Be Well Forest

Forest of Shadows
Contemporary Sumi-e

This sumi-e is from my Gallery Be Well.

The phrase 'Be Well' is a greeting between friends that is used frequently in Africa. When I visited that lovely continent, I picked up this phrase and I use it often in my everyday communication with others. It has become a personal greeting known to all my friends. After experiencing a devastating stroke several years ago, this phrase grew to have a heartfelt meaning for me. The large round red chop is interpreted to mean 'Be Well'. I have used this chop on each of the Sumi-e paintings exhibited in this gallery.

Be Well my friends!

This sumi-e 'Be Well Forrest' was inspired by the oak tree forest that surrounds my home. My house is nestled in and under these beauties. The Oak Trees are majestic spirits and provide a pleasant home, not only for me, but also for the delightful creatures of Carmel Valley. My favorite creatures are the plentiful and various birds that flit around in the branches of these incredible trees every day, while singing and playing to their hearts content. It's a marvel to watch them.

The original sumi-e painting is available for purchase at the Gallery Be Well ~ Art Prints called Forest of Shadows are available at my Zazzle Gallery and Fine Art Reproductions are available in my SumiSpirit Gallery at ImageKind.

Casey Shannon Studio

Sketchbook Project ~ Grand Opening!

Brooklyn Art Library Grand Opening! Grand Opening canceled! They are rescheduling the show for Saturday, March 6th from 7:00-10:00pm. How to get to the Brooklyn Art Library The building is located on the corner of Coffey St and Richards St in Red Hook. Please enter from Coffey street. We will have a nice lighted sign to help guide you to our entrance. Take the F or G train to Smith/9th St. station. Take bus B-77 to Rocky Sullivan's Bar. Walk up to Coffey and make a left. You will see the sign! Here's a link to google maps for more pinpointed directions. Brooklyn Art Library is located in Red Hook in Brooklyn at: 201 Richards St #16 Brooklyn, NY 11231 In case for some reason you can't make it March 6th They will be open on Monday and Tuesday from 11:00-4:00pm next week. For updates on when they are open, check out the website starting on March 1st to see the hours for the current week. The sketchbooks will also be in Boston at Laconia Gallery next weekend on March 5th from 5:00-8:00pm. If you're around the area, be sure to come out! Casey Shannon's art will be represented. Here is a link to view my Sketchbook, and please visit my studio.. Casey Shannon Studio

Self Portrait Project

Self Portrait Project
Casey Shannon and Gabe

This is my self portrait that I will be sending to the Art House Gallery for the Self Portrait Project Exhibition. The gallery will be hanging on their walls various self portraits in all media from artists around the world. And, this exhibit will be the largest collection of portraits ever! Not only will they have the portraits on exhibition at the Brooklyn Art Library in New York, they will create a book that will document all of the submissions. The book will be available for purchase at the gallery.

Meet the Artist

The Exhibition
April 23rd, 2010

Brooklyn, NY
Brooklyn Art Library
201 Richards St #16
Brooklyn, NY

'It's not life that matters, it's the courage that we bring to it'. ~ Yogi Tea

Casey Shannon Studio

News from the Studio - You can comment here!

'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