Today I spent several hours reorganizing, streamlining, and updating my gallery.

I've gotten rid of the Mythology, Religion, and Spirit collection/category that existed in both my gallery and shop. Part of the reason was the duplication of a Buddhist and Buddhist Series category, and part of it was because the longer I paint, the more I understand what I like to paint--and rather than relegate Greek mythology-themed paintings to a Greek mythology-themed category, I thought it more appropriate to acknowledge it as the Greek Series and make it one of my ongoing series.

Same goes for work that meditates on Biblical (as in, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) themes. It's now my Biblical Series.

What's not a series or category were all Original Finger Paintings categorized as First Nations inspired. I found that creating a Bird Series better matched and clarified my interest there, and my preexisting Tiki Series already cohesively held my iterations on Oceanic indigenous art.

As for new creations, I've made a Monster Series because I feel it's a juicy theme for me to explore, ever since I busted open with Yeti and Sasquatch. Yay for monsters and the misunderstood!

I've also made a set for artwork that's been reproduced as Limited Edition Prints and also as Little Beauties Art Cards. They're housed in the New, Available, & Sold collection and will be easier for collectors to find what they're looking for in my gallery.

Please visit and enjoy!

Invite Beauty,

I.

I was inspired by a picture I saw of a friend's friend's daughter--she reminded me of a classical Greek goddess!

More info in my blog, Insight.

Invite Beauty,

I.

Hi all,

The two new pieces are complete and available!

Please visit my gallery to see both Yeti and Sasquatch Original Finger Paintings and for purchasing information.

Ivan Chan Studio: Invite Beauty

Please check out my blog, Insight, for my new Original Finger Painting of Bigfoot!

Invite Beauty,

I.

Please visit my official blog, Insight, for a sneak peek at my newest Original Finger Painting and news about the upcoming art show I've been invited to join!

Please click on the image to see more detailed pics, read the description, and to make an offer on this Original Finger Painting.

A friend on Facebook posted an upsetting news article about dogs that were tortured on a property in the nearby town of Boulder Creek.

Please don't read it if you're sensitive to such topics. The details brought tears to my eyes and the only reason I'm providing the link here is because reading the article showed me how bad the situation was, and encouraged me to do something about it (which my friend also posted).

There are events that grab us and don't let go, and call for us to do something tangible.

Peace,

I.

My latest Original Finger Painting is of two lovers.

See a sneak preview in my official blog, Insight.

Take care,

I.

A few weeks ago, I decided to attend an open house for John F. Kennedy University's master's in counseling psychology program.

Their open house--and the big move to open a campus in Santa Cruz--was covered by the local paper, The Santa Cruz Sentinel. The photo to the right was taken by Sophie Borazanian.

I received a few messages from friends who saw the article by J.M. Brown and mostly ignored looking for it myself. I had gone to the open house for my own reasons (not for publicity) and I'm not particularly excited when I randomly get absorbed into mass media.

However, early this morning when I posted the sneak preview of my recent Original Finger Painting, I had written about the different paths that I was considering in addition or as an alternative to my career as an artist.

So I decided to look for the article and photograph online and found it. There I am, caught in the act of something I do quite well: exploring career paths.

Careers fascinate me and I'm coming to terms with it. I love hearing what people do and what they wish they were doing and what they dream about doing. I love finding out about the careers that intrigue me and enjoy taking time out to shadow a generous professional.

This has allowed me to build up a huge database of career information in my head. I share it often with friends in quandaries and I've shared it with clients of mine when I worked as a life coach. You might even find me on a few bulletin boards across the Internet!

In the end, I may not choose counseling psychology as my next or simultaneous profession. It feels strangely like I'm cheating on my current profession as an artist (and I almost got away with it until I got photographed!) to consider other options, and maybe I am.

You're not your job but boy howdy, is life ever easier when you enjoy what you do!

Invite Beauty,

I.

I've uploaded a mixed media work by Troy M. in my official blog, Insight.

"May You Find Peace" incorporates the photograph of Andrei Vishnyakov and my own "Mystical Buddha" into a sensual and enlightening work of art.

Invite Beauty,

I.