2013 Zen Calendar

2013 Zen Calendar

by Casey Shannon Studio

 

Looking for something unique and beautiful?

 

This is a stunning Zen calendar by Casey Shannon Studio. It is available in 3 different sizes and is a 12 month flip calendar. Each page displays a beautiful image from the accomplished Carmel Sumi-e artist Casey Shannon.

This calendar is a striking combination of my sumi-e paintings and my Zen digital brush images. This calendar is available now in my Zazzle Gallery.

 

Casey Shannon Studio 

 

Director of North American Branch ~ 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

  

Copyright ©  Casey Shannon Studio Art. All rights reserved.

Zazzle Gallery

Here are some items from my Zazzle Gallery.

This gallery sells, art prints, cards and calendars only!

Items reproduced from the original sumi-e art of Carmel artist Casey Shannon

Enjoy!

Enter the Gallery

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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Japan Earthquake Relief T-Shirt

Japan Earthquake Relief Shirt ~ Purple Haze by CaseyStudio

Casey Shannon Studio has designed a special t-shirt at Zazzle for Japan Earthquake Relief. Zazzle will donate 10% and I will donate 100% of my proceeds from the sale of this shirt to Japan Earthquake Relief fund. Please consider purchasing a shirt for yourself or to give as a gift. You will receive an elegant t-shirt and be helping the people of Japan at the same time. There are numerous styles and colors of shirts to choose from. Zazzle is a great company and these shirts are top quality. Also, pass this message along to others. Help me raise lots of money for our friends and neighbors in Japan. 

Let's give them what they need most ~ MONEY! 

To donate to American Red Cross for Japan click here

Thanking you in advance for your generosity and kindness
to the people of Japan in their time of need.

Casey Shannon Studio

Director 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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Be Here Now Print from Zazzle.com

Be Here Now Print from Zazzle.com

Unique Winter Card

Snowy Mountain Retreat

Unique Winter Card

by Casey

Elegant and Unique

Completely Customizable

Available in my Zazzle Gallery

Casey Shannon Studio

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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

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

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

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.

Ensō

Have you ever wondered what an Ensō is and what it symbolizes? Well, I have the answer for you and have an example to show you. I have been fascinated with the concept of the Ensō for years. It has been only recently that I have been creating them.

In Zen Buddhist painting, Ensō symbolizes a moment when the mind is free to simply let the body and spirit create in full moment-to-moment concert. The Ensō is one of the most prevalent images of Zen Art, and it has become a symbol of the clean and strong Japanese aesthetic. The ensō is an expression of the mind of the artist who brushes it. As a symbol, the circle expresses the totality of our being. The circle points to the most vital aspect of our essence -- it's ultimate wholeness. The ensō symbolizes enlightenment, power, and the universe itself. It is a direct expression of thusness or this-moment-as-it-is. Ensō is considered to be one of the most profound subjects in zenga (Zen inspired painting). - Loori

This Ensō is called ' Ensō Willow Bud'. The original painting is located in 'Gallery Ensō'.

Click Here for this image as a Fine Art Print from my Zazzle Gallery.

Sumi-e Painting with White Ink

White Ink!

Here is a fun twist on traditional Sumi-e ink painting. Painting with white ink! This is a creative and beautiful alternative to the traditional practices.

There is no beauty quite like that of snow and winter time splendor. As an artist and a lover of the outdoors and nature, I have come to love our magnificent earth in all her wondrous seasons especially her magical glistening snow.

The original Sumi-e painting is located in Gallery White and it is called 'Noble Snow Spirit Like Bamboo'. It was inspired by bamboo leaning into the weight of snow.

The materials I used to create this sumi-e included traditional ink stick and Japanese watercolor. However, in addition, I used Dr. Ph Martin's Bleed Proof White ink. And, the image was painted on Canson Ingres paper from France.

Fine Art Reproductions of this image are available at The Untapped Source. Art Prints are available from my Zazzle Gallery and in my Sumi Gallery at ImageKind.

Leaves of Life

The college where I teach recently started the new Fall semester. Getting students organized and settled into my courses is always a challenge. It takes up all my time and leaves me very little personal time for things like blogging about art, which is one of my favorite things to do! Today I blog!

The sumi-e you see here is called 'Leaves of Life'. The original painting can be seen in my Gallery Journey into Art. This painting was inspired by the beauty and spirit of life. And, how life enfolds us in experience. This sumi-e just flowed from my brush as if directed by divine intervention and was an incredible experience. It was a complete journey into art!

