Art Challenges & Creativity - Wash and Ink

[@cmolona7547]

love the combination of art and writing poetry

[@reeseosbornestudios]

My favorite poem of all time is "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noles. It's a narrative poem that has a real flow to it that I adore.... I've been mulling writing a real letter to my cousin who I adore and shares my love of history and Period filmes like Pride and Prejudice. A lovely gesture for sure.

[@kimanning7769]

My favourite poem always goes back to I wandered lonely as a cloud (daffodils) by William Wordsworth, but have been enjoying recent poetry books by Donna Ashworth. I have always enjoyed writing letters but not as many people to send them too these days with all social media connections.

[@beverlyparkison8758]

Sandy, You are such a refreshing soul to follow.

[@pattymcclung3300]

Thank you! This was very inspiring. I’m 71 and still correspond to my best friend from first grade through letters. It’s wonderful! ❤🖋️

[@SandyAllnock1]

That is awesome!

[@DotyML]

I used to be a dedicated letter writer but I have given it up because people tend to not respond in kind. I have switched to text messaging without abbreviation ( modern letter writing?). I love your idea of a watercolor with a poem written on top.

[@SandyAllnock1]

I’ve had to simply decide that I want to write letters for the effect it has on the other person, not on getting something back. It’s taught me that my love language is to give to someone else, not to exchange a gift.

[@jennifersjunkmail5935]

Beautifully thought-provoking. I appreciate how you dropped deeper into the personal growth aspect of art, rather than just the process mechanics that fill many of the other channels. You've inspired me to do some thinking, and maybe even read a poem. Love the pen and wash, glad you are expanding the channel beyond stamps and alcohol markers. You are a gifted artist and I love seeing your talent demonstrated in a variety of media. Wishing you the best in the new year.

[@SandyAllnock1]

I’ll have some more extended thoughts in my next video, so stay tuned 🤩

[@kS-ud7je]

I absolutely loved this! One of my favorite poets! Very thought provoking & even soothing! I love the direction you are retaking your channel!! mI have always felt that your work has character & feeling, even if it is ‘just’ a card! 😍

[@bimmermom]

I do love the finished item with the poem handwritten too

[@brendajennings5438]

Frost is my favorite poet. Thanks for sharing the two art forms together.

[@connied8507]

Absolutely beautiful and thought-provoking. I fell in love with art from Norman Rockwell. I'll try my hand at an expressive figure. I can do this with my family because they've been kind and supportive.

[@donnahelzer8381]

I am new to watercolor. I am pretty good w coloring..... but drawing....don't know... Anyway, interesting it is letter writing week. I am actually putting my heart on paper concerning an extended family member situation that occurred on Christmas Eve. Since then EVERYDAY has been always changing and very, very challenging. In fact, there is no resolution in sight. We are praying for guidance from the Lord and soft hearts. So, I am processing my thoughts and heart in the letter to add my voice at the proper time. Many lives hang in the balance.... In the Mean time, I may take another chance in creating something from my heart.... 💜

[@igemdiva]

🙏🏼💕

[@MrsBarnabas]

🤗🫂

[@shelleyjabs5055]

What a beautiful idea to incorporate the poem on your card. I learn so much watching your videos.

[@jenniferdebeneditto6075]

I love this painting with poem

[@sweetpeabarbe]

I really like this idea of stretching our creativity.

[@bimmermom]

Wonderful! Thank you for challenging us

[@shirleylittle3485]

Really pretty, thank you. Love the pen and ink.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Thank you so much!

[@dawsonteresa7431]

Love this idea, also appreciate your artwork with the encouragement to make your art your own, as this is something I struggle with. I also think letter writing is important and meaningful. 🙏

[@karenzemko6518]

Certainly a thought provoking idea. Often get ideas in my head that I get translate onto paper. But I'll certainly follow along and see what happens. TFS

[@annadean3606]

Sandy I always enjoy your content so much. Thank you x

[@janlorman7700]

Interesting challenge. I’ll be following along.

[@susannenemet4647]

I write letters all of the time and I do my art on the envelopes. Love your poetry idea though. Thanks!

[@kdgontube]

Holy Smokes that was a wonderful piece. Brought back memories of my love for poetry. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@debidrybala4102]

Wonderful! What a great idea to challenge us to become better artists. Thank you!

[@sarahmalm9684]

❤ THIS!! Thank you!! This is more up my alley than anything!!

[@atlanticflower]

Thank you so much, Sandy. It is inspirational. When I was younger ( much, much younger 😅) I used to strive for realism. Today I strive to express myself. Because realism isn't always the most expressive way for pure emotions. ❤

[@channellingmartha1209]

Loved this, well done Sandy! I’m sure that lots of people would be inspired by your thoughts and work.

