From Dream to Brushstroke: My Creative Journey

If you’ve already visited my website, you might know a little about me. But here on the blog, I want to share more — the behind-the-scenes of my artistic path: thoughts, inspirations, challenges, lessons, and all the messy beauty in between.

Let’s start from the very beginning.

I’ve loved painting for as long as I can remember. When I was just six, I had a dream — to paint a landscape and build my own easel. I even wrote out detailed instructions for how to make it! That note still makes me smile today — it’s full of spelling mistakes, but the message was clear: I wanted to paint. A few years later, I drew a picture for school titled “My Favorite Hobby”. That passion has always lived in me.

Me as 6-years old painter :)

But life took over. During high school and university, I had little time for painting. My focus shifted toward building a career, and art fell into the background. Still, something always felt missing — a quiet calling toward a more creative path.

Then came the isolation of COVID. Like many, I searched for something meaningful to do at home — and found myself painting again. My six-year-old self would be proud. Art became my peaceful escape, a joyful way to pass time and fill the empty walls around me. The lockdowns eventually ended — but this time, the passion stayed, and it rooted itself even deeper in my life.

Living close to the mountains has given me daily inspiration. The wild, untamed beauty of nature is at the heart of everything I create. The shadows, the stillness, the colors — they all find their way into my work.

Sharing my art publicly, wasn’t easy at first. It meant confronting fears and embracing vulnerability. But with time, it helped me connect — with others and with myself. I learned that authenticity is the true essence of artistic expression.

Over the past years, I’ve explored new techniques, mediums, and styles. I’ve connected with other artists, joined exhibitions, and grown in confidence. One of the most unforgettable moments in my early artistic journey was participating in a group show in the mountains — a beautiful experience with inspiring people, and my first real success in selling artwork!

It was also the first time I painted en plein air — outside, surrounded by nature, just like I imagined as a child.

These experiences gave me the confidence to take the next step: creating my website. It’s helped me become more visible, share my story, and reach people who connect with my art. It was also a fun and challenging process — including professional photo sessions and creative collaborations.

Another unique part of my artistic expression is something I’m especially excited to share more about soon — my glow-in-the-dark paintings. These works are created using phosphorescent pigments that absorb light during the day and come to life at night, revealing hidden layers and moods after dark. It's a way of capturing the mystery of nature — the quiet magic that only appears when the lights go out.

This style has become a signature part of my work, and in future posts, I’ll take you behind the scenes — from materials and techniques to how these glowing landscapes evolve on the canvas.

Matterhorn 3D painting

Matterhorn

As I continue to grow as an artist, I’m reminded that the path is never finished. Each step is a chance to evolve, to challenge myself, and to express something deeper.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

And you? Have you ever returned to a forgotten passion?

Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear from you! 😊

If you’d like to explore more of my work, visit sandrasendyk.art or follow along on Instagram @ssendyk_art.