'Kizuna' sums up year 2011

The chief priest of Kyoto's Kiyomizu temple displays his calligraphy of "kizuna", meaning "bond".

Japanese public chooses 'kizuna' as kanji of 2011

The Japanese word "kizuna", meaning bonds or connections between people, has been chosen as Japan's kanji of 2011.

The kanji, or Chinese pictorial script, for "kizuna" emerged top of a public poll for the character that best summed up the year.

For Japan, 2011 was dominated by the earthquake and tsunami in March.

The disasters led to unprecedented numbers of Japanese helping one another.

Read the full story from BBC News

Casey Shannon Studio  

Director of North American Branch
International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

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Winter!

Red Snow Bird Contemplating Spring

by Casey Shannon

Winter is here! This is the first full day of winter. Winter began in California yesterday at 9:32 pm. The season of winter brings peace and silence. It is a time for quiet and rejuvenation of nature and of our souls. There is no beauty quite like that of snow and wintertime beauty. As an artist and lover of the outdoors and nature, I have come to love our magnificent earth in all her wondrous seasons especially her glistening magical snow.

We do not have a lot of snow in California. However, we have enough to enjoy and appreciate. The above sumi-e of an  imaginary 'Red Snow Bird' was inspired by the season of winter. It was created on Canson paper, which is made in France. This type of paper displays the white ink and Japanese watercolor of sumi-e beautifully. Painting with white ink is a joy and an unusual way to use ink. Please visit my Gallery White to see my other sumi-e created with white ink.

Casey Shannon Studio

Director North American branch

International Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

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Smallest Sumi-e Studio!

Art Altar

Casey Shannon Studio

Here is the work area of the smallest Sumi-e Studio in America and perhaps the smallest in the entire world. Casey Shannon Studio is located in Carmel, CA. USA. The studio is nestled under huge majestic oak trees and is surrounded by amazing nature and delightful wild critters which provide me with an abundance of inspiration for my ink paintings. This is a view of the area cleaned up a bit. It is normally filled with ink, brushes, artist chops, rice paper, and Japanese watercolors. These are the tools I mainly work with.

What is Sumi-e?  

 (Sumi = Ink - Sumi-e = Ink Painting) 

The Sumi-e art form is steeped in Zen Buddhism. In Sumi-e or ink painting, the artist strives to 'become one' with the object in the painting. Brush painting or ink painting called Sumi-e in Japan is done quickly without over thinking your subject matter. Once the brush is laid to the white paper and you have a mark, that's it. There is no erasing, doing over, or changing. The painting 'just exists'. This is why one who creates Sumi-e paints from a quiet centered place and has the intention of capturing the object's spirit and essence with just a few simple and graceful brush strokes.

Sumi-e exemplifies the concept of 'Less is More’. 

Artist Statement

 I am a contemporary Sumi-e artist reaching beyond the limits of traditional ink painting and creating the ‘sound of one hand’.  As an artist, for me, ink painting is a meditation and a creative process. I concentrate on trying to capture spirit as the ink is transferred to the paper with the stroke of my brush. The brush is pushed across the surface of the paper quickly. If your intention is correct, the object in the picture seems to 'breathe and take on life'. This unseen yet felt breath begins to fill the page with spirit just as it does in all of nature which surrounds us. The special power of the painted form shines and immerges through the ink and the white page. The white space surrounding the painted form becomes as important as the object itself. The ink painting represents soul, spirit, elegance, and beauty all at the same time and in glorious concert.

My life experiences and challenges have increased my sensitivities to this ancient art form. 

'Kokoro tadashikereba sunawachi fude tadashi'.
If your mind is correct, the brush will be correct. 

Bronze Autumn by Casey

Please visit:

Casey Shannon Studio

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

Director of North American Branch
International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society

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North America Branch meets China

Sumi-e Exhibit in AnShan City China

North America Branch of ICCPS Participates

Wonderful International exhibit of calligraphy art and sumi-e on display in AnShan City, China. Members of the International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society (ICCPS) participated in this monumental event. Artists hailed from the China Branch, Japan Branch, French Branch, and North America Branch (US, Canada, and Holland) of ICCPS. The North America Branch is extremely talented and eclectic in cultural diversity. 

