The Elusive Blue Bird of (my) Happiness

Before writing today, I apologize to those readers who frequent my blog. I have two reasons for not keeping up.  One, is that I fell doing house maintenance and got a mild concussion. If you haven’t had a mild concussion, you might not realize that mild doesn’t mean gentle! Headaches, wooziness, and a few other symptoms kept me away from bright lights, phones, computers and loud noises. The second, is that I may write this blog, but the words are “given” to me. I don’t know if they are words from God or from one of his angels – but I do know that I am not a writer.  I typically answer questions with yes or no, and rarely do I elaborate.  I wasn’t being given those words.  Here is why I believe this: I had felt God was telling me to do something, and I kept questioning it. Is this really God telling me, or is it my own disappointment in the event. It isn’t costing me much and, hmmm, yes my pride wanted to show off my work. See God gave me my talents, and I wasn’t using them the way He wanted me to.

 

Now, the rest of the story of the elusive blue bird.  Past readers will remember that I received a fine camera, with a 30x zoom.  With that camera, I felt I could capture all kinds of wonderful pictures.  We live on a small lake of 5-8 acres.  Now around here that is a manmade lake. I would have called it a large pond. Anyway, we get lots of ducks, Canadian geese and occasionally a blue heron.  Ahh, that is my elusive blue bird!

 

My first attempt to capture that bird on film, he (or she) hid behind a tree and all I captured was the head. As I crept closer trying to get a better angle, up he flew across the pond.  I wasn’t able to get any closer with my zoom, and he blended into the background.

 

A second attempt, two weeks later,  I tried to snap from my deck doors.  Thinking that all I had to do was zoom in, I managed to get a close up photo of two wonderful deck posts of my railing and the heron sandwiched in between hopelessly blurred.  I couldn’t get a second shot, because he rose up and was quickly hidden by the leaves on the trees.

 

Now, I have to add this so you realize how I have tried to capture this wonderful creature!  I look out my dining room window and, yes, I believe it is back.  Hurriedly I get my camera, turn it on, and zoom it in. I creep out the porch door, silently pushing open the screen door. Raising my camera and focusing in, I realize that what I have seen is not the blue heron – but a small branch that has had leaves fall on it in such a way as to give it a head and body if looking from a distance.

Oh well! Perhaps I had better stick with my paint brush!!

May you be blessed this Thanksgiving as you bless others!
Rhonda

Still Here! Just taking a break!

Hi all,
First, I want to thank each and every one of you for your comments. I do appreciate them! And each gives me more to think about!!

I have been unable to write any posts lately - but will be back to at least weekly posts soon. Please stick around!!

Thank you!
Rhonda

The Purpose of Life

We hear people talking and asking, we read books to understand what life is about.  Do we have a purpose on this earth? Do we die when that purpose is fulfilled? Some suggest we are meaningless creatures, a product of reproduction. (To that I totally disagree!) 

I believe that our purpose in life is to love and honor God by serving Him, keeping His commandments, and being a witness.  That by doing what we know as our purpose, we will also be an example to others.

But how do we serve Him? I cannot take Him a cup of coffee, as I would my spouse. I can however give a prayer of thanks that I am able to have the hot cup of coffee and that I have a spouse to joyfully give a cup. I can give the tired waitress an encouraging smile and greeting, as well as a monetary tip.  I can show patience when the checkout line doesn’t seem to move.  How many ways can you think of to show a kindness?

However, I also believe that there is a hidden purpose that we are not to know.  We are not to try to find it; because, if we found it we would become prideful.  It is only completed as a by-product of honoring and serving God. 

Butterflies in Flight

Following my mother’s stroke, we were visited by a Nun from the hospital.  Our conversation led to this statement by her.  She said she prays “for the people whose lives I touch, and for those who touch mine”.  For we may not know whose lives we touch, it might be the person at the next table, or behind us in line.  And, we may not know the person who has set an example that we see, but need to thank.

