This painting, called simply: "Grace."

Another from the under the bed gallery:
Amidst the change of seasons, the living and the dying of each generation, God gives each of us, those who belong to Him, the ability to live with joy. If you look closely, you will find a picture within a picture. The cozy home is surrounded by the passing of the season, all the sorrows that can afflict us earth dwellers. Yet, the sun shines brightly, the workday chores are being done, and the road is well-traveled. If we seek Him, we shall find Him. In our lowest hour, He is there . . . "Grace."

Glory and honour are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place.

Fear before Him, all the earth:
the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. . .

Than shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD,
because He cometh to judge the earth.

O give thanks unto the LORD;
for He is good;
for His mercy endureth for ever.

I Chronicles 16:27, 30, and 33

"Who would have 'thunk' it #2": Magnolia and Friend

Colored pencil on tinted pastel paper. . . still experimenting.

From the Drawing Pad: Patience

I took several pictures of this little guy. He was humorous to me because he is so typically like the rest of us. Little robins, I have learned, are left on the ground for a part of their young lives. In our court yard, I have watched as they partially fly, hop, and hide but ... mostly wait. They impatiently wait, cheeping, chirping and squawking. They eagerly watch the sky, waiting for momma robin to furnish breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between. This youngster had just been fed when I took the first picture. He was perched, eagerly stretching upward waiting for seconds, and all the time chirping his wants skyward toward his mother.

She, however, took her sweet time in returning. His posture languished lower and lower as I snapped picture after picture. In this dejected little clump, he waited woefully; and finally, he waited quietly for the faithful one to return.

We often approach the Lord like this little fellow, complaining and impatient for answers. We flop in our own little clump. Yet, we need not fret. We can quietly wait. We must learn that we can trust Him. He is always faithful.

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:3-4

(As far as the pic goes, I am exploring the medium of colored pencil. My students in the fall will be using colored pencil for their outside drawings. I am really enjoying it. "And who would have 'thunk' it? " )

The transition from start to finish:
Click the "x" to get rid of the critters. (Oh, well...)

On the Easel: The Joa Rose

Finally, a finished painting, approximate size 8.5x8.5. I hope you enjoy. Thanks for checking it out.

Place your mouse over the "Slide" and see the progression from start to finish. (Click the "x" to get rid of the critters...)

The Duchess of the Wood

Children's children are the crown of old men;
and
the glory of children are their fathers.
Proverbs 17:6

Happy Father's Day! I hesitated to post this older watercolor painting. It was done over 15 years ago. I can date it because my dad left us for heaven right after I finished this piece.

Dad was my biggest cheerleader when it came to me and anything to do with my art. He purchased a very expensive oil painting set when I was twelve. No art teacher, no instruction was available...just a big want-to in a little girl's heart.
One would probably think it odd that I would choose this painting for Father's Day but the memory makes me smile. During a visit with my folks, I had intended to paint. Mom, Dad, the dog and I headed into the woods. Daddy shouldered a post hole digger and I carried an old shovel. Mom brought along an old broiler pan to transport our found treasures. We plucked from the forest floor the Pink Lady Slippers, the mushroom, the moss, the crinkled leaves. What a lovely and cherished memory! and so, I share with you one of my "youngest" paintings...The Duchess of the Wood.

On the Easel
Progressing, pressing slightly forward...

On the Easel
The beginnings of a new challenge from the forum. I really enjoy this approach to watercolor but I am still on the low slope of the learning curve. I will post as progress continues.

Xenia Christian Academy Art Show 2010

Every endeavor has a beginning and an ending. I am delighted to share the handiwork of my students. Each has worked hard and each, in his or her own unique way, has "ended well." Enjoy.



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Happy Mother's Day!

Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously,
but
thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful,
and
beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord,
she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands;
and
let her own works praise her in the gates.
Prov 31:28-31

On the Easel

In recent days I have had a wonderful opportunity. In efforts to improve my painting abilities, I belong to a forum of watercolor painters. The website belongs to Susan Harrison Tustain, a brilliant artist from New Zealand. She has generously offered her expertise, comments and criticisms, to those of us who participate in painting challenges using her method of watercolor painting. Here is the progression of my efforts to paint sweet faced Imogene, the artist's grand daughter. It represents about 50 hours of work. Here she is straight from my easel...

