Inspiring Art: Robert Sandidge

Hey You,

Ok so I've driven by this art gallery quite a bit, there's a few good restaurants and some friends of mine out in this neck of the woods.  I've even stopped to see if they were open a time or two when they were closed. 

But today when I was eating lunch (well, ok, breakfast for lunch, lets be real, I had cinnamon roll french toast.) I noticed they were open and it kept nagging at me.  
I make it my business to go to all the local art galleries.  Last year I visited at least 4 or 5 on a monthly basis to try to catch all the gallery shows. I've never been to this one. So I mentioned to those in my company that perhaps we should go over there when we were finished and they happily agreed.

I'm so glad we did!

Oh my goodness this guy, Robert Sandidge, is truly phenomenal!  Now I'm sort of a snob when it comes to art, I must confess, scenic themes aren't normally my thing, not only not in my art but in most others as well. Yeah snobby right? All I mean to say is they aren't usually my favorite. Ironically I've been painting them lately so maybe I'm maturing and I just don't know it yet. So yeah, there I was just stepped in the gallery I started looking at the first painting on the wall to the right and worked my way around the room then I realized the guy who was telling these young men (ok school boys) about art was not only an artist but the artist and we were in his gallery.  He was explaining the importance of a focal point and how lines in the painting need to lead the eye around the painting to the focal point. Not only was it an important rule I had forgotten about (and will remember as I continue to make art! )  but I realized all his work was very smartly planed art and he intentionally led your eyes exactly where he wants them in his pieces and held your attention, much like looking someone in the eyes.   All of the paintings were captivating.  Riveting. 

I would be remiss if i didn't mention another reason why these paintings were special to me.  They are of my home town, a lot of them any ways. these grape vines and these hills with scattered trees around them are what I'd see on my way to my grandma's house.  He truly captured the beauty of California.  From the cows and chickens in the rural counties to the trollies and San Fransisco and the cypress trees along the coast, he captured it perfectly and in turn it captures you. 

He and his wife were so incredibly welcoming. They came over to us to see my son and we got to talking and, honestly I liked them immediately. Jackie took us all through their home to show off the studio, different pieces and, good grief, I fell in love with this humungous koi triptych. Any ways, Beautiful work and just about the nicest people you'd want to meet. If you're ever in the area I recommend you check 'em out.

I made a new painting today inspired by his work.  I'll post a blog about that one some time this week :)

Check out Robert Sandidge here: http://sandidgegallery.com/

Be inspired.
siC
Laura Carpenter