100 DAYS OF HAPPY ART HAS NOW BECOME A BOOK

100 Days Of Happy Art has now become an evidence-based art book. It will be available early 2023.

Day 16 of 100 Days of Happy Art

Wishing You A Colorful Day by Dorothea Sandra, BA, EDAC

These brushstrokes are gentle, while the colors burst on the canvas with excitement and energy. Since this is an abstract, it’s not appropriate for a healthcare setting; however, it’s a super upbeat mood lifter and looks great on most walls.

This painting SOLD in 2021 as soon as I made it available. I was told by its Michigan owner that it was going to the family’s new condo on the water in Florida. Enjoy!

(I’ve been through a number of hurricanes, and it’s so inspiring to see how Florida keeps bouncing back. Such a lovely state with so many hurricane resilient residents.)

Category: Abstract Expressionism, 21st Century Experimental Art

Size: 16”x20”

Medium: Acrylic paint on heavy duty gallery wrapped canvas

21st Century Art To Make Us Smile!

Day 15 of 100 Days of Happy Art

Flowers Bring Good Cheer by Dorothea Sandra, BA, EDAC

I love walking up a hill and seeing a body of water. From rugged coastlines in New England to beautiful State Route 1 in California to big lakes in Montana and Idaho and so many places in Canada and Japan and now in Northern Michigan.

What I often do is combine images from many of the places I’ve travelled (and there have been so many) and then let a recent image be my main inspiration. This painting was inspired by a trip to the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron connect.

It’s an awesome view, and I added my own creative flair to it with all the Contemporary Impressionism flowers.

Flowers Bring Good Cheer by Dorothea Sandra (SOLD)

This painting represents Contemporary Impressionism and Expressionism art. Impressionism is when the artist interprets the world through their own eyes. Expressionism is when the artist communicates intense feeling through their work. I like to use my artistic talents to create evidence-based (based on medical studies) HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY art.

Free shipping in US. Discounted international rates.

Size: 30” x 40”

Medium: Acrylic on heavy duty gallery wrapped canvas

Art Categories: Contemporary Impressionism

21st Century Art Created To Make You Smile!

Day 14 of 100 Days of Happy Art

Why do so many people associate POWER only with misery?

Isn’t it what people do with power that assigns it something positive or something negative? I once knew someone who suddenly got a lot of power. The first thing that person did was to exact vengeance. I have also known many other people with power. As I got to know them, I watched as they used their power to offer their love, respect, and help to the world. Their power created (and still does) great happiness and joy.

For me, I am not afraid of power and I love to use it in my art. In the right hands, I know power is beautiful. Here’s a business video I created featuring an abstract painting called Movements With Power. (My apologies in advance for the business plugs:)

Beautiful Abstract Art Celebrating Power And Happy Smiles!

Day 13 of 100 Days of Happy Art

This painting makes you want to be inside it. Can you feel the pull?

People tell me all the time not to put images other than just my paintings on my website. They say associating fine art with interior design images diminishes the value of the art. Okay—so that’s what they say. They also told me years ago that a painting needed clear line and structure. Ha-ha-ha! This painting was designed using only a palette knife.

If I have a choice between creating art by the old standards (following old rules, even from 10 years ago) or creating art and a website that makes people happy, then I choose HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!

There are people who regularly go to my website—not to buy more art—but just for a daily emotional pick-me-up…just to look at art that makes them smile…just for a moment of feeling hope or happiness or joy. When this happens, I feel that I have succeeded in art.

Happy Water Happy Sand is another painting that sings of nature’s joy. This painting makes you want to be inside it. Can you feel the pull?

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Category: Abstract Expressionism

Size: 30”x40”

Medium: Acrylic paint on heavy duty gallery wrapped canvas

Art To Make Us Smile!

Day 12 of 100 Days of Happy Art

I’ve often been called an artist of HOPE, but you might be surprised to know that I’m a very serious, very intense abstract artist who makes 21st century social statements through art.

I got trained to paint from childhood, so I easily paint (like learning to ride a bike) from my soul out, but there are days my inner core is dark or deeply worried, and I often channel out many of these intense thoughts and feelings through abstract expressionism art.

Before Covid…before January 6th…before many of our problems erupted, I kept seeing that many of our Systems/Institutions needed some critical updating. I worried that some citizens might want to go outside the rule of law and take the country into a REVOLUTION. Speaking to this through art, here are two paintings I did.

