STUDIO VLOG n 28: HOW TO GET OUT OF THE "ATROCIOUS" PHASE

[@Seneca85]

You inspire me greatly to try different approaches. I like the idea of deciding on a subject and then , dedicating a whole sketch book to its exploration. And… I love your cats! 🐈

[@CeruleanCzarina]

I love your art! It reminds me of Henri Matisse, one of my favorite painters.

[@sandihester]

Wow - that's huge compliment - thank you so much!

[@ClaudetteHasenjager]

These cats are amazing...their faces are so full of expression 😍 - Thank you for being such an inspiration

[@sandihester]

Awe - thank you so much Claudette (love your name btw!)

[@scoanime]

I loved all the cats and I love that you take us along for the ride on the full journey.

[@sandihester]

I'm so glad you enjoy it - I really enjoy bringing yall along!

[@sandraj4602]

Sandi, you are always so inspiring and encouraging! It's so therapeutic watching your videos, I so much enjoy it and appreciate all of your advice and expierence and endurance and spreading joy and easyness and I love your humour. Thank you so much for sharing all that...❤ Lots of love from germany ❤❤❤☀️

[@sandihester]

Thank you so much - that's so kind!

[@LMuse9]

Rewatching this video for inspiration, and the 14:14 cat is just everything. I love it.

[@sandihester]

🤗 so glad to hear that!

[@KittehNow]

I TOTALLY agree

[@leannelevi3966]

Sandi, your mannerisms while describing how the scrappy brushes just get right in there - it cracks me up. Recovering from covid and so grateful for your videos. Thanks my dear

[@kr2112]

That was a great one! I think it’s interesting that I am so drawn to the funky, wonky drawings that you were showing yet can’t bring myself to allow myself to dare to be bad. You made a LOT of drawings. And you made comics; I feel like I wouldn’t have anything to say in a comic. Good job, Sandi! It’s so amazing to hat you take so much time to practice. I need to get out of my head and do it, too!!! Thank you.

[@gelpen26]

...a marker between your toes! You are priceless! And your cat pictures are great! All of them!

[@sandihester]

Thank you! 😊

[@lauriehughes8085]

I was so happy to see this new video. I am going to watch it for the third time so I don't miss anything. Thanks for sharing.

[@sandihester]

Awe - thank you so much!

[@CHCHNZ461]

Love your cats, they are all so unique and full of character. Thanks for the inspiration Sandi, it has come at a perfect time for me.

[@sandihester]

Awe, I'm so glad the inspo has come at a good time. And thank you for your kind words!

[@mariliansantilli7756]

I enjoy this video immensely! Great message! Thank you 🙏 .

[@Rita-ix3hr]

Sandi, I love love love your cats!🐈 And all the details.And the coments of cours.The left hand drawn look so much soulful.

[@franswey2]

Your videos are so much fun! I needed it. I hope you feel better soon, like tomorrow! The expressions on your cats are priceless. In the paintings where the cats can’t be seen are still there, under the table or behind the furniture. Have a wonderful weekend.~Kenny

[@sandihester]

Thank you!!! That footage of my shoulder hurting was from a while back - I'm all better now! So glad you enjoyed it!!!!!

[@zinekatzines]

or „catrocious phase“, in this case? 😸 i always enjoy your fun felines popping up in your paintings, and oh my, are your real ones adorable!

[@sandihester]

ohhhhh yes - wish I had thought of that phrase - good one!

[@kathleenbain3952]

Hi Sandi, love these interiors. Looking forward to seeing more cats appearing in random places! 😻😽

[@sandihester]

Thank you so much!!!

[@Courageouswomanco]

You make me so happy when I watch you creating!

[@sandihester]

Awe - thanks!

[@celegleeson1767]

So much fun. And so darned helpful. I'm looking at a drawing I just finished and I thought.."did I just do that? " I'm playing every day now. Thank you so much. I watch you several times a day as well. Yea.. I'm doing this. Ps. love the cats.

[@MrsQuam]

Wonderful wonderful WONDERFUL tips and you are #hairgoals!

