Zan's Art

Pop

2011-06-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

My grandfather just recently passed away and my therapy is art. A few pieces that have helped me through this time :

"Feeling Blue"

Watercolor

"Learning to Sing in the Rain"

Watercolor

"Pop"

Graphite & Charcoal

Recent Faces on Facebook

2011-05-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

That's right, I'm still doing faces on facebook. How can I stop when it's so much fun? Whenever I get an urge I jump to my facebook page, facebook.com/zansart, and right there it lists for me six people randomly. I select the first person (unless they don't have a photo of them) and start creating. Right now I am enjoying watercolors in yellows and greens, but it depends on what I want that day.

The following pictures should catch you up on who I've done. Add me on facebook, (if you dare), and you may be next (insert maniacal laughter here). No seriously, come join the fun. ;)

Oh! And it gets better, a fellow artist is going to return the favor and render my likeness. What's cooler is he's a surrealist artist. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. He is in the third picture I did, titled "Puzzling".

I hope you are spending your life doing what you love -- I am! <3

"Playing with Dots"

Watercolors

"Char"

Graphite

"Puzzling"

Colored Pencils

"J"

Markers

"G"

Colored Pencils

"Susie"

Acrylic

"Renee"

Watercolor

"Steph"

Watercolor

JFY Cards : Latest Batch

2011-04-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

It is slow going, but I have another group of JFY cards completed. The Just For You (aka JFY) Cards have original art on the front and a Bible verse on the back. They are then laminated and given away.

Here is the latest batch:

JFY Cards

2011-04-12T07:06:00.000-07:00

If I were to sum up who I am regardless of occupation or location, I am someone who tries to encourage whenever I can. Life can be hard sometimes and I think it helps to have a friend come alongside and offer hope. I know it helps me. Combined with my love of God's Word (that provides me comfort and encouragement) and art, I now have my "Just For You" Cards or JFY (pronounced jiffy) Cards. On the front is original artwork displayed on an index card with a Bible verse on the back.

Here is a group of them in the process of being laminated:

Here they are individually:

I have more JFY Cards to share with you. I just need to scan and laminate them. I hope you are having a great week and doing what you love -- I am!!

Faces on Facebook : Week II

2011-04-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday All!

I had some brave volunteers this week who asked that I not-so-randomly choose their profile to be reinvented. I think it made things more interesting and perhaps even a bit more challenging which is always good for me. I was almost done with a face and ended up scrapping it because I didn't like it. Which is funny, because sometimes I'll share what I don't like and find someone who does. Which goes to show you I'm not always fully in control of my artwork. It breathes a life of it's own. Sometimes the creation makes me happy and sometimes I just am unable to look at it anymore. I've been known to turn paintings facing to the wall in a perpetual time-out. But like the tell-tale heart, I know they're there and eventually conquer their speak to me by fixing them or painting over. Even with tormenting moments and unsure outcomes of creating, I still choose to create, for me it's worth it. I cannot imagine life without creating.

I hope you are spending your life doing what you love - I am!

Face Week II
Monday

The Scribbler

Tuesday

Manga Mom

Wednesday

A Touch of Spring

Thursday

Seeing Through

Friday

Butterfly Whispers

Facebook Face Week

2011-04-01T05:48:00.000-07:00

What an odd day to share my work's progress - April Fools Day. A day when most people are looking for the next prank, so they won't fall for it. And those who don't, usually do. While I cannot promise any pranks in person, there are none here, so just relax and enjoy. ;)

I go through phases when I want to do faces and when I absolutely loathe them. This is one of those times that I am enjoying them. And like any phase, I don't know how long it will last, but am going to enjoy the ride.

I am fortunate to be on Facebook because it offers a wealth of opportunities to draw people's profile photos. And the random six that are shown on my Facebook page really help me narrow down who to choose. Well, that and when the brave say, 'Pick Me. Pick Me'. More about those later.

This week I was focusing less on realism and more on trying to capture their personality (at least how I see them). And I chose markers as my medium because of their vibrancy.

As for those brave souls, rest assured, I have started, just not finished. I hope to have those up next week.

I hope you have a great weekend and are spending your life doing what you love - I am!

