Shannon Meadows

Abstract Landscape Series

Shannon Meadows — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 05:34:29 +0000

This photograph was taken on a blustery Labor Day that was sunny but chilly, suggesting that the final tendrils of summer were departing the mountains along with the weekend crowds. This is a photo of Dragon’s Back that is the basis of the oil painting of the same name. Greg Norby introduced me to this steep and forested hike that starts at the Twin Lakes Campground in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. The painting (as of this writing, the “Featured Painting” on this site) was inspired by the emotion and motion of the day in bold color and active strokes. The abstract landscapes that I began painting early in 2010 evolve from simple snapshots of the Eastern Sierra landscape to broadly exhibit the joy and wonder with which we experience its vivid brilliance moment by moment.

Visiting Amsterdam

Shannon Meadows — Wed, 19 May 2010 21:22:12 +0000

I recently returned from a week visit to Amsterdam. Though it was a business trip, I had the pleasure and privilege to spend time with Amsterdam-based friends, Gil Agnew and Rene Boitelle. Both are an inspiration in their accomplishments and outlook on life. Gil is the Managing Partner for New Innergy (www.newinnergy.com) and is hosting a series of personal growth and thought leadership salons in Amsterdam for like-minded community and business leaders. Rene is a Painting Conservator at the Van Gogh Museum and graciously provided us tours of the work of Vincent and his contemporaries who were painters of the same era in his community. This week in Amsterdam, Rene provided a tour of the Gauguin exhibition at the Van Gogh museum. Gauguin and others marked the beginning of the era of modern art starting with an exhibition at the Paris World’s fair in 1889. There was also an exhibit he recommended at the Hermitage Amsterdam showing work of the early 1900’s by the group of artists known as “The Fauves” including Matisse, Picasso, Derain, Kandinsky and Van Dongen amassed by Russian collectors in the early 1900’s. These two different exhibitions of similar transitional eras in modern art in the same city were tremendously inspirational and exhilarating. These artists’ work have provided tremendous inspiration to my artwork and it was an indescribable treat to see these exhibitions. The artistic aspects of the trip were enhanced by lovely dinners parties enjoying friends and the city!

Art Show at Marcos and The Phillips in DC

Shannon Meadows — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:16:45 +0000

Art wall at Marco’s Restaurant, 8200 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, California. The opening took place on October 20, 2009. This exhibit featured two new works on the right hand side. One is The Opening, inspired by my Art Salon in June. Next to it is a tribute to Simbari’s Fiances, a favorite of many attendees. I am grateful for the support of Tad Dowell, Stylist and Playwright, and Marco, Restaurateur. The opening night was engaging and entertaining. Glad to have the support of my friends, art lovers and the community.

The week of November 30, I spent in Washington DC and visited The Phillip’s Collection on a Thursday evening jazz and wine night. I had visited this museum nearly twenty years ago, long before beginning oil painting, and always remembered it as a favorite amongst all that I have seen in the world. It was exciting to see that many of the works featured in one of my inspirational books on Impressionism are hanging in the Phillips. It was a magical evening to visit the art and to view the creations of Degas and Monet at eye level and close enough to touch in an elegant and casual cocktail reception with dessert and acoustic jazz.

“Shannon Meadows: A One Woman Exhibition”

Shannon Meadows — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:46:15 +0000

Sunday, June 14th @The Art Experience Studio Salon “Shannon Meadows: A One Woman Exhibition”

Hi everyone, I am so thrilled and proud to invite you to Shannon Meadows’ one woman exhibition, in Salon, at my studio – The Art Experience this Sunday June 14th (see details below). Shannon has studied with me for many years and it has been a exciting for me to witness her struggles and growth though the transformation of her work. Shannon has lived in Los Angeles for many years, but she is a Texas girl at heart. She is a keen observer of others and at the same time a woman unafraid to look into her own soul.

Always a seeker, she is a yoga aficionado, horsewoman, a scuba diver and skier. She is fearless yet cautious. (“That is the Capricorn in me,” she explains.) Similarly, Shannon paints fiercely… and her work reflects her inner world and struggles. Don’t let her beautiful smile and girl next door looks disarm you: ”she is woman .. hear her roar!” It is quite possible that Shannon may be sky diving while completing her paintings for her upcoming show. I encourage you to all come out to enjoy a very special afternoon…. take in the art, support a LA artist and hear some wonderful music. See you this Sunday, Susan

Identity, Inspiration and Tribute

Shannon Meadows — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:28:22 +0000

Pursuing one’s art is rarely an easy or practical way to earn a living. The capriciousness of the market in judging the monetary value of art and unpredictability of what makes a particular artist’s work popular or adopted by the market at large makes it risky to depend on art for a livelihood. I admire and respect those who do. To make a living, I have chosen instead a demanding and absorbing profession in the technology business. This vocation is all encompassing and by its exacting nature, makes its claim on my identity and life energy. However, my art is a truer expression of self as a woman and spiritual being. My aunt, Charlotte “Char” Grundig encouraged me through the example her life and lifestyle in Vancouver BC and pursuit of art as a career – both music and painting. Her life exuded creativity. It inspired me to pursue the creativity within even while the dominant influence of the business world attempted to prevail. Charlotte was suddenly stricken by lung cancer in December 2007 and succumbed in the spring of 2008. She was so young that we lost her long before any of us imagined a world without her. Char’s watercolor of the dancers is a favorite of her paintings and speaks of her immense creativity, loving nature and joy of living that she brought as a muse to many.

i Candy

Shannon Meadows — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 04:03:51 +0000

Join students of Susan Manders for i-Candy, the annual student art show. Artist’s Reception – Saturday, November 15, 2008 – 5 PM to 8 PM. Meet Susan and the artists. Location: Susan Mander’s Art Experience. 11830 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. 818-506-7804. www.susanmanders.com

Learning to Paint People

Shannon Meadows — Wed, 28 May 2008 02:31:11 +0000

Not long after I began painting, I had the strong urge to paint people. Susan Manders, my teacher, suggested the best way to start painting people was to paint ten self portraits. Her advice was to consider these self portraits “studies” and not to be attached to the results. Susan suggested painting these in the privacy of my home and to avoid showing them to people. She said that the way that people would react could impact my freedom to paint these studies. Over the years, I have kept these self portraits but they are stored on a high shelf in a closet. Some of these early renditions of faces, my own face, are so cartoon-like that they are very amusing to see now in retrospect.