form of communication. I often chat with my customers about their holidays, childhood memories and their love of a particular time of year. I strive to recreate those strong happy thoughts with my painting.
Has social media helped you in art career?
It has hugely helped me. My instagram and facebook pages keep me in touch with customers and I follow many artists whose work I admire.
What motivates you to create?
I cant express how much joy painting gives me, I have always had a strong creative side to my personality and cannot imagine not painting or being creative in some way.
Who is your favourite artist and why?
I have many different favourite artists for my many moods! Currently i have been looking at Milton Avery’s paintings since seeing a large exhibition of his artworks. His sophisticated and nuance colour sense is inspiring. I think my all time favourite artist has to be Matisse - his paintings and sensibility has been in my heart since I was a teenager.