the henhouse

begonias | say "it" with art

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Prove you really care for someone's future by giving the gift of art. Paintings, drawings and sculptures (plus) last - a very long time.  They contain messages, symbols and sentiments that are universally understood.  Art has eons-tested efficacy in pulling heartstrings. 

Find a piece that can speak all the words you cannot or the ones you want remembered.

This small-sized, but meaningful painting, housed in a hand-made, free-standing frame,  is now available through Spalding Nix Fine Art.

(su1516) begonias, 5 3/4" x 3 5/8", water-based media on panel, 2015-2016

(su1516) begonias, 5 3/4" x 3 5/8", water-based media on panel, 2015-2016

Begonias suggest symbolically the promise of mystery, rare finds and the rich and sweet darkness of desire. Its energy is that of a wide-eyed and compassionate child of nature. The perennial flower is associated with the sacral chakra and the number nine.  A rub made from crushed flowers and leaves will aid in healing sores, cuts and burns.

 

azalea + bee painting meaning

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Azaleas are known as symbols of abundance, fragile passion and from the Chinese, "thinking of home" as well as a representation of wealth. If you place azaleas, very toxic if prepared properly, in a black vase, this constitutes a death threat. A flour made from the dried flower and mixed in a carrier acts as a pesticide and medical research suggests that parts of the Chinese azalea can treat varying respiratory and rheumatic illnesses.

The bee's important role in our ecology is echoed throughout time in myth and in presentations of contemporary culture. While they are often symbols of royalty, power, vision and creativity, they are also considered symbols of Cupid's "sting" as well as of love, courtship and marriage. In Chinese works of art, if the bee appears on the flower, there is a suggestion of fruitfulness within the marriage or partnership. Within Hindu symbolism, a pairing with the lotus means reincarnation, on the forehead says transformation. Six is the sacred number of Venus the goddess of love and bees work in sixes - that is to say, hexagons. Numerologists believe 6 represents love as is multiplies odd and even (2,3) but is highly stable, symmetrical and balanced. Six energy is creative, conciliatory and nurturing. (Azaleas often offer six petals at the base of the flower.) Color associated with six is red and indigo.

katherine sandoz, (suwi1516) azalea, 3 5/8" x 5 3/4", water-based media on panel, 2015-2016

katherine sandoz, (suwi1516) azalea, 3 5/8" x 5 3/4", water-based media on panel, 2015-2016


flamingo

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An apt totem for the beginning of 2016, the noble king of the marshes signifies new experiences, filtering and discarding what is not beneficial, discernment, rebirth, creativity and vision.  Additionally, this steadfast migrator draws power from the water and is considered to be a heart healer. His color arrives from the pigmenting of the food (carotenoids, especially) the bird eats.

katherine sandoz, mixed media, january 2016

katherine sandoz, mixed media, january 2016

saaABMB15 andres bedoya

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For an artist whose work appears incredibly minimal or extremely intricate (or both?), but either way, puts a LOT of work into their work - like fingers to the bone, "the no-hands award" goes to Andres Bedoya.  

andres bedoya, mixed media on taro gomi doodle book, december 22, 2015Ho

andres bedoya, mixed media on taro gomi doodle book, december 22, 2015Ho

Hope your mitts are on the mend.  Great showing at Gonzalez y Gonzalez at Untitled Art Fair.

andres bedoya, title unknown, metal unknown, but every turn + link made by the artist, 2014 or 2015.

andres bedoya, title unknown, metal unknown, but every turn + link made by the artist, 2014 or 2015.



otome camellia

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It's the most wonderful time of the year because it's camellia season. This gorgeous bloom was once called usu otome, then Frau Minna Seidel and now "Pink Perfection". I haven't quite represented it's state of pink or perfection, but I'll be thrilled to try another in time.

otome, 3 1/2 x 4 7/8, water-based media on panel, 2015 (available unframed)

Please visit my shop if you are interested in acquiring this piece or another or feel free to make an inquiry here.

saaabmb15 | peter makebish

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The paintings of Paul Kremer and Les Rogers dare you, "C'mere! Come here!" They say, "Hey, girl! Wanna listen to some music, hear some poetry, let the sun beat down on your head, shake your hair, your haunches? Care to think about heartbeats, the power of color and shape-making, mind and space shifting in a secret, through-all-the-ages-and-time-but-it's-ON-now language?"

Not so fast, sister. The award for excellence in transforming live, genuinely engaged human beings (who can be plied with greetings, information and the promise of owning the most-best painting-makings currently exhibiting) into cold, lifeless stone forever goes to Peter Makebish. His craft in curating a vibe, turning up the music, creating poetry and dashing hopes and hearts is so honed and precise, I named this award after him.

Congrats, mon frère Pierre.

katherine sandoz portrait of peter makebish at untitled art fair, miami, florida, december 2015

katherine sandoz portrait of peter makebish at untitled art fair, miami, florida, december 2015

sandoz art awards

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Old program - giving out awards - new name: Sandoz Art Awards.  Like the Swiss Art Awards, I have 11 awards (or more) to bestow.  While I don't offer winners 25,000 CHF and an artist residency in Mexico (!), the gallery, person or piece of art does have a portrait or drawing made in homage to the achievement.

artist denise duong photographed by katherine sandoz, oklahoma city, june 2015

artist denise duong photographed by katherine sandoz, oklahoma city, june 2015



naughty or nice?

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This year, for those deserving, I'm recommending paintings - always.  I'm also suggesting works on paper as they are often a very unique and unusual offering of the artist's process and presentation.  They travel light, safely and cheaply.  Last, cost of this work tends to come in slightly lower than those on more substantial substrates.  

I have a number of smaller works on paper available on SANDOZIA.  You may consider some mid to large scale works through the Spalding Nix Fine Art shop on 1st dibs. I also have some very large works (8 feet plus) at the studio. If you wish to inquire about these, please call or email me.

For the naughty set: coal. It's a traditional and classic way to communicate the required message.  For 2015, artist made stockings in paper, fabric or upcycled materials are de rigueur. Maybe you are just the artist?

(color fields) water's edge, 8' x 12', water-based media on paper, 2015

(color fields) water's edge, 8' x 12', water-based media on paper, 2015




casar peony

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This 49" x 36" piece on recycled felt paper may be hung in any orientation. Painted from life, work started when a peony from Casar, North Carolina was delivered to me one day after Mother's Day. The image was finished using photographic reference.

(sufa15) casar peony, 49" x 36", water-based media on paper, 2015

(sufa15) casar peony, 49" x 36", water-based media on paper, 2015

photo:  keith morgan of another monday for w projects

photo:  keith morgan of another monday for w projects

(available through Spalding Nix Fine Art)