Wednesday, December 7, 2011

In the Presence of Love


"Variation No. 2" 12x9" pastel

The above artwork was donated for the ASH Insights Art Show & Sale benefiting the Austin State Hospital January 26, 2012. 


"Celebrate the Presence of God within every cell of your being."

"Come, let us stand in the brilliance of Divine Love...let it wash over us and melt away our past...leaving a "new born me". Today is the first day of the rest of my life, may I see only goodness, may I forgive myself and know that the Presence of God dwells within every cell of my being."

~quote by Ann Rothan Three Hundred and Sixty Degree Press

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

"24 Hours in Austin" Show


"Urban Cowtown" 24x18" digital print, $275 + tax
© S'zanne Reynolds, Studio Zanne


You're invited...
to glimpse into one day in the life of Austin, Texas
at a fine art photography show and reception.

Austin Details Art + Photo Gallery
Presents
"24 Hours in Austin"

106 East 8th (at Congress)
behind the red doors, Austin, TX MAP

Opening:
Saturday, December 3rd, 2011
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.


Austin photographers were assigned to create a portrait of Austin in one 24-hour day in October and amassed a remarkable body of work that showcases the city from many vantage points, and at all hours, from 6pm on October 14 throughout the night into the next day at 6 pm.

The exhibit opens in Austin Details Art + Photo Gallery with
a reception on December 3, from 6-9 pm,
featuring a live performance by the Saucerians.

Preview the exhibit during the day Saturday, December 3, from 2-5 pm.
The exhibit runs through December 14, 2011.

PHOTOGRAPHS ON EXHIBIT BY:

Jann Alexander
Larry Alford
Susan Beth

David Bowden
Matthew Crouch
Eric Edge
Denise Fulton
Tara Haelle
Thomas Jack Hilton
Cal Holman

Richard Lee Kaylin
Margaret Licarione
Robert Mead
Laura Morales

Greta Olivas
Erik Pronske
Grant Reid
S'zanne Reynolds
Eric Snethkamp
Johnny Stevens
Valerie Tamburri
Arnold Wells



Monday, November 28, 2011

Published in "Austin Business Journal"


2011 © S'zanne Reynolds, Studio Zanne

My photo of Michael Kuhn, CEO/founder of Austin based ImagineSolar, has been published in this week's edition of the Austin Business Journal.


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Carousel of Happiness


Merry-go-rounds take you up and down, round and round, planting dreams in the heart that carry your childlike enthusiasm for life into a vision of reality, if you let it...if you remember the thrill of simply imagining another world and what you'd be!


What a unique and simple pleasure the carousel is for the young at heart.



From child to senior, all ages seem to enjoy the feeling of soaring through the universe with childlike abandon.


On this carousel of happiness you can make new friends for life or encounter fun temporary playmates...either way, it teaches us about the importance of our play time and our imagination.


Some take their playtime very seriously...


...others are just there to enjoy the ride.



Some get off the merry-go-round and the feeling of giddiness is short lived. Others step off and are forever young.


Still others enjoy revealing in their dreams and seeing what they might become, long after the ride has stopped.


Life is a lot like a carousel of happiness. Our earth spins, and the scenes change...but it's up to us where we get off and on, and what scenes inspire us to revisit them or change them....and it's up to our hearts and imaginations as to how much fun we have while we're here!

You can visit the Carousel of Happiness in Nederland, CO.

Love Made Visible


"Autumn Afterglow", Digital Image by S'zanne Reynolds

“Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.” ~Khalil Gibran

Saturday, November 19, 2011

On the Easel


Oil in progress by S'zanne Reynolds

I met Bella, a wonderful blues singer, at a local cafe waiting tables. I just had to capture her fiery spirit in a portrait or two. She agreed to visit my studio a few weeks ago to sit for me. The above painting is the result from a short three hour sitting. I need a few more hours to complete the painting. I just love the strong, soulful, moody and defiant aura captured here and in the photos that follow. Stay tuned to see the finished piece.


