FREEING THE ARTIST I WAS MEANT TO BE

TAD 5 - journal back cover

2009-02-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

here is the back cover of my journal for my watercolor journaling class.

TAD 4 - Watercolor Journal Front Cover

2009-02-04T17:35:00.000-08:00

Here is the cover that I painted for my Watercolor Journal class that started today! So glad to be back in class! Tomorrow will be the back cover!

TAD 3 - Door

2009-02-03T18:29:00.000-08:00

Here is one of my vicarious travel photos that I get to paint when my watercolor teacher, Barbara Roth (http://www.barbararoth.blogspot.com/) travels around Europe! This is of a door in France...or was it Italy, Barbara? I love that I get to "see" the world in this way!

Here is a tip for everyone...she has several painting trips planned this year...check out her site for details! You would LOVE going with her--she's so much fun!

TAD 2

2009-02-02T17:52:00.001-08:00

I did these for my daughter...they were so much fun to paint! She thinks that I should paint more to sell!

They were painted on handmade Punjab paper with Daniel Smith paints. Both shoes have S. Crystals and one has a real feather.

1 Thing A Day

2009-02-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

I have joined a new blogging community called 1 Thing A Day. I am hoping that this will keep me painting, drawing, posting every day!

Here is day one. I have called it, Waiting For Spring! Sure wish the colors scanned better than they did. Actually we can't complain about the weather here in Northern CA...it is a beautiful 66 degrees.

It was done on Arches CP 140 and Daniel Smith watercolors.

What A Week! EDM 198, Illustration Friday & Class.

2008-11-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

It won't be hard for you to figure out just what kind of two weeks I have been having once you look at the subjects of my drawings...
Here is my take on Noodles:
Then this week's assignment in watercolor class was to choose a favorite color and use it in a painting...so...this is the best BROWN!!!

Illustration Friday's word is Pretend...the outline of the scale didn't show in the scan...but I don't think I need to explain this one, right? Maybe next week will be better. LOL!

EDMs 195 (fork), 196 (rope) & 197 (remote)

2008-11-09T17:19:00.000-08:00

Well, here is my attempt at drawing a fork. Don't ask me why I had to choose to do three!! I'm ok with them--especially my moto these days is, "I'm striving for imperfection!" LOL
Pen, watercolor in 140 Cold Press Arches Travel Journal

Here is my childhood jump rope. It was one of my most prized positions. Rope isn't so easy.

Pen, watercolor on 140 Arches, Hot Press

52 buttons -- do we REALLY need all these buttons? This drawing doesn't contain all the buttons.

Pen, watercolor on 140 Arches, Hot Press

EDM #190

2008-11-09T16:32:00.000-08:00

Here is my travel palette, Moleskin & Ninja watercolor pin. My palette is filled with Daniel Smith Watercolors--my favorite!

Pen, watercolor on 140 Arches Cold press

EDM 1 and more

2008-10-24T10:40:00.001-07:00

I am not as prolific as so many of you on this blog--but I am starting! Here is my EDM #1--one of my shoes. It was fun! I love the list to go from because there are so many things on there that I would never think of drawing, but realize that each one will force me to draw what I actually see not what I think I see.

This is a card that I am sending out to family and friends. I figured that doing cards helps me in many ways--1) getting over the fear of having my work in other's hands, 2) gives me lots of opportunity to practice, practice, practice & 3) keeps me in touch with those I love!

After seeing the Guardian Angel on TheHappyPainter's blog, I realized that I now had a good example to put into the painting that my daughter-in-law has wanted me to paint for my granddaughter. I have changed her position, but used the same technique. I will post the final painting after Christmas.

First Picture on EDM blog

2008-10-18T12:05:00.000-07:00

Well, here is my first "official" post on EDM. This painting is done in my new Punjab Journal from Daniel Smith. I can't tell you just how much I love this handmade paper--see the wonderful page edges?! The only negative thing about it is that you can't scrub anything off--it ruins the top of the paper--but from what I understand from Danny Gregory--we aren't supposed to be erasing!

Here is another one in the same book. I wasn't wild about the pen on the top right bunch of grapes--but at least I know how this paper takes such a broad pen.

It is fun to be part of such an awesome group of artists--It all helps in my education and draw back into something that so wonderfully feeds my soul and opens my eyes to the wonder all around me!

