News posts by Wendy McCarroll Sandeman

Hello everyone!

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A little pop-up, a lot of art (and a good excuse to catch up)
I’m delighted to share that I’ll be hosting a pop-up shop in Edinburgh from 26 February to 1 March, open daily 10:15–18:15am.
Where:
The Shop With No Name
2A Broughton Place, Edinburgh EH1 3RX

I’ll be showing original paintings, prints and cards — inspired by the Scottish coast, landscape, memory and experience, you will find dynamic, expressive abstract work with organic natural mark-making.
The pop-up is intended to be a relaxed, welcoming space — somewhere to browse, chat, connect, and spend time with art without pressure. Whether you’re an art lover, a curious creative or a coastal dreamer, you’re very welcome.
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Friends & family (you know this but just saying…..)
You know I love you — but you also know I’m a bit of a studio hermit. When I’m deep in painting, I’m not always great at being sociable. A pop-up, great! My kind of ‘party’.
When my work is framed and on display, I’m relaxed, grounded, and genuinely happy to chat. It’s a lovely way to catch me surrounded by the thing I’m most comfortable talking about: paint, process, and why creativity is important.
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Fellow artists
I really value connection and collaboration with other artists, especially when it’s built on shared experience and mutual respect. I’m an abstract expressive painter with a love of found and made marks, shapes and textures and while I’m influenced by artists past and present, I’ve worked hard to develop my art practice and follow my individual creative breadcrumbs.
When someone says my work reminds them of another artist, I take it as kindness — but I also believe our own work is as personal as a fingerprint. We all have one, but they are not the same.
I’m formally art-trained (Duncan of Jordanstone, NCAD Dublin, Leith School of Art) and I continue to learn through workshops and mentoring with artists whose approach resonates with me. I’m less suited to rigid, formulaic teaching — I learn best through exploration, discipline, and curiosity.
For me, abstract painting isn’t about being loose for the sake of it. Intention, design, and composition matter. Mastery and play go hand in hand. My work has evolved slowly over time, and I feel I’ve arrived at a place where I can paint with openness and confidence and harness that childlike energy that actually comes from years of practice.
If you’re an artist who values process, integrity, generosity, and shared knowledge — you’re my kind of artist.
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Collectors & art buyers

Thank you. Truly. Supporting artists by buying work directly is a meaningful experience on both sides, and I never take it for granted.
I love knowing where my paintings end up — whose wall they’ll live on, what space they’ll become part of. I make personal work, not factory output, and each piece embodies time, attention, and care.
I also buy art, so I understand the joy and the hesitation. Original art is a commitment — but it’s also something that grows with you. The pieces I love most are the ones I can return to again and again, noticing new relationships, colours, textures, or moods over time.
You don’t need to be able to explain why you love a piece. Trusting your instinct is enough. Choosing art should be joyful — a welcome antidote to doom-scrolling — and something we’re actually very skilled at. We make design choices constantly, often without realising it.
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At the pop-up
This pop-up is all about accessible, affordable art. Whatever your budget, there’ll be something — a card, a small original, or a print — that can bring a little coastal energy into your home or workspace.
If you’re an artist, curator, organiser, or just someone with ideas, the pop-up is also a great place to chat about collaborations, exhibitions, festivals, retreats or residencies. I’d love to hear what you’re thinking.
Let’s connect, support each other, and find freedom and joy in our creative natures!
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See you soon.
Wendy x

Nurturing My Art-Filled Life: Projects, Connection & Future Plans
Hello! I wanted to share what I’ve been up to lately and how I’m keeping my creativity alive.
100 Days Project Scotland 2025
I’ve signed up for the 100 Days Project Scotland 2025, where I post a picture of my sketchbook every day. It’s been a fantastic motivator to explore shapes, colours, and marks that resonate with me. I’m approaching my sketchbooks as a space to play and experiment—without worrying about the final result. At the same time, I’m building a kind of ‘recipe book’, noting down colour palettes, marks, and techniques that work for me.



Sharing this journey on Instagram keeps me accountable and helps me reflect on what I’ve created over the 100 days. It’s also a great way to connect with other artists and be inspired by their work.
New Work: "Lost and Found"
Over the past few months, I’ve been exploring nature through paint. My latest series, “Lost and Found,” reflects this process of discovery.
The seascapes are about fleeting glimpses of land, rocks, and waves—constantly shifting shapes and colours. My time spent walking in woods inspired another part of the series, capturing the cool, layered feeling of trees and lush undergrowth.
I’ve also revisited an old theme from my art college days—painting human forms. I reimagined the body as the four elements: fire, water, earth, and air. These figurative pieces may seem different from my nature-inspired work but the body is just another interesting shape and equally important for my creative exploration. You can see the full series on my website in the ‘Lost and Found’ portfolio.



The Power of Connection
While I love working alone in my studio, I’ve learned that connection is essential to sustaining my creativity. I make time every day—even just 5 minutes—for sketching or painting. But without connection, I know I’d lose momentum.
For the past five years, I’ve been part of the Art2Life Academy, an online community full of inspiring artists and supportive coaches. I’ve recently joined Spice Art Club, another welcoming online group, and I’ve stayed in touch with the wonderful artists I met on the Art Fuel retreat last November. Our regular catch-ups are both motivating and practical.



One important connection is with Caroline Millar, a Scottish artist I met online. I love her art and one of her small collage paintings is hanging in my house. She’s developed a mindfulness app (Indigo Flow) specifically for artists—a brilliant idea, as a few mindful moments can really help you get into the creative flow. I’ve found it surprisingly effective at keep me calm and creative.
Summer holidays
This summer, I have been travelling, visiting family, and, of course, sketch-booking. I’ve been experimenting with my ideal travel art kit—trying to balance flexibility with travelling light. Everything has to feel good in my hands; you know how the wrong pen just makes your writing bad…well it’s the same for painting. I like materials that just feel like an extension of my hand.
I’ve also been applying for exhibitions, open calls, and seeking gallery representation, all while continuing to explore paint, colour, shape, and mark-making in my work.
Creative Tip
In our noisy, information-packed world, it’s important to switch off and tune in to your inner voice. Find a practice that helps you enter that ‘flow’ state—where intuition and creativity meet. Let yourself play, experiment, and stay true to your vision. I know it is important to learn from others while staying connected to what makes my art mine. I urge everyone to tap into their creativity and to find their individual way of expression. Making something with your hands is such a core part of being human so immerse yourself in what lights you up; knitting, sewing, gardening, cooking, crafting, painting, drawing – it’s all a tonic.

Thanks for reading and following along. You can see more of my work on my website wendymccarrollsandeman.com and sign up for my newsletter for behind-the-scenes stories, private views and special offers.
Find out more:
My new work
Spice Art Club
Art2Life Academy
Caroline Millar’s Artist’s mindfulness app - Indigoflow

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