Visit the North America Branch Office webpage

Visit the North America Branch Art Lens

North American Branch Member (Canada)

Marc Bauer-Maison

Winner of ICCPS 5th General Director's Award

North American Branch Member (Holland)

Kalpa MacLachlan

Winner of ICCPS 7th General Director's Award

North American Branch Member (Canada)

Tai Oi Yee

Participating Artist

North American Branch Member (United States)

Casey Shannon

Participating Artist

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

Director North American Branch of ICCPS

Casey Shannon Studio

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China Exhibition

International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society

ICCPS China Art Exhibition

We are pleased to announce the ICCPS exhibition at the Museum of AnShan City, LiaoNing province, China from Sep 19, 2011 to Oct 3, 2011. This exhibition is supported by the administration bureau of AnShan City, LiaoNing province, China LiaoNing Artist Association, and ICCPS China LiaoNing branch. Top professional artists' in China will join the event, and It will therefore be one of the biggest and the most important exhibitions in ICCPS's history of events.

North American Branch Participants:
1. Marc Bauer-Maison - Awarded 5th ICCPS Director Award
2. Tai Oi Yee
3. Kalpa MacLaclan - Awarded ICCPS 7th Director Award
4. Casey Shannon

North American Branch Office of ICCPS 

North American Branch Squido Art Lens

Casey Shannon Studio 

Director North American Branch

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

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Kelly no Kaki

Kelly's Magic Persimmons

by Casey

This sumi-e was created and dedicated for my daughter, Kelly, who is fighting leukemia. There was a lot of love and hope that went into the creation of this ink painting. The media is sumi (ink) and Japanese watercolor with flecks of gold. The original painting is not for sale and was exhibited in an art exhibition in Tokyo, Japan.

Kelly no Kaki means Kelly's Persimmons in Japanese

Art prints are available of this stunning sumi-e at:

Casey's Fine Art

If you would like to donate to fight leukemia, please go here:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Casey Shannon Studio

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Scroll Mounting

Sumi-e 'Spring Flower Fall'

Mounted in a two color scroll

Mounting an ink painting in a traditional scroll is an interesting process and not for the faint of heart.... let me tell you. It's a tricky business not to ruin your finished artwork in the process. I do not usually mount my work in a scroll. My sumi-e is modern and contemporary. It is usually framed Western style. I thought it might be fun to mount some of my work in a traditional Asian way and see what the result looked like and I was extremely pleased by the contrast. It is definitely 'East meets West' in nature.

What do you think?

Leave me a comment.

I am thinking that I may do more scroll mounting of my work in the future.

Casey Shannon Studio

Director of the North American Branch of ICCPS

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

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Sumi-e in Descartes, France!

 Announcing!

Sumi-e and Calligraphy exibition in Descartes France.

This wonderful exhibit is under the direction of Gregory Cortecero, the director of the French branch of ICCPS ~  International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painters Society.

The exhibition will be:

August 20 - 21 2011

Cultural Community Center Descartes, France

From: 10:00 am to 6:00pm each day

Members of ICCPS will join Gregory in displaying their work at this event.

Each artist will also give their philosophy of Zen and Sumi-e!

~ Casey Shannon, Director of North America Branch of ICCPS

Casey Shannon Studio

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家
North American Branch

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Zazzle Pro Seller

Howdy All! I have reached a new milestone in my Zazzle Art Gallery. I have just attained 'Zazzle Pro Seller Status'. Wowzer. This is great news. I would love to have you visit my on-line gallery/store. I have prints, cards, and a calendar of my beautiful and elegant sumi-e for you to view. Enjoy!

CaseyStudio at Zazzle

Casey Shannon Studio

North American Director of ICCPS

International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

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Kelly ~ Artist Extraordinaire

Kelly painting with Watercolor at Hospital

Artist Kelly of Simple Spirit of Monterey

“Being diagnosed with acute leukemia has given me a second chance at life, literally.

I no longer want to live another moment with unhappy lifestyles, people, jobs or circumstances that will hinder my overall sense of purpose and joy. Life is precious and it can end in a second. Before cancer, I had forgotten these things; I had forgotten all the simple things in life that bring me great pride, contentment, and joy. I was becoming one of the many that just seemed to exist and not reach out to tap into our true gifts and universal paths.

