Posts Tagged: acrylic
Catch My Breath
“Catch My Breath” 36″x36″ 2107©MelyndaVanZee
A few years ago we packed up and moved our family to a new home in a new city with a new school and new employment. Every day leading up to the move was full of real estate issues, cleaning house, planning for the transition, etc, etc…Moving falls in the Top 5 list of most stressful life events we encounter-it is a time of rapid change.
I created “Catch My Breath” following this period of transition. Painting right through the transitions in my life has been a growth point for me-not waiting until the “perfect time in life to create”, but creating right in the middle of it. Painting helps me to process my life as I live it. I used to think “I’ll paint more someday when…”
Students visiting “Catch My Breath” at the Nuances of Freedom Art Exhibit by Melynda Van Zee at Iowa State University Memorial Union
Last Chance to catch me at an outdoor art show this year and photos from Aspen~
Melynda with “Centering Within #19” 60 x 48
This month is your last chance to catch me at an outdoor arts festival this year! I start out September this weekend (Sept. 8 & 9) at the Rockbrook Village Art Fair in Omaha, NE.
My only outdoor show in Iowa will be Sept. 23 in Ames, IA for the Octagon Art Festival.
Your final chance to enjoy the fresh air and an outdoor art fair where I’ll be exhibiting is the beautiful Peoria Art Fair in Peoria, IL on Sept. 28, 29 & 30. Come and enjoy an art fair-we’d love to see you.
Aspen Art Fair Aspen, CO
John Denver Sanctuary Gardens
Aspen!
So many of you have been asking “How was your show in Aspen?!?” Well, friends it was a true adventure. My first art show in the mountains and as expected it was BEAUTIFUL.
The park where the show was held was full of lush green grass and next door to the gorgeous John Denver Sanctuary Gardens. The garden is full of huge rocks carved with the words of John Denver’s songs and other inspirational quotes.
Early in the morning before the show, I walked the trails through the garden, beside the babbling brook, and in the midst of hundreds of blooming wild flowers-it revived my soul.
I might have needed some “reviving” after the days leading up to the show, full of packing and loading, and then many miles through the mountains with our new trailer. We got up each mountain but we might have gone reallllly slow through a few mountain passes with our truck feeling the full weight of the load.
The quality of work at the show was outstanding, but we were beset with a few challenges from nature-rain, hail, and forest fires which caused the closure of the Aspen airport for the weekend.
Hail and rain in Aspen
Hiking in Aspen with the best art show helper there is~
Truly a weekend to remember. I was so grateful to have the help of my husband and two teenage sons who helped me. After we were done at the show, we got to enjoy hiking and eat some great pizza together!
Collaboration is Key to Creativity
You Are Light 60×40(2) © Melynda Van Zee 2018
I recently created several colorful paintings for a lovely home. One of the great joys of working on this project was the opportunity to collaborate with the owners of this home. I really enjoyed working closely with this family as they studied my work and decided which colors and sizes they would like for their original paintings. After we discussed the many options and possibilities and made final decisions, I went to work in the studio to dive into making their vision come to life.
You Are Light 60×40 © Melynda Van Zee 2018
One facet of the commission process that I particularly enjoy is that my clients become like an art director for the project. Their likes and desires and favorite colors and settings all play into the creative process. Together we envision the finished work. Collaboration is a key to creativity!
Wind and Waves 48 x 36 © Melynda Van Zee 2018
I’ve had so many fabulous experiences as I’ve collaborated to create unique and personalized original work with the insight and direction of my clients.
Wind and Waves Detail 48×36 © Melynda Van Zee 2018
If you are looking for more color and gorgeous artwork in your work or living spaces, please contact me here in the studio at [email protected]. I’d love to collaborate with you to add inspiration to your life.
“FREE: Pathways Toward Freedom” Show Images
“FREE: Pathways Toward Freedom”, my solo art show of original acrylic paintings remains open at the Ankeny Art Center in Ankeny, IA. The show will be open for two more weeks and closes on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. The show is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 9:00 am-1:00 pm Tues-Fri, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm Thursday, and 9:00-Noon Saturday.
