Origins & Inspiration

Sandra Linares’s journey into art began right in East Los Angeles-a neighborhood full of culture, history, and creativity. Growing up there from the age of 12, she was surrounded by all kinds of artistic expression, and it left a lasting mark. It was in this colorful, vibrant setting that she first discovered the work of iconic artists like Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe. Their boldness and emotional honesty hit home for Sandra. Frida’s raw storytelling and Georgia’s love for nature helped shape the way Sandra saw the world—and her place in it.

Their work spoke to something deep inside her. The way they weren’t afraid to be vulnerable, to show feminine strength, and to use nature as a symbol for emotion and identity inspired Sandra to pick up a paintbrush. That spark eventually grew into a passion that would stick with her throughout her life.

As a kid, Sandra often turned to drawing and painting as a way to process her feelings. Art became her outlet. Being born in El Salvador and raised in a close-knit family, surrounded by strong women and rich cultural traditions, she naturally soaked up the idea that art could be a powerful form of self-expression.

One of the most influential people in her life was her grandmother, who taught Sandra to value nature not just for its beauty, but for its wisdom. Her grandmother often said that nature held all the answers—and Sandra listened. She spent hours outside, watching the wind move through trees or sketching the shapes of leaves and clouds. These moments shaped the way she connected to the world and still inspire her paintings today.

But like many artists, Sandra’s journey wasn’t a straight line. In the 1990s, life took a turn. She became a single mom and had to put her art on hold to focus on raising her kids. It was a hard choice, but necessary. Even though she wasn’t painting much during that time, the dream never disappeared. Her love for art stayed in the background, quietly waiting for the right time to come back into her life.