sandy cohen

Sandy Cohen was born in Israel and was raised in New York City. She is a self taught artist that started creating art as an infant. At the age of eight she was the youngest student at a college program located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her skills were so advanced that the instructor asked her to teach the remainder of the workshop. This led her to sell her first piece at the age of thirteen. She was granted admission to Fashion Institute of Technology at the age of fourteen. She completed her High School studies at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art. After graduation, Peter Max expressed interest in Ms. Cohen as a young artist. Sandy was about to start her life as a young adult and pursue her passion in a career as an artist. Unfortunately shortly before her twentieth birthday, Sandy fell seriously ill as a result of side effects from a combination of pills her doctor prescribed against a bout of food poisoning. This created a multi-systemic collapse in her health, along with the development of ME/CFS and Dysautonomia. She spent the first 5 years bed ridden, in and out of hospitals fighting for her life. Followed by another seven years in a wheelchair. Drawing and sketching from her bed when she was able. In all aspects the illness made it impossible for her to live a normal life. Art was where she could escape the reality of her physical confinement. 

In 2017, after endless trial and error treatments, Sandy finally re-emerged on to the art scene. Within the first year, her paintings were featured at Art Basel and galleries across the country as well as Europe. Her work also hangs in a museum in South America (Museo Casa Del Arte Y La Cultura De Santa Fe in Medellin, Colombia). By the end of her first year her paintings were acquired by two separate royal families. Including a very powerful piece about the Holocaust. Her collectors also include the Stern family (NYU school of business).  

Although she has come a long way regarding her health she still struggles with symptoms that wax and wane daily. Pushing through despite the physical challenges. Her studio is currently located in the Hamptons. Her pieces are filled with deep messages that have come from her own life experiences. She hopes that through her journey she can be an inspiration for others to never give up.