You don’t just stumble upon Andy Saczynski’s art—you experience it. The vibrant, mixed-media pieces that fill his Grayton Beach studio aren’t just paintings or sculptures; they’re intricate stories crafted from reclaimed wood, found objects, and a deep-rooted connection to music, nature, and the ocean.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with recycled materials,” Andy tells us as we step inside his studio. “It adds a special element to each piece. There’s something about taking something old and giving it new life.”
Guitars become octopus heads. Piano keys find new rhythm in wooden compositions. Bits of driftwood and scrap metal transform into waves, faces, and abstract shapes. Andy’s work is as much about resourcefulness as it is about creativity—blending elements together to create something completely unique.
It’s no surprise that music plays a major role in his creative process. Reggae beats pulse through the studio as he works, fueling the rhythm of his brushstrokes. “I’ve always been inspired by music,” he says. “I’m not the best bass player, but I love the sound, the movement. It influences my art in ways I don’t even realize.”
That love of movement extends to the ocean. Andy speaks about surfing with the same passion he does about art. He remembers being in third grade, sketching waves in class while his teacher urged him to pay attention. But the vision of that first wave—turquoise water curling around him as he rode his boogie board—stayed with him. “That moment changed everything for me,” he says. “I knew I wanted to be an artist.”
Being an artist isn’t always the easiest path, especially when people around you suggest something more “stable.” But Andy never wavered. “I always knew this was what I was meant to do,” he says. “And somehow, I’ve been able to support my family by doing what I love.”
That family—his wife, Lori, and their five kids—are the foundation of everything he does. Lori handles the business side of things, from photography to spreadsheets, allowing Andy to stay fully immersed in the creative process. “Without her, I don’t know how I’d do it,” he admits. “She keeps everything running so I can focus on making art.”
Between art and family, Andy still makes time for the ocean. “Surfing clears my mind,” he says. “It’s one of the few times where I’m truly in the moment. No distractions—just the wave, the movement, the feeling. It’s the same approach I take to art. I don’t force anything; I let it happen naturally.”
That sense of flow, of letting creativity take its course, is what makes Andy’s work stand out. His pieces aren’t just visually striking; they carry a story, a rhythm, a life of their own. And for him, that’s what it’s all about. “I never set out to make something just to sell it,” he says. “I create because I love it. And if someone connects with it, that’s just a bonus.”
So what does an ‘Every Day Should Feel This Good’ moment look like for Andy Saczynski?
“Surfing in the morning, then coming into the studio to create,” he says, smiling. “If I can do those two things, I’m happy. Every day should feel this good.”