This painting was created on Arches hot press watercolor paper and painted entirely with a Hake brush, which is a flat wash brush. I find this kind of brush very useful and versatile when painting freely. The sumi (ink) was ground using a stone. Japanese watorcolor was also used. Fine Art Reproductions of 'Leaves of Life' are available from the Untapped Source. Poster Art Prints are available from my Zazzle Gallery and Art Prints are available in my SumiSpirit Gallery at ImageKind.

Why do I create Sumi-e?

Why does any artist create anything? This is an interesting question. Each artist will have a different and usually very emotional answer.

Here, in short, is my answer to this question. I create for the sheer joy and pleasure of creating. I create for myself. For me, the creative process is spiritually personal and is a meditation. Being still and meditating allows the creative juices in me to start flowing. Creating my art allows me to be in the present right NOW. I focus only on painting and allow all else to fade away. Worries, plans, responsibilities, what I should do, etc. all become less of an immediate presence. In the act of painting, I attain a level of peace that I achieve no place else. Creating is a selfish act most satisfying. I create for me.

That being said, I humbly offer my paintings for others to see and hopefully enjoy. It is my wish that viewers find in my painting a sense of beauty, peace, something that moves them, and a feeling of ‘wow, I really like this’ or ‘jeez, what was she thinking?’ I would hope the first reaction is obtained. Although, whatever one feels about my artwork is OK. Viewers were moved in some way. They may or may not purchase my work. Either is fine. If they do, I am always very pleased. If they do not, that is beautiful too because that was not the painting’s purpose. The painting 'just exists'.

The sumi-e painting you see here is called 'One Pelican Waiting' by Casey Shannon. It was inspired by all the pelicans that swoop and glide in a line across the waves of the ocean. Pelicans are my favorite bird. I always see these wonderful creatures along Highway One as I drive up the coast to the college where I teach. They seem to gather at Moss Landing and greet me as I drive along the road. Seeing them is always such a delight and I look forward to this treat along my journey. A reproduction of my pelican painting can be purchased from my Zazzle Gallery. The original sumi-e can be viewed at Gallery Journey into Art.

Cause/Effect Challenge

I decided to take on a Cause and Effect challenge raised by, Diane Clancy, an artist acquaintance of mine. She challenges artists to intrepret 2 words. This week the challenge is Cause/Effect. In general, Sumi-e lends itself to the concept of 'cause and effect' very easily. Sumi-e is rooted in Chinese philosophy. The idea of 'yin and yang' is used to describe how seemingly opposing forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, giving rise to each other in turn. This concept is at the heart of Sumi-e and the artist's mind as one paints in peace.

This Sumi-e painting is called 'Dance of the Pollen'. This painting was inspired by all the pollen dancing in our air during summertime. I think it's relationship to 'cause and effect' is obvious. Wind blows. Pollen dances. Reproductions of this work are available two places: at my Zazzle Gallery and from my SumiSpirit Gallery at ImageKind. Each gallery offers special printing choices. The original work can be seen at my website in Gallery Journey into Art .

Sumi-e and Haiku

The sumi-e I have created above is called 'Branch of Persimmon'.

Expressed in words by my Haiku:
” juicy ripe, branch of persimmon, gently live.”
- Casey Shannon

Since Sumi-e or brush painting is minimalist painting and Haiku is minimalist writing, it would be reasonable to say that the two ancient art forms would naturally support one another and often be studied and exhibited together. Both Sumi-e and Haiku are strikingly beautiful and are a compliment to one another.

In Japanese, haiku are traditionally printed in a single vertical line, while haiku in English usually appear in three lines, to parallel the three metrical phrases of Japanese haiku. Such as :

The fragrance!
Though I know not
Whence it comes.
~ Basho

Previously called hokku, haiku was given its current name by the Japanese writer Masaoka Shiki at the end of the 19th century. The typical length of haiku appearing in the main English-language journals is 10–14 syllables and have a symmetrical line arrangement such as 5-7-5 or 3-5-3. Some haiku poets are concerned with their haiku being expressed in one breath and the extent to which their haiku focus on “showing” as opposed to “telling”. Therefore haiku is concerned with showing minimally as is Sumi-e. Sumi-e is concerned with 'showing' spirit minimally.

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.

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.