Alpha Shanahan. DAILY ART WALK

Quiet Confidence

2012-03-16T22:20:00.001-07:00

"Quiet Confidence." An original tiny mixed media figurative painting on paper.

For Sale --- $ 20.00 US dollars only!

Free shipping worldwide.

This is available at my Etsy Shop.

Thanks!

Send me a message if you want to buy direct from me and/or if you have other questions.

Cristina, 1932

2012-03-16T01:12:00.000-07:00

"Cristina, 1932." An original figurative mixed media collage painting on

For Sale --- $ 75.00 US dollars only!

Free shipping worldwide.

{ Click here to buy. }

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When i looked at this painting, i was reminded of Christina Ricci's role in

the tv show, "Pan Am". Thus, the title, Cristina, 1932.

Creamy Vegetable Soup

2012-03-15T23:10:00.002-07:00

Celery, onions, and carrots --- the three basic ingredients in making vegetable soup.

You may add whatever you wish from this point. I added a can of diced tomatoes (see photo below).

Add lots of water. Boil away. For the soup to develop its flavor, boil not less than an hour.

Next, i used a hand-mixer to puree the soup. Then, back to the cooker on very low heat.

Pour whipped cream (about 1/8 of a cup only) while stirring.

Remove from heat. Season with salt. Serve hot.

This is a great way to have the children eat their veggies. The soup is creamy, so no need to put much cream.

They love the Campbell Cream Soup in cans, but of course, it contains lots of cream and

who knows what (processed food). In order to come up with a creamy soup texture,
you do not alwayshave to use cream. Mashed potatoes or squash or
any pureed veggies can make the soup creamy.

Look To The Clouds

2012-03-15T22:23:00.001-07:00

"Look To The Clouds." A tiny original acrylic figurative painting

on gessoed 90-lb watercolor paper.

For Sale --- $ 15.00 US dollars only!

Free shipping worldwide.

{ Click here to buy. }

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On days when i feel overwhelmed by the details of everyday living,

i "look to the clouds" to clear my mind. It always works!

Mind you, i do not really go out and look up at the sky.

For one thing, it is very hot where i am, and i cannot stand the bright sun.

It gives me a headache.

Look-to-the-clouds, for me, take many forms.

It could mean closing my eyes and imagine a blue sky. That could really calm

your nerves. It could also be a walk away from what i am doing.

Journals

2012-03-11T08:24:00.001-07:00

This is an "altered art project" using a Thread Sew Scout Book by A.E.I.O.U Studio.

Journals ( blank ); 48 pages (back and front).

Size : B6 - 5 x 7 inches.

I handpainted a mixed media design on the cover and back to create

very attractive and inspiring journals.

For Sale --- $ 10.00 US dollars each.

Includes shipping worldwide.

{ Click here to buy. }

Waiting

2012-03-08T11:20:00.004-08:00

"Waiting." An original mixed media figurative painting on cradled wooden panel.
9 1/3 x 6 1/2 x 2 inches. (c)2012 Alpha Shanahan.

No need for framing.
Thick enough to stand as a display decor item
OR hang on a wall.
{ Ready to hang. }
Sealed with high quality varnish.

For Sale --- $ 125.00 US dollars only.
Free shipping worldwide!
{ Click here to buy. }

Quiet Moment

2012-03-06T05:53:00.002-08:00

Quiet Moment.
An original figurative mixed media collage on cradled wooden panel.
24.5 x 17.5 x 5 cm [ 9.5 x 7 x 2 inches ] .
Ready to hang.
Also thick enough to stand on a tabletop as a lovely decor piece.
Sealed with high quality matte varnish.

For Sale --- $ 125.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Click here to buy. }

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Having some moments of quiet do not just happen these days. Pursuing creativity and/or intellectual

work requires times of being alone and being quiet and centered.One has to carve out time and space

to experience quiet moments. It requires some degree of discipline to experience it on a daily basis.

It need not be a whole day or even a whole morning. Just a few minutes can do wonders.

When did you last have a really quiet moment?

Listen

2012-03-06T05:39:00.001-08:00

"Listen." An original figurative mixed media collage on a recycled box.

13.5 x 13.5 x 5 cm [ 5.3 x 5.3 x 2 inches ].
No need to frame.
Ready to hang. Wired at the back.

Sealed with varnish.
(c)2012 Alpha Shanahan.