[@sandihester]

Thank you Ashley! #hairgoals - really?! well, thank you!

[@aimeecruise1779]

I love seeing your paintings happening here and then for sale on your website! I was like “Oh yeah! I saw that one being created!” But now I want one BAD! Thank you Sandi! You really get my creativity going! (sorry for all the !!! I’m just real excited)

[@sandihester]

Thank you Aimee! Just email me if there's one you're interested in. And, please, never apologize for using !!!! - I'm the queen of using too many !!! :)

[@LMSQA]

Loved to watch your “journey of the cats”! It was Catastic!!! My favorite kitty was the yellow face one in your sketchbook sitting on the blue rug, so beautiful 😻

[@sandihester]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@junemaguire9988]

Absolutely loved this video.love love love your cats. Love how you are always excited about your work and don’t keep berating yourself like so many of us do... I have only been trying art for one year really loving it and wish it didn’t take me until late 60s to start.thankyou.

[@sandihester]

I’m so glad you liked it June!

[@ALittleCreative]

LOVE this video, Sandi. Great tip on brushes for gouache and I love your cat progress! :)

[@sandihester]

Thanks so much!

[@rossiej100]

My art teacher recommended I use hog bristle brushes and it has been the best advice I have taken. I love them!

[@sandihester]

Oh good 1 I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying them!

[@annika7791]

your joy is so inspiring im feral for these videos

[@gradyhester4456]

Progressing quickly in the cat painting/sketching/drawing! Fun video, great job!

[@sandihester]

Thanks baby!

[@firdyk]

I love all your cats real and painted and comics. I enjoy sketching my three. Will definitely try out non dominant hand sketching your results are so fresh and exciting to look at.

[@maddietighe5881]

Thanks for sharing your tips and showing how you used your other hand. I loved the cats and I'm totally a dog person.

[@madelynsmith8281]

I love this video. Those cats 🐈 are adorable. I love painting deer 🦌 and cows 🐄. I am no expert on those animals. So now I will start practicing on drawing the deer and cows. I love animals. ❤

[@sandylee1717]

Love the cat drawing approaches 😄🐈

[@robinwestcott8402]

Hi Sandi! I just found your channel a couple of days ago and I have been binge watching! You are fantastic and funny and have given me so much inspiration. I am trying to find my artistic voice and you are helping me so much! You are just so wonderful! Love your animals and your husband is so supportive of you and that is so awesome!

[@sandihester]

Welcome!! Thank you so much!!! I'm so glad you're enjoying the channel. Thank you for your kind words!!!

[@shereelinwood9674]

Im a new sub to your channel. And your a treasure! Im enjoying every bit of your personality ,art and knowledge that you share. .and hubby is not not tpp bad either! Love from New Zealand

[@sandihester]

Welcome Sheree! I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos!!! Um, but settle down there :) - hubby is taken! You're comment cracked me up!

[@shereelinwood9674]

Im pleased you see im a funny chicky... you are becoming part of my day lately . Even jusr playing in the background while i create...take care sweetheart ..x

[@shereelinwood9674]

@@sandihester ❤

[@paulinehanna2001]

This is really helpful, thanks, Sandi. I’ve only just come to things like drawing with my non-dominant hand, or drawing and not looking, and I’m really pleased with how it frees you from your inner critic. I love the ones you’ve done here and your art generally and I’m finding it very inspirational. I’m glad there’s someone else who is still using their Christmas mugs! Also, I remembered when I was watching that I used to have to draw with my feet when I was a child to correct fallen arches 🤭 Your cats are cute 😻x

[@sandihester]

Pauline I’m so glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful!!! Thank you for your kind note! Really appreciate it ❤️!

[@paulinehanna2001]

@@sandihester ❤️

[@shireenhg4395]

Thank you for the lovely tips Sandi ❤️✨

[@sandihester]

You are so welcome!

[@jennifernichols8403]

I love all these kitty drawings...thank you for doing this video 😻

[@sandihester]

My pleasure 😊

[@gathercreatelivewithleslie8340]

LOL, the cats are so cute, thinking I may do one for my step mother in law.

