The painter, Romare Bearden said, “Painting is the act of discovery and you’re constantly enlarging your horizon or finding yourself every time you paint.” Sandra White is certainly the discoverer who has embraced the visual arts at a time of life when many folks are thinking about slowing down and being content with retirement and a slower pace of life. She has developed into a vibrant and passionate painter. These are edited excerpts from our conversation at her studio in the Bronx.
Roger: Were you a child who would draw pictures on the walls and floors in your parent’s house?
Sandra: (laughs) No actually I was not. As a child I did not draw or have any art background at all. My being an artist now was totally a reinvention of myself as an adult ten years ago. I was almost a senior citizen.
Roger: What attracted you to painting?
Sandra: Well, Stanley my boyfriend, he picked up a piece of charcoal and handed it to me and said go ahead and try it. I had never done anything. Let me tell you what I was doing and what I have done in terms of my creativity. I did live a life of creativity in certain areas as an adult. I had my own business as an events decorator. I created centerpieces for bar mitzvah’s and weddings. I would design ballrooms to transform them into fantasy land. I always had that creative flair.
Roger: How did you develop as an artist? Schools? Workshops?
Sandra: The first class I took was at the Arts Student’s League. Took classes on portraiture with live nude models. I was blown away with the experience. Very professional atmosphere.
Roger: What made you realize you wanted to pursue painting as a career?
Sandra: At the Arts Student’s League. I was already 60 years old.
Roger: Nature and black women are prominent in your work. Why is that?
Sandra: I’m a member of a community garden here in my community where the garden is very colorful and warm. We put a lot of work into this garden, getting it open. The paintings I decided to do to honor this garden, I wanted to capture the parts of the garden in a abstract way. I wanted to create a movement that’s going on. I’m trying to spread warmth, to spread joy to the viewer. I enjoy painting portraits of women who have strong features like Sade, Rihanna, Lady Day, Aretha. Very strong women, very strong personalities, strong attitudes and I love trying to bring that out on the canvas.
Roger: Describe your process for developing a painting from beginning to completion.
Sandra: My process would be first getting the image on canvas, getting the image right. Very important when you’re doing a portrait. Get the outline and the detail on the canvas and then use my imagination by changing the shadows, changing the coloring. I choose my color palette and then use those colors to display the dark and lights and the shadows.
Roger: I find your blending of various colors so creative and compelling. How do you decide what specific colors to use?
Sandra: Well that was part of the classes I took. I took a class at Monmouth County Arts Alliance. That’s where I learned color theory and how to work and think about colors. What colors work with what.
Roger: I know you’re a music lover. Do you listen to music when you paint?
Sandra: No. I listen to public radio, NPR, WNYC. I listen to things I need to pay attention to. Reason why, I need not to get lost in my painting. I can move through these pieces more freely, more comfortably. If I listen to music, it becomes sort of a background. I tried the music but I find it’s better to listen to someone talking to me.
Roger: What visual artists inspire you?
Sandra: Oh yeah, Melissa Falconer. Young woman from Canada, black female, pop art style. Found her on Instagram. Huge inspiration for me. Bisa Butler, a quilter originally from Africa. Now she’s here in the States. Since I started doing gallery shows, I get inspired by fellow artists.
Roger: How do you get your work into galleries for exhibits?
Sandra: So far the galleries have reached out to me. They get to know my work through social media.
Roger: I’m going to read some quotes from people who have seen your work.
– “The portraits have good composition, vibrant colors and eye movement. Abstractions tend to be Billie more whimsical and fun to see.” – Harry Powell, Former visual artist.
– “I was impressed by her talent in several mediums: charcoal, watercolors, pastels. I am particularly impressed by her current work in vibrant color acrylics.” – Renee Hassell, Visual artist.
– “I’m a big supporter of Sandra’s art. I have collected several pieces of her art since her beginning with charcoal portraits. Her pop art series is very exciting. She shows so much diversity, very creative.” – Charlotte Jackson, Art patron.
– “Life is a journey. See her journey. Her work is very colorful and they sell and she understands the business when it comes to her work.” – Phyllis Gbedemah, Curator, Kente Royal Gallery.
Roger: Any response?
Sandra: I am humbled by positive comments from folks that view my work. I always try to spark joy and happiness for my viewers and it excites me.
Roger: What advice would you give emerging painters?
Sandra: Be bold, walk boldly. That’s what helped me. You can’t be shy. Be comfortable about talking about the work.
Roger: Are there any upcoming exhibits of your work?
Sandra: No. You know life, this journey has been very interesting. Sometimes it’s non stop. Other things in my life take precedent. I am inspired to get to work on some new pieces for February 2026. G&S
IG: Sandra.White.Art
FB: SandraWhiteArt
Sandrawhiteart@gmail.com
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