 
Today I thank you for reading my tidbits, for those of you who leave comments. May you go in peace and with God’s blessings.
Rhonda

Remembering 9/11

Thanking all the responders to 9/11 and to all who dedicate their lives to the service of others. 

Lifting Prayers for all the people of our country who have been touched by this tragedy.


Rhonda

Joy and Fun

This week would have been a birthday celebration for my grandmother. Although she went to our Father several years ago, she was almost 100 then.  I think what all she must have seen through all those years. She was born before 1900.  Those new to my blog won’t know that I named this blog after her. Mary Fox.  What I remember most about her was how much she showed her love for the Lord and for those around her.  She loved to sing the old gospels.  She played the harmonica and in her earlier years played both piano and organ in church.  She had a piano at home also.   One of her (and mine) favorite activities was playing harmonica and all the grandkids danced a do-si-do.

I played last week.  I needed to refresh myself and wake up my creativity. I created my very first collage! I painted the background on a canvas with acrylic.  With diluted acrylic and inks, I created my papers.  When dry, I “found” the various forms among the paper abstracts, tore them out and pasted them on.   Oh! What fun I had!

Iris Collage
18 x 14
(c)2011 Rhomy

I think everyone needs to play.  To allow ourselves complete trust in God so that we can be a child whatever our age.  Just like my grandmother!

 Have a blessed and funfilled day!

Sparrows

When you come to the edge of all that you know, you must believe one of two things: either there will be ground to stand on, or you will be given wings to fly."— O.R. Melling

My previous posts on birds could not be complete without mentioning sparrows.  As with cardinals, the male is the more colorful. He directs attention away from the female.

In human life, the male has usually been the one most positioned in the limelight. Economics and wars have challenged that position, bringing more women into the workforce. While my husband and I are equal partners in our marriage and decision making; I like that he is considered the head of the household.  It is he who answers the door to unexpected knocks. It is he who warms up my car so I don't have to sit in the cold. And, it is he who comforts me when I am distressed.

We also have a heavenly father who comforts us. Jesus compares us to sparrows when he says we are worth more than sparrows, yet not one sparrow shall fall without our Father's knowledge.  Therefore, we are to have no fear, that God is aware of each one of us and of the plans that He has for us.

Early Sunrise, Oil, 24x18
by Rhomy

Thank you for stopping by! I do enjoy reading your comments!

Reference: Matt. 10.29-31; Luke 12.6-7

More Bird Stories

Last week I spoke about our redbirds. This week I want to tell some more bird stories.

It is so amazing to watch nature as it takes care of itself. We have had an abundance of tiny frogs.

Living near a small lake increases our wildlife.  Yesterday I was surprised to see a hawk on the ground under one of our Leyland Cypress trees.  I suppose it was after the frogs.  It reminded me of a few years ago when we also had an overabundance of frogs.  My DH saw an owl perched on the post of our deck.  He came every morning for a few days and then was gone, and so were the frogs.  I only got one glance at him but he was majestic. 

Speaking of my DH – one day at work he stepped outside for fresh air. Evidently there was a bird’s nest nearby.  The male flew in front of DH and proceeded to walk about in a circle as if he had a broken wing.  He was protecting his mate and possibly offspring.  He remained until DH went back inside. 

Am I enamored with God’s nature? Absolutely!

Today I want to share a work in progress.  It is titled: Jesus – the same today as yesterday. Jesus is sitting upon a rock surrounded by youngsters.  What you see today is 3 of the children – a boy who had gone fishing, a girl with a basket of apples and another boy with an untied red sneaker.  It is painted on a cypress knee.  I have been painting these for several years but stopped and now am “seeing” the images again to paint. I use the bumps, gnarls, and overall shape to determine what is painted.  See my post

A Day of Learning on June 3, 2011 for another example of a painted knee.

 Thank you for coming by.  I hope my words lift your spirits. 

Have a blessed day – and please leave a comment!

