Today we’d like to introduce you to Sanise Bridges.
Hi Sanise, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
It’s always hard to answer how I started because I have always been creative, even as a kid. I kept art awards and scholarships from as far back as around 2011. I tried many different hobbies such as crocheting, painting, pottery, embroidery, scrapbooking, etc. However, after I tried working with resin, it became one of my favorite mediums to work with.
I started making keychains with resin in 2019 and moved into larger projects as the years went on. I made coasters, small paintings, jewelry boxes, mini figurines, and decorative trays. My husband encouraged me to start a business with my pieces when we met back in 2020. I was too scared to put myself out there until July 2021 when I finally filed for my LLC in Virginia. We began attending small pop-up shops around the Chesapeake, VA area, and I officially began selling my work. Shortly after that, we moved to San Diego due to military orders in January 2022.
I sold my first resin painting in San Diego on Facebook Marketplace in early 2022. We then attended our first art show ever in Los Angeles on March 3rd, 2023 (The Spectacular Black Girl Art Show). We have been to several other events in the SoCal area, such as the Grand Avenue Festival, the San Diego Food & Art Market, and the Etsy SoCal Guild.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every new activity or new idea that I have comes with learning curves. When I was new to making art with resin, some of my pieces didn’t cure properly. I had crooked trays, sticky keychains, and cracked jewelry boxes. I learned the importance of sanding and wearing gloves after getting cut by sharp resin edges. I’ve had my pieces scratched or cracked while in transit to an event. There are also internal challenges like the fear of rejection or judgment when it’s time to promote my work. I’m often too nervous to pass out my business cards and advertise my business locally.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a visual artist, and I primarily work with resin. However, I work with other mediums as well, including acrylic paint, digital art (photoshop), and mixed media. My resin pyramids get the most attention, but I am most proud of my resin furnishings. My resin countertop in 2022 and resin dining table in 2024 were my largest projects. I run my home decor shop online, but I want to have a full storefront one day.
In short, I make resin sculptures, mixed media paintings, giclee posters, furniture, and now candles too. We moved to Coronado, and 8 of my pieces are in the Emerald C Gallery. I also teach resin classes at The Artist Outpost in San Diego a few times a month. Our next event is coming up on May 19th for the Escondido Street Festival and I am so excited. I love creating home decor and I plan to do it for the rest of my life.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I enjoyed creating things and putting toys together. I liked customizing my Barbie house, toy kitchen, or marble runs. I watched a lot of cartoons and I still like them currently. Cartoons have an artistic animation aspect that attracts me to them. My favorite shows included Chalk Zone and Tom & Jerry. My mom used to save the comics in the newspaper for me to read and I often looked forward to it.
I was the only child for 12 years. Most of my activities involved art, coloring pages, toys, books, TV, or traveling with my mom. I occasionally participated in social activities like cheerleading, gymnastics, and dance. Once I had my spinal fusion surgery, I had to stick with hobbies that wouldn’t injure my back. I tried other things like making ice cream, baking, sewing teddy bears, writing, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artbynisey.store/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbynisey/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Niseys-Art/pfbid0362ANmCz5FtRENfcmGQnwRFwat2Ma6cY7rY2sXQuCMAhyAMwHzjsFLrJdK44bdYdsl/
- Other: https://artbynisey.gumroad.com/
