Meet Sandra (SandyRose) Epps | Artist & Art instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandra (SandyRose) Epps and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandra (SandyRose), alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
To me success is knowing that I’ve done the best of my ability in whatever I do. That may look different from day to day, but showing up and giving the energy that I have at that moment is a feeling of accomplishment. Knowing that kids leave my workshops with a feeling of excitement and pride that they created something, as small as that may sound, lets me know I did my job.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
A big part of my work involves using my hands as a paintbrush. When I moved to Miami (About 15 years ago) I didn’t know anyone and would spend a lot of time alone. To pass the time I would paint at home, but I would get frustrated with not achieving what I wanted to get out. I kept painting over and over and over until I was close to giving up. I decided to take a big dab of paint onto my fingers and go straight to the canvas. I realized I enjoyed this technique – it was freeing, it was fun, it created new lines and textures, I liked the way the paint blended together, and ever since then I have been painting primarily with my fingers as a paintbrush. I expanded to use other tools, stencils and objects to create unique textures and blends, and I gravitate towards bright bold and metallic hues. For the last few years I’ve painted mostly surreal and abstract art, and experiment from time to time with watercolors.

My art explores themes of inner beauty and self acceptance. Growing up in the South with a Mexican/Caribbean and New Orleans Creole heritage, many of my art pieces reflect my experience of growing up in a place where I didn’t always fit in.

One of the biggest hurdles for me was in the beginning, I had a hard time calling myself an “Artist”. For a long time imposter syndrome took over and I didn’t share my art with anyone. I even had all my pieces locked up in a closet for almost 2 years! But through time I met fellow local artists within the community and slowly began to come out of my creative shell. I garnered the confidence to begin showcasing at local art shows in Wynwood, and with some gentle nudging I started live painting, networking and realizing I am an artist and I really enjoy creating at in-person events. Since then I have participated in shows during Miami Art Week, and collaborated with groups to showcase around the South Florida region and North Carolina. Most recently I have collaborated with the Public Library to host hand-painting workshops, and hosted art events at local parks and at my studio.

One thing I am proud of is being able to share my technique with kids and being a small part of their creative journey. Teaching has always been a passion, and I took a course focused on teaching in a group setting, and painting for therapeutic purposes. I love seeing them get excited to take home their masterpieces, and I hope that joy sticks with them as they continue creating.

What I want the world to know about my story is that this whole process of creativity is ever changing. I want to spread the message that creativity is within each of us and there is no need for validation or needing to be “good enough” because it already is there. When I am in my art workshops what brings a smile to my face is to see a child so proud of what they thought was at first impossible. I love to see the imagination emerging and this sparks me to go back to my own art and revive that childlike passion. In art there is no right or wrong- and that is the beauty of the process.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For food I love Silverlake Bistro – they have a special: steamed mussels and a bottle of wine! Another new favorite is the New Schnitzel house on 79th street – amazing German flavors and yummy soft Pretzels
For authentic homestyle Italian food I like Coral House
For drinks I’ve always enjoyed speakeasy- type spots – I’d go to Swizzle and Esme for some great cocktails
For some Art and culture I’d check out what exhibits are happening at PAMM and Superblue
When it comes to Music I always check out the Miami Bandshell calendar- they have a great lineup of events
Nu Deco Ensemble is an amazing orchestra and usually collaborates with musicians for a beautiful show
The Arsht Center also has a program called Live on the Plaza which showcases some great live music.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shoutout to Evan Snow, Zero Empty Spaces, Jordan Guzman and AIM for supporting the arts and opening doors to local artists. Adriana Jaramillo and Alicia Thomas, my fellow artist collaborators, Oscar Fuentes the Biscayne Poet and Miami Dade Public Library for providing workshop opportunities to the community, Alberto Tomeu for continued creative support. I’m a big fan of the book the Four Agreements, and do my best to incorporate the principles to my life.

Instagram: @ArtistSandyRose

Image Credits
Omar Sader