It has been a long while since I last wrote, and much has happened since. I have been through many life challenges, exhibits, travels, and other projects. In this post, I cannot go into detail about them, but I wish to highlight something that feels like a milepost in my life and artistic career.
In the summer of 2023, a TV production company in the US contacted me. They asked if I would be interested in being featured in their program, Artful, which focuses on the spiritual aspects of art. They also wanted to highlight mental health in the creative process. I went through a screening process, and a few months later, I was surprised to learn that the program was approved. They wanted to fly a whole TV crew to film me at my studio and document my work! I could not prepare or see any interview questions beforehand for the sake of spontaneity and authenticity. They asked that I consider taking half a day of filming at a place or showing something that inspired my work.
Last October, the TV crew gladly invaded my studio. It felt like an organized hornet's nest! Light umbrellas, camera lenses, film, and sound equipment soon filled my space. They went through and photographed most of my work, scanned my personal photo albums, and asked me to sit in front of the camera for an interview.
To my great surprise, I was also asked to begin a large oil painting from scratch—all while having two cameras pointed at me. One cameraman even stood on a chair and filmed me from above. It demanded all my focus and attention to paint while cameras moved all around me. I asked if I could paint to music, but I was told this was not possible. After the painting session was over, I was drained. I said that I did not know if I could continue for the rest of the day. The Producer said, "Let's go to lunch and see how you feel after." I took a deep breath and agreed. After food and plenty of coffee, my strength returned. These professionals were kind, supportive, and highly skilled at their craft.
We soon landed back in my studio. To my astonishment, I was also asked to start a gouache painting from scratch. I decided not to think and only proceed. I created a motif that I was familiar with. When they said it was enough, I was asked to start a drawing with watercolor/pastel pencils. At this point, I only smiled and began. I have seldom felt such focus. To paint with a brush was one thing, but to draw lines intuitively while a camera filmed close to my pencil, was another.
A long on-camera interview then followed. Used to giving an answer and then having it noted, I was amazed at how the questions kept digging deeper until my answers became raw and to the point. And I am not one to feel uncomfortable with honesty.
The second segment of the filming was conducted at my "place of inspiration." For this segment, I had chosen an area close to where I live on Jeløy Island, near Moss. For years, I have taken nearly daily walks and hikes by these shores and rocks by the Oslo Fjord.
They filmed while we walked and asked questions while a drone captured the scenery from above. At one point, I was asked to walk and sit down on "my rock"—the place where I always go to rest, meditate, and watch the beautiful scenery. It was not until the filming was over that they told me they had wanted to do this to recreate my drawing and painting series "Alone by the Sea," which I have returned to artistically for over a decade. This felt very special to me. I was impressed with their professionalism and vision. I also pondered how much had come together. It had rained for days before our footage by the fjord, but miraculously, on the day of the filming, it was calm, and the sun was out. The day after the film crew left, it started to rain again.
When the two long days of filming were over, I wondered how some fifteen hours of footage would comprise a thirteen-minute program. I felt excited, but also nervous about how it would turn out.
I would need to wait a full year to see the result. One week ago, while on the road traveling in the US, I was able to watch the broadcast live in bed at my hotel room. While watching, I became overcome with emotion. Seeing a visual program about my life, my struggle with mental health, my life view, and my artistic path struck a nerve that I did not know existed. I have written a memoir about my life and given dozens of speeches and newspaper and podcast interviews, but this program made me realize to the core the challenges I have faced. I was also touched and unprepared for the photos of my mother, who passed away from cancer when I was thirteen.
I have attached photos from the filming at my studio and of the wonderful film crew. The program is now available to watch for free online. You can view it here: https://www.byutv.org/11bc7d2a-6464-4d20-931e-c4a4c4e43225?utm_source=artist&utm_medium=artist&utm_campaign=AF_S5Artist&utm_content=David%20Sandum&fbclid=IwY2xjawFn08ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdEw-Q4h7jxi7t71pOXF8OFcm8HH1PGdT3YoytTlK75caox0AQG9mDKdRw_aem_XK5GP3gCcpIl9-M2_Dy9Jg
Thanks for your kind support of me and my art. An artist can paint alone, hidden away from the world. But in the end, we need someone to communicate with to help us move forward with our art. Know that I truly am grateful to each one of you.