Redbirds Make Good Model

As an artist I often watch nature for images to paint. We have a family of Cardinals who have been with us a long time.  I first noticed them when they robbed the dry dog food we had set out.  We have a Lab and an Australian Shepherd and neither were concerned with the birds taking their food.  I suppose both dogs knew the birds would take little.  Since then, we have set out birdfeed year-round.  I had always put out feed during winter when ice and snow covered everything.

As I have watched them I noticed some facts.  The male takes care of the female.  It has been so wonderful to see how the male and female relate.  The male will fly down either to the food or a nearby area making sure the coast is clear for the female.  Sometimes he retrieves the food and feeds it to the female.  I have seen the male hop among the branches to be sure the way was safe for the female to feed the young. Once I saw 3 females land on our deck, the male went to the food and gave it to one female.  She then fed the other two.  I don’t know if these two were their offspring or visitors as the two looked almost as large as the female.  

Photo from:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/cardinal/

While watching I compared them to human behavior and what a great model they make to follow.  So caring for each other.  Isn’t this a great example of following Christ? Loving and caring for others.  Watching over them.

Since I don’t have a painting of Cardinals right now to share and our temps have been in the 110 heat index, I thought I would share a painting to visualize some coolness!

Have a blessed day!

Procrastination

Even though I enjoy painting I find that I put off doing it. Sometimes I let guilt that I should be doing something more productive or dutiful get in the way.  That is just an emotional feeling.  Most times I don’t have the something else to do. So instead of facing that feeling and trying to delve into it, or being more disciplined,  I find myself playing cards or mahjong on the computer.  And sometimes I find myself surfing the net looking for the special inspiration I think I need. Often, I have items stacked that I plan to paint “someday”.  Why not today.  Why not right now?  What is holding me back?

Maybe it is that I don’t feel I deserve the happiness I receive through painting.  Maybe I think that my paintings should be a source of income, and then I would have the “right” to spend time doing it. Maybe I am just not appreciating the talent God has given me.

There are a lot of “maybe’s” in life.  Are you letting the maybe’s get in your way of enjoying God’s gifts to you? Do you feel you don’t deserve happiness? Ask God in your heart today.  Let Him be your shining inspiration!

 Have a blessed day!

Apart into a Desert Place

And he said unto them, come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while. Mark 6:31

This week has been rather stressful. Not unpleasantly so, just a lot to do.  One thing I have been trying to do is to put my MIL’s computer on DSL instead of dial-up.  I think this will help her be on line easier and she will enjoy being on the computer so much more.  I had been checking off and on to see when this would be available in her area.  I spent about 5 hours one day helping her connect the units she received from her ISP.  Oh, I didn’t mention that she lives about 5 hours away from me.  So we were doing this over the phone!  Then I spent another 3 hours the next day on the phone, while we both were on Facebook so that I could help her become acquainted with the location of where to post, what the difference between home and profile were, etc.   I am sure there will be more days of being on the phone and navigating Facebook, but I don’t mind. I am so happy that she will get the enjoyment of seeing everyone!

The rest of the week was pretty much spent on errands, but required frequent trips to town.  I am pretty much a home-body and like to put all my errands into one trip if possible!   Believe me, I was ready to find my desert place – a place of solitude and quiet.   

I am blessed with several areas to find my solitude.  On the deck overlooking the small lake surrounded by lots of trees.  The dogs will come for petting but that is soothing and as enjoyable for me as it is for them.  My favorite place is my studio.  This was a bedroom suite we built on for my mom when she came to live with us following her stroke.  When she went to live with the Lord, I created a studio there. (She would love that!) I have a recliner that I curl up in to read or study art books.  And I have 3 tables on which to paint as well as a standing easel.  Once I get in the painting mode, all else is forgotten! 

Find your quiet place and rest a while!  And have a safe and happy Fourth!

Happy Father's Day

Sunday is to be celebrated as Father’s Day. Just as we daily thank our fathers, we also daily thank our Heavenly Father. But let’s make Sunday a special time for prayers. What a wonderful time to also thank our Heavenly Father. Our earthly fathers are not perfect and make mistakes, however, our Heavenly Father never gives up on us. He is with us forever.



