Help Japan Challenge: Painting Auction

"Sunny and Clear" by S'zanne Reynolds, 8x10" acrylic

This painting is dedicated to the land of the rising sun, Japan. The sunflower sows seeds of nourishment, longevity, energy, vibrance and loyalty. "Sunny and Clear" offers a prayer of a brighter 'morrow and turns its face towards the comfort of the sun and the hope of happier times.

I've donated this painting to the Help Japan Challenge sponsored by the Daily Paintworks blog. Bidding starts at $25 and proceeds will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross for the sale of this painting. You ca bid on Sunny and Clear at their website by clicking on the link here and entering my name under artist.

There are many fine paintings featured on this site contributing to this worthy cause. I hope you'll find one for your home, on behalf of our neighbors and friends in Japan.

Awarded Second Place in Landscape

Ring 'Round the Rosy, 12x12" pastel by S'zanne Reynolds

I'm so pleased to announce that my pastel, Ring 'Round the Rosy, placed second in the landscape category at the Austin Pastel Society's annual juried show today. It's quite an honor as there were many other very fine landscape paintings in the exhibit.

In addition to sketchbooks and other pastel surfaces, I received a gift certificate towards my favorite pastels by Terry Ludwig...I can't wait to order additional new colors to paint my next cloudscape.

Thank you to juror, Liz Haywood-Sullivan, and congrats to everyone in the show!

The Secret to Her Success

Photo by Giovanni Dall'Orto, 14-7-2007

Fun Facts of History:

B.C. 100, "Roman artist Iaia of Cyzicus paints and engraves ivory, becoming the foremost painter and sculptor of her day. A lifelong virgin, she worked faster and commanded higher fees than either of the top two male painters of the time."
- Chronology of Women's History by Kirstin Olsen

Iaia, also known as Marcia, is not only more productive, but also earns more than the famous male artists of her time.

Hmm...is it too late to become a lifelong virgin?

For more info on Iaia, click here.

Being Made New

Self-Communion, digital image by S'zanne Reynolds

I went out to a show where it all began for me. I attended my first oil painting workshops, sold my first painting and took my first steps towards an art career at the Bunkhouse Gallery in Cypress Mill, out past Hamilton Pool.

The memories flooded back and it was as if I was returning to both my birthplace and my grave. I reflected on what has been and what could be...as we all often do when faced with our own history. I got home and looked up the lyrics to a song that had been haunting me all week on the radio. Maybe it will move you as much as it moved me:


You Are More by Tenth Avenue North

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

Refrain:
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

Refrain:
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

(Repeat refrain)

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

(Repeat refrain)

You've been remade....

Art Reception: Saturday, March 19, 2 - 6 p.m.

"Primrose Promises" 9x12" oil on linen

S'zanne is now showing in...

The Bunkhouse Gallery
19th Fine Art and Jewelry Show
Featuring Greater Austin and Hill Country Artists

March 19 - 27, 2011
Weekends, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
M-F, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

I hope to see you this Saturday...
Art Reception: Saturday, March 19, 2 - 6 p.m.

Location: The Bunkhouse Gallery
at Wenmoh's Ranch
573 Old Spicewood Road 78663

From Austin:
Turn Left from HWY 71 onto Hamilton Pool Rd.
Go 21.2 miles to stop sign at 962 and 962 Spur, turn Right.
Take first right at Old Spicewood Rd ( CR 302).
Turn at second gate on Left into the Bunkhouse.

From Marble Falls:
Go South on HWY 281 to Round Mountain.
Turn Left (east) on RR 962.
Go 7 miles to Old Spicewood Rd and turn Left.
Turn at second gate on Left to the Bunkhouse.

Many paintings, jewelry and pottery under $200.
Wine tasting, silent auction and raffle
to benefit CASA for Highland Lakes.
Live Music by Tim and Angie Wooton on Saturdays and Lynda Jones on Sunday.

Art Reception, Wednesday, March 23, 5-7 p.m.

"Inner Light", 30x24" oil on canvas, $1250 plus tax

Celebrate music with me and several other local artists in an art reception Wednesday, March 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. in a SXSW art show featuring everything musical. If you can go, please RSVP to my email. Details follow:

SXSW ART SHOW
March 6 - April 25, 2011

ART RECEPTION: Wednesday, March 23, 5 - 7 p.m.

Hyde Park Bar & Grill, at West Gate
4521 West Gate Boulevard
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 899-2700

Art Reception: Sunday, March 27, 3-5 p.m.

"Variations No. 1", 10x10" pastel

Now showing in...
AUSTIN PASTEL SOCIETY'S
Annual Juried Member Exhibition
March 7- April 30, 2011

You're invited to the:
RECEPTION & AWARDS CEREMONY
Sunday, March 27 from 3 - 5:00 p.m.
Chase Bank Building, Cooridor of Art
700 Lavaca St. - Austin, TX
Parking at 8th/Guadalupe in Chase Garage


"Ring 'Round the Rosy", 12x12" pastel

Creativity: The Tablet of Your Being

"Mind Passages", digital image by S'zanne Reynolds

Webster defines the verb reflect as "to consider mentally, specifically, to attend earnestly to what passes within the mind." And, reflection is defined as "any state in which the mind considers its own content."

If every day you reflect on the face in the mirror, telling it that you are not so beautiful or talented, not so strong or energetic, not so youthful or vigorous...then you will soon hear the world tell you that you're not so good at anything, anymore. Disguised as your own thoughts you may then suddenly find yourself thinking, "I have nothing to offer, I have nothing to create."


"Cool Contemplations", digital image by S'zanne Reynolds

In this state of mind, it's impossible to be creative. It's pure self-destruction that effaces the very tablet of your being. In order to be creative, you must contemplate the qualities you desire to feel, see and be--the creative, energetic and beautiful-- in order to express them. In other words, you must claim being the very expression of this beautiful, creative divine Mind of the universe in order to see yourself reflected in it, as the expression of it.

So, it's time to silence the disgruntled voices in your head and find your divine creative reflection in the mirror! Face to face with your creative Spirit-Source, you will recall why it is that you are part of the creative process, the One all-together Lovely.


"Hot Mamma Nature", digital image by S'zanne Reynolds

Go outside and see how many beautiful and varied reflections you can find in nature. Then reflect them back to yourself on canvas or camera...on the very tablet of your creative being!