[@TammyLML]

This is instantly one of my favorite poems, thank you for sharing it! And I love what you did with your painting of it. Some of my favorite poems are "Say Not the Struggle Naught Availeth" by Arthur Clough, and "Christmas Bells" by Longfellow; both have themes of war but end full of hope, which I love. Also "Remember" by Christina Rossetti. I really appreciate your message about art challenges as well. I've never really done them until recently, and just started with the Sketch-a-Day app. And just last night was debating if these sorts of challenges are beneficial. I've noticed artists often making comments that are seemingly self-derogatory, like "this is unfinished", "I can do better", or things like "quick 20 minute sketch" - which, applied to something that would take me (a "slow painter") days to accomplish. I was stressing within a week and have since decide to only occasionally participate when the prompt seems interesting to me, something that fires my creativity or makes me just want to see if I can do it. I'd love to hear what others think about these kinds of challenges!

[@SandyAllnock1]

Sometimes they’re decent challenges if you’re in the right headspace. But as you note - if everyone puts caveats around their work, is that work even getting anyone anywhere? I find I’d rather challenge myself to create a daily sketch with my own prompts just for me. But it takes a lot of people a long time to figure out even what inspires them.. you would think if it’s inspiring, we would recognize it right away. Lol.

[@ranimacias7638]

Sandy, I really enjoyed this. Inspirational and thought-provoking. One of your best yet!

[@scarlettHischild]

This is such a beautiful thumbnail pic. I cannot wait to see it. I just adore all that you do. I love how God works through you in so many ways. God bless you.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Thank you so much!

[@TheVerbMinx]

This is great. The painting/poem writing yes, but especially what you talked about, the inspirations that make each of us unique as artists. Thank you! Lots to think about!

[@maplestoryftw12]

This is beautiful.

[@MarieM-PinkArt]

Just gorgeous ❤

[@Gypsisoul1111]

you do such beautiful work.

[@jtpaar1732]

Truly inspirational idea! Thank you for sharing this.

[@viviandibrell849]

I wrote a lot of poetry years ago and have saved it. I love this idea. I’ve been thinking of how I would incorporate some written poetry with my watercolor. Looks like a very neat idea to me. I am inspired now I just have to figure out what I want to paint to each poem. I would love to give these framed to my kids. I-think it would mean a lot to them.

[@renshaw5darlene1519]

I loooove this. You are such a wonderful artist. 🥰

[@kathywhite2374]

This is beautiful!

[@kathykelsay8445]

Beautiful work Sandy! I so enjoy watching your painting and creativity come to life. Love the poem too. ❤️

[@igemdiva]

Very inspiring! I agree I send more cards and letters than I receive but it doesn’t bother me bc I know they were excited when they opened their mailbox and just imagining that brings me joy. I write to many ppl I do not know very well so for those ppl I try to read some poetry or listen to some music for a few days before I sit down to write so I have some inspirational ingredients 😂 I love poetry by Flavia,Joan Walsh Anglund, and Annie Johnson Flint.

[@lindajones7651]

Very lovely, Sandy

[@maureenhayes7318]

What about those of us who haven’t really started to draw yet? I felt inspired by the poem, but I immediately thought of unrequited love too, but in my mind I see a woman looking back over her shoulder. I know I can’t draw that (yet). Can I express myself with stamp or something else? The other comment k wanted to add is that I am a letter writer, always have been, but for the writing, or the card, notepaper, etc…. I find letters so personal and meaning. You are touch8ng something the other person touched. It has a part of them IN it! When someone takes the time to write to me I feel special and honored. I try to do the same for others with my own letters, even if I write them on notebook paper. And by the way, it doesn’t have to be dramatic news, people are happy to hear about the mundane of your life, they just like the human connection and hearing that someone else is sharing their heart with them. Thanks for this challenge Sandy

[@cynthiafrancis4197]

Maybe try your hand at a mixed media piece like a collage using images from magazines/books? The right image imposed over a meaningful setting could be just as expressive as a personal drawing

[@SandyAllnock1]

A stamp can definitely work, or like cynthia said, perhaps a collage could express what you’re trying to put down on paper. Or maybe find a silhouette image that works, and start with that? I totally hear you with not being where you want to be skill wise, I’ve spent a lot of years in that place! It requires just a little extra, thinking to figure out a way to create that.

[@susanshambrook8070]

Loved this, thank you.

[@elkesommer4735]

Very beautiful, I'll write in my Journal ❤😂

[@JanetBuol]

​Yes, I need help learning how to paint "by myself" I have mastered following videos, and copying what they say to do. But how do I sit down and just paint something without a tutorial?? YOu responded to me in the live chat that this is something you'll be talking about, so I'm watching. Thank you.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Yup! It’s something I’m still working on in my own art, and I know others really want to figure it out for themselves too.

[@MultiPassionateCreator]

Wonderful idea

[@SandyAllnock1]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ChantelleArts]

This is brilliant, it is such an inspirational video ☺☺

[@SandyAllnock1]

Glad you think so!

[@sallyhill6565]

Fantastic idea!

[@SandyAllnock1]

Glad you think so!

[@deborahreeder7374]

You are so inspiring! 😻

[@SandyAllnock1]

Oh thank you!

[@criswalton7636]

The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson!!