A detail by S'zanne Reynolds


As her name suggests, Bella is a real beauty...


....as exquisite inside as she is on the outside.


Sitting in the "chair" we enjoyed getting acquainted and
felt as if we were long lost friends from another time.


Bella shared her beautiful voice with me while I painted
and we chattered away the hours.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Angels and Kings


Artist friend DL Tolar (Donna), shown above with her work,
"Where Angels..."


---While most of the paintings on this blog are mine,
I did not create the above painting.
I bought it from the artist, DL Tolar, aka Donna Tolar.---

Mid October I was helping the Povey and Tolar studios sell their artwork in the Wimberley art studio tour. I had fallen in love with one of Donna Tolar's pieces last year, so, of course, I had to buy it this time around. Shown above, "Where Angels..." by DL Tolar, is now happily situated in my home. I am so grateful to Donna for painting this moving "self-portrait", for it seems to express how so many of us feel.

Inspiring, evocative, troubled, hopeful and tender--this work confesses a stirring narrative of the human condition. I find my stories in her struggle. Do you see yours?

She reminds me of how we want to prevail in all we undertake, but we often feel that we fall short of the opportunities we are presented with and, in fact, may do more harm than good. Our prayers and dreams may feel muted and out of reach unless we discover that we hold the power to remove what binds us--ourselves. Or, we may interpret ourselves as puppets or pawns in the stories of so many others who suffer us to be their heroes, princesses, kings and angels. Like Jacob in the Old Testament, wounded and alone, we wrestle with our angel--our brokenness and pain, our fallen hopes and dreams.

Although this piece does not celebrate the victory or even paint rosy expectations, there is exquisite beauty and grace in her desire to keep at her post throughout her striving. I have known many such angels in my life.

What will be your story in the painting?

Monday, October 31, 2011

Remembering a Great Lady



Last weekend I learned that artist Ann Templeton, passed away October 17th. She was a dear friend and mentor to many. Ann had a huge influence on my art and was my primary source of inspiration and encouragement when I first returned to art and was introduced to oils and pastels through her. While modest and endearing to her students and other artists alike, Ann was one of the foremost 100 landscape painters in America, in both oils and pastels. Known for her kindness and love of people, Ann was always fun to be around. Her spirit is best recalled in her vibrant love of color expressed her amazing paintings. To see her work, visit www.anntempleton.com.

The words of Vincent van Gogh come to mind:
"A work that is good may not last forever, but the thought expressed by it will, and the work itself will surely survive for a very long time, and those who come later can do no more than follow in the footsteps of such predecessors and copy their example."

We are honored to try and follow in Ann's footsteps and, we know her thoughts will remain with us in her paintings and stories, forever. She will be missed.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Paint-Around Benefits Bastrop Fire Victims


Ring 'Round the Rosey II, 12x12" pastel by S'zanne & Friends

The above painting was started and finished by me, and also painted on by Carolyn, Richard, Linda and Donna. (To see the original painting this was based on, click here.)
.............................................

Tonight, Austin Pastel Society members gathered at Tres Amigos, the first of this season's monthly meetings, to watch a "paint-around" between five artists. Pastelists who placed in last spring's annual juried member show were invited to reproduce their award-winning artwork in the paint-around. Participants were local artists and APS members Richard Banh, Donna Crosy, Carolyn Kilday, Linda Wells, and myself, S'zanne Reynolds.

A "paint-around" is a painting demonstration where the artists have ten minutes to work simultaneously on his or her own painting, before passing their painting to the artist on their right. Then each has another ten minutes to paint on someone else's artwork before again passing the art to the right. The process is repeated until your own piece comes back to you in which you have the last ten minutes to put on the finishing touches.

So, we ended up having five wonderful paintings that had five different interpretations of the same artwork. It was so much fun to see how each turned out!

