Blog

Visual Focal Points for Mindfulness

Visual Focal Points for Mindfulness : According to the Mayo Clinic, mindfulness can helps us to live “in the moment.” Mindfulness exercises using a visual image as a focal point can support mindfulness practice. Moving into that mental and physical space of being intensely aware of what we are sensing and feeling in the moment-- without interpretation or judgment--- but simply engaging with the world around us can have many benefits for mind and body.

In fact, research as sited by The Mayo Clinic demonstrates that s benefits can include: Stress and anxiety reduction, pain relief and management, as well as a lessening of depression and insomnia. In addition, mindfulness can improve attention and the balance of thoughts and emotions.

Visual Focal Points for Mindfulnedss: With the benefits of mindfulness exercise and/or practice in mind, I created the images in this collection. Select one (or more) that attracts you. Place it in your quiet place to assist you as a visual focal point during the time you set aside to be without distractions or interruptions.

The Seawalls No. 2 at High Noon

This "post-painterly abstract expressionist" piece, one of a a series in paintography, began with a photo I took of a seawall at ocean’s shore. Inspired by the works of Paul Klee, particularly his geometric statements, it occurred to me that I could use a breakwater, the ocean, and a distant horizon as subjects in this contemporary photopainting to explore the idea of "WALLS"

. The concept, one that continues to intrigue me, is symbolic of concurrent strength and vulnerability.
As Rumi wrote, "The wound is the place where the light enters you.”

TIME AND SITUATION: We had just marveled at how the students of Stoneman Douglas High had confronted the assault on their classmates with strength despite their obvious vulnerability. As a former teacher and guidance counselor from Broward County, I was deeply moved. A photo I took of a Florida seawall came to mind. A stalwart sea wall, in conjunction with the flowing ocean, could symbolize the experience.

Often, I like to take from the world around me - clearly and simply- but always I turn to visual narrative. I am drawn to artistic advocacy so that thread of storytelling runs through my work.

So that is how SEA WALLS emerged as a series of digital paintings- examples of multi-medium art and Contemporary Fauvism. Because it is symbolic of change with compassion, it has been called spirit abstract art. Here are the Klee-inspired geometric shapes, together with fauve flatness, added patterns and texture in a digital manipulation.


As a storyteller, and advocacy artist, contextual value and emotional impact are important to me. In SEA WALLS, an abstract expression, I used geometric abstraction combined with semi-monochromatic, yet brilliant color, to emphasize deep emotion. Zsanan Studio Notes #zsananartforsale #zsanancontemporaryartist. Featured Piece. Available for sale

The other day a friend asked me how I go about creating abstract-expressionist pieces and/or paintography. Most often I begin with a photo, then translate the photo into digital format looking for the story or metaphor. Often, as many artists who are involved in "advocacy art" I begin with a compelling contemporary issue.

That was the case when I created the piece you see here. This piece was created in response to the PARKLAND SCHOOL tragedy. ..one that might have been avoided if, as the students request...we initiate gun control measures. The visual description focuses on the emotions students felt as the violent act unfolded. Emotions ranged from confusion and disbelief to horror.

For viewers who asked how the "process" of creating this piece worked, I started with an image and then assemble the “terrain” adding texture, patterns, repetition and "fauve -wave" bits ...and then strip it down to an elemental visual image.

NOTE: This graphic does NOT appear on my website. As a former teacher and guidance counselor in a feeder school to Parkland, I have reserved this piece for those who advocate for students, for students' rights, for teachers, and for sensible gun control. Please contact me if you would like a copy of this piece.


Zsanan studio Notes

The other day, a neighbor asked me to explain how I do paintography.* Well, I responded, it’s mostly getting “inspired”...I listen to music, think about the lyrics, as you will see in this example of digital paintography. So the best way to answer that question is with a question. “What or who inspires YOU?”

When I talk with people about art, I want to know if you love Gustav Klimpt or Thomas Kincaid, abstract or romantic or impressionist art- woodcuts or canvas – message or spiritual art. I want to know what excites you. That is how I understand what is important to you. Again, is it form? Is it color? Is it conveying an emotion? Or a message?

