Our community of artists is the core foundation of Artfinder. With such a vast community based in all corners of the world, we wanted to help them share more about their artist journey, their artistic process and technique and what inspires them. Today, we chat with one of our amazing painters, Sandra Haney.
Can you introduce yourself, where you are from and how long you have been with Artfinder for?
A 1950’s born woman living in the north of England, I’ve been with Artfinder for a decade.
How would you describe your work?
I currently paint landscapes and gardens in oils, with varying degrees of abstraction.
What influences you and your work?
The outdoors, light and weather.
What does your creative process involve?
Starting a painting with enthusiasm, bold gestural strokes, then doubt creeps in, lots of looking, thinking, reworking areas, finding solutions until I don’t know what else to do to it. Also, Tea.
Have you changed as an artist overtime?
Probably. Hopefully improved. My work changed as I experimented with different media: printmaking, digital, traditional painting and drawing. Always starting with observation. I have focussed on different subject matter: narrative paintings in my 20’s, interiors, portraits and now landscapes in my 60’s. With decades my work generally became smaller scale out of necessity: the logistics of transporting and storing work. My starting point remains observation, I still enjoy mark making and abstraction.
What’s your favourite artwork you created and why?
Given my age, may I have two, please? Northern Harvest, 2024, contains decades of experience. The other is from my 20’s, “Basking” a large loose-hanging textural work on cotton, inspired by landscape, created in my box room studio in a shared house, from sketches in Cornwall one hot summer. I was experimenting with media and mark making and thoroughly enjoying the process.
What do you think is the role of art/artists in society?
A self employed artist defines their own role, there is no job description or obligation. The lack of a contract means we have the freedom to determine our purpose and function. But society demands we pay bills, so making our work provide an income is a big factor for many of us, which brings its constraints. My role has included providing artworks to create a certain ambience for luxury interiors; portraying likeness for commissioned portraits; finding unique ways to create awareness of the oversize book collection at a city library. The overarching role is creating an image that strikes a chord with others.
What advice do you have for emerging artists looking to make a living out of their art career?
Buckle up.
Cover image via Sandra Haney