The best part of the evening was the post-production silent auction. APS members and guests eagerly bid on all five paintings. A hundred percent of the proceeds of the painting sales are going to help the Bastrop fire victims, as one of our dear members, and many of our friends lost everything to the Central Texas wildfires.

I found this experience to be a great reminder of how truly unique each of us really is...how we each have our own vision that must be expressed.
The process made me cherish our individuality all the more, and value the great possibilities we can create when we come together on behalf of our communities. The world can never have too many artists, visionaries or dreamers!

God bless.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Through Fire or Flood...


"Frankie's Fall Foliage", 12x12" pastel by S'zanne Reynolds

I'm happy to report that the above pastel arrived safely through the fires on Friday to its new owner in Ft. Worth, TX, today. The client bought it for his wife's birthday. Fun!

I'd been procrastinating on completing the sale as I was a bit concerned and confused about how to ship a pastel. I'd mailed a pastel only once before and it was rather disastrous. I knew I could try more expensive delivery options that specialized in fine art, but I had not built this into my price. And by Friday, I had to contend with wild fires spreading between Austin and Ft. Worth.

No worries anymore! Kudos to EcoBox who came to my rescue!! (Great guys, very helpful...we love them!) I packaged and shipped the piece in a large frame, for about $50, including packing supplies, frame corners, insurance and $15 delivery...quite a deal! Ecobox has all the packing materials, recycled and new boxes, UPS and FedEx accounts. UPS got it there unsinged, early Monday.

Several of my friends, and many, many others, were not so lucky and lost everything in the fires. A portion of this sale will go to the wild fire victims here in Texas.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

As American as Apple Pie

Thinking about 9/11 ten years ago, I'm struck by the awesome spirit of the American people to pull together in fellowship and community. I am especially moved today by this indomitable spirit in the face of the continuous wild fires springing up all over Texas and the floods in the northeast. Whether in the face of natural disasters or terrorists, joblessness or recessions, corruption or hard times, Americans come together and hold strong to their faith in their God, in each other and in liberty for all.

I watched the NYJets/Dallas game tonight at a local establishment. As taps was played in honor of the fallen heros of 9/11, a reverenced hush fell over the crowd. Burly football players choked back tears and the audience here was visibly moved by areal views of New York's Twin Tower Memorial at Ground Zero while Lady Antebellum sang the National Anthem. Afterwards, the crowd cheered on their teams and spirits soared in hope. I thought to myself, truly, this is America--as American as apple pie!

My heart and prayers go out tonight in gratitude to Americans everywhere. God bless.

How did you remember 9/11...please feel free to share your thoughts and stories.

As a side note, I'd like to share an inspiring email on the subject from Scott Heiferman, Co-Founder & CEO of meetup.com:

Fellow Meetuppers,

I don't write to our whole community often, but this week is
special because it's the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and many
people don't know that Meetup is a 9/11 baby.

Let me tell you the Meetup story. I was living a couple miles
from the Twin Towers, and I was the kind of person who thought
local community doesn't matter much if we've got the internet
and tv. The only time I thought about my neighbors was when I
hoped they wouldn't bother me.

When the towers fell, I found myself talking to more neighbors
in the days after 9/11 than ever before. People said hello to
neighbors (next-door and across the city) who they'd normally
ignore. People were looking after each other, helping each
other, and meeting up with each other. You know, being
neighborly.

A lot of people were thinking that maybe 9/11 could bring
people together in a lasting way. So the idea for Meetup was
born: Could we use the internet to get off the internet -- and
grow local communities?

We didn't know if it would work. Most people thought it was a
crazy idea -- especially because terrorism is designed to make
people distrust one another.

A small team came together, and we launched Meetup 9 months
after 9/11.

Today, almost 10 years and 10 million Meetuppers later, it's
working. Every day, thousands of Meetups happen. Moms Meetups,
Small Business Meetups, Fitness Meetups... a wild variety of
100,000 Meetup Groups with not much in common -- except one
thing.