Let me know.
Here’s a link to a survey. I’d love to here what you have to say.

https://tinyurl.com/ybcwozzx

Artful and Beyond the Narrow

I hopped over to The Sage Companion Project- http://www.whitehair365.com - the other day to see what's new and artful. Beyond the narrow, this site is a gateway to creative people and a certain demographic you might recognize as most interesting if you follow trends about or work in the "boomers" and "seniors" market with people seeking an active lifestyle and creative choices within their environment.

Artful Choices

If you are one person who is ready to fly beyond the narrow, you might choose any number of lively pieces from my "FAUVE WAVE" collection here. (Example is the graphic) Such pieces are apt to bring color and light to interior environments...and an attitude , too, they tell me . (I'm smiling.)

Consider your choices for creative use of design and interior decor. Even a spot of color as a throw pillow or duvet cover can mix things up a bit..again, I'm smiling. A shower curtain might be the ticket to start your day off with a happy roar. For "boomers" and Post50 People, such choices may be akin to and even lead to aging in P A L A C E ! ( I wrote an eBooklet on this..happy to send you a link.)

If you are like any number of Zsanan Studio friends you may enjoy changing out your wall-art frequently. Your wall art might be whimsical cat prints at one point, or Zsanan’s “Fauve Wave” paintography with those bold colors, or, then again, your rooms may be in need of abstract expressionist attention. Or posters with messages. Or color coordinated prints each season- spring flowers in cheery tones - winter’s abstract nature scenes. Your personal gallery wall is limitless. Good thing a bout this: Zsanan Studio pieces are reasonably priced at around $20.

Maybe you are inspired by artwork with a mission. .. advocacy art. Zsanan Studio includes digital paintings and portraits for animal adoption organizations. Or you may be inspired by text in a conceptual piece focused for change with compassion. Regardless of your preference, a personal gallery wall of artworks from Zsanan Studio is designed to bring a smile to your face.

Zsanan Studio Notes

Here is an amazing structure.It is doubly amazing to me as I actually can picture the exact spot where it is sited! I lived in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island for many years. It was an exciting time of "firsts" for me. My first studio was there. I had my work accepted for the first time into a gallery. As I looked at the slides of this architectural marvel, I wondered about it as an inspiration for artistic expression, especially in the wall and fabric decor.Thinking about ART IN CONTEXT, how would one present art-connected to nature... how would the art align with the spirit of this place? Here is the challenge of abstract in interior design.

I chose this example of contemporary paintography as a possible complementary piece.

COLOR in theory...and in real life. I hope you enjoy visiting my blog and website where I try to pay attention to COLOR...both in theory and as an expression of life as we know it. Lately, I've been taking notes on the unfolding of an idea I've been working on for many years. That idea: COLOR is central to the expression of emotion. I design images from abstract to impressionistic and then extrapolate on that image using mixed media techniques and a wide range of color palettes.It's a way of gaining perspective you may find intriguing. Each week I work on a series to express a sentiment...whether that be gratitude or personal challenges.

Zsanan Studio Notes, COLOR

P.S. Pick up a notebook for yourself or someone who'd appreciate the unique design(s)

The intersection of arts and activism is not new. But there is a new twist. It presents itself when the artist moves into the use of digital media to build a bridge between personal and technological perspectives. Here, human creativity and technological components can help focus a story and its larger narrative.

Advice for the artist as activist and storyteller.

Digital painting is a contemporary slant on a continuing theme of “creative activism.” The technique of digital manipulation has a number of monikers. Here are just a few: Paintography, photo-art, photopainting, digital mixed media. But can digital manipulation really take the artist one step further in the expression of an idea?

To answer that question I asked any number of artist-storytellers. It’s largely about context, they agreed, because visual commentary in our fast-paced reporting environment easily can lose its way. Their advice? First, create and develop your website. Make sure it includes a BLOG. Next, keep doing what you’ve always done in a three-dimensional format, but explain it through your website BLOG.