Face Week Portraits:

[Monday]

"Oh the Joy of it All"

[Tuesday]

"The Beauty-Capturing Photographer"

[Wednesday]

"The Vulnerable Singer"

[Thursday]

"The Intense Artist"

[Friday]

"The Drummer"

ATC : Complete Piggy Series

2011-03-24T07:24:00.000-07:00

Here is my first run at Artist Trading Cards. It was therapeutic and definitely a growth experience. You should never get too comfortable with your art, never allowing yourself some risk. Yes, it may fail miserably, OR it could be you've discovered a new expression. Don't give up trying. I hope you're doing what you love - I am!

And if you would like one of these ATC, please email me and let me know which one and send me your mailing address.

Artist Trading Cards - "This Little Piggy" : 1

2011-03-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

Artist Trading Cards have been out for some time, but it wasn't until recently, till a friend inspired me, that I decided to try making them. The basic instructions are to make them the same size as a baseball card or 3.5 X 2.5. If you haven't tried - it is a challenge to create small, but I'm always up for a challenge!

My friend also has been encouraging me to try different embellishments, so this series is a lot of experiments in areas I haven't really embraced like collage or flyspecking. Some attempts were successes and others failures, but I will share all of them with you, warts and all. ;)

First Piggy Print

The first print I made was a card for a friend who was having a rough week. The rest that follow are nine Artist Trading Cards.

I created this series with a print technique using foam from packaged meat you get at the store. (I washed it of course.) Then I drew on it, making the design, trying to keep in mind the result would be the mirror image. I used glow in the dark paint on some, and regular acrylic on others, painting onto the foam, then pressing onto card stock. After it was dry, I added more paint, stamps and in this particular instance I cut apart the piggy and pasted onto the card stock.

If you would like to trade for one of the piggies, please email me your mailing address at zanorton@yahoo.com , and the one you are interested in -by using the corresponding number. If it's available (and not already traded) I will send it as soon as I can.

I hope you are doing what you love. I am!

ATC- "This Little Piggy" : 1

Mixed Media on card stock

2.5 X 3.5

Daddy's Little Girl

2011-02-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

I've been working on this painting off and on for months. Not purposefully, but it seems fitting that it's completed right before Valentine's Day.

Our parents are usually our first valentine. The love between a parent and child is so special. And I just love to see men with their daughters, especially tough guys. A tenderness is unleashed that you generally don't see when they are spending time with their sons. It's a precious moment that is a gift to witness.

I hope you enjoy the painting and that you are doing what you love to do. I am.

"Daddy's Little Girl"

Mixed Media (Acrylic & Oil)

8x10

Fall Celebration of Art Creation

2010-11-23T11:40:00.000-08:00

Two weekends ago I had my first booth experience at the Gallery of Dream's Fall Celebration of Art event. I have shown my work several times, and not that it has gotten any easier, but I decided to take it to the next level and actually be there for the whole event. It was a very good experience. The people who invited me were very generous of their time and space and they even set me up with a fabulous boothmate, Shryl Miles, who is a wonderful watercolorist.

I was also fortunate enough to have several friends also displaying their wares during the event which made me feel at home. I brought with me a sketchpad, pencils, and a photo album to pass the time. This is what I created while I was there.

Enjoy ;)

"Lita"

Graphite

5X7

Not So Random Facebook Profile - Jean S.

2010-11-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

I find it funny when someone assumes it will be a bother for me to create. I love to create! It's just trying to find the time to create that is difficult. Instead of randomly selecting a facebook profile to draw today, this was requested and then he added, 'I hope it's no bother'. Hardly. It's fun. It's what I live to do!

This is a classmate of mine I have not seen since junior high school. Is it me or does he resemble Sting?

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend!

"Jean S."

Graphite

8x10

Zan's Got the Blues - I & II

2010-11-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

A few weeks back I was trying a loosening up technique - drawing with markers. There's no way to erase markers, so even while the picture is not perfect it frees you to express yourself and not be concerned about perfection. I created this portrait -

While it isn't the best portrait I've ever done and I didn't expect to like the outcome, I loved it! I've done some pretty colorful portraits, but not like this, so I decided to take this a step further and paint colorful faces. I started with blue because I think there is something so beautiful and elegant about the color blue. I have lots of color portrait ideas that I cannot wait to try. I am excited about possible future paintings in this vein.

I have one more blue portrait in the works to share with you soon. It's taking a bit more time because it's actually two portraits in one, but it's adorable and I cannot wait to share it with you. However, for now, here is Zan's Got the Blues I & II.

