Intentions

Set an intention for yourself--
as a painter, as in life.
What is your intention for yourself at this moment? What are your intentions in one hour, or in one year from now?

I unintentionally stumbled upon George Rogers State Park after class. Hot and tired and happy, I enjoyed a quick view of shade trees and and made a mental note of intention to come back and enjoy a future cool dip in its waters.

Finding wonder in the ordinary

The practice of being enchanted by nature is often translated into art--the art of seeing. Yet when we forget this, art becomes an arduous effort of technique rather than the simplicity of being captivated by the charms of Mother Nature. I hope you'll find Her as captivating as I did today at the community garden of Luscher Farm Park. Each plot is lovingly cared for and contributed by various families. Each area proudly boasts a different scare-crow, as diverse as the flowers!

Direction

I came to Oregon to find a bit of myself I left here last year and hopefully get some clarity on what direction my life needs to take. And, to take a pastel class from Marla Baggetta. Check out her work at studiobaggetta.com, you'll love her paintings.

This is going to be a fabulous class...I'm so GLAD I came! The teacher, Marla, is amazing--just the inspiration I need. Her pastels and oils are phenomenal; look for her on the cover of "The Pastel Journal" next month. We students met up at her studio last night for a meet 'n greet. Marla and her husband, Mike, have a beautiful home and stunning large studio workspace, complete with a traveling RV camper for all those art fairs! Wow! She has the life I've only been dreaming of! Time to turn those dreams into a reality!!!

Stay tuned for some paintings from her class today...and at least some really fine notes on painting!
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Aside: While I was waiting to check into my hotel yesterday afternoon, I went to an art fair a stone's through away. There I met Kellee Beaudry, a local self-taught artist who has been painting only 3 years. A rebuke to my work ethic, she shared that she has sold 300 paintings in about a two and a half years! Wow, I need to get busy! And Kellee's paintings are charming, whimsical, colorful dog portraits that make everyone stop by and smile and laugh. We all love our dogs and Kellee reminds us why. Working from photos, much of her works are commissions done in stylized acrylics, from a fun up close and personal angle. I bought several of her cards and would love to commission her to paint my doggies; her prices are very affordable. You can visit her web sight at 4muddypawsart.com.

Sacred Space: A soul's quest to Oregon

"This is a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be. This is the place of creative incubation. At first you might find that nothing happens there. But if you have a sacred place and use it, something eventually will happen. Your sacred space is where you find yourself again and again."
--Joseph Campbell

Where is your sacred space?
Your studio? Your home? Your heart?

My sacred space in in self-discovery... and wherever that may take me. Today, it took me to West Linn, Oregon.

Family Reunion Portraits

© 2009 by S'zanne Reynolds

Family members came from Australia, Canada and Houston to Austin for a reunion of siblings, parents and grandkids.

More of Amanda Marie

I really enjoyed photographing
Amanda Marie.
I'll have to paint this one.
I love the spunk in her eyes!





© 2009 by S'zanne Reynolds

Portrait of a Young Woman

© 2009 by S'zanne Reynolds



The many faces of Amanda Marie,














as photographed by S'zanne Reynolds.