When I am discouraged, Lord, let me never give up hope.

“May the God of hope fill you with all job and peace as you trust in Him – Romans 15:13 NIV”


“Let me not be ashamed of my hope - Psalm 119:116”


“For we are saved by hope - Romans 8:24”

In all things help me trust, Lord, Your promises and the plans you have for me. For my job is to do the possible and trust God will do the impossible. “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:10”

Have a blessed day! And thanks for stopping by!

Signs of Summer

Most people watch for robins for signs of Spring.  I watch for hummingbirds and dragonflies for signs of summer.  Something about the size of these little creatures delight me.  Also, I am delighted to see the lightning bugs!  They sparkle the night.  Butterflies are so delicate and have such wonderful colors.  God made creatures great and small, but how much more I enjoy the small ones! 

BUTTERFLIES IN FLIGHT 

Have a Blessed Day!

A Day Of Learning

Some days I seem to have everything at my fingertips; and then there are those other days when nothing seems to go my way. Those latter days are what I call my day of learning.  I try to reason through the day and figure out my reaction to those obstacles. Am I being stubborn, unforgiving, or self-centered?  God allows obstacles to strengthen our faith in Him.  But, in order for our faith to become strong, we have to work through our problems and our reaction to them.

Anything that we want to accomplish is achieved the same way, by working our way through it.  Whether it is saving money, losing weight, or trying a new technique in painting, we have to plan our process and take the steps to fulfillment.

Here is a cypress knee I have painted. Cypress trees grow in a lake near here created by the backflow of the Mississippi in the 1811 earthquake. The knees are knobby growths that spring up from the roots and are called knees.  Special license must be obtained to cut the knees.  Then the knees have to have the bark peeled, cleaned and sanded to be ready for one's imagination to unfold. This is a penguin family.

The father is looking upward, the mother looking downward at their offspring.

I also post on Tuesdays at  A Passion for Painting giving tips and techniques on painting.  Check out the site for other artists that belong to this guild.

Thank you for visiting. I look forward to your comments. Have a blessed day!

WHAT A TESTIMONY OF FAITH

The past few weeks have not been easy for some people. In fact, as you know from news, the storms have wreaked havoc with losses of property and lives.  Joplin-ites have shown a wonderful testimony of faith that should be shown on every news channel and spoken from every preacher's mouth. The scenes I have seen of people pulling together to help each other speaks volumes of their faith.  Only one who has experienced such a deep loss could feel their pain.  Yet I see victory in their efforts and of those who have responded to give them aid.



How often do we allow the inconveniences of life interfere with our faith? If we allow minor disruptions to cast doubt, what would we do in a situation described above? Or, in spite of despair, do we continue to trust God? Only you can answer.

Be Blessed!

SEEING THINGS DIFFERENTLY

As an artist I often see what isn't there, until I have painted it. Much as someone may stare at the clouds and see images, I see what isn't yet on the canvas.  Sometimes what I see isn't what actually gets painted!  Maybe it is that I try to see too much or that the image I conceive is beyond my ability to paint.

I thought of this as I looked out my window and saw these trees. I saw a shape that my husband didn't see even though I tried to point it out to him.  He said we see things differently.  Here is a photo of the trees. Do you see an animal head?  I saw it and when the wind blew the whole head and neck seemed to react going back and forth.  It didn't break the shape!

The image is in the center of the photo. Yes, those are Christmas lights still up in May. :)  We call them party lights, they are white and blue and create a soft glow.  Try this image: (click on images to enlarge)

My highlighting efforts didn't show up much, but the head is outlined with a circle.

Sometimes what I see in my own work as imperfections, such as too bright, too dark, not the right shape, others see as a nice highlight, the dark balances the light, and just as in nature there is no perfect shape.

This abstract of flowers isn't exactly what I had envisioned. Sorry for the glare, I took the photo at night and needed the flash.

In life, events aren't exactly as we plan either. God has our life planned and we don't always see the overall picture. He doesn't let us know what is ahead.

He doesn't judge by outward appearances either. He knows our heart. He sees things differently!