"Zan's Got the Blues I"

Acrylic

11x14

"Zan's Got the Blues II"

Acrylic

8x10

Random Facebook Profile : Mr. Shelton

2010-10-26T14:42:00.000-07:00

I cannot explain the phenomena that drives me to create, just it's existence and the need to create something. It's just one of the things that makes me - me, I suppose.

This morning I worked a bit on a bird feeder I painted for my garden, but that was not enough. I grabbed a sketchbook with all intentions of drawing dragons or a series of hand sketches, but I wanted to capture a personality. Not that hands or dragons could not have personality, but I wanted attainable emotions. And the older I get the more clearer it becomes as to what I want to create. Sometimes it is something from clay...or painting a flower, but today it was drawing people. So off I went traipsing through the people on my facebook page, www.facebook.com/zansart , randomly selecting a male this time. I was disappointed to find only one photo to choose from and it was too far away. Then selected another male and again only one photo and it was blurry. As I pondered why women have so many photos to choose from and thinking all hope was lost to find a good profile photo of a man, I finally came across one. Thank you Mr. Shelton for having options. ;) You made an artist very happy.

"Mr. Shelton"

Pencil

Random Facebook Profile : Window of the Soul

2010-10-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

After yesterday's fun time of drawing "Lil Bean" I decided to randomly select another person from my facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/zansart . Just like before I let facebook's top six narrow it down for me and closed my eyes and chose the next victim.....err....subject.

I knew before I selected someone that I wanted to do a Window of the Soul and seeing how I am drawing small (5"x6") I knew it would be a challenge. Going through their profile folder I was happy to see their dog had big eyes. And it seemed fitting, since most dogs adore their owners, to put it's master in it's eyes.

This was the first animal in my Windows of the Soul series. I have done people with scorpions, flowers, ballerinas, tigers, grasshoppers, angels and even goats in their eyes. I like trying new things, so I am very pleased with this drawing and trying something new.

I want to thank two of my facebook friends who inspired me, Siddartha Pierce and Dawn Shelton. They came up with some good ideas that you may see in the future. ;)

I am off to enjoy my son's football game. Have a great weekend!

"Windows of the Soul : Eyes For Only You"

Pencil & Charcoal

Random Facebook Profile : Lil Bean

2010-10-15T07:42:00.000-07:00

I got an itching to draw yesterday and thought I would just randomly select someone from my facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/zansart, and draw them. I chose from the random six that facebook already displays on my page, found a good photo, and then selected a piece of that photo to draw. I left a trail of clues as to who I was drawing, but managed to go undiscovered.

Here she is - single, no kids of her own, and doesn't have her own facebook account :

"Lil Bean"

Pencil & Charcoal

Art on Display in October

2010-10-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

Paintings on Display

It's been a little over eighteen years since I moved to Arizona and settled down in a town at the bottom of the beautiful Huachuca Mountains in Sierra Vista, Arizona. That was back when any artwork I did I quickly hid in a closet. I lived there five years before moving away. Since then I have changed a lot as a person, and as an artist. Not only learning more, but having been encouraged to share and show my artwork. No more closets for me.

This month my work hangs in Sierra Vista all month long. Even though so many years have passed I am still that same girl who loved to create, but was scared to share my creations. Each time I leave my artwork somewhere I feel that a piece of me is being left behind. That piece could be judged or ridiculed and have no one to defend it, but I have come to terms and relinquish that fear, hoping that instead a person will walk away and be touched in a positive way.

Sierra Vista Community Chorus Practicing

I arrived at the Ethel Berger Center to hang my artwork and was greeted by singing. The Sierra Vista Community Chorus was practicing for some upcoming shows. It was a beautiful sound to hear. I felt privileged to be able to listen in as I set up. They were gracious and even allowed me to hammer while they practiced. They only asked that I hammer to the beat. (Easier said than done.) Their songs raised my spirits and made me more comfortable walking away when I left for the day. You can catch their free 7th Annual Gospel Concert at Faith Presbyterian Church, 2053 Choctaw Dr in Sierra Vista, on Friday October 15 at 7pm. Call 378-2218 for more details.

And my work will be on display all the month of October at the Ethel Berger Center located at 2950 E. Tacoma St (next to the library). They are open 9a-5pm Monday through Friday or Saturdays 10a-2pm. Call the Ethel Berger Center at (520)417-6980 for more details.

More Paintings On Display at The Ethel Berger Center

7 Days of Steve - Day 7

2010-08-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

This is probably not the last time I will ever use my husband Steve as a subject for art, but this week that I've spent solely focusing on him is now over.