[@emilyandollidamra]

Thank goodness, I‘ve been busy the last few days watching all of your videos and was nervous I would run out of them x) Such great content! Thank you for sharing

[@sandihester]

You're so funny! Well, I'm glad I could solve your dilemma :) - new ones each Friday!

[@iris-impressions-art]

Sandi, I enjoyed this vlog so much!!! ALL THE CATS!! I also really liked the editing. I really liked how you did SO MANY sketches, it made me think about how (unknowingly) I'm still holding back from just GOING FOR IT and being not so precious about filling up sketchbooks and just trying things.

[@sandihester]

Thank you Iris! I really appreciate you noticing the editing too. Yes, isn't it strange how we hold ourselves back!!! I don't know why we do that - it's a real shame because we miss out on so much. Just go for it girl!!! Fill that sketchbook up and be proud of the documentation of the process that will be in it.

[@gujje4u]

Lovely cats❣️

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@indigosky9578]

I love your enthusiasm and seeing your techniques and thought processes. I also love your studio and decor choices. What is the wonderful shade of green on your walls?

[@sandihester]

Thank you so much!

[@kimvonende505]

I love this! Am familiar with not being confident with drawing cats, and am worried about over-working my dominant hand. I am definitely going to try this.😻😻😻

[@sandihester]

Go for it!!!!

[@Julie-vy3oz]

Doing a “it’s Friday video” happy dance! Hit the like button, watch the video (yes in that order), be inspired. And am loving your art. Even got brave a did a “large” painting with gouache keeping the “whimsy” in mind. It was fun!

[@sandihester]

Awe - I love that a happy dance was done over my video - whoooohooo! AND, goodness - thank you for the 'in advance' like :) - really appreciate that support! Good job on tackling a large painting!

[@mariaalejandracardozo3879]

So inspiring as always, thanks for the video 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@gwenritch]

thank you for sharing your catology! Im a cat rescuer and artist. Ive been putting funny cats in my paintings too. I live with 20 rescued cats and have so many reference pics!

[@sandihester]

“Catology” 😂 - love it!!!

[@paulwoodford6229]

20 cats! Sounds like cat Heaven

[@thinkerdreamersketcherspy]

So fun to rewatch these older videos! The way your process and markmaking changes is truly inspirational. The cat at 14:14. I know you've been talking about making scans of your sketchbooks, would it possible to get a print of this cat? 😊 Too cute!

[@tinchapeltextiles]

Thanks for this Sandi, I really needed this today, bless you xxx

[@sandihester]

Awe - you’re welcome Deborah!!

[@TracyAlgar]

😻😻😻 your cats are so much fun! You inspire me to do more sketchbook stuff. Great video 🙌

[@sandihester]

Yay, thank you!Well, get in that sketchbook this weekend Tracy! And have some fun!

[@thefreylife]

Finn and Johnny holding hands/tails while they sleep 😭😭😭 so cute!!!!

[@sandihester]

I know!!!! They hold hands ALL the time!! I have 50 million pics of them doing that. I can’t resist when they do it. They’re real love bugs with each other. It’s so sweet!

[@nan4art]

Such a good lesson! First of all cats...and really important for me... letting myself be atrocious! Why do we, well why do I think I get to skip this part?!? Now off to stalk my Esme’ and draw her a few hundred times! Thanks!

[@sandihester]

We do internally think that don't we - I think that's a great point - we often just want to be great at art - or maybe good art just looks like it is easy and then we're frustrated when ours doesn't look good. That's part of the reason I'm doing what I'm doing - to show the process of being an artist. Now, go have fun with all those Esme's!!!!!

[@skye1767]

These cats are wonderful! I love the cat comics with "I own everyone in this house, especially him" (with arrow pointing to cartoon Grady)😂. But the expressions on your cats are wonderful and you definitely succeeded in drawing/painting cats! I am super inspired because I am terrible at drawing cats, even though I try to draw my cats all the time. I think I need to make it a more playful practice, have more fun--I am def trapped at the cringe-y stage with cats. Love this video, thank you Sandi!🌷

[@sandihester]

So glad you liked it - that one cracks me up too - even though I wrote/drew it :). Also, I was trying to draw my cats but I progressed faster when I wasn't looking at a real cat - but looking at loose drawings/paintings of cats or just going from memory - we know what a cat looks like! Maybe observe your cat (maybe it's sleeping in a good position) then go to the other room and draw from memory. Maybe that will work.

