This month’s cover art was created by Freshwater’s Sandra Garritano-Provencher. Originally from the USA, Sandra was born in Ohio with an Australian soul, and it was only a matter of time until she found her home down under.
How long have you lived on the Northern Beaches?
I’ve been lucky enough to live in Freshwater most of my adult life. But where to live may not be the best question: How to live where one is, that is not merely a question of space, but also one of time: an artist lives in the best place, the moment, the now.
Where’s your favourite place to eat, drink, hang out?
Cruise Espresso (@cruiseespresso) does the best Chai in town. Freshie Mex (@freshiemex) serves up the best Fajitas outside of Puerto Vallarta. And both places are great to hang out before a walk on the beach at Freshwater.
What’s the best thing about the Northern Beaches?
The quality of the light. Just take a walk any time of day, any day of the year from the Diggers to Curly and magic happens. From an artistic perspective too, that quality of light is a continuous source of inspiration.
How would you describe your art?
Abstract
What first drew you to the arts?
As a young girl I saw someone drawing a cartoon figure, and I was transfixed by the power of a line. I was amazed and knew that moment I wanted to be an artist. That was in the mid west of the United States where I earned a degree in Fine and Applied Arts. Soon after I migrated to Australia. I taught art and design in North of Sydney for nearly 40years.
You look eternally youthful, perhaps art is the fountain of youth?
Of course!
What inspires your artwork in general?
My work draws on a personal collection of experiments with materials and combining layers of texture, colour and mark making. My works do not always have a narrative or document stories, instead, they are often just a moment of the abstract features of overlapping shape, mark making, strength of line, light and colour.
Tell me about your Tawny cover?
It’s a culmination of colour and light, memory and presence.
Do you have any advice for young, aspiring artists?
I question the adjective ‘aspiring’. What is one aspiring for or toward? It seems the usage of the word today implies one aspires to be known, for fame. I think not, this should not be foremost or at all in mind. A true artist aspires to fulfil the demands and needs of the work itself.
Do you a favourite quote you can impart to Tawny readers, especially artists, as they go about their creative and other endeavours?
“When creating, be kind to the doubt, hear it out, thank it for its concern, reassure it that you are an artist and risk is essential.” Nayyirah Waheed
Any final words of wisdom for our readers?
Be present in the moment, curious, willing to take risks. And be brave; expect and accept that failure is part of the experience.
You can view Sandra’s art any Sunday at her home studio or by appointment, phone
0402 149 899 and follow her on Instagram @sandra_garritano