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'Newsletter from Casey Shannon Studio'

Leaves of Life Sumi-e, Valentine's Day History, Artist in the Spotlight ~ Julie Marionette Tabonair, Art for Cancer Group, and Hawaii Canines for Independence ~ Angel Gabriel!

Be Here Now

Be Here Now
Sumi-e by Casey Shannon

Jon Kabat-Zinn asks 'Can you be here now, wherever you are?' Interesting and very important question. Is this a wake up call for each of us? Zinn says 'the bell of mindfulness tolls in each moment, inviting us to come to our senses, reminding us that we can wake up to our lives, NOW, while we have them to live'.

We live in a very fast paced and somewhat unhealthy world. I find it difficult to 'be here now' in every moment. However, when I am painting I come very close to attaining that divine presence. Or, when I am meditating, I also find myself solidly in the present moment.

There is a Japanese Proverb:
'Now is a gift, that's why they call it the present'

The sumi-e you see above is called 'Be Here Now'. This image was inspiried by my personal journey into art. It was created after my mind preparation for painting. I saw this image vibrantly clear in my mind and needed to brush it to my paper. The original painting is for sale in Gallery Spirit. Fine Art Reproductions are available here. You may purchase an art print only or you can finish your print right on the website with a mat and frame of your choice.

Casey Shannon Studio

Rain Bamboo

Rain Bamboo

This Sumi-e is called Rain Bamboo. It is my hottest selling image of last year and is proving to be a favorite seller this new year as well. It is also my most viewed piece of art on my POD (print on demand) websites.

Bamboo is a very special image in Asian art. Bamboo signifies strength and the ability to bend. In our current world and economic climate, we all can use this quality within ourselves. We can embrace the spirit of the bamboo. We need to be strong and we need to be able to bend with the times in grace.

The original sumi-e painting is for sale at my website CaseyShannon.com Click on 'Portfolios' and go to Gallery Essence. Various POD websites where you can purchase Fine Art Reproductions of 'Rain Bamboo' are listed at the bottom of the page.

The rain is over:

South Mountain puffs out

Spring clouds.

- Soseki

Casey Shannon Studio

Bamboo of Color

Bamboo of Color

Here is another fairly early sumi-e created with Japanese Watercolor. This painting was created approximately one month following my very first attempt at painting after experiencing my stroke. This painting was a lot of fun to do and a personal spiritual journey into art. At this point in my recovery painting, I felt more 'at one' with the brush. I had done my meditation before starting my artwork. I felt calm and had no preconceived idea about how this sumi-e was to look. I let my brush lead me into the painting rather than trying to force the brush strokes into any shape.

With this painting, I let the spirit of the bamboo talk to me and guide me. I forced nothing and let my idea that I was painting with my non-dominate hand after a devastating stroke just 'be'. This was the first time I had been able to achieve that place and I was pleased with the result. Compared to the first sumi-e I shared with you in my last blog post, I had made serious advancements in my attitude and in my mind and in my painting.

Th original framed sumi-e has a happy home in the collection of an art collector in Carmel, CA. The artist seal = Year of the Boar.

Casey Shannon Studio

Welcome 2010!

Welcome 2010!

To welcome the new year, I thought it would be appropriate for me to take stock of my blessings, which there are many, and to share a story. The restoration of my ability to continue my art after my experience of a massive brain stem stroke is a huge blessing for me. This event (turned blessing) is one of the most spiritual aspects and teachings of my life. For this, I am truly grateful.

The sumi-e you see above is THE very first attempt at painting with my non-dominant left-hand. This painting does not even have a name. It's untitled. Maybe I should call it 'Grateful'. Anyway, I thought it would be appropriate to share this painting with you today, the first day of 2010. I used drawing to recover from my massive and devastating stroke and this activity literally saved my life. I was an artist and a high school art teacher before the big event. However, somehow for years, I felt I would not be able to paint again. That was in my head!

About five years ago, I tried. The painting above was my first attempt and my first sumi-e in 20 years. I thought to myself, 'Huh, you can still paint' and 'It's not a masterpiece but you can paint' and 'You better get practicing girl'. So, I did. Along with my day job of counseling at the college where I now work - I painted. And, I painted.

Three years ago, I launched my personal art website and then began entering local painting competitions again. Last year, I started my first POD and this summer really expanded my art sites, adding more PODs, started this blog, and joined Facebook and Twitter. I'm on a roll now! My artwork is showing and selling all over the country. This is a wonderful blessing.

I wish you all a joyful and peaceful New Year in 2010! Count your many blessings. Big or small. And, if you don't see any, make some up. It's all in our attitude. They will come. You appreciate and have gratitude - They come!