[@skye1767]

@@sandihester My cats turn around and flip even when they are asleep--and not just one body part, their whole bodies shift. I think in this case, NOT drawing from life (at least, until I get the hang of cats) might be the way to go!

[@sandihester]

@@skye1767 Yea, I still can't draw them from life - I'm using my weird sketches as references :)

[@gwenritch]

Rewatching this cats cats cats. Question..love all the window light..which way do your windows face? west or south light? beautiful

[@sandihester]

North. So we never get direct light. We built it on purpose like that

[@justacatwhocantype]

Adorable cats, I really love your style.

[@sandihester]

Thank you! 😊

[@PrincessVioleta5]

So amazing❣️

[@Myname2663-w2z]

Sandi - I don’t know if you have tried the - Miya Gouache Paint Set, 56 Colors x 30ml Unique Jelly Cup Design in a Carrying Case (sold on Amazon). You would love them. There are smaller sets good for travel but the color and style of paint are amazing. Jelly cups are awesome for just dipping your brush and painting thick.

[@GillianCrossArt]

I feel you about the shoulder, I'm right-handed and my right shoulder aches quite a lot. Frustrating when you can't create...I've never tried drawing with my left hand though...

[@sandihester]

It's such a pain isn't it???!!!!! Oh my, if you haven't tried using your left hand you should definitely try it!!! I will often paint a whole painting left handing and always think to myself "why don't I do this all the time?".

[@BeckyPartridge1]

Love, love, love the subject, and Sandi I love your drawn, painted and REAL LIFE cats!!!! What are their names? 😻😻😻

[@sandihester]

Thank you so much! Johnny (black cat) and Finn (orange, "bigger" :) cat)

[@michelepastele5347]

LOVE those cats!! Love the non dominant hand drawing too. Receied a recent/urgent text from Cooper --- he's feeling a bit ignored - asked me to contact the ASPCA ...I'm holding off 'for now' but ... x

[@sandihester]

Thank you Michele! That was funny about Cooper :) - trust me - he gets plenty of love - I mean, look at that sweet face - how could you not love him!

[@michelepastele5347]

@@sandihester He looks so precious!! Please give him a head noogie from me! I thought he was probably fibbing about not getting enough attention, but my chiweenie wanted me to follow up!! x

[@sandihester]

He also fibs about already being fed :) - every now and then he gets me! I'll come home and he's acting like he hasn't eaten in days - I assume Grady forgot to feed him, I feed him and Grady yells from the other room "you fell for it?"

[@michaelwood5519]

Excellent exercise for loosening up too. I love these left hand drawings! Subbed too :)

[@sandihester]

Welcome Michael!!! Thank you!

[@michaelwood5519]

@@sandihester Thank you!....keep up the fun!

[@junemaguire9988]

Love cats any more you cN paint will be great.thank you.

[@judykeathley7094]

Such a great lesson !

[@sandihester]

Oh, I'm glad you liked it! thank you!

[@bella619]

💖you da real deal💖

[@sandihester]

🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@bella619]

Right back to you!!

[@monicavalenzi4891]

Bravo!

[@denisestover2416]

Robert Simmons brushes are excellent quality. They are better quality than some of the highest priced brushes! Sadly they have discontinued some lines. 😟 😥 Thank you for the encouragement! I'm going to do exactly what you suggested! BTW, we're you really scared thenfirstntime you put reels on Instagram? You seem very comfortable with the camera. Ohhhhh, how I wish I could be, but alas....poor horati- sorry, theater coming out after all of the CATS! Lol!

