Inspired by Doodles

This paper came from a tablet called "Executive Columnar Pad".  What?  Really.  I'm thinking those columns are supposed to get NUMBERS written in them, but for those of you who know me: numbers and I don't get along.  So I found another use for the paper!  Last night whilst the hubby watched something on tv about mining, I sat beside him and happily doodled.

And found myself inspired!!

Years ago my grandfather built himself a sculpture stand out of wood.  It measures about 1' in each direction, and then it's about 2' tall.  Originally it was painted some version of periwinkle.  When he passed away it came to me.  I love it.  LOVE IT!  But the paint was getting pretty chipped, especially on the corners and edges.  So today I painted it red, but not entirely red.  I painted it sort of loosey-goosey so the periwinkle still shows through here and there.  And THEN!!  I got out my white paint pen and HAD A PARTY!!  Oh my word.  I love this thing!

Done!!! DONE!!

Oh, it feels fabulous to be done!  I brought home all my tools and paint and PUT THEM AWAY.  Yeah, I'll get them all out again in the not too distant future, but for now everything is in it's place, and it feels ... like a deep, contented sigh.  It makes me wonder what God felt when He rested on the 7th day after creating everything.  It was VERY GOOD, and He was DONE ... I think maybe I feel a SMIDGE of the joy and contentment that He felt.

There's one more canvas that isn't included here.  The picture that I got of it was AWFUL, so I have to go back and try again.

I've had people ask me what a mountain bike has to do with being crucified with Christ.  This time around I didn't pick images to go with the text.  Instead I picked images that are a part of our everyday life here in the mountains of Colorado, with a nod to the upcoming seasons.

So do you have a favorite?  I'd love to hear from you!

And Now Some Words....

....and not just ANY words!  THESE words have LIFE!  Speak, Word of God, to those who come through our doors.  Be active and alive and miracle working and productive, like only the Word of God can.

Five, Six

Two more done, only two left....of course then I have to go back and add all the words.  But this way we don't have to stare at black squares week after week after week.

The canvas with the tent didn't start out with a tent.  It had a lovely up-close shot of a branch from a blue spruce, all covered with snow, in the morning sunlight (which makes everything an astounding color).   Only, it wasn't working.  AT ALL.  The reference photos were stunning, which is a testimony to the creative GENIUS of God!  But I FAILED MISERABLY at copying Him!  There have been times in the past when I was painting something, and was CONVINCED that it was going to be a huge flop, and then after a good night's sleep, discovered that it wasn't a flop after all!  That didn't happen this time!  So I painted over it, and came up with a completely different image!

God paints the morning with goose-bumpy beauty.  Me, not so much!

One, Two, Three, Four

And so starts a whole new set for my church.  

On Monday I peeled off the old paintings (with the help of an extremely selfless friend...it's not a fun job!).  They are now folded up and lounging in the dumpster.

On Tuesday I stretched new sheets over the framework.

On Wednesday my hubby and I sprayed them all a lovely gunmetal color (although, looking at the barbed wire, you'd think the background was a different color.  Not so.)  I should say that HE sprayed them, I stood by and watched.

On Thursday I started painting.  And on to Friday.  And on to Saturday.  Starting completely over is a bit time consuming!  But, oh the results!!  These will eventually have words.  But for now we'll sit there and stare at some very Colorado-ish images.

When I was painting them, I was absolutely SURE the barbed wire was my favorite.  But THEN I painted the Indian Paintbrush, and OH MY WORD!!!  Did my Lord hold my hand?!  Did He direct my color choices?!  Did He?!  Amen and amen.  I LOVE THESE.

Painting for Camp Elim

I just finished these for Camp Elim...which could easily be called the happiest place on earth.  Disney is no comparison, just sayin'.  Their winter camps are starting in a couple of weeks, and these will be the backdrops.  They'll be screwed together and stood up accordion style.

Their theme is taken from Mark 12 where it says "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength."

If you're looking for a fun, impacting, soul-growing weekend for your kiddoes...and if you live in Colorado...you can consider sending them to Camp Elim.  It's fabulous!  (you don't HAVE to live in Colorado.  It's just a wee bit expensive to get them here if you live in...Texas.)

You can see what Camp's all about at http://campelim.com/ (and I think that's ACTUALLY a link!! I mean, I think it'll work if you click on it!)

