Maybe Sandy

Name: Maybe Sandy
Address: 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90036, US
Telephone: 15103334215

Design and Illustration

07/11/2025

This was a study in patience and observation. I spent a lot of time with the greys, building the shadows slowly and trying to stay true to the form, as a challenge to myself to see if I could do it.

Studying a master work has a way of putting you in the artist’s mindset. I found myself wondering what O’Keeffe was seeing, what she was drawn to in this shell, how she chose her layers, and how she made something so simple feel so full of presence.

The process was quite grounding. This has become one of my favorite paintings I’ve ever done!

Master Study No. 70 (2024)
Acrylic
11x14”

Georgia O’Keeffe
Slightly Open Clam Shell (1926)

07/06/2025

I really enjoyed painting the warm yellow undertones for this shell, especially on top of the cool blue imprimatura. For weeks, I kept looking at it as a piece thinking, “Is this done?” I knew I could have kept adding to it, but I also really enjoyed the simplicity of the state it was in. There’s something that felt easy and open about it. 🪸

Swipe to see earlier stages 💙

06/06/2025

For a long time, I thought this painting felt unfinished. I kept thinking I’d go back and add more. But as it sat, I found myself unable to hold a paintbrush—pregnancy had brought pain and swelling to my hands.
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Now that I look at it, maybe it was exactly as it needed to be.
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It held something raw and real. A quiet moment in time.
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I don’t see it as incomplete anymore, but honest.
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Sometimes a piece isn’t about being “done”—it’s about being true to the moment it came from. 🐚🙂‍↕️🪸
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Master Study No. 69 (2024)
Acrylic
Canvas on Panel
11x14”
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Georgia O’Keeffe
Two White Shells One Black Shell (1937)

05/30/2025

Shells are a living, evolving record of the sea’s influence—both a home for its inhabitants and a mirror of the ocean’s moods.
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The shell series I want to share started with this master study two years ago. It is my way of honoring that beauty in capturing the resilience, mystery, and quiet strength of shells. These are qualities I found myself connecting with deeply during my journey into motherhood: growing, protecting, adapting. And the messy winding journey it took to get here.
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I hope sharing my process with these paintings remind you to pause, to notice the small things, to feel the gentle pull of the sea and to embrace the messy. 🌊 🐚
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Master Study No. 52. 2023
Acrylic
Canvas on Panel
11x14”
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Georgia O’Keeffe.
The Broken Shell - Pink (1937)

07/17/2024

A study I finished up this week of some rocks and teeths 🦷 🪨

It’s been a while since I finished a painting in two sittings. Hopefully this is the start of more to come. 🥰

05/23/2024

My father's side of the family has always been a fishing family. I loved painting the fishing lure in this piece, and achieving that realistic metallic look made me very proud. 🎣Master Study No. 66. 2023.
Acrylic. Canvas on Panel. 11x14".
Georgia O'Keeffe "Fishhook from Hawaii - No. II" (1939)

05/21/2024

Inspired by the heroic stories emerging from the tragic Lahaina Fires of August 2023, I painted this piece as a tribute to the strength and resilience of the community. It's almost been 9 months since the natural disaster, but I hope it serves as a gentle reminder of their community's ongoing journey and the support they still need.Master Study No. 65. 2023.
Acrylic. Canvas on Panel. 11x14".
Georgia O'Keeffe "Hibiscus with Plumeria" (1939)

05/16/2024

My master studies always start out with a clear reference and eventually take on a personality of their own. I fell in love with this piece “Horse’s Skull with Pink Rose” by Georgia O’Keeffe on permanent view at LACMA many years ago. My recent visit with reminded me that I still needed to share my version of this painting with you all. 💕
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See if you can tell where I took my own liberties with this piece - the original is on the last slide. I loved being able to see the pink imprimatura through the horse’s skull in my version and wanted to leave it peaking out. Looking back, I still see areas for improvement - particularly in my highlights. Nonetheless, I feel proud of this piece, and it’s a testament to the ongoing journey of growth I have yet to experience.
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Master Study No. 64. 2023.
Acrylic. Canvas on Panel. 11x14”.
Georgia O’Keeffe “Horse’s Skull with Pink Rose” (1931)

05/14/2024

It's been months since I've done anything for my creative self. I think I painted this study months ago and still haven't posted it... but I'm reaching for the moon now, focusing on myself, and looking forward to a summer of painting. 🌕 ✨🪜Master Study No. 63. 2023.
Acrylic. Canvas on Panel. 11x14".
Georgia O'Keeffe "Ladder to the Moon" (1958)

11/10/2023

I never posted a closeup of this study, but since I am doing a shell series right now, I wanted to revisit and re-share with everyone. To this day, it's still my favorite of the master studies that I've done. Master Study No. 52. 2023.
Acrylic. Canvas on Panel. 11x14".
Georgia O'Keeffe. "The Broken Shell - Pink" 1937.

Address

5905 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
90036

Telephone

15103334215

Website

http://sandranguyenwu.com/

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