To read my entire story of stroke recovery, view my drawings, and learn more about recovery art, visit my website and view Healing with Art.

Casey Shannon Studio

Saying Good Bye to 2009

Windy Bamboo with Tea
~ Sumi-e by Casey Shannon

Well my dear readers, here we are saying good-bye to this year 2009. What a year it has been with it's disappointments, changes, scares, up's and down's, challenges, surprises, and yes, joys. We have each experienced this year in different ways and in different degrees. And, I am glad to start off a new year and new decade, which I hope will be more loving, tolerant, calm, and peaceful for us all.

Personally,I am looking forward to seeing the 'Blue Moon' tomorrow on New Year's Eve. This astronomical phenomenon will not occur again until 2020 or so I am told by Brian Williams of the NBC Nightly News. It will not occur on a Thursday New Year's Eve for a very long time.

A blue moon is a full moon that is not timed to the regular monthly pattern. Most years have twelve full moons which occur approximately monthly, but in addition to those twelve full lunar cycles, each solar calendar year contains an excess of roughly eleven days compared to the lunar year. The extra days accumulate, so that every two or three years (on average about every 2.7154 years), there is an extra full moon. The extra moon is called a "blue moon." Do you remember that song Blue Moon? That was my dad's favorite song.

This is my last blog entry for 2009. I have enjoyed communicating with you this year and will continue to do so as long as you bless me with your readership. I wish you all peace and joy in the new year of 2010 and a glorious decade ahead!

Windy Bamboo with Tea Sumi-e Art Print

Casey Shannon Studio

Take a Chance on Miniatures Art Show

'Take a Chance on Miniatures' Art Show
Napa Valley Art Museum
On display until January 10, 2010
Spirit Standing Sumi-e by Casey Shannon

Museum Admissions

Adults : $4.50 Student/Seniors : $3.50
Ages 7 - 17: $2.50 Children under 7: FREE
Admission and Programs are free to Museum members.

Directions

Located in Yountville on the grounds of the Veterans Home. Exit Yountville/Veterans Home from Highway 29 and turn west onto California Drive. Follow the tree-lined drive to the stop sign and turn right.
55 Presidents Circle, Yountville, CA 94599
Phone: 707-944-0500

Hours

Open daily except Tuesday, 10am - 5pm

Spirit Standing Sumi-e by Casey Shannon is on display. Proceeds from the sale of my work will be donated to the museum's enrichment.

Casey Shannon Studio

Sound of Water

Are Haiku and Sumi-e related?

What do you think? Now let’s look at the undisputed master of the haiku, Matsuo Bashō, an Edo-period Japanese haiku poet. Bashō’s poetry was quickly recognized for it’s simple and natural style. Sumi-e is recognized for it’s simple and elegant brush strokes. A natural combination.

Let me show you an example of how I have used haiku in combination with non-traditional contemporary sumi-e. For me as an artist, usually the haiku inspires the sumi-e. This results in a simple creative expression and profound experience. The following haiku is considered to be Basho’s most famous haiku writing of poetry.

At the ancient pond,
a frog plunges into,
the sound of water.
~ Basho

The sumi-e below is called 'Sound of Water' by Casey Shannon.

Flowering Alone

Flowering Alone

This contemporary Sumi-e is called 'Flowering Alone' and is painted with Sumi (ink) and Japanese watercolor. This image was inspired by the lonely and lovely little flowers and plants that manage to sprout up even in snow. They are determined to live in the harshest conditions of winter. I am reminded of this haiku:

"Just by being,
I'm here--
In snow-fall."
~ Kobayashi Issa

Now here is a concept we all could live by. We can thrive and live no matter what our condition might be in life. If you look closely at this sumi-e, you see a delicate little flower on a long stem with a few thorns. You see the struggle of beautiful life conquering all and the thorns representing obstacles overcome. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could be like nature and just be? Flowering alone................

The original Sumi-e is for sale in Gallery Noble.

Art prints are available from my Zazzle Gallery. You may professionally finish your art print before purchase with a mat and frame of your choice right on the website. Or, you may purchase the print unframed.

Casey Shannon Studio

Blue Bamboo Midnight

Blue Bamboo Midnight

Ever looked up at the full moon in awe? I have many times and felt bathed in the moon's magical glow. I often wondered who else might be looking at the moon at that moment and feel blessed by it's white glowing light. I am reminded of a childrens song about the moon. It goes like this:

God bless the moon,
And, God bless me,
God bless the one that I want to see!

This Sumi-e is called 'Blue Bamboo Midnight'. Media: Sumi (ink) and Japanese watercolor. This glowing image was inspired by a full moon shinning down on a lovely group of bamboo. In Chinese culture, bamboo represents strength but with the ability to bend. Lovely symbolism.