On a side note, my Lord is always kind to me.  When you put on black paint with a roller, and then have to do touch-up with a brush, it ALWAYS SHOWS.  There's something about the texture, maybe...I don't know what it is, but I always grit my teeth, hoping that I don't have any obvious drips, because I don't want to have to touch them up.  Well, I had a fairly major drip on the "MIND" canvas.  And the Lord put it into my head that the drip looked remarkably like a shoe-lace!!!  So, presto, tall boots with laces sticking out!  See???  God's kindness is EVERYWHERE!  Sometimes we just don't see it!

Let the Prep-Work Begin

Within a couple of weeks, all those canvases that I just painted for my church will come down and be replaced.  So, I have to start sketching NOW if I'm going to have anything worth painting!  I spent the bulk of the morning stewing over fonts and layouts for verses, and then this afternoon I spent some time sketching this pine cone.  Sometime in February I'll show you how the two will go together!

Beginning Again

For some reason the human spirit needs a starting point.  We can't seem to just ooze into change.  We have this need to make it poignant.  At least I do.  I have a few built-in starting points: every spring, every year when school starts, and every year on January 1st.  I love this particular starting point.  I get to start a new calendar.  The Christmas decorations come down and the house gets REALLY cleaned.  I have a whole new wondering about what  God will accomplish in the new year. 

And I look back at God's faithfulness.   This morning I can review what He has taught me to paint this year, and I am thankful.  His kindness is obvious!  He will be faithful and kind in 2014 also.

I painted this in 2007 (really?!  That long ago?!).  It's a combination of watercolor and colored pencil, and I love it.

From the Archives

I've spent a little time this morning going over images of old pieces of art, old sketches, old doodles.  It's a beautiful thing to remember, particularly when there have been improvements!!  Learning is good.  And looking back and remembering what you've learned is also good.  Evidently in February of 2010 I was learning that I can draw out of my imagination, and not always have a reference pic!

It's almost 4 years later, and I still love this butterfly girl.  Love her wings.  Love her out-of-control hair.  Love her oh-so-huge feet (you need big feet if you spent any time walking on leaves, way up in the tree-tops, right?).

And I have no idea the significance of "570"!

My Accordion Sketchbook

 I was at the Denver Botanic Gardens last month, and drew this lily while sitting in the sun by their lily ponds.  It was the beginning of a fascinating accordion style sketchbook that I gave myself, where it's really just one long page, all folded up on itself.

Well, I've added to the accordion!  There's another fold that's almost done, but I'm going to have to trick my scanner to be able to get it on my computer.  In the meantime, though, lookit my western bluebird!!  I think he's lovely.  I'm sort of rejoicing over that!

Two More for Genesis

Two more for the series through Genesis. 

I love the thought behind God providing the lamb for the sacrifice.  Especially with Christmas coming up.  Sometimes I almost forget that the little baby born in Bethlehem was THE LAMB.  God Himself.  Sent by God Himself (brain bender there).  To be sacrificed to please God Himself. I am moved to my core.

And then, the caravan to Egypt, with Joseph tied on at the end.  What a miserable trip.  If only he could have looked forward, eh?  I was just talking to a friend in the grocery store today, about how God is ALWAYS active, even when His work is completely invisible to me.

Both images tell  me that God is FAITHFUL and TRUSTWORTHY.

Rejoice With Me!

Seriously, I am THRILLED with how this turned out.  Although there is a significant problem: his eyes aren't looking in the same direction!!!  I told my hubby this, and he replied, "well, that's just the way some people are made."  Ok!  So I decided to leave it.  Even so, crooked eyes and all, I love this.

That's it for this set.  5 Canvases, all black and white, all ready to hang.

My God is EXTRAORDINARY!

(if you want to see the crooked eyes up close, you can click on the image and it will get larger)

Two More!

Despite spots of wet paint, and odd lighting, and even odder shadows...here are two more.  Love that the shepherds appear to have dreads!!

I also went back and tweaked Elizabeth's face a little bit.

One more to go.

O Magnify the Lord with Me!

Mary

5' x 5'

Joseph

5' x 5'

A rough quote here...."the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.  His mercies never come to an end.  They are new every morning.  Great is your faithfulness, O Lord!"

I am moved by God's kindness.  These paintings are BEYOND my abilities.  What you see is evidence of God's kindness to me.  He really does hold my paintbrush.