[@julietoye9872]

💗

[@betsy55110]

You are such a joy to watch! You crack me up. Cats are next on my list to attempt to paint and I'm going to follow your lead and sketch first. Question: What or how do you seal oil pastel with? I just played with them for the first time and have no idea what to do now. Do they dry? I'm one who likes art supplies but takes her sweet time trying them out...lol

[@sandihester]

No, unfortunately they don't dry - that's their negative :(

[@MSKCCooke]

Looking for a side income? Cat stickers! Cat earrings! Adorable! "I own them all" and "Let's go kill something" LOL! Next is a cartoon when one of them says, "Mom 'gets' us." Too cute!

[@sandihester]

I love the idea!!! Maybe one day!

[@pattykelly6621]

Are you varnishing your oil pastel paintings? And if so, what do you use?

[@sandihester]

No, oil pastels don't every dry complete so you shouldn't varnish them

[@pattykelly6621]

@@sandihester thank you

[@Janartable]

Just so you know..it’s difficult to find your, paintings for sale on your website. I couldn’t find the products tab or for sale etc. Thanks for another great video though! Xx

[@sandihester]

Yes, I know - we've purposefully not made a 'for sale' page - we're doing more of a soft opening and just placing the prices on each painting. People can email me if they're interested in a painting. Thank you for your feed back!

[@Janartable]

I hated to sound like i was criticizing. I didn’t realize you were well aware. Lol. I didn’t want you to be crushed that nobody looked at your items for sale. :) xx

[@sandihester]

@@Janartable no no no!! I am always soooo thankful for feedback! I've been hearing from so many people. I think I'm going to do a 'for sale' page and just tell people that the prices are on the paintings and to contact me if they're interested. I really do appreciate you taking time to reach out!!!!!

[@jrm2716]

I am ambidextrous. I find that I draw better( and automatically) with my right hand and tend to paint with my left. When I was in elementary school the teachers frowned on writing with my left hand so I worked with my right in school and did all my homework (encouraged by my parents) with my left. Think I'll try an opposite day. Tfs.

[@sandihester]

That's a great idea - I love that!

[@monicavalenzi4891]

Ops. Brava!

[@lauralou89]

Iam so grateful for your videos Sandi they have been absolutely invaluable to me 🫶🏻 out of curiosity...your left handed cats? Did you use reference pictures or did you just go for it from your imagination? X

[@ritahamm9419]

I just did an entire Still Life painting for my painting class with my left hand ... because I just got diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel in my right (dominant) hand.

[@sandihester]

Great job - it’s fun isn’t it!!! I’m sorry you are having problems with your main hand though.

[@tessjarrett5426]

Do they get sealed or varnished

[@barrybark3995]

you make such cool inspiring vids !- before you took up as an artist what was your job?

[@sandihester]

Thank you so much!

[@michelepastele5347]

I think we should take a poll on what Sandi's job was BEFORE she became a remarkable artist...I have a few guesses: an airplane repossession specialist, or a professional sleeper for a Finnish mattress company where she had to write a professional review on each one she tried. She could have also been a 'professional calmer for disgruntled customers' --- just seeing her makes people feel good.

[@sandihester]

@@michelepastele5347 This cracked me up! How in the world did you guess - I WAS an airplane repossession specialist :)!!! Do I need to say just kidding?! What I use to do is what I still do - I have been doing women's ministry for over 20 years.

[@kelliJANSEN]

15:15 hi sandi! do you still sketch on your ipad?

[@sandihester]

No not really

[@AM-kq6tv]

When things turn out weird, i just put more weird stuff on them. Motto to live by

[@aliciadanowski245]

You also gave the cats human eyes along with the teeth.

[@AdriansPotteryArt]

cheap bristle/hog brushes are underrated, they have way more character and personality than the expensive ones

[@sandihester]

YYYYYYEEEEESSSS! Preach it!

[@magicalpatterns]

Sandi is a very good friend of mine, but she doesn’t know it yet😜

[@sandihester]

😂

[@aimeecruise1779]

Mine too!

[@sandihester]

Yall are cracking me up!

[@michelepastele5347]

@@aimeecruise1779 Mine too!

[@loreleibell6287]

We will just call you Cat Woman ... tee hee