When a painting or a digital representation is headed for your website (your “online collection”) provide keywords to help people find your work. Support your efforts by utilizing your website BLOG. This is where you can regularly provide conceptual threads and tell a story. Use key phrases- (such as contemporary participatory art, artist storyteller, digital art for social narratives) - to draw attention to your message and reveal different aspects of your larger narrative

DOES DIGITAL PAINTING FASCINATE AND/OR WORK FOR YOU?

For me it is like merging a canvas or a piece from my camera into what has been termed, “Paintography.” You get up and ride a Fauve Wave - separate color from its usual representational and realistic perspective with impetus from bold brushstrokes and/or colors. I have to confess that working out a mixed medium/ photo-montage technique that you see in the pieces here can be quite a challenge.

Nevertheless, experiments with textures and layering as the effect unfolds may lead to fortuitous detours. That is exactly what happened when I created the Participatory Art eBooklet, “Drawing Beyond Heartache” as an Art Therapy project. LINK IS HERE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEVIF2M

WHAT IS PHOTO-PAINTING, ANYWAY?

Some people call it "Paintography." Others call it "Photo-art." But as a visual artist who loves to tell stories, I call it "Art in Context." Take a look at the "Images" and"Collections" here. Tell me if you agree.

WHAT DOES ART IN CONTEXT REALLY MEAN? I have to say that it's all about the story and the use of color, and patterns, and textures, and digital manipulation to tell that story. As a child, I loved "show-and-tell." Did you? Later, as a schoolteacher, students sharing their stories had the same effect on me.It was engaging.It was about a conversation.

ART IN CONTEXT INVOLVES YOU. It takes an idea and mixes it with synchronicity so that what starts out as a photo, for example, something that seems apparent, can become something unexpected. Taking it one step further, a story unfolds for Y O U, the viewer, to interpret.

AT ZSANAN STUDIO, my desire is that you will enjoy adding your interpretation while exploring themes and spaces at the edges of color. With influences as diverse as the Fauvists, Henri Matisse and Toulouse Lautrec- and a few comic book artists such as Steve Ditko- interesting perspectives may arrive ...for you to engage. ((*:*))

Innovation: Contemporary technological, scientific, and political explosions can unleash fresh awareness of who and what we are, “ Great things never came from comfort zones.” Right? For example, how might artists (and all of us for that matter) respond at this moment so ripe for combining threads of old wisdom with other/newer influences? Might they (we) weave an tapestry of innovation?

Influences: Nature may be one source of beauty and inspiration. Certainly, my designs rely on this generous teacher. There to see are elements of balance...of light and dark... of birth and death... of blooming and withering...and of pure possibility. (I am drawn for inspiration to art glass, in particular the gorgeous work of Emile Gallé, as you may note in this graphic.)

There too is the relationship between time and space at the edges of color where inspiration meets the creative expression of the human kind. (Mine are as diverse as the Fauvists, Henri Matisse and Toulouse Lautrec, and a few comic book artists such as Steve Ditko.)

Zsanan Studio Notes INFLUENCES

You can turn your ideas into reality EASILY at Fine Art America.Let's say that you pick “ROYAL PURPLE” (image here is one of the most “loved”) to make into a canvas or print or fabric for your friend (or you.) So, you find yourself at the general /direct link for “Royal Purple” the image you like. Now what? NOTICE to your right the list of design possibilities from "Wall Decor" to "Greeting Cards" and more? Go to that list. Use the little arrows to expand the options. Now you are ready to start turning ideas into real gifts, like in mugs, or shower curtains, or weekender totes, or yoga mats, or very nice greeting cards.... HERE'S HOW: Simply select options from the list on your right .


One of the most popular items fulfilled here is the boxed set of 10 cards (they are only about $3.70 per card!) It's exciting to hear back that you
have been impressed with the QUALITY. By the way, that very quality is why I chose Fine Art America as my fulfillment resource. As an EXAMPLE, Turn your ideas into reality as YOU size and frame the card to your own specifications. Copy and past this link into your browser window to see how it comes together for you.
.
https://zsanan-narrin.pixels.com/products/royal-purple-zsanan-narrin-greeting-card.html

Now, SCROLL DOWN when you get to a link, so you can see how the image looks as a tote bag or a mug or a notebook...etc. SO interested to know what you think about all of this. You can contact me at the "Contact" button.