For Sale --- $ 25.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Click here to buy. }

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This is a first in a series of paintings on recycled boxes.

Every time i open a cereal box, a toy box, or anything at all which comes in a nice sturdy box,

i could not bring myself to throw the boxes away. So i started putting them aside and my stack of boxes

is really getting high. It is about time i create the ideas in my head.

I love the experience of using the recycled box and ending up with a lovely

small piece of art. I stuffed the box with used shopping bags.

Ginny and Her Dog

2012-03-03T07:26:00.001-08:00

"Ginny and Her Dog." An original figurative mixed media collage painting on wooden panel.

Approximately 16 x 16 x 0.33 inches. Frame not necessary.

For Sale --- $ 145.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide.

{ Click here to buy. }

Collage

2012-03-02T09:11:00.003-08:00

The painting i was working on tonight is a figurative acrylic painting which i started about a month ago.

I got stuck and just could not find the inspiration to complete it.

I did not want to spend too much time on it, so i put it aside and moved to

other paintings. Lately, i love incorporating collage work in my paintings.

I stripped some gift wrapping paper made by aeiou studio. I believe it is a Malaysian design company.

( not sure ...:) I will look it up and post the link in my next post.

I used lots of glue and it looks wrinkly now.
I need to dry this overnight. It will be wonderfully flat by then and the surface
will be ready to take on layers of paint.

Time for bed . . .

. . . good night . . .

Watching

2012-03-02T03:30:00.001-08:00

"Watching." An original figurative mixed media collage painting on 90-lb. watercolor paper.

For Sale --- $ 75.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Click here to buy. }

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Below is a sample view of the painting as framed.

Clara

2012-02-28T18:57:00.000-08:00

"Clara." An original mixed media figurative painting on thick fine art paper for acrylic.

For Sale --- $ 75.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Click here to buy. }

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Below is a sample view of the painting when framed.

Rosa

2012-02-28T11:45:00.003-08:00

"Rosa." An original mixed media figurative painting on thick fine art paper for acrylic.

For Sale --- $ 75.00 US dollars only (unframed).

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Click here to buy. }

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Below is a sample frame c/o Picnik.com.

Berlin, 1922

2012-02-26T09:09:00.001-08:00

"Berlin, 1922." An original figurative painting.

Acrylic. 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches.

For Sale --- $ 75.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Click here to buy. }

Hannah, 1923

2012-02-26T09:02:00.003-08:00

"Hannah, 1923." An original figurative painting. Acrylic. 90-lb. watercolor paper.

Approximately 10 3/4 x 7 1/3 inches.

For Sale --- $ 75.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Click here to buy. }

I Look at You

2012-02-24T19:54:00.005-08:00

"I Look at You." An original mixed media collage figurative painting.

90-lb. watercolor paper. 12 x 8 inches.

For Sale - $ 85.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Click here to buy. }

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"I-look-at-you" is one great exercise in relationships.

We can find ourselves surrounded by people we know, people we work with, and

people we love, but at the end of the day, their faces are just like those we see in a crowd.

Just faces like anybody else's face. Familiar, yes, but just that.

We are not to stare --- that is not nice, isn't it?

But have we really looked at him or her ... that someone we live with,

work with, or someone we call a friend?

Do I "see" you? Really "see" you?

Probably not. We can just go through the day so quick, and people we care about

become part of the landscape of our daily routine that they recede into the

background. We sit for a quick breakfast before heading out to work ... the rest of

our family are also around having their breakfast. We have the usual morning exchange of words,

then time to go. We get home, others are also home, there is dinner, then clean up, then tv,

then bedtime. One day down. We wake up to another day of the same kind.

I look at you ...

At the end of the day ... or worse, at the end of our life,

we realize we were not alone . . . we are not alone.

I look at you ...

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My adventure into painting faces made me "look" at the way faces are shaped.
But the thing which really keeps me doing what i do is the fact that every line, shape and color
of a face create a combination which forms as an expression.
It is fascinating! These days, when i watch a movie, especially on an HD tv channel,
there are like a million times i find myself wishing i could click a button to 'freeze'
a scene. Why? Because i catch an expression i wish to paint!

What is most fascinating though is that the really captivating
expressions are those which reveals something about the person's character.
Such expressions remind me people have souls.

I Look Inside

2012-02-24T19:06:00.005-08:00

"I Look Inside." An original mixed media collage figurative painting.