PS: I don't always know what I am going to post, until I get a "Hint".  So bear with me as I try to post on Friday - but sometimes I don't see the message!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope I give you something to think about each week.

God Bless You!

Learning the Wrong Lesson

Khalil Gibran wrote he who has not looked on sorrow will never see joy.

It takes a rainfall to see a rainbow.
I have had a lot of rain and a few storms in my life. And because my faith wasn’t as strong, I lost joy along the way. Some of it was due to lack of expectation. If I didn’t get my hopes up too high, I didn’t fall as hard when it rained. In other words, I let the fear of disappointment rob me of expecting joy.


To put in terms of art, I became rather monotone. No brights and no darks. Rather a muddy and dull composition if I had put that on canvas. Yet, I didn’t recognize that in my life. My happy days could have been much brighter.


Fear Not. I wonder how many times that appears in the Bible. God spoke it, Jesus spoke it and certainly the angels spoke it. Now when I awaken my thoughts are ‘it is going to be a great day!’ Certainly any day in the Lord is a great day. Fear Not: Whatever befalls I know God is going to see me through it. He saw me through the rain and storms even when I didn’t trust He was there. Although I was saved as a child, I didn’t learn to study the Bible. I didn’t know that God was truly a Father who cared about His children. I thought it was only about going to heaven when you died. Slowly I have studied more, read various authors, and learned much. I am going to continue to do so.

I hope everyone experienced a Happy Mothers' Day. I took time off to renew my spirit.

I am so happy to see my followers and I hope you do get as much reading my thoughts, as I do posting them. Thank you! Have a blessed day!

DAILY BREAD

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread


How often food is mentioned in the Bible. Moses and his people were given manna to sustain themselves in the desert, but told to only gather what would be eaten that day. Jesus turns water into wine. And barrels are filled with oil. Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about food and drink. Jesus takes the small loaves and fish and feeds multitudes. Jesus shares bread with his disciples before his being crucified. What about, “man does not live by bread alone.”

Yet does bread have other meanings? Of course it did for the Lord’s Supper. But how do we apply it in our daily lives? I don’t think we are meant to sit idly by and expect to be fed, clothed, or housed. The disciples were on a mission to spread God’s word – that was their occupation.


I am reading Elisabeth Elliot, author of God’s Guidance, A Slow & Certain Light, with Study Guide. It is a study on the Lord’s Prayer. How many times have we recited this model of prayer, yet be immune to its meaning? Do we even think about it, or is it something we have memorized and repeat without thought. When we petition Him for bread, we are acknowledging that God is our provider of all things. In her book, she “likes to picture the Lord handing me a platter at the beginning of each new day. On it are the things he has chosen as best for me, and my prayer for daily bread is answered. My part is to receive whatever he gives. Guidance for a decision that need not be final until next Wednesday may require one small move or commitment today. I accept that and act on it without haggling with God because he has not yet granted me all the information I’m itching for. Perhaps patience is his gift of bread for today, or quietness, or the gift of uncertainty, that I may rest in his love, confident that when the time is ripe, the guidance will be clear.”


Certainly a more thoughtful interpretation than I had given it. How about you? What are your thoughts? I write to express my thoughts, but I do appreciate hearing from you.


Have a blessed day!

HAPPY EASTER

Wishing you many blessings this Easter. I'll be meditating on God's will for me. I hope you will do the same.  Is it enough for Him to know that the desire of my heart is to serve him?

No art today- nothing can compare with His Glory.

Thanks for stopping by.

How It Got It's Name

The Merry Fox, that is.  It is named after my grandmother.  Her name was Mary Alice, we called her Mama Alice. She was born before 1900 and lived to be almost 100. She was a very pleasant woman who enjoyed playing the harmonica while the grandkids "square-danced". She came from a family of pastors and preachers. She played the piano and organ for her church. She also endured many hard times. However, she remained faithful and true in spirit. Her favorite saying was "Trust in Jesus and obey and He will lead you all the way."

