Living with your Art

I’ve noticed a change.  

I’ve noticed a change in how I learn from my paintings. 

I’ve noticed a change in how my house feels. 

I’ve noticed a change in how it feels for me to live in my home with my own art and the art of others on my walls.

There is something about living with my own art. 

Something that makes it resonate deeper. 

Something that makes me take a second look

-when the light hits it differently

-when my heart looks at it from a different place months (or years) after I created the painting. 

There is something about having art speaking to me through all the dailyness of my life- dishes, laundry, supper preparations. 

"There is a River"  Melynda Van Zee © 2011

There is something about walking in the front door and seeing art above the coat hooks and hanging in the entryway.

"Open Wide" Melynda Van Zee © 2011

It was a good thing to host a Studio Tour here at the beginning of the month. 

It was a breath of fresh air to open my studio and home to curious and creative art friends.  

"Healing Waters" Melynda Van Zee © 2011

Some of my favorite times of the studio tour happen when I get a chance to have conversations about the art.  

"From Above the Wind and Waves" Melynda Van Zee © 2010

I learn so much from watching others interact with the pieces.  

I’ve learned to deeply listen to the responses because they teach me.  

"Released" Melynda Van Zee @ 2009

But, one unexpected blessing of doing a tour is that it gives me a deadline. 

"Observing the Recovery" Melynda Van Zee © 2010

It gives me a deadline to actually hang up my work, instead of stacking it or hiding it.

"From the Center" Melynda Van Zee @ 2011

It gives me a deadline to display it in my own environment.  

"Separated From the Stars" Melynda Van Zee © 2009

There is something that makes me “own it” in that step.  

"O Sacred Head Now Wounded" Melynda Van Zee © 2010

Living with it, looking at it, having surround my consciousness, having it be an intricate part of my environment that is shaping me. 

In the studio with "You Know My Way" and "Long-Awaited Bride"

Living with my art a lesson that is nurturing my artist heart.

All photos were taken by my youngest who has been bitten by the photo bug, but my motto is “start ‘em young” (just hoping they don’t break the camera!)

New Class- "Just Imagine"

I'm so excited to announce a new class that I've been planning for and dreaming about for a long time.  Registration begins NOW for "Just Imagine".
 

Just Imagine-Starting Nov. 1

Just Imagine Using The Arts As A Pathway 

To Discover More About You & The One Who Created You

You know the techniques.
You have the supplies.
You love to consume the product of other people’s creativity.
You know how crucial creativity is going to be to survival in our rapidly changing, global environment.

And, yet, you are still not working on your projects.
Still not creating what is in your heart.
Still answering to someone else’s call rather than your own.
Still not leading the life you imagine.
Still not following the unique call on your life.

What is standing in the way?

Why is it so hard?

Let me walk you through a process of creating real change. Let’s uncover the path to a vibrant, passionate and creative life that can be yours.

Let’s take a look deep inside to see what is blocking you from creating the compelling and stimulating work of your dreams.

Together we will explore the building blocks necessary to a healthy creative lifestyle.

We will take some time to look inward to help unleash your passion that is simmering right below the surface.

Start connecting the dots of your emotional, spiritual and creative needs to help you take the next steps in your journey.

And, the best thing…we will use art as the pathway for this discovery process.

Yes-we get to make stuff…
•stuff that might be a bit messy and intuitive and truth telling
•stuff that might help us find our way
•stuff that gets us out of “thinking about it” mode and into “doing and creating” mode

This is going to be a “process”, a journey. This process is designed for anyone at any skill level. You don’t need an extensive background in art. You don’t need to be a fine artist to join in the fun. If you do have experience in the arts, this course can serve as a guide to spur you to be able to take the next steps you’ve been dreaming of. No matter where you are on your creative journey, our goal is that you will have the confidence to create the work you need to bring into the world.

There is so much that is possible if we can just clear the clutter away, if we can get to the core. Come take the journey with me. I can’t wait to see how far you will go!

To Register for "Just Imagine", please visit Classes on my website for all additional information.  Classes will be held in my studio in Pella, IA. You can reserve your spot by emailing me at melynda@iowatelecom.net.

Studio Sneak Peeks...

Detail of "From the Center" 40" x 30" Melynda Van Zee © 2011

Things are getting underway for the Autumn Studio Tour happening this weekend right here in the studio.  Not only will you be able to see "the real thing" instead of just "sneak peaks", but you can also visit the studios of several other area artists.  For more information on the tour, check out the Red Rock Arts Alliance. 

Detail from "You Know My Way" 48" x 36" Melynda Van Zee © 2011

Please feel free to come and visit me in the studio during the hours of 10 am- 5pm on Saturday, Oct. 9 and 12 pm - 5 pm on Sunday, Oct. 10.  I'd love to have you stop by and share with you the new pieces I've been working on this fall.

Detail from "The Waters" 48" x 36" Melynda Van Zee © 2011

You will also have the opportunity to sign up for a Door Prize.  I'll be giving away this small original T.U.L.I.P. piece titled "Amazing Grace".

"Amazing Grace" 6" x 8" Melynda Van Zee © 2011

The Galerie of Pella closing

The Galerie of Pella will be closing on the 31st of this month. For the next two weeks they are having a "Last Chance" sale where you have the opportunity to purchase a piece of your favorite Iowa artist's work.
I've been working with Steve and Molly at the Galerie here in Pella for over 5 years now. They grew the Galerie from 5 artists in a small gallery space opening right before Tulip Time in 2006 to their current large, spacious home featuring the work of over 45+ Iowa artists. I will miss working with them. I will miss having a gallery in my local town. Together we learned as we mounted shows and celebrated the creativity of so many artists in the area. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. Endings are never easy, but a natural part of the rhythm of our lives. And, now we look for what is next. We take we have learned and we start a new bend in the journey.

Yah-it is time for a good old-fashioned garage sale!

I've done some deep cleaning in the studio and I'm joining I some friends who have a tremendous amount of paper, etc. that they are ready to part with-come check it out on Saturday if you are in Pella, IA! I'm selling plastic organization drawers, decorative stamps, kids stamps, idea books, 5 x 7 albums, foam stamps, handmade painted art journal papers and more. Come and join the fun!

HUGE Scrapbooking/Craft Supply sale at the Pella Memorial Building on Saturday from 8- 1...Paper, stamps, albums, idea books, tools, cricut cartridges and much much more!

Beauty in the moment

The view from the front of my house

right now

this very moment

beauty for the taking

Iowa Sweet Corn

It is sweet corn season here in Iowa.

We've made a few trips to the farm to reap the benefits of grandma and grandpa's sweet corn patch.


We had a bit more interesting journey out to the farm due to the huge road construction project on their road. We had to use the dirt road, go through a "road closed" sign, and bottomed out on some ungraded gravel, but we got there.



They plant it rows right in the field with the tractor and 12-row planter. And, while they did try to make me promise to remind them not to plant it again next year-I have a hard time seeing the tradition die quite yet. There is still nothing quite like eating sweet corn for lunch that was picked from the field that morning.


Capturing the sweet corn goodness to enjoy year around takes a bit of hard work from many hands-the boys were great help this year in picking, husking and even cutting the corn off the cob.



I know it is going to taste really great come February when we grab a bag out of the freezer and can have a bit of that sweet corn taste in the middle of winter.