Since I have been painting in the hospital, I have been able to let go of my deadly disease and live in the present - without fear - and to feel good again about what I have accomplished throughout my life. I am a painter!! “

                                                                                                –Kelly

Kelly Chester is a watercolor artist who is inspired by the beauty of nature and animals, especially those creatures who make the Monterey peninsula their home. Kelly has a unique ability to capture the essence of the animal’s “magik” and the vibrant expressions of nature’s beauty in her paintings. Her talent as an artist is an inherent gift which she has honed through mindful practice throughout the years. Through the medium of watercolor, Kelly has not only learned life lessons which have transformed her, but also transformed others through its expression. Kelly is married to her husband Tom and the proud, loving mother of her 7 month old daughter, Aven.

All proceeds from the purchase of Kelly’s paintings, greeting cards, and glicee prints go directly to her support and the support of her family.

                                                                                    Retail Price:

Boxed Animal Totem Greeting Cards (16 per box)            $15 each or 2 boxes for $20 

Single Animal Totem Greeting Cards                                  $2 each

Signed & matted giclee prints   11 x 14                               $35 each

Signed & matted giclee prints   8 x 10                                 $20 each

Some original watercolors available    ~   Quoted upon Request

Please contact Kelly for purchase at: paws8ive1@yahoo.com 

Purchase is by check or PayPal ~ Tax included in price

For more on Kelly's story of hope and art Visit Here
Selected pieces of Kelly's art can be found on Esty
Kelly also has a CafePress Gift Shop 

Kelly's ImageKind Galleries

Below are some examples of Kelly's art!

Casey Shannon Studio

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Tulips Three Chosen!

Tulips Three by Casey

Since this was published in April 2011, I am a little bit late in announcing this event in my blog. However, 'better late than never' as they always say. So.....

My sumi-e titled Tulips Three was chosen by the Current Oncology Magazine of Canada to grace their cover. I am honored.

About our cover:  Tulips Three; Sumi-e painting by Casey Shannon, a member of the ART for Cancer Group (AFC). 

The art on the cover of this issue is entitled “Tulips Three” and was created by Casey Shannon in memory of her son-in-law who died three years ago from Sarcoma. Media: Sumi (ink) and Japanese watercolor.

From the artist: “This image was inspired by a pot of tulips dancing and swaying in the spring breeze as it sat on my deck. I was gazing out my window at them and was struck by this sight. I thought of my son-in-law and how he struggled with the vicious form of cancer called Sarcoma and how he courageously engaged it in the dance of life and death. I am honored to be a member of AFC. We prove the power of art. Together we speak through love, color, and imagination.”  

I donate 100% of all net sales from this piece of art to the Sarcoma Foundation, in memory of my son-in-law. The mission of the Sarcoma Foundation is to advocate for increased research to find new and better therapies with which to treat patients with Sarcoma. I am a member of the administrative team of the ART for Cancer Group. To view more of my art please visit Casey Shannon Studio.

 

       The ART for Cancer Group is a collective of artists from around the globe, who have united in the fight against cancer, by donating a portion of their art sales to cancer charity. The members span over 30 countries and support over 20 cancer charities. To find out more about the group please visit the Art for Cancer Group. 

       Current Oncology is committed to the Canadian oncology community as well as oncology communities around the world. They are pleased to help raise awareness of the work and cause of the ART for Cancer Group. Current Oncology will be selecting a new artwork for each monthly cover from the ART for Cancer Group.

Casey Shannon Studio

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Kelly's Story ~ of Hope and Art

 Kelly and Aven

Kelly's Story ~ A Story of Hope and Art

I am writing this story of grace and hope about my daughter Kelly who is currently fighting AML (leukemia). Kelly is an amazing woman and my hero. She was unexpectedly diagnosed with AML three months ago in March 2011. After a routine visit to her gynecologist and having her blood work analyzed, Kelly's doctor called her at work and said she needed to get to the ER immediately. At the ER, Kelly learned she had 86% cancer cells in her bone marrow.....a deathly blow.

Kelly was a busy working mother before her diagnosis. Her daughter Aven is 7 months old at the time of this writing. Kelly has always been an organized 'do it all' person. She is a mother, wife, restaurant manager in a large corporation, private pilot, and artist. She was scrambling to get everything done in a small 24 hour period of time each day. The cancer has now slowed her down. My daughter remains in the hospital undergoing chemo treatment for her acute leukemia, which consists of 24/7 chemo for a week. Then, waiting for her blood count to come back up. Then, repeating the process. She will have to repeat this process 5 times in total. With prayer, hope, triumph, and luck, her leukemia will be in recession and stay that way after these processes are over.

