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.

The 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

Napa Valley Art Museum Exhibit

Spirit Standing Sumi-e

This elegant Sumi-e is called Spirit Standing. This image was inspired by the spirit that resides in all of nature. A spirit that is ever present and all encompassing. When I painted this Sumi-e, I was experiencing a little turmoil in my life. We all experience bumpy roads along our life journey. As I was painting in my mind during my pre-meditation, I was thinking how we can choose to have our spirits stand tall in the face of uncertainty and upset. My brush than flowed into this creation of ‘Spirit Standing’.

The original Sumi-e painting is currently on exhibit at The Napa Valley Art Museum, which is located in Yountville, CA. The address is: 55 Presidents Circle. My artwork will be on display until January 10, 2009.

Artist’s Reception: November 28, 2009 at 7PM.

The original sumi-e painting 'Spirit Standing' is for sale at the Art Museum. The proceeds from the sale of this work will be donated to the museum for their enrichment.

You may purchase Fine Art Reproductions of this stunning piece in my Zazzle Gallery. You may finish your print with a beautiful frame of your choice right on the website before purchase. Enjoy!