Meet Sandy Collora

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sandy Collora a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sandy, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Confidence and self esteem comes from within. You MUST believe in yourself. The right mental attitude is so important– when notable people in the industry tell you what you need to work on, you do it. I am a man of faith. I believe in myself, and in my heart that that if I work hard, be a good man, help and mentor other people who want to get into the industry, and walk that line between my art and my wife, who is the most incredible human I’ve ever met– I find balance. That’s SO important in any endeavor. My best work has always been when I’m in that zone where the BALANCE is right on point. My own personal confidence and self esteem– honestly, came from my mother. She was such an amazing woman. I lost her in 2003, bur her spirit and the lessons she taught me about my own self worth and who I was not only as an artist and filmmaker, but as a MAN, live within my soul to this very day, and they always will. They inspire and motivate me every single day. I close my eyes and I see her. How beautiful she was… the way she would look at me and take my face into her little hands and tell me how handsome and talented I was– how much she loved me and how proud of me she was. My dad was different story–I saw my father as weak. He wasn’t physical AT ALL, which is a such a huge part of my life. How can you be a real man if you’ve never been in fight in your entire life??? Told someone to fuck off? Made some waves??? He was far too conservative and timid for my liking. He was SO afraid of other men, my mother, not having a job– he ate too much, never did anything physical– he’s obese and I’m nothing like him. I love him and he’s helped me financially here and there, no question– but he’s nowhere near the influence on my life my mother was– she was literally the most incredible, strong, confident and smart human being I’ve ever known. I miss her so much, there aren’t even words to describe it. She pushed me. Inspired me– gave me confidence and told me I was really going to be something in this life. My father was very different. he was always against me being an artist and filmmaker– I never saw a HERO in my dad, the man I wanted to be– as a matter of fact, I saw what I didn’t want to be. A man who had issues showing love and support. My dad was never supportive of me. He felt and always will feel that being an artist isn’t a “real” job, I’ve had my bad days, months– years, sure– but I would never trade what I do, my body of work and my legacy for anything. I’m a success and have developed the body of work I have in SPITE of my father. Have courage in life, show your emotions– wear them on your sleeve. Let people know who you are and WHY. Be brave and proud of the creative person you are and NEVER stop pushing yourself.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I make art. Plain and simple. I’ve painted, sculpted, written screenplays, directed films, designed characters and creatures for video games, theme parks, films, TV shows, etc… I’m an ARTIST, in the truest sense of the word. I’m 55 years old, I work out 5 days a week– I freedive, surf and I love to fish. I am in essence, a man of the sea and that’s where most of my inspiration comes from. I’ve always said it’s of the utmost importance for a man to have something outside his work– meaning what he does for a living, that balances him out. I know guys who bowl, play golf, build scale models– It doesn’t matter what it is, but any REAL artist needs to step away from his work and go get inspired and recharge his creative batteries. I find that in and on the ocean and always have since I was a very small child. I’ve been an artist and a waterman since I could walk. Regarding my “brand”– that term no longer has any real meaning in today’s culture, does it? Same thing with an “ARTIST” Why is a rapper an artist? he can’t paint, draw, sculpt– why is some idiot dressed as Batman, walking around a comic book convention, an artist??? It seems everyone is an artist these days, except ARTISTS. Everyone also has a “BRAND” now. No– you don’t. Just like everyone seems to have a voice. NO– you don’t. Those things need to be EARNED. Developed and honed over an entire career. Please, don’t get me started… I have recently deleted ALL my social media because I just can’t take all the “influencers” and phony bullshit anymore. The filters and apps, etc.. SO many people are not what or WHO they say they are, and WAAAAYYYY too much bullshit gets thrown around. People saying things about other people that aren’t true. Fuck that– I’m over it. My clientele knows where to find me. I don’t need a bunch of entitled, idiotic, sociopaths in my life, even if it is just on line. My “BRAND” is ME. It’s Sandy Collora. You either like it or you don’t. You either want my work or you don’t. I really don’t give a shit. I just paint. Make a movie every now and then. Draw. That’s it. Period.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

DISCIPLINE. COURAGE and a HUGE HEART full of love.

Leadership and great men are borne of these three things. This is what makes an Alpha. All I can really say here to be brutally honest, is listen to Dr. Jordan Peterson. He’s a brilliant man and can explain all this far better than I can. Look him up on YouTube. He’s AMAZING. Such an incredible and brilliant human being. Truly the best of us. Have discipline in your life. Be courageous and STRONG. NEVER, EVER back down from anyone or anything. Thirdly, ALWAYS have compassion, empathy and LOVE for your fellow man. HELP people. Lift them up and NEVER kick a man when he’s down, TRYING to get up and keep going. ALL the REAL men I’ve known in my life, and there unfortunately have not been that many– were incredibly loving, generous, KIND men. I aspire to be like them every single day of my life.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

PEOPLE. Jealous, ignorant, frightened, GREEDY people. THEY are and always have been the problem, obstacle, challenge– whatever you wanna call it, my entire life. Whether they were teachers, coaches, other kids, studio executives, art directors or “fellow” artists, who tell you you’re brilliant and start talking shit the moment you’re not around. I cannot abide those types. They are the WEAK. This country is VERY different from the one I grew up in– and everyone thinks it’s who’s president or the GOVERNMENT. NO– it’s all of YOU. Nothing in this country will get better or change unless PEOPLE change, and I don’t see that happening unfortunately. Soon, I’m gonna move to Australia or New Zealand and get a cottage on the beach and just paint. Americans and America have become a joke.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreatureArtStudio
• Youtube: Sandy Collora

Image Credits

Sandy and Lauren Collora