The original sumi-e painting of 'Blue Bamboo Midnight' has been sold. However, I do offer this painting as an art print at my Zazzle Gallery. You may professionally finish your art print right on the website before purchase with a mat and frame of your choice. I hope you enjoy browsing my gallery. There are many lovely Sumi-e images to select from there. Enjoy!

Casey Shannon Studio

Thank you and Many Blessings!

A Warm and Heartfelt Thank You

This is a HUGE and PUBLIC thank you to my art fans and admirers. I am honored that you have been and are purchasing my artwork to bring into your homes and to give as gifts. I am pleased that you enjoy it. I create Sumi-e because it is my 'breath' and my 'soul'. Selfishly, I create for me. It is a further gift that it is loved and purchased by others. In our current economy, art is an extravagance. I am overwhelmed at your love for my art.

Thank you. Many Blessings!

Casey Shannon Studio
Artist Chop = Casey

Winter

Winter

We are entering the beautiful season of Winter. It can be lovely with it's starkness in colors of black and tones of gray.

This elegant sumi-e is called simply 'Winter'. Media: Sumi (ink) and Japanese watercolor. This image was inspired by the dying of nature in wintertime to make way for the new growth of Spring. Since I was a child, the season of Winter has fascinated me with it's beauty and also frightened me with it's power.

The original painting of 'Winter' was sold. However, you may still purchase Fine Art Reproductions in my Sumi Gallery at Imagekind and art prints from my Zazzle Gallery. You can also professionally finish your reproduction with your choice of frame and mat at both these locations. I would be honored if you would take a look at what is possible. Thank you!

Casey Shannon Studio

Elegant Winter Card

Snowy Mountain Retreat

This is an elegant and unusual winter card to send to family and friends this holiday season. The Sumi-e painting is called 'Snowy Mountain Retreat'. The glistening stillness of the snow filled image is captured by painting in variations of white ink. There is nothing more beautiful than the season of snow. Stillness and peace are depicted in this painting with a full moon shinning down on a secluded tree top mountain retreat.

This card may be purchased from my Zazzle Galley. It has a lovely greeting printed inside for you. Or, you may customize the card with your own greeting and style of font. Or, you may order the cards blank. It's completely your choice!

Greeting: May the Peace and Love of the Holiday Season remain with you throughout the New Year.

The original painting may be seen in Gallery White.

Art House Sketchbook Project

Art House Sketchbook Project 2009-2010

The Sketchbook Project Library sponsored by The Art House Gallery will house sketchbooks by artists from around the world. Visitors to the exhibit will receive library cards and be able to view the books at exhibitions around the country. The goal of the project is to create a giant collective of sketchbooks from around the globe and make it accessible to everyone. The Project was featured on CNN and the library will be touring across the country beginning on January 29, 2010 in Atlanta, GA. Please visit my Exhibition page to see the cities and dates of the tour. After the cities tour, the sketchbooks will go back to Brooklyn Art House Gallery for permanent library display in the gallery.

Rules: Each participating artist was given a moleskin sketchbook and a theme randomly chosen from 30 available themes. Artists were instructed to base their sketchbook around this theme. My theme was 'A Postcard'. Visit my Sketchbook Project page to see all 40 pages of my sketchbook interpretation. Page numbers and captions are below each image. I enjoyed this project beyond words. I used my imagination to create fantasy places, I drew my favorite places that I had visited over the years from memory, and I included beautiful areas from near my home in Carmel Valley. I loved doing this! Enjoy!

Returning to Watercolor--Briefly

Abstract Waterfall

What fun! A little playing with watercolor. I decided the other day to post a watercolor on this blog. Not my present medium but a medium I dearly love and have created with extensively in the past. It's fun to play with paints and colors and just let your mind go! Another way to enter 'a journey into art'.

Sumi-e (my current medium and breath of life) for me is serious business. A meditation and very spiritual experience. Having a little fun with watercolor was very refreshing for me. It was a return to art days past. I will dabble in watercolor from time to time. I enjoyed it. I wonder if the fairies might play and sing by my waterfall?

This image is called Abstract Waterfall and was inspired by the beauty of nature and the spirit of water. Water is ever changing. It is pure. And, it can speak to us words of wisdom, if we slow down long enough to listen and contemplate. A babbling brook is so peaceful. A waterfall is magic. The ocean is power. Rain is cleansing. Water--we can not live without it nor would we ever want to.

A ZEN POEM
A sudden shower-
I am riding naked
On a naked horse.
~ Issa Kobayashi