What is the best thing that I love about my work?
My paintings are like a strong sip of “the cocktail of being me”. If
you like the drink, order it and be ready to get a kick!
The ingredients are:

1 big burst of energy,

a shower of bright & happy colors,

2 big spoons of healthy humor (do not take yourself too
seriously!),

1 cup of warm, fuzzy emotion,

1 set of non-apologetic strong values,

a big dose of female inner beauty and wisdom,

a punch of rebel,

a slight touch of drama.

What is my idea of happiness?
I’m pretty close to my idea of happiness at this point in my life
(minus Covid…). I live on an idyllic island in the Caribbean called
Providenciales in Turks & Caicos, I am independent & free, can
do what I love most, have great friends, 2 loving dogs & I have the
most supportive, smart and loving rock’n roll hubby. It might
sound like it was all very easy to reach to this point… BUT,
through the years I/we worked very hard for it, took many risks,
had to go with our gut feeling instead of reason sometimes & live
in uncertainty at times when other people were comfortable in ‘a
settled, safe & predictable’ kind of life of their own choice. My
dream came true, because I made it come true by hard work,
focus, unrelenting passion and coloring outside of the lines.

What is my greatest fear?
I guess nobody has just one greatest fear, but at least a few that
are equally scary. So I will let you in on just this one.
Funny enough, one of my greatest fears is having to go back
where I came from and loose everything I worked and fought for
through the years. I went through a lot of new experiences, places
around the globe, moves, meeting new people, seeing and living
through new opportunities… and I changed. I would not fit in my
old environment anymore and it scares me if I would have to go
back there, because I think I’d be very unhappy.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
I wish I could create music, play an instrument really well or sing. I
can see shapes with my eyes closed, I can imagine anything on a
canvas while it is still blank, I can hear colors whispering to me, I
can remember colors in detail and match them. However, I have
no talent at all when it comes to music. Ask anyone who has ever
been to a karaoke place with me…

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
I have to say, as a female pop artist, I really admire Ashley
Longshore. She is one heck of a happily crazy, talented,
outspoken & strong female artist. I love her work, optimism and
her bubbly personality.

What is my greatest extravagance?
This one is easy: not having to get up in the morning at an
unearthly hour, awoken by a clock! The extravagance of waking
up with your natural body clock, be it 8 or 10am (who cares),
without stress, is the biggest luxury in the world!

On what occasion would I lie?
I try not to lie at all. It is better to put on your big girl’s pants and
just say it as it is. It might be hard at the time, but eventually it will
evoke a better outcome in the long run for all parties involved.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
I love everything about painting and creating. But being a
successful artist also includes doing your marketing. Sometimes I
am not liking parts of that too much. Especially having to reach
out and talk, while I just want to close off and paint. In that sense I
also dislike cell phones because they are always ‘on’. I prefer to
work totally undisturbed by phones and will switch off the sound
any time I can. I guess I need a manager!

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
NOW! HERE!

If I could, what would I change about myself?
I’d give myself longer legs, so I can reach the top cabinets in the
kitchen.

What is my greatest achievement in work?
I think my greatest achievement is that I lived through several
professional lives. I chose to be reborn in different professional
areas (advertising, design, real estate, art) in different locations
around the world (Europe, Asia, the Caribbean) to become just
me, in essence. I lost all the unnecessary baggage through this
evolution and now I am just… me! That cocktail again…

Where would I most like to live?
I am where I want to be in Turks & Caicos Islands! What’s not to
love. Unspoiled, pristine ocean and beaches, no pollution, tropical
all year round, a slower pace of life, beautiful friendly people &
great friends from all over the world. Just a flight away from
bustling cities like New York, Miami, LA, Las Vegas or New
Orleans if you want some action.

What is my most treasured possession?
My husband, love of my life, soul mate… He is strong, intelligent,
kind, honest & empathic and the only one that can really handle
me (thank you, dear!)

What is my most marked characteristic?
Humor & optimism, ok, that’s 2, but they go hand in hand for me.
I naturally try to look at things in a positive way and try to kill sad
or hurtful situations with good conversation, humor and a glass of
wine.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
My island is small, but the ocean is everywhere around us and
always changes: new colors, wind, storms, stillness, moonrises,
sunsets, light reflection, the sound of crashing waves… There is
no end to the power of inspiration by the ocean.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
Do I really have to name just one? I can’t! There are several, for
several moods and occasions, so here we go:

Bob’s Bar: easy going beer & burger kinda place overlooking
the South shore, live old rocker band playing on Wednesday
nights

Seven: fine dining with great sommelier at Seven Stars Resort

Caicos Cafe: outdoor Mediterranean dining, run by 2 Italians

Provence: exquisite food experience by French chef Eric

The Conch Shack: on the beach, feet in the sand, rum &
reggae joint

Coco Bistro: dine under the palm trees, have to book way
ahead, place to spot celebrities

What books influenced my life and how?
Dalai Lama, everything by the Dalia Lama. Buddhism, spiritual,
open minded, non religious, unconditional, inspirational,
ideological… I soak it all up. Makes you dig into yourself and try to
be a better person.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last
day?
The Doors, “This is the end”.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
Carrie Bradshaw or Samantha Jones? Can’t choose. Make it a
sandwich of those two.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
Gotta say Ru Paul. The way he created this fantastic medium for
drag queens to come out of their shell, feel safe and loved & show
the world what they have to offer. He has an amazing talent to let
them shine, be their mother, psychologist, supporter, protector
and defender all at once, while still making it an all entertaining
event, putting them in the spotlight.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
Probably sounds silly, but that would be “Forest Gump”, I just
loved the mix of creativity, emotion, humor, wit, great acting and
how it moves through time. And the music!

What role play stories in my life and work?
Stories are inspiring. They give you hope and courage. Reading
about other people’s experiences, hardships, love and successes
is like chicken soup for the soul.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to
me?
You are the brain behind the creation of your own life. To me it
comes down to taking the right decisions at specific cross roads in
your life, time and time again.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
My husband.

Which people or companies would I like to work with in
2022?
I am a loner when I work and also not much of a planner. I just
hop along through life and see where it takes me and who I meet
along the path. When an opportunity arrises, I’ll take it!

What project, in 2022, am I looking forward to work on?
Working towards a new solo exhibition, creating a new body of
work.

Where can you see me or my work in 2022?
You can always find me in my home base Providenciales, Turks
and Caicos. My work has a permanent presence at a local art
gallery here in Grace Bay called Artprovo.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
Mick Jagger & Keith Richards, no need for more explanation.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their
story?

Ilse Vijncke (Belgium) – (Instagram: @onzils). She is creating
the most amazing beach art/sand circles.

Tina Williford (US) – (Instagram: @liberty_and_plenty). She is
starting up her own distillery & tasting room, all woman-owned
and woman-operated.

How can you contact me?
You can contact me via my:

1. Website: http://www.sandraknuytpaintings.com
2. Instagram: @sandra_knuyt_art
3. Twitter: @KnuytSandra