Meet Asandra

We had the good fortune of connecting with Asandra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Asandra, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
I made a very clear, internal decision not to listen to external opinions. It was a deep call within to walk an authentic path in my life. That meant that compromising was not an option.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart is my 40 year career as a Channel for Spirit Guides, and higher soul path guidance. In the early days of my career as a fine artist, it was advised that the New York art world (where I grew up and studied art), would not be interested in that part of my life. Therefore, I kept the two careers separate.

In 2018, the relatively unknown, Hilma Af Klint, a 19th- 20th century Swedish painter and mystic, had a sellout exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. According to Artsy, “In 1904, af Klint recorded in her notebooks that she was informed by a spirit guide that she would be called on to convey the spiritual world in her paintings. She went on to create 193 paintings between 1906 and 1915, known as “Paintings for the Temple.””

As an artist and spiritualist, this was a profound confirmation of the work I had aspired to create, long before hearing of Af Klint. It also predates the acceptance of genres of painting that were outside the art-world norm. Af Klint, herself, declined to have her work shown within her lifetime, knowing the audience was not yet ready.

I began to realize that it was time to blend these formerly disparate parts of myself that no longer needed separation. Embracing myself as all of these integrated aspects, without effort, my artwork began to be bought up very quickly by private collectors. I shared the images in emails and social media but not with the intention to do anything other than share the imagery. I had finally let go of trying to fit into a specific art-world identity.

Although I have had numerous successes all along the way, accepting myself as this particular voice of artistic expression has clarified the way for me at a deep, personal level. The most important thing for any artist to know (of any discipline), is never compromise your true voice.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
At the top of my list, in any city, would be art museums, galleries, interesting architecture, gardens, and eclectic restaurants and cafes. This is for people-watching as much as it is for the art and culture.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Although my mother passed 35 years ago, it was her nurturance of my talents at the age of 11 that I hold most dearly. She took it upon herself to surprise me one day with a set of oil paints, linseed oil, brushes, and canvas. A year later, she took me every Saturday until I was 15, to study painting at a small private atelier. I consider her support to be the foundation of my life as an Artist.

Website: Asandra.net & Asandra.com

Instagram: Asandraart

Image Credits
All images by Asandra