"The Observer"

At the end of winter's dark siege, the little daffodil's brave shoots give hope. A fresh breath of gladness that the long blast of winter will soon be past. Even as snow often covers the spring's new green, it still does not dampen the expectation of spring. Chirping birds, busy about the business of a new nestings, offer a glad chorale to the change of season closing winter's dark chapter.

When we pass through the dark valleys of this life's journey. We must look to God's Word. It is His promises that open the door of springtime to our soul. He renews our spirit in the midst of winter's dark night.

We can trust His loving kindness because it is the essence of His Being. We can speak at the end of our life as Joshua spoke: And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof (Joshua 24:14).

Tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday, the greatest of all springtime promises. Christ died that we might live. As the little daffodil waves its triumphant blossom against winter's dark blast, the cross is a glistening promise of eternal life to those that believe.

"The Day of Small Things"

This painting is about Trust:
We can trust God in our calling.

Zechariah 4:10, "For who hath despised the day of small things?" Zerubbabel had been commissioned by God to rebuild the Temple. He is chosen for a task that he will be incapable by any human means to complete.
Yet, when he stood before the mountain, it dwindled before him. He stood in the power of the Lord, ignited by the Spirit of God. In doing the small things, he became great in the sight of the people and in the esteem of the Lord.

Every article in this painting tells of a busy woman, living a simple life, taking care of children, doing the ordinary chores, having an ordinary day--a day of small things. All of us as Christians want to do great things for our Lord. However, most of us live small lives. We wake up, prepare breakfast, pack lunches, buy groceries, make beds. This painting speaks to that life. How so? many small strokes, many small choices. What is life but the culmination of many small decisions? What is a journey, but many small steps? Since most of our lives are filled with seemingly trivial activities, how is it then that we are to count for God?

This is a fictitious setting. Never were these items in this arrangement. However, all are real articles. Each element in this painting is a tribute to the women of influence in my life. These are the women whom God has used to touch and mold me. The churn and hearth belonged to my Momaw Young; the egg basket was carried by Grandma Greear and was made by her father. (Although I never knew her because she died before I was born, her life story was a part of my childhood.) The apron belonged to my mother-in-law. The dolly was fashioned by my sweet eight -year old daughter, now a godly woman with children of her own.

Ah...but the empty chair, the quilt and the storybook wait for my mother. She will come from her busy day. She will lift me on her lap. She will wrap me tightly in the quilt. She will read to me until sleep outruns my imagination. She will place a value on me that will follow me through a lifetime. In her lap I learned songs, stories, and Bible verses. As I gazed into her clear green eyes, she prepared me for the pivotal decision of a lifetime. I was saved when I was seven years old. She, like Zerubbabel, had laid the foundation for a lifetime. She made the small decisions, to break away from the bustle of the day to invest her words and faith into my young life.

XCA Gallery Exhibition ... budding artists in progress. Congratulations, Guys! Job well done!

Scrapbooking design created with Smilebox

"Puddle Patrol"

On "Puddle Patrol," these two travelers set out for new adventures, and like them, I travel in the ordinary events of the everyday. I have learned and am
learning that I have the privilege to trust the Lord in my brief journey here.

Scripture tells us to seek Him... And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

Most of my paintings are visual devotionals, messages to my own need. In my heart and in my art, I seek the beauty of the ordinary for it is there that I recall His loving kindness.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

These two guys on puddle patrol may just be wandering, but I know that I can walk in confidence that He leads me.

"December Sunshine"

My first painting for 2010—January, for me, is a quiet month...the hustle of December and the Christmas season has passed. Winter, with its cold icy grip, has decidedly slowed our pace.

To brighten my spirits I chose to paint this "Thank You" note to a dear lady in our church. She and her husband faithfully served for over twenty years in our ministry--he, as the pastor and she, as his "first lady." Due to ill health, he resigned. They remained in our church giving gracious encouragement to us, the new pastor and his family.

Bro. Jones has since gone to be with the Lord and our dear Sister Jones is still with us. That first Christmas and, subsequently, for the twenty years that have followed, my husband and I have received a gorgeous box of beautiful oranges fresh from Florida sunshine.

I hope you enjoy its progression from beginning to end.
(P.S. A later post will include my art students interpretation of this same still life. Alas, Mrs. Jones' oranges, due to their decidedly edible nature, did not last through the whole painting project.
Kirchoff oranges were brought bagged in the refrigerator, posted with a sign "Do Not Eat."
As the weeks passed, the sign became unnecessary. (PHew!!) They had definitely served their purpose.)