Zsanan Studio Notes: HOW TO

HENRI MATISSE SPEAKS INTERIOR DESIGN. At least that is what many of my clients tell me. If you are a person who follows or is interested in trends in interior design, like my clients, you may also notice a definite nod to the pursuit of and expression of design elements characterized by solid patches of color and clearly defined forms.

Again, many of my clients tell me that this design style works well across generations because it brings into focus themes and images of personal symbolism. So, I like to think that this trend is reminiscent of the work of famous Post-Impressionist/Fauve artist Henri Matisse. he lives on in his (and now our) willingness to , " sink their individual identities into what became a prolonged meditation on art and life, space, time, perception and the nature of reality itself. " Hilary Spurling, Matisse the Master.

As we begin 2018, I am creating a new series (see web link) in honor of Matisse. HEARTS & FLOWERS! I'd love to have your feedback.

Zsanan Studio Notes

P.S. If you love FAUVE as much as I do, check out the gallery on the home page (it's Matisse inspired!)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS..with Polonius the CAT! .It's that time of the year when we gather ' round the tree to celebrate. Wishing family and friends happy holidays..."may your days be merry and bright"...seems the perfect gesture. But..wait a minute! Who's that in our shining tree? Polonius the Cat (seen here in hiding) may have mischief on his mind. YOU may be able already to imagine the commotion that Polonius is about to unleash.

This graphic from Zsanan is part of the POLONIUS THE CAT series. Follow him as he makes his way around the calendar and you may find a treasure trove of delight. And yes, this may be one of our favorite cards for the season.

P.S, > Don't forget the DOGS

DOGS light up so many lives. Dogs may be the perfect way to brighten someone's day in a simple way...with a card or mug like this. A furry companion is dropping by in the form of a card ...to say "Have a Colorful Day"... might be the answer. After all, as George Lakoff states, " ...empathy allows us to comprehend our connection to each other, to other living things, and to the physical world that supports life?

And what better way to share your caring than in a simple gesture. When I read a pet-loving friend's account of her dog's daily ritual, "He comes and puts his face in my face at 6:00 am , and I wondered who told him about daylight savings time and to wake me up an hour early on my vacation the last two mornings?" ...I had to smile out loud. So I asked if I could create a digital portrait of the scene. Here it is. You might find this a way to bring a smile to someone you care about, as the story that inspired this portrait did for me.

P.S. Cats, too!

MOUNTAINS AND SUN. (Meditative Art) The graphic here is a print from a large canvas I did a number of years ago where I was trying to work out how angles and circles could not only compliment but complement each other. (Some say this is "new age"/spiritual art) Today, as I look back at this canvas, I am thinking that art invites us to respond and inquire. Whether we are old hands or neophytes, art encourages us to see patterns and relationships within a piece, then to open the window to fresh awareness - even within self- and to turn ideas into reality. In any case, it seems to me that interaction with an expression of life in a "universe in process" can make a deepening of intelligence, and a strengthening of heart possible.

Studio Notes, Zsanan
https://zsanan-narrin.pixels.com/

THE SPACES BETWEEN with Zsanan

The wind is howling at the cabin door, but there’s a fire inside. This has me thinking about the spaces between the wild and the mild. In art, for example, I wonder if somewhere between major movements -the Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, Fauvists and Expressionists - there are intervals for experimentation.

I like the idea of experimenting with forms and shapes of nature. I’m drawn to simplified, sculptural forms, gently rounded lines. Possibly, this as a phase devoted to the expression of change with compassion, a fusion of realism and abstraction.

In that Space Between one can play with scale, make subjects seem even larger than life, zoom in on a theme, produce a new perspective or understanding. I suspect this will lead to increasingly abstract pieces.... We’ll have to see. Stay tuned. Zsanan.

As you move into color there is a sense of space. This is the place of possibility. Bright bits can change and enhance moods.