90-lb. watercolor paper. 6 x 5.5 inches.

S O L D !!! { 25.02.2012 }

Thank you !

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Psychologically as well as spiritually, it is a good practice to take the time to look inside yourself.

Look into your thoughts ... look into your feelings ....

This is the journey of introspection.

It helps to close your eyes.

As you grow into this practice, your way of looking at things

changes. You begin to see beyond what is visible.

You become aware of a reality beyond the physical.

A door opens ... a new world lies within and before you ...

a world where you find your true worth.

As an artist, i need to connect to this reality constantly.

It is where inspiration comes.

It is where i find meaning which translates into image/s

i love to paint.

I look inside . . .

Lady with a Hat

2012-02-24T12:45:00.001-08:00

"Lady With A Hat." An original watercolor painting.

For Sale - $ 27.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Click here to buy. }

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This is a favorite of mine, done almost five years ago.

Time to let it go . . .

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

2012-02-23T18:14:00.001-08:00

"Elizabeth." An original mixed media collage painting.

Approximately 6 x 4 inches.

It is inked black on the edges.

The quote reads:

"With stammering lips and insufficient sounds,

I strive and struggle to deliver right

the music of my nature . . . "

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

For Sale - $ 42.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Please click here to buy. }

Morning Meditation.

2012-02-23T10:56:00.002-08:00

"Morning Meditation." An original mixed-media figurative painting on 90-lb. watercolor paper.

Approximately 18.5 x 14 cm (7.5 x 5.5 inches).
(c)2012 Alpha Shanahan.

For Sale --- $ 52.00 US dollars only
Free shipping worldwide!
{ Click here to buy. }

Three Tomatoes

2012-02-19T19:36:00.002-08:00

"Three Tomatoes." An original abstract mixed-media painting.

Gessoed matte board. 25 x 25 cm.

For Sale ---- $ 55.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Click here to buy. }

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Procrastination stuck out its ugly head again yesterday. I worked on this piece two days ago and

it was getting very late in the evening, so i put it aside for the next day. It was on the top of my work list.

But when i looked at it sitting nicely on my easel, i started to think of many possible little strokes

which could make it complete and lovely. Well, that's the mistake! Thinking too much about

the process is like falling into a trap for us, procrastinators.

So, this morning, i intentionally finished my coffee upstairs in the tv room. I didn't want to

have my coffee in my studio for then i'd have to take a seat and while sipping, 'will be looking around too long. Then i would be thinking . . . aha! i might get caught in the trap again.

Once in my studio, i grabbed the unfinished work, placed it on my work table, and held a dark blue oil pastel stick so tight i almost broke it in two. All these i did even before i switched on the light!

(lol!) I really did not want the ugly "P" to have another day with me.

Anyway, it was a release/relief when i just let go . . .

And voila! The painting shown above is the result!

I love it !!!

It is beautiful !!!

Do enjoy it, too !!!

I really want to beat the ugly "P"

too much again about what colors i need to put on this one or what strokes are still missing on that one.

Through the Fields

2012-02-18T21:10:00.002-08:00

"Through the Fields." An original acrylic figurative painting.

300 gsm. Canson watercolor paper; 8.5 x 6.5 inches

For Sale - $ 65.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping worldwide!

{ Click here to buy. }

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She walks through the fields. Alone.

She is probably taking a break from writing a novel . . . or away from her unfinished painting . . .

or from the internet . . . or from a noisy crowd . . .

What I love about painting people is that I can create a story about the character/s

who appear on my canvas. I can play with the facial expression and the bodily gesture

to produce a 'picture' I see in my mind or feel in my heart.

I invite you to take a closer look at the painting above.

Just rest your eyes on it for a while and see what story you can

weave about the woman walking through the fields.

Enjoy and be inspired!!!

Taking A Walk

2012-02-17T06:45:00.001-08:00

"Taking A Walk." An original mixed-media figurative painting on 160 lbs Canson watercolor paper.

Approximately 8 x 6 inches plus 1/4 inch white margin for easy framing.
(c)2012 Alpha Shanahan.

For Sale - $ 65.00 US dollars only.

Free shipping wordlwide!

( Click here to buy. )

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Loose style of painting is pure delight. It felt like play. Although when it came to working on the face, my being tedious with details came in handy. The mind has to be clear, the hand steady. A little sway takes the point of the tiny brush a millionth of a centimeter off and the whole expression of the face changes. I guess that is why i love to paint faces. It is fascinating and challenging!

