Sandra Hultsved's Circle of Hell

Memento Tea
Jan 7, 2019
3 min read

Welcome to the new "Artist's Circle Of Hell" editorial: a journey through the eyes and thoughts of magnificent Dark Artists.

Today we are delightful to talk with Sandra Hultsved, that may you know as one of Memento Tea Gallery's Directors.

Sandra is an artist born 1989, in the deep forests of Sweden. Influenced by the techniques of the old masters of art and experimenting as self-taught, in the same way, with different tools, such as oil, ink and pencils; Sandra captures the tragedy and the melancholy, inspired by her struggles, over the years, against depression and thoughts, and expressing them on the canvas. Sandra is constantly surrounded by nature -particularly the forests of Värmland, where she lives-, her precious refuge and escape from reality, together with her beautiful art.

Enjoy the interview!

First circle - Limbo

How old is your soul? Do you have an inner child?

I often say I feel like an old lady in my soul. But at the same time, I’m easily entertained by the little things in life, just like a kid, with a wild imagination. But I’m pretty sure I lived a past life in the late 1800.

Second circle - Lust

Before you have reached your artistic path, have you ever instinctively tried different fields that did not appeal to you, just for the sake of it? Are you still in search for your art style?

I feel like I’ve found my ”style” and what I want to do, but I’m always in the search for refining it and experimenting with new things. Otherwise I get bored.

Third circle - Gluttony

How hungry are you for the art, for your passion? How much are you addicted and addicted to it, moving away from your perception of reality?

Always! I feel empty if I can not create. And when I feel the inspiration I get very caught up in it and forget to take breaks and eat. I’m definitely addicted to creating art! It gives me a sensation of satisfaction.

Fourth circle - Greed

Sometimes, do you feel greedy with your job? Do you think that a strong attachment to money can compromise your art? No intention to offend, but only to explore what goes beyond being a "starving artist".

This I struggle with a lot, because I don’t want to be dependent on money in my art, that is not what makes me wanna create. But at the same time, that is how this society works… if I can’t make money out of my art I’d have to take a ”regular” job, that would just make me depressed, and I don’t want that. So I’m trying to make it work now, art is what I wanna do for a living. Or what I must do to live?

Fifth circle - Anger

How you see the Art World today? There are some stuff that make you uncomfortable?

Yes so much! Facebook, don’t get me started… Also the whole elitist art world, were an CV with fine art schools are higher rated than what quality of art you actually do.

Sixth circle - Heresy

Have you ever done a project or commission totally different from your kind of art? (for example, as fairy art, erotic art, fantasy art or comic art)

Yes, lots of times! Mostly for commissions or in school and such.

Seventh circle - Violence

Are you afraid to represent cruel stuff of the reality in your art? If not, it goes beyond the simple visual impact?

I depict what I feel like, and how I want to portray it. Personally I think I sometimes could make it even darker, but I like to work more on the feeling and symbolism, than to have shock value.

Eighth circle - Fraud

Without naming, have you ever been deceived by a false customer or company? What was your initial feeling? Do you want to give some advice to those who are new in this field? Don't worry if you do not want to answer.

Yes, I’ve learned from my mistakes in the past. For example to always get 50% non-refundable deposit on a commission, before I start painting anything. Make a contract for company that you will work for, that state what is included or not and for what fee. And trust your gut feeling!

Ninth circle - Treachery

Would you ever exchange your life as artist with a safer and quieter life? What would you do if you could not make art?

My artist life is my quieter life, it makes me feel free to do what I’ve always dreamed of! But if I had to take another job to provide for myself, then I think I’d like something with gardening.