Each painting to the left was called TO THE REVOLUTION. Each painting to the right I called OUR REVOLUTIONARY CHOICES.

Both paintings are united through the same background color. The abstract, To The Revolution, suggests society is heading for blood, revolution, and chaos. The evidence-based floral alongside it, Our Revolutionary Choices, shows how we have power to create—not blood and revolution—but beauty through our own dynamic and positive choices.

I wanted to put the art out there and ask, “What will it be? A bloody Revolution or informed decision-making through our Revolutionary Choices?”

Free shipping in US. Discounted international rates.

Size: 36” x 36”

Medium: Acrylic on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Art Categories: Abstract Expressionism, Contemporary Impressionism

21st Century Art Created To Make You Think Or Smile!

Day 11 of 100 Days of Happy Art

Deep Woods NATURE makes me feel like I can fly!

I live in a town surrounded by beautiful woodsy wonderlands. There are days I can almost feel all the love and healing given off by the land.

All of this happiness and natural beauty influences the quality of my art. This evidence-based work of art is calming and healthy and lovely to see.

It was super fun to work with the dark green background.

Free shipping in US. Discounted international rates.

Size: 36” x 36”

Medium: Acrylic on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Art Categories: Contemporary Impressionism

21st Century Art Created To Make You Feel Like You Can Fly!

In every video I create, all music and photography copyrights have been honored.

Day 10 of 100 Days of Happy Art

New Evidence-based Design Art Pops with Brightness and Good Cheer!

I love creating Evidence-based Design Art! Oh, Baby Blue! I Love You! really POPS with an abundance of joy and happiness. Look how this painting makes these cold, boring, sterile walls POP with brightness and good cheer!

Oh, Baby Blue! I really do love you!

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Size: 36” x 36”

Medium: Acrylic on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrapped Canvas.

Art Category: Impressionism

21st Century Art Created To Make You Smile!

Please note that I am no longer selling my art through the Thunder Bay Arts Gallery at 127 West Chisholm Street in downtown Alpena, Michigan. Why? Simply said, one of the gallery’s requirements is that artists must work a certain number of days in the gallery. I simply got too busy; otherwise, I would definitely still be there. (I miss many of the lovely artists.) Thunder Bays Arts is a beautiful gallery with so many fabulously talented artists. I highly recommend a shopping visit. I’m always inspired to buy something there—from hilariously funny hand-painted greeting cards to a handwoven silk scarf to copper jewelry with amazing stones from the Upper Peninsula to wooden items I love to look at while working in my art studio in Rogers City.

Day 9 of 100 Days of Happy Art

Does a 21st century painting need a traditional focal point to be considered great art?

The answer is NO. A focal point is essential in classic art, and a traditionalist may say it is necessary, but some abstract artists know how to deliberately create great compositions without focal points.

I’m a 21st Century Experimental Artist, with emphasis on both the 21st century and experimentation. When I paint, my goal is not to follow the rules of traditional composition. (And I got trained to paint in the traditional New England seascape style when I was 7/8.) My goal is to go beyond the rules and create art that gives others a fun and happy emotional experience.

Waking Up Happy—which is another SOLD painting without much of a focal point—offers an abundance of happy emotional impact. Rather than, “Dorothea Sandra, you create such beautiful traditional art”, I’d much rather have buyers say, “Wow! and Aaah! or Ha-ha-ha!” Rather than draw the viewer’s eye in to one spot, the painting is designed to takes us all over the composition for a super happy all-over experience.

I hope you enjoy the video!

Day 8 of 100 Days of Happy Art by Dorothea Sandra

MORE Bubble Art For You Today!

What’s so special about Bubble Art? It’s fun and happy and lots of people today like it.

Art changes as time goes by, not just because of the artists, but also because of the people and times in which we live.

There may be someday in the future…but there is no official category of art called Bubble Art. It’s just a name I gave to a style of art I pulled together from different traditional and modern techniques.

Here are some photos of the pieces in the video. People frequently thank me for creating this kind of art. In truth, I should be thanking them. I always have so much FUN, FUN, FUN when creating Bubble Art, and I think all these emotions of delight and happiness and comfort and joy get channelled right inside each piece.

ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY!

Happy Cheerful Wow Wow Wow by Dorothea Sandra

Bubbling With Happy Smiles by Dorothea Sandra

Joy Joy Everywhere by Dorothea Sandra

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Size: 36” x 36”

Medium: Acrylic on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Art Categories: Contemporary Impressionism, Abstract Expressionism

21st Century Art Created To Make You Smile!