 Curly Dancing Columbine by Kelly

Watercolor

Through all of this, my daughter has a terrific attitude and has not lost her crazy sense of humor. Kelly is an incredible woman. She is strong. She is a bright spirit. She is a fighter. Kelly will be well.

This is a quote from Kelly: "Being diagnosed with Acute Leukemia has given me a second chance at life, literally. I no longer want to live another moment with unhappy lifestyles, people, jobs or circumstances that will hinder my overall sense of purpose and joy. Life is precious and it can end in a second. Before cancer, I had forgotten these things that bring me great pride. I was becoming one of the many that just seemed to exist and not reach out to tap into our true gifts and universal paths. Since I have been painting in the hospital, I have been able to let go of my deadly disease and live in the present, without fear, and feel good again about what I have accomplished throughout my life. I am a painter! Now if I can just get the nursing staff to stop taking my blood pressure every 5 seconds and stop asking me several times a day if I've pooped. It really ruins the moment sometimes, ya know."

 Spring Sunflower Spirit by Kelly

Watercolor

Kelly has been painting in the hospital and when she gets released she will join AFC and offer prints of her paintings for sale. She will donate 100% of the proceeds to 'The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society'. I share some of her works with you here. There is a tremendous healing power in the creative process and you can certainly see the power of art in my daughter's watercolor paintings. Enjoy!

Casey Shannon
Chief Communications Officer for the Art for Cancer Group (AFC)

Pretty in Pink Camilla by Kelly

Watercolor

 Starry Night Orchid by Kelly

Watercolor

White Roses for Aven by Kelly

Watercolor

Casey Shannon Studio

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Tokyo Memorial Exhibition ~

    
Tokyo Memorial Exhibition of Calligraphy and Sumi-e

by the members of ICCPS

International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society

This stunning exhibit is open from May 31 to June 5, 2011

 Art viewers leaving messages for the artists!

One message from an art viewer:

"Mastery Strokes!"

"The sound of "opening day" always gives me vibes of excited anticipation with a tinge of nervousness even though I am just an appreciator or audience.  And often time I am the first to arrive at the show in the middle of preparation chaos - LOL!!  Today, as usual, I was the humiliating first-comer at the calligraphy exhibition in Shibuya. The small gallery that is located nearby Shibuya Station most famously known as a labyrinth, and inside it, every wall was crowded with works of about 40 members, and among them, I found a hanging scroll by Casey.  I don't know many things about calligraphy however I could see her mastery hand especially at bending of the trunk or joints of branches.  As a Japanese who did SHODO once before I know how long it takes until one is able to attain such brush works. "

 Appreciating the calligraphy and sumi-e of ICCPS

My humble contribution to this wonderful show.

My sumi-e is called "Kelly's Magic Persimmons" and is dedicated to my daughter who is currently fighting leukemia. A lot of love went into my creation.

"Kelly no Kaki - Kelly's Persimmons". 

One viewer describes my work:

 " It's a beautiful work of art and I like it.  I didn't know it was dedicated to your daughter, but now I know that was why I felt something close to loving and caring, that is quite opposite of self-sufficiency and indifference that stands out in most sumi-e in general.  You know, sumi-e is much of the time conversation with oneself, confronting with oneself, like meditation.  You have this compassion floating in your cosmos - wow, it's deep, isn't it? (smile)".

If you are in Tokyo, be sure to stop by this wonderful exhibit at the studio of Ransui Yakata.

Ransui is a master calligrapher and sumi-e artist.

For more information visit the North American Society webpage

Casey Shannon Studio

Director of North American Branch

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

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China Sumi Art Exhibition

Sumi-e by Ransui Yakata

ANNOUNCING!

The first ICCPS International Exhibition in China

We are pleased to announce the ICCPS exhibition at the Museum of AnShan City, LiaoNing province, China from Sep 19, 2011 to Oct 3, 2011. This exhibition is supported by the administration bureau of AnShan City, LiaoNing province, China LiaoNing Artist Association, and ICCPS China LiaoNing branch. Top professional artists’ in China will join the event, and It will therefore be one of the biggest and the most important exhibitions in ICCPS’s history of events.

The exhibition is open to international members of the ICCPS and also to non-members of the sumi society. Applications are due by June 17th and artwork is due by July 15th. Please contact me for further information, guidelines, and application. I am happy to answer any questions.

Casey Shannon Studio 
 Director North American branch ICCPS 

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

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