I'll write more about her in future posts. Meanwhile I hope you enjoy the paintings I post.  I really appreciate your comments!

Spring is a Wonderful Time of the Year

How I love Spring! The new growth of leaves on the trees hides the bareness of winter. Lawns sprout up with wild flowers -- wild violets, Easter flowers, little buttercups, tiny little daisies -- yes I know some call these weeds especially when in the lawn, but to me they represent the newness and freshness of the Spring.  God's promises of what is to come.

Dogwoods are blooming.  The magnolia is beginning to show buds. The red maple is shining and showcasing its blooms.

Some say that when Spring is in the air, so is love. My love for my family is always present. And so is my love for God.

A watercolor I painted. I hope you enjoy my small messages and my paintings!
Have a great day!

God's Gift to You

Many of us know the saying "Your talent is God's gift to you, what you do with it is your gift to Him." 

Is art my "talent", or is it my desire? Maybe my talent was to be a good mother and wife. Maybe my talent lies in my bookkeeping skills that keep my bills paid, or spotting good "sales" that keep my bills low.

Aren't these all talents? Does one talent pre-empt another?

What if you feel your talent isn't appreciated by others? Does that mean you have no talent in that area? NO! Being appreciated by others is a good feeling, but is that honoring God? Using all of your talents is honoring God. That's all. It is between you and Him.

Let all of your talents shine! God Bless You!

H.A.L.T.

Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired -
Before making any decision, stop and think with this little word, HALT, especially if you are feeling stressed out, hungry, angry, lonely or tired.  It is easy to allow our emotions to affect our decision-making and often that is not good! It has really helped me in the past and present.

Actually, I really am a homebody. And, now, most of my decision making involves what to make my husband and myself for supper and more importantly what color do I paint next!! I love to experiment and am always looking for more ways to dabble.

Yesterday I accepted an invitation to go photo-shooting with a friend. We drove about photographing buildings, trees and whatever hit our fancy. It was a great outing! And really put me in the mood to paint!

Here is an old barn that I did on location  on one of our earlier jaunts!

Thanks for stopping by - Have a great week and do some exploring!!

THE GRASS MAY BE GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE...

But, it still has to be mowed. Often I see others works of art as better than mine. I am not jealous, well maybe a little ;)...but mostly I see the flaws in my own works.  In striving for perfection, the greener grass, I often destroy what was working. Helen Van Wyk used to say make it, break it, and make it again. I enjoyed watching her tv shows! I'm not sure she was talking about the tiny flaws that I see that most do not.

I wonder how many of us look at our flaws, our imperfections, as giant craters instead of concentrating on what is right with us. What we have, what we can share, what we can do for others.
Enjoy today!

A GREAT SONG

“It is no secret what God can do, what he has done for others he’ll do for you."  A great song. What does it mean though? Is He going to make me strong, like Atlas? Talented as Michelangelo? Showing one of my works in progress to a friend, she said she could only draw stick figures. She has many talents that I don’t have, including sewing . I cannot sew a straight line! I have to spend several minutes setting the machine, and then very slowly stitch. It becomes very tedious, so I limit what sewing I have to do to mending.



I receive lots of compliments (although never too many!!) on my art. Yet, I see the flaws. I know that I will not achieve perfection so I just do the best I can do. That is how I try to spend my life also, doing the best that I can do and leaning on God for the rest. His saving Grace is available for you also.

A portrait of Love:

Have a blessed week!

WHAT PLEASES HIM

Boy that is a title that will bring 'em in - LOL. 

When I struggle to find the words that He wants me to write, I pray.  Sometimes all week a word will jump at me and I know that is the key to write about. Sometimes I don't get that feeling. Then I wonder why He isn't directing me. Does He want me to quit writing? Does He expect me to find the words?  When my mind goes to questioning I remember Philipians 2:13, God is working in you for you to do what pleases Him. He is going to be working in me for a long time.

IDLE BOATS

Idle boats, like idle people, provide no pleasure. 