Lady in Pink

2012-02-16T19:57:00.002-08:00

"Lady in Pink." An original mixed-media figurative painting on 90 lb. watercolor paper.

Approximately 18.5 x 14 cm (7.5 x 5.5 inches).

Unframed. Unvarnished.

SOLD!!! Thank you!

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After some "dry spell", i am now enjoying a freer, looser style and approach in my paintings. I have learned much by watching two artists whose youtube videos share this style: Karrie Evenson and Robert Burridge.

It is not so much as learning a technique than an invitation for me to make an attitude-perspective shift towards art.

I tend towards control. I want perfection. I go micro and get caught in the details. I think too much. I procrastinate. I am afraid to make mistakes.

These artists help me throw these mental statements out the window!

And now, i am having more fun in my studio.

Abstract

2012-02-16T07:59:00.001-08:00

"Three Is Company." An original mixed-media abstract painting on gessoed matte board.

For Sale --- $ 55.00 only.

Free shipping worldwide!!!

{ Buy here. }

The Blue Series

2012-02-15T21:36:00.000-08:00

These lovely sculpted figures are lovely as tabletop decors.

Note: The color is pale blue and when covered by matte varnish became brighter.

The undertones (mainly dark brown and crimson red on a few spots) show through

which results in a textured look.

Blue Woman #1. Mixed-media on Paperclay Figure.

Approximately 14 x 8 cm.

For Sale - $ 55.00 only.

[ Free shipping worldwide! ]

{ Buy here . }

Blue Woman #2. Mixed-media on paperclay figure.

Approximately 12 x 5 cm.

For Sale - $ 42.00

[ Free shipping worldwide. ]

{ Buy here. }

These are clay figures molded freehand (no molds used).

It was fun and a good exercise to become more attuned to one's intuition.

I was tempted to . . .

. . . put some embellishments and/or

. . . cover the top layer with some design prints and/or

. . . include a word or two.

In the end, i gave in to simplicity.

More often, simplicity speaks more profoundly to the beholder.

Lady in White

2012-02-13T19:56:00.001-08:00

S O L D ! ! !

Thank you ... this one is going to Australia!

Christ Jesus.

2012-01-04T00:17:00.000-08:00

Christ Jesus. A mixed-media painting inspired by Byzantine icons. 7 3/4 x 7 1/2 inches.

Buy now!!!

Mother and Child.

2012-01-04T00:11:00.000-08:00

Mother and Child. A mixed-media painting inspired by the Byzantine icons. 6.5 x 7.5 inches.

Now available on Etsy!

Mary.

2012-01-04T00:04:00.000-08:00

The color of the veil is raw umber, but it appears close to black in the photo. It is a bit difficult to get the real color of the veil. But i promise you, the real painting has more vivid colors. The picture has failed to capture the mix of colors on the face.

Our Lady of Guadalupe.

2012-01-01T03:34:00.000-08:00

"Our Lady of Guadalupe." Mixed-Media Painting. Approximately 8 x 8 inches. (c)2011 Alpha Shanahan.

I praise God for this new year . . . a new spring in my life and work as an artist. The past year was all about settling in a new base, making it into our home for now. My art has gone through some low moments ... a 'dry spell' which led to some serious processing. I realized i needed to re-connect with the original vision and purpose which spurred me into the world of painting about twelve years ago.

My spiritual journey was the center of my life then. As someone who has always been creative and artistic, i became attracted to painting. I find it a very contemplative activity. So my life as a painter began as an outer expression of my spiritual journey. I somehow lost track of this fact as i grappled with the business side of things. As i focused more and more on how to sell, the well of inspiration ran dry. Many months i did not paint a thing. There were sketches here and there, but nothing finished.

I entered the Season of Advent 2011 on a spiritual retreat mode. I did not go away. Everyday routine remained the same. But added to this were prayer, spiritual reading, prayer journal writing, etc. The Holy Father's writings and homilies were a great source for reflection and direction. Then it happened. It was almost at the end of Advent when i felt inspired to paint the one shown above. I gave priority to prayer and contemplation, the inspiration to paint came back. It feels like a new spring!

I begin this new blog to celebrate finding my way back to my art's original vision and purpose. I share these paintings with you all as invitations to prayer and contemplation.

A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!
alpha