Today my guest is someone who goes way back to Darryl’s first days as a wedding photographer. Darryl apprenticed with Sandi back in the day when Darryl and I were first dating. He sure appreciated all that she taught him and what he took from her experience and passion for the trade would forever embedded in the way Darryl works with clients today.

Darryl and I both look up to Nick (Sandi’s husband) and Sandi so much.  Not only are they an amazing couple, but they are doing what they love to do and there is nothing sweeter than that! They are currently based out of Baltimore, MD, but have a history and ties to the Vancouver area. We are hoping at some point that they find their way back here.

I am proud to introduce to you…. Sandi Wilson: Photographer, Painter!

A Sampling Of Sandi’s Amazing Artwork

This last one I am ooing and gooing over for my living room.  I love the deep colours, and in the real the textures must be amazing! Just stunning Sandi!
 

Some of Sandi’s Photography Work!

Sandi Wilson Photography 

And Now To The Interview:

1. Tell the readers about yourself and your background.

I have been a professional photographer for over 21 years. Photographing everything from children, families, still life, editorial, commercial, acting headshots, fashion, and where I made my mark specifically  in the wedding industry. During my travels away from the studio  I took copious amounts of images of the places I visited.  Never having enjoyed travel a photos just on regular paper, I experimented with transferring them onto various types of watercolor paper. I was successful in having private one night exhibit and sales and showing in other group shows. From there I experimented with transferring my images onto stone tile and glass and sold at local galleries.
 

2. You obviously are a very talented artist. I know that you are self-taught, but how does someone even begin trying to create paintings like you have created?

I had one year university with a couple basic art classes and that was enough to push me into a photography school, as I was not a realist artist. So I have never been taught formally and had not taken any other classes. I really only started painting last year when a friend wanted a large painting for her living room and dropped a 36×70 canvas off at my house!  Petrified I asked what she envisioned and to give me example of  ideas, colours, and then it went from there as her neighbor commissioned me to do one and so on.
I started adding melted candle wax and anything I could to add depth or texture to my paintings, then someone told me there was an actual technique called Encaustic (wax) so I took a local class and have never looked back!  I can burnish my photographic images or words onto the surface of the wax or into it.
Just get your hands dirty and don’t be afraid ! There are no mistakes in art!

3. What keeps you ‘grounded’ and what do you think has made you so successful?

My Christian faith and personal relationship with Christ, plain and simple.I absolutely couldn’t have had the self-confidence to pull this off daily.  I badger our Father a lot with ideas and asking for help when a painting is not even close to where it should be. I truly believe He has taught and continues to teach me how to paint (and  a few other things).
When someone asked me years ago what I really would like to do if I was able  to and I said I’d love to be an artist . Well when one of my paintings sells at a store and I know it is hanging in someone‘s living room I can only tell you I am living my dream.
 

4. I know you and your Husband like to Travel a lot. Do you find most of your inspiration in your travels or do you create all your stunning art work from your imagination?

I would honestly probably say mostly from my head. Sometimes I start with an idea and as I add the layers of the wax, paint and then I scrape some back it can totally change from what I first envisioned. Its kinda of like cloud watching  if you ever did that as a kid as I did. You just need the imagination to see things develop.
 

5. How is your business broken down?  Do you do more photography, or paintings?

I almost completely on paintings. I can’t tell you how relieved I am not to have to shoot several weddings each weekend. I really appreciate my time with my husband and not having to drag him to assist me! I feel the need for professional photographers has fallen so far off now with the digital age or at least people’s appreciation for how hard an occupation it is!
 

6.What is the best advice you can give someone starting out a creative world like photography and art?

Just like I did with my photography when I started up my business I tried to provide a different unique take on whatever was current or try to create the next trend by seeing a need in the market for the younger generation. For example my Bio paintings I feel is completely unique to myself and has been extremely well received.
I am blessed that I had been brought up with a business mind from my parents and this has helped me be successful in the art world as sometimes that isn’t the case with others that are artistic.
I also listen to the designers, art gallery owners, and store owners to find out what colors or theme their clients are interested in.
 

Thank you Sandi

Thank you so much Sandi for taking the time to answer my questions with such elegance and grace! It was a pleasure to have you here. So please go and check out Sandi’s site, and you will be amazed with the talent this lady has! Maybe Sandi will one day Start Blogging too! Please take the time to comment on my blog to wish her all continued success. She truly is a beautiful person on the outside and on the inside!