Enjoy what your life has to offer!

"Piece Out"

Colored Pencils

5X7

7 Days of Steve - Day 6

2010-08-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ok I'll be the first to admit that I have probably veered far away from my subject, but the essence is there. It was the concept I was going for. An old family friend...wait that's not right....a family friend from way back....yes that's better, mentioned the importance of people who are grounded, which brought to my mind how very well grounded my husband is, thus this idea was born. Thanks Tom!

Enjoy. ;)

"Grounded"

Oil Pastel

5X7

7 Days of Steve - Day 5

2010-08-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest portrait of Steve done in a way I've never attempted. I started out today by watering down my acrylic till it was runny and chasing it around the paper with a straw until I saw something that moved me. Fortunately, enough they all tie together.

"New Creation"

Acrylic

5X7

7 Days of Steve - Day 4

2010-08-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

My computer has been giving me fits, but I cannot complain, because it appears to behave long enough for me to upload the daily painting. ;)

I am in the midst of spending a week painting my husband Steve. My only challenge to myself is to try new things. Anyone who knows me or my work, knows I tend to stay away from black. I sometimes even omit it entirely from my paintings, relying on dark purples instead. But on this day I am embracing black. After all, when my husband was little he used to dress all in black, carrying a guitar around believing he was a mini Man in Black (aka Johnny Cash).

Enjoy! ;)

"Light Embracing Dark"

Acrylic

5x7

7 Days of Steve - Day 3

2010-08-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

Here we are on day three already on my journey of painting my husband, Steve. It's the price you pay when you marry an artist. You become the study of many a sketch and/or painting. ;)

For those of you that don't know, my husband spent many years as a disc jockey of rock and roll stations. One of his favorite bands was(is) KISS. He can tell you all the original members, who sings what song, who replaced the drummer and how many guitarists they've gone through.

We caught a bit about the band the other night on television and it mentioned Paul Stanley's art. I liked what I saw and decided to do a painting of Steve using Paul Stanley's work as an inspiration.

I also could not resist the double meaning behind the title.

Enjoy ;)

"Kiss"

Acrylic

5X7

7 Days of Steve - Day 2

2010-08-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

Some days are definitely easier than others in any area of life that you work. Today has been mine for wrestling with the computer, so I will make this short and get back to painting.

This is the second day in a week's challenge to try out new mediums, methods, concepts, colors. The one constant is the subject, my husband Steve.

Enjoy ;)

"Steve in Green"

Watercolor

5X7

7 Days of Steve - Day 1

2010-08-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

Seven days of Steve? You may be wondering who Steve is or what I am planning on doing. I will allow you to wait and see on the last part.

Steve is my husband and a frequent model. I like to draw and sketch my kids, but let's face it, they are kids and have a hard time sitting still. (Actually any of us has a hard time sitting still - so much to do and so many things that allow us to do it right now.) Being older Steve sits still longer, but even with him, my best times of sketching him are usually when he's asleep. And as long as I stay quiet, he remains pretty still.

This week I plan on using my favorite model to play around with some ideas I have. Some may fall short, actually they may all fail, but I will display them anyway because it is in failing that I learn. The goal is to try something new.

Thanks for tagging along.

"In the Country"

Watercolor

5X7

7 Days of Sketching - Day 7

2010-08-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well..here it is the end of the week. It seems fitting to end on a sketch of my maternal grandmother who has been on my mind/heart a lot lately because of her health. It's my own art therapy. :)

I don't know what tomorrow holds nor the next week, but thank you for joining me on this week's journey.

-Zan

"Gus"

Pencil

5X7

7 Days of Sketching - Day 6

2010-08-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Only one more day left in my goal of sketching for a week. Just like any physical workout, I had days that challenged me more than others, but regardless, when I pushed through I felt more alive.

While I was sketching I thought about other things I could focus on, but disciplined myself to stick strictly to sketching from a photo album. That, in itself, had it's own array of challenges - pictures too small...too dark, but I tried to stick with wherever the album opened up. I told myself I could focus on other things after these seven days or choose to continue doing pencil portraits. Some of the ideas I am toying with, a week of : watercolor, facebook profile pictures, abstracts, animal portraits. I am open to suggestions.
I have not decided on anything yet. I will take it easy today, focus on finishing strong, and enjoy my last day of sketching. Should be interesting to see what it ends on.

Hope you're doing what you enjoy!

"A Moment In Time"

Pencil

5X7