Every Meetup starts with people simply saying hello to
neighbors. And what often happens next is still amazing to me.
They grow businesses and bands together, they teach and
motivate each other, they babysit each other's kids and find
other ways to work together. They have fun and find solace
together. They make friends and form powerful community. It's
powerful stuff.

It's a wonderful revolution in local community, and it's thanks
to everyone who shows up.

Meetups aren't about 9/11, but they may not be happening if it
weren't for 9/11.

9/11 didn't make us too scared to go outside or talk to
strangers. 9/11 didn't rip us apart. No, we're building new
community together!!!!

The towers fell, but we rise up. And we're just getting started
with these Meetups.

Scott Heiferman (on behalf of 80 people at Meetup HQ)
Co-Founder & CEO, Meetup
New York City
September 2011

Monday, September 5, 2011

Lifelines


"Lifelines", iPhone image by S'zanne Reynolds

Passing through Fredericksburg, I stopped to take this image Saturday. Regretfully, I didn't have my good SLR with me so I pulled out my iPhone. I loved the shadow cast on the church from the power lines which made a cross over the church's door. Afterwards, I was intrigued by the way the power line to the church seemed to connect to the sky.

The image makes me ponder what really empowers us. Is it man made, nature made or divinely bestowed? Where do we place our power and who do we give our power to? As such basics as fire and water are in extremes in our lives here in Central Texas, it gave me pause to reflect on what our real lifelines are...and how much we each can express the divine source of power, right where we are. We seem to see this with the most clarity in times of disaster. As the Good Books says:

"You're blessed when you are at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule." The Message, Matthew 5:3

Thoughts and prayers go out to the fire fighters, families and individuals struggling with the Central Texas fires...especially those hardest hit in Bastrop. May all your lifelines be strengthened, preserved or restored with love and care.


Marker Detail of Lifelines, iPhone image by S'zanne Reynolds

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Treasures

"There is nothing that can be taken away from you. You cannot lose your real treasure." ~Osho

What do you treasure today? a three day weekend? family time? painting time? a loved one? your country? rain? the earth? your neighbor? yourself? a job? good health?

"My Father has my treasure and He will walk with me." ~a hymn

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Teaching Pastels at Laguna Gloria This Fall



"I've taken several classes before but S'zanne brings new info and insights. I'll take this very same course again." --Lizette, student

In my workshops, students will strengthen drawing and painting skills while discovering and/or fine-tuning their own painting style. I'll work with you one-on-one to facilitate establishing individual daily painting practices or rituals, to increase productivity and instill more confidence and freedom.
..................................

FALL 2011 CLASS SCHEDULE

"1303 Pastels 1"
At The Laguna Gloria Art School, Austin, TX

September 20 - October 18, 2011 (No class on Oct 4)
Tuesday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, 4 sessions

A great place to start! No mixing, no drying. Use pastels to quickly move into the world of painting. Learn the principles of value, color, form and space and see how light affects each. Explore many pastel techniques, experiment with different surfaces. Work from still life and photographs. Enjoy weekly demonstrations and gentle critiques. Surprise yourself.
You can paint!

To register/more info, click HERE.

.....................


"1321 Sharpen Your Color Sense"
At The Laguna Gloria Art School, Austin, TX

October 25, 2011 - November 15, 2011
Tuesday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm; 4 sessions

Pastels help you develop a strong sense of color to create paintings where viewers say "I love the color," no matter what your preferred medium. It's incredible: no mixing, no drying. Learn from demos on making "color work" in your paintings. Enjoy exercises to discover new color palettes instead of those tried-and-true solutions. Then translates this new freedom to your favorite medium. Painting experience in other mediums required.

To register/more info, click HERE.


Frankie's Fall Foliage, 12x12" pastel --SOLD

Friday, August 19, 2011

August Wall Paper


Right click to download for your desktop...Mac users, option click.

Here's a version of Painted Desert for your computer...enjoy!