FLYFISHING

It has been dreary the past two days. The sunshine will return.  Today I thought I would post a painting I just completed.  I don't flyfish, actually I don't fish at all. But, I do enjoy the outdoors.  So maybe this will bring a little light or reminder of good times for you.

Have a blessed day!!

SHADOW PLAY

I played with the camera again this week. I am still learning about its settings. What I find is that it does best when I set it to "auto".  That is because I haven't learned how to use the other settings so I get an unsatisfactory picture. 


It snowed here and was very cold. The snow is sticking around which is unusual for our area. I see on tv that the snow is unusual in several areas.  I was struck by the way the snow glistened and called attention from the normal view.  The shadows were intriguing also, due to being reflected on the snow.  

It took the snow for the reflections from the sun to create these striking shadows.  Otherwise the shadows would have blended in with the ground and not been as noticeable.

Do we need to have a special effects in our life to bring God from the shadows?  Or, do we keep Him in the forefront to guide our way.

Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate the opportunity to share with you.

THE BIG PICTURE

I received a new camera for my birthday!  I was excited to take new pictures of my paintings.  I skimmed over the settings, afterall, they couldn't be much different from my old camera. I arranged the paintings, added light outside my photo box, set the camera on a tripod and started snapping.  What I didn't take into account was the magnitude of this camera.  It really took the whole picture! Lights outside the photo box which before balanced the light became spotlights creating blurs with this camera which balanced its own light.  Larger megapixels meant a larger picture also and small flaws in my paintings which I hadn't seen with the naked eye suddenly became huge.


I wonder how many times we don't see the whole picture by looking at the flaws of others. How many times do we look to see what is wrong instead of appreciating what is good. 


I am going to try looking at the whole picture instead of focusing on what is flawed.  And, yes, I am going to read the manual that came with my camera before snapping any more photos!


With all the cold and snowy weather, I thought that today I would post something to think about. I can see myself under the tree staring at the sky and dreaming.  Daffodils.

Thanks for stopping by. I try to post every Friday. I was late this week, having fun and frustration with my new camera!

And the Meek shall inherit the earth...

Last week I spoke of Emerson’s quote that life is an experiment. Being bold and trying new ways of doing things. Today I speak of meekness. Most people think of being meek as being weak. It is not. It is having self-control. It is being bold but with kindness and tenderness.  That is the experiment Emerson speaks of, I think. Learning to balance, reaching up to new levels, not stepping on those you pass, but bringing them with you.  Teaching and sharing. As you would a child. Being compassionate.

Thank you for reading my blog! If you like it please share it!

This is the Lord's day, rejoice in it

Emerson said "Don't be too squeamish about your actions.  All life is an experiment.  The more experiments  you make the better."

What better way to grow one's creativity. Stretch yourself into trying new things.  I have mostly been a landscape painter.  Partly because I love nature, and partly because my first art teacher came through watching William Alexander.  He was from Germany.  He started the Magic of Painting.  He was an older man but full of life and joy.  And he spoke of "almighty" mountains.

Now I reach out to grow my creativity. I try oils, acrylics, and watercolors. I draw and color with pencils, crayons and pastels.  What will this do? What will that do? God is pleased with those who create, after all He was our Creator!

This is "Campfire Tales".  The image is of a family sitting around a campfire. The kids are snuggled in their sleeping bags. The father is telling a story about a wonderful horse, and the imagination of all "sees" the horse in the smoke rising from the fire.

Creativity in story-telling. Imagination. Rejoicing in the Lord's Day.

More exciting news....

go to http://beautifulartandartwork.blogspot.com/2011/01/featured-artist.html to see all about me and my art.

Exciting News

A PhD theology student from Belguim has requested the use of one of my paintings.  This one:

HIS ALMIGHTY POWER



She described it this way: "I found that this picture really express something of a power, a dynamic. It is for me a positive image of power through the colors and the form."

What excites me the most is her description. That what I had hoped to express in my painting was received by another.  My paintings do not have to hang in a famous gallery to be appreciated. I believe that this is God's wink that my painting talent is from Him and will be used by Him.