For senior Ivan Sandler, art has always been more than just a hobby—it’s a part of who he is. His journey began in Canada with a simple but life-changing gift from his grandmother: a set of colored pencils.
“After school, every day, I would just draw so much,” Sandler said. “My teacher even showed my parents one of my drawings, and from there, they started supporting me.”
Since then, Sandler’s artistic style has evolved constantly. While many artists settle into a single medium, he thrives on exploration. From colored pencils to acrylics, digital art to 3D modeling, and even tufting rugs, his work has always been about pushing boundaries.
“That’s like my favorite thing about art—exploring different mediums,” he said. “During COVID, I saw tufting videos on TikTok, so I built a tufting frame and tried making rugs. I found I didn’t like it, but now I know that I just like exploring different stuff.”
His curiosity has led him to unexpected opportunities. At school, he’s taken advanced art classes and contributed illustrations to various projects, including designing banners for the campus.
“Recently, I’ve been doing 3D modeling, and that contributed to the school banners,” he said.
Outside of school, his work has reached even broader audiences. Last year, his piece on the theme of “in transition” was exhibited for three months at the Los Gatos New Museum, giving him his first experience showcasing his art in a professional setting.
But one of the most defining moments in Sandler’s artistic journey happened far from home. Two summers ago, while in Barcelona, he had a chance encounter with a well-known local graffiti artist.
“I showed him some of my art, and he invited me to his graffiti shop—the first graffiti shop in the world,” Sandler said. “We got pretty close, and he gave me free paint and told me to go make some murals.”
That experience didn’t just introduce him to street art—it left a lasting mark. Before Sandler left Barcelona, the artist gave him a small painting, a reminder of their connection.
“He’s kind of like a role model to me,” Sandler said. “He’s successful in his career, and he makes really cool stuff. I have his painting hung up in my room.”
For Sandler, art isn’t just about technique—it’s about emotion and connection. His work often explores themes of individuality and expression, particularly through his cartoon-like character designs.
“The goal of any piece of art, in my opinion, is to draw emotion, no matter what it is—just to make someone feel something,” Sandler said. “When people look at my work, I want them to connect with it.”
He hopes to continue sharing his art with the community.
Sandler’s enthusiasm and passion remain high as he prepares for college, Sandler knows that no matter what path he takes, art will always be part of his story.
“I definitely want to continue it [art],” Sandler said. “Even if my major isn’t art, I still want to find some way to keep doing it.”