Thursday, August 18, 2011

Sky Worship and the Artist's Soul


"Painted Desert" by S'zanne, 12x12" pastel

"I never get tired of the blue sky." ~Vincent van Gogh

"The sky is the soul of all scenery. It makes the earth lovely at sunrise and splendid at sunset. In the one it breathes over the earth a crystal-like ether, in the other a liquid gold." ~Thomas Cole

"The artist–painter or poet, singer or drummer–is a sky worshiper, for the sky's blue immensity mirrors her soul. The child artist looks up at the day sky or the night sky and sees her beautiful dreams reflected there. The adult artist, busy and unsettled, can herself find a moment's peace–and even whole-being rejuvenation–by quietly attuning to a red sky, a gray sky, a black sky, a blue sky. The human race has capital saved in that great vault above us."

"I will spend time with the sky, the sun, the moon, the mountains, the ocean waves. I know that I could scorn these loves and turn the sun and moon into nothing: but I find it more heartwarming to affirm them. I am inspired by the blue sky and will not forget where to look for inspiration."

~Eric Maisel, "Affirmations for Artists"


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Perfect Moments


"Coppertoned", 8x6" pastel by S'zanne

Sometimes we are simply paralyzed by our own doubts, worries and fears. I had had it with worrying about having the perfect moment this summer to create the perfect piece or project. For many of us, this kind of perfectionism can be just an excuse not to be productive in the moments we have available to us between our busy schedules.

After starting my day at 7 a.m. running to miscellaneous appointments and errands, I had 30 minutes left to paint before I ran off to work, which then turned into about 15 minutes by the time I took one phone call and ignored the other, let the dogs out/in and packed my lunch.

While not a masterpiece, the quick sketch above is the beginnings of an important conquest. I simply took advantage of the time I had. Instead of taking 15 minutes to set up oils or acrylics, I grabbed the nearest pastels, regardless of color, the closest paper and the first photo I could locate in my box of references to paint from. And presto! A quick study for a future larger painting that I've been wanting to paint for years...but never quite had " the time to get to it"....sound familiar?

In line with this subject are some ideas by Ralph Marston that I found most inspiring:

"It is your ego that creates doubt. It is your ego that manufactures excuses. Your ego holds your imagination back, and prevents you from achieving the fulfillment you truly desire.

Stop weighing yourself down with judgments about what you think you need. You have a whole beautiful, limitless imagination with which you can envision and fulfill what you truly desire."

— Ralph Marston

To read the entire article, click here.


Saturday, August 6, 2011

Kissing the Mailman


A new box of pastels...YUM!!! ...and colors I've been needing!

Much to my delight, a box of Terry Ludwig's "Mystery Box" of remnant pastels arrived today via the US mail. It's a good thing the postman didn't deliver it personally or he would have gotten a big kiss! There's nothing better than receiving an order of art supplies in the mail...and pastels are particularly sexy and delicious. If you've never tried them, or if you are an avid fan, you'll enjoy checking out Terry's Mystery Box sale that runs through the end of August. You never know what colors you'll receive, but then that may be just the jump start you need to finish that painting sitting on your easel!

The mailman also delivered a couple of Ray Mar linen boards that I'd ordered to sample with my oils...and next week my canvas roll and tiny boards should arrive from Jerry's Artarama...it's Christmas in August! Of course, this means I have to get busy and cover some canvas!

Art's Presence


Showing at Amplify on 607 Congress Ave

I hung three of my works at Amplify Federal Credit Union today in downtown Austin. They'll be up for a month with another artist's work. It was fun to see the paintings bring life and energy to this place of business.