Day 7 of 100 Days Of Happy Art by Dorothea Sandra

People love my happy floral art, but that’s not my only category of art.

Ocean Memories by Dorothea Sandra, 30”x40”

I love creating happy emotions on canvas with only a palette knife.

When I was a child my parents put painting tarps down on the sand and we’d all sleep under the stars facing the ocean while listening to the ever reassuring movements of waves. I loved it. It’s where I played so happily and where I learned to paint.

My parents were painters trained by Roger William Curtis, President of the North Shore Arts Association in New England. I remember being taught how to use the deep blue colors and mixing in white. Capturing movement and having sea hit rock and sand was another style I learned.

Today I prefer Abstract Expressionism to the traditions of New England sea art, but all those happy childhood memories are still here.

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Category: Abstract Expressionism

Size: 30”x40”

Medium: Acrylic paint on heavy duty gallery wrapped canvas

Art To Make You Smile!

Day 6 of 100 Days Of Happy Art by Dorothea Sandra

Deep Woodsy Flower Happiness, 36”x36”

I always get so thrilled when walking in the deep woods. There’s a darkness to it, yet it’s always so beautiful. For me, the deep woods and its colors speak of health and healing. It’s a place where I feel deeply connected to life.

I also like to take something traditional and make it modern. In this painting I picked a traditional dark brown color from the deep woods and then added on top of it a beautiful bouquet of very modern Contemporary Impressionism flowers. The painting is fun and lively and full of tradition with added 21st century style expressions of happiness and joy.

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Size: 36” x 36”

Medium: Acrylic on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Art Categories: Contemporary Impressionism

21st Century Evidence-based Art Created To Make You Smile!

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Living so close to nature helps me create art that celebrates our beautiful world. Each day I am amazed at how much our planet gives us. Clean air, clear skies, a huge Great Lake down the street, and miles and miles of trees—all this health and happiness is the source of this work of art.

Did you know I’m a talented “horrific art” painter? I’m really good at the ugly, the hideous, the alarmingly shocking. Francisco Goya and Hieronymus Bosch were two of my favorite artists as a child. We had the entire Time Life Library of Art book series in our downstairs bookshelf, and Goya’s book was one I analyzed over and over again.

I found Goya’s art fascinating (and praiseworthy given his time in history), but today I choose to use the power within my artistic talents—not to shock or horrify—but to cheer people up and make others happy.

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DAY 5 Art To Cheer Up A Heart

I’m usually a super happy, super good-natured person. Before I started showing my art and had a workplace job, I was even given the nickname SMILEY. Then, one day, something horrible happened to me and I got really, really angry. I got so angry and I got so bottled up inside, I just could not talk. It wasn’t because of one person or a community of them. It was just LIFE HAPPENING. No one was at fault. During this time the only thing that spoke to me was art.

Many artists have missions. One artist may be on a mission for fame…another may want to show the world the horrors of life…I decided to share my art talents—at least most of the time—to make others feel good and smile. Like many of my floral paintings, Art To Cheer Up A Heart has humor built in it. As a child I was trained to paint using traditional painting techniques. If I did as I was taught, this painting would be a realistic still life. Instead, it’s a super galore bunch of flowers dancing and singing and helping others feel good and smile!

Art To Cheer Up A Heart by Dorothea Sandra, BA, EDAC (Evidence-based Design Accreditation and Certification)

WISHING YOU A SUPER WONDERFUL DAY!

Day 4 Lakeside Lovelies

HOPE—that’s what many people say my art shares with them!

You Are Incredible by Dorothea Sandra

SOLD!

Size: 11”x14”

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Category: Contemporary Impressionsim

You Are Magnificent by Dorothea Sandra

SOLD!

Size: 11”x14”

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Category: Contemporary Impressionsim

I know I have the art talent, but I just can’t take credit for (ownership over) all the amazing natural wonders and beauty I get to paint. I love most bodies of water and see them as gifts to love and enjoy. I got trained to paint along coastal New England and love the Atlantic Ocean. I also spent time along coastal California, another amazing place. Then I moved to Japan and got to see the Pacific Ocean from the other beautiful side. Now I live along Lake Huron.