Art creates a presence--a mood or feeling-- and impacts the lives of those found in its company. Moreover, art offers its viewers a companion for their love or a home for their hopes and dreams.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Saying Thank You, Artfully







Art is a service that can bring joy, comfort and even healing to others. When we focus on it as such, we think of ways to distribute our artwork more widely. I painted the above small acrylics as thank you cards for the attendees of my art reception last weekend...and one for the restaurant owner where my work hung. The cards brought a smile to my clients and showed appreciation of their time and attention. They were also great warm ups for me to get my creativity flowing in new directions. Plus, hopefully these cards will inspire more new collectors, as well as past clients, to want to attend my next shows and add to their small works collection.

SOMETHING NEW: I've decided to offer these kind of original art cards for new subscribers to my Studio Zanne newsletter...and I'll have drawings from time to time for current subscribers. So thank you in advance, for being a reader of my newsletter!

Friday, July 29, 2011

TGIF-Art-Reception Tonight


Red Rock Rampart, 12 x 9" oil, $375


Friday, July 29 · 5:00pm - 8:00pm


Friends, won't you join me for drinks, delectables and dinner conversation...a Studio Zanne art talk...tonight!

RSVP to Russell's directly if you'd like dinner reservations:
(512) 467-7877. Please note: this is NOT the bakery, but the bistro. Hope to see you there!

(off 35th Street and Kerbey Lane)
"Dutch Treat"

Russell's Bistro
1601 West 38th St
Austin, TX

Monday, July 25, 2011

Prayin' for Rain


"Thinking Rain", digital image by S'zanne

Howl at the moon,
dance naked under the stars,
jump in dust puddles,
tip your kayak,
kiss a stranger,
light a candle,
say a rosary,
flash your lights...heck, flash your neighbor!
...an' pray for rain and cooler weather!

Anyone want to paint puddles with me? Render a rainy day painting and email me the image or send me the link and I'll post them by Aug. 15...or post them to my FB page.

Thinking rain thoughts...!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Landlocked


Landlocked Lighthouse, 7x5" oil

CLICK HERE TO BID

Well if you're in the middle of Texas this summer and haven't made a trip out to the coast yet, you may be feeling a little landlocked...like this lighthouse of Cape Hatteras, NC. As the ocean encroached on its foundation, the historical lighthouse was moved inland where it rests today. To read more about it, check out this link on Wikipedia.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Art of Being

"The most visible creators I know of are those artists whose medium is life itself. The ones who express the inexpressible – without brush, hammer, clay or guitar. They neither paint nor sculpt – their medium is being. Whatever their presence touches has increased life. They see and don't have to draw. They are the artists of being alive." ~J. Stone

We all know people like this, from Mother Teresa to Gandhi, from Martin Luther King to Princess Diana, and from that special grade school teacher to mom...we've all experienced the wonders of these artists of being.

Take a moment to remember and appreciate someone whose presence has touched your life. And, pay it forward...how can you paint on someone's heart today?

Friday, June 17, 2011

A Society of Feathers


"Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little,
cheep cheep cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more..." -Music Man

I'm not sure why folks seem to love rooster and chicken images, but I'm just as fond of them. Maybe it's because we see a bit of our own society in them. I'll have to paint a few of these fine feathered friends from my recent trip to Jerome, AZ. The roosters especially fascinated me, out strutting their stuff...
















Saturday, June 11, 2011

The Everyday and Ordinary

Occasionally, we need to get away from the everyday and ordinary--to get another point of view--to appreciate the ordinariness of everyday life. That's what I love about traveling to new places...


These huge blue-black bees accompanied me on my photo excursion in Jerome's Ghost Town junk yard...buzzing busily 20 plus feet over-head, gathering unseen pollen off the high winds.


Captivating Reflections: Discovering line, color and texture I might not have noticed if it weren't for the bees...I enjoyed finding life reflecting back at me...which is really what an artist or photographer does.


Skewing the camera for yet another point of view of the towering blooms.


Thinking outside the box...


Lost and found objects and edges...


Lost and found history...a taste of our past.


Flowering cabins


Dynamic forms...


Complimentary colors...


....and beauty in form and hue.


Small discoveries


A Fancy Fanny, or, THE END.