These paintings were inspired by the truly unique Great Lakes region. I also wanted to create within each painting feelings of HOPE and then have their owners SHARE in their unique names. I wanted to create the idea that the paintings were incredible or magnificent or inspiring or special and so were the people who bought them.

They are a contemporary impression of the Great Lakes and nearby flowers (planted or wild) and are intended to share with the world naturalness, beauty, and joy!

You Are Inspiring by Dorothea Sandra

SOLD!

Size: 11”x14”

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Category: Contemporary Impressionsim

You Are Special by Dorothea Sandra

SOLD!

Size: 11”x14”

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Category: Contemporary Impressionsim

A BIG, BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO COMMENT BELOW AND/OR SHARE THIS BLOG POSTING.

DAY 3 Bubbling With Happy Smiles

For all kinds of reasons, I think more people today need less stress and more happiness. I like to use my art to make the world smile!

BUBBLING WITH HAPPY SMILES was created as a super smile-maker and a super mood-lifter.

It’s a fun and happy evidence-based work of art that was deliberately and strategically designed to make us smile. Evidence-based art relies on actual medical studies in its designs. Like many hospital architects, medical facility exterior and interior designers, doctors, administrators, and more, I am EDAC (evidence-based design) trained and certified.

I decided to get this very difficult training after going on a popular New York website that billed itself as a art website for health and healing. On the website they featured horrific abstracts that looked like dripping blood and stabbing daggers, grossly misshapen and disfigured everyday household items that resembled humans, and political characters they strongly disliked.

I wanted my evidence-based art to be rooted in actual medical studies done on design and human health and healing. I wanted rigorous, legitimate training—which I got—and I love taking the new yearly courses required to keep up my certification.

Free shipping in US. Discounted international rates.

Size: 36” x 36”

Medium: Acrylic on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Art Categories: Contemporary Impressionism, Abstract Expressionism

21st Century Art Created To Make You Smile!

A BIG, BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO COMMENT BELOW AND/OR SHARE THIS BLOG POSTING.

DAY 2 Modern Woodsy Love

Modern Woodsy Love by Dorothea Sandra

Modern Woodsy Love celebrates 21st century living in a nature-filled woodsy area.

I spend quite a bit of time in the Great Lakes region, and there’s always something green and woodsy and beautiful to inspire my art. For Modern Woodsy Love I used very traditional northern woodsy background colors, but I just had to give it a modern, upbeat, full-of-fun, 21st century twist.

36” x 36”

Acrylic paint on heavy duty gallery wrapped canvas. Professional level materials and expert packaging.

(Some people have asked, so here are my thoughts on the oil vs. acrylic paint debate. As a child I was trained to paint only in oil. Today I use only professional level acrylics. Is oil better than acrylic? I don’t think so—at all. If you use cheap studio-level oil paint, then your materials are cheap. If you use cheap studio-level acrylic paint, then your materials are still cheap. This painting was created using expensive, professional-level Liquitex acrylic and professional-level Golden acrylic paint. Everything I use is high quality, right down to the glassine paper each painting is wrapped in.)

Beautiful Sue Anne, named after the buyer who commissioned it.

This painting was created using Evidence-based Design research. Multiple credible studies now show connections between certain types of art and positive health outcomes. I am EDAC (evidence-based design) trained and certified.

Custom art in my style also available up to 5’x8’. This painting is part of my Woodsy Wonderfuls brand. I super enjoyed creating the national commissioned art paintings in this series.

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I Create Happy Art To Make You Smile!

A BIG, BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO COMMENT BELOW AND/OR SHARE THIS BLOG POSTING!

DAY 1 Feeling Super Loved

I wake up each morning feeling super loved. Why? How?

Feeling Super Loved by Dorothea Sandra

I wake up each morning feeling super loved. Why? How?

For me, I love living around nature. I can see beautiful Lake Huron (one of the Great Lakes) from my front yard, pesticide free flowers fill my property, and birds and butterflies and bees and rabbits and squirrels and chipmunks visit each day. All of this happiness and natural beauty influences the quality of my art. This evidence-based work of art is calming and healthy and lovely to see.

Today is Day 1 of 100 days of happy art. I’ve shared a painting with you titled, Feeling Super Loved. I hope you enjoy the video!

Free shipping in US. Discounted international rates.

Size: 36” x 36”

Medium: Acrylic on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Art Categories: Contemporary Impressionism

Evidence-based 21st Century Art Created To Make You Smile!