Musings: The Word Illustrated #16--II Corinthians 13:12

2008-10-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

Musings: The Word Illustrated #16--II Corinthians 13:12

Back to Blogging

2008-10-16T12:24:00.000-07:00

It has been a very long time since I've blogged on this site, but after joining the EverydayMatters blog, I wanted to get a fresh start here.

I am excited about a place to continue to show my art work and to be challenged by what I see on others' sites. I am just starting to read Danny Gregory's Creative License, which I am hoping will give me the final push into who I really was created to be (artistically speaking).

I am loving the new type of journaling that I am doing--more pictures than blah blah blah word pages. I can't imagine that my kids or anyone else will really enjoy hearing my rants about any given subject--right? But maybe they will learn something about their mom's soul and heart by the pictures I draw.

When I am brave enough--I will post some here.

"New Mercies" is Public!

2008-05-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

Well, here is my first official entry into the "art world"!! The opening was last night and it was fun! I wish I could report that I won one of the the 8 $ prizes--but nope . Just to be included was such an honor. They have placed my picture in the front part of the gallery and that is huge to me!
Eric, Allison, Shayla & Kyrin all went with me. Shayla totally looked the part of the artist community in her stylish red and white striped out fit!
This showing has really inspired me to really get serious and paint several times a week! I always feel so good when I am painting!!
Wonder what is next in my year 58?

picture at the finish

2008-05-27T10:57:00.001-07:00

I DID IT!!!!!!! The Salmon 19K is under my belt!

2008-05-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

May 12, '08 8:18
This was at the beginning of the race--BEFORE we knew just what they meant by the Fish Ladder!!! on the map!
6.5 miles of rugged dirt trails up and down steep terrain. The Fish Ladder was approx. 3/4 mi straight up the side of a mountain. It is the closest I have ever come to a near death experience!! Not really kidding about that last sentence. BUT--we crossed the finish line in 2:43!! AND we were NOT last!!! How cool is that for 58 and first race?

Look--we are still smiling as we crossed the finish line! I think we've NEVER been so happy to see a 60's hippy van in our lives. That was our transportation back to the lunch site!
Also, my watercolor is being delivered to the gallery (I can't believe that I just wrote "gallery"!!!) this morning! I did a sunrise and called it "New Mercies". I forgot to take a picture of it!!!! so I am hoping that they will let me take one at the gallery. The show opens next Sat. and goes for a month. There will be an "artist reception" next Sat. pm--how cool is that?
So 58 is off to a wonderful start and I am thankful for every breath that I am given to dance through it. Thank all of you for your prayers and wonderful words of support and encouragement!
I will continue to keep you up to date with my dance.

Year 58 Declaration!

2008-05-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

May 5, '08
The picture above is to symbolize how I am feeling at the moment--FREE, positive and excited about the 58th year that is ahead for me!
Last weekend, I felt that the Lord was telling me to write down a declaration about what I felt about the year I was about to enter into. I also felt that I was to post it as well. So here goes (actually this is an abridged version as it got pretty long )
This IS going to be a fabulous year for me--full of health, energy, fun, new friends and new places!
I am going to use the materials I have in my home to make fabulous things to create beauty, special gifts for special people and, Lord willing, to sell. I am going to paint fabulous paintings and rejoice in the talent that the Lord has blessed me with.
I am going to watch where my mind goes and REFUSE to let it go to the dark places. I am going to see the good & positive in things and rejoice in each day that the Lord gives me!
I am going to continue on the path to a healthy, strong, lean body--one that will allow me to live well & strong well in the coming years w/ no medications or limitations.
I am not going to be dependent on others for my companionship, fun, safety or sanity or for the fulfillment of my dreams.
I am not going to worry about my kids'--their marriages, parenting or their futures. I WILL be more intentional about the only thing I can do well for them and that is to cover all those areas in prayer. Yes, my beloved children, I am finally setting you free!
I will work on being a better g'ma--creating fabulous art with them, incredible memories and a place where they will ALWAYS know that they are loved, safe and free from any fears!
I am going to walk and dance in FREEDOM (the fulfillment of my 2007 verse Ps 119:45) and focus on all the good that God has built into me--not for the purpose of pride etc--but as I focus on the good, it will expand and squeeze out the not so good.
Who knows what the 59th Declaration will be...but this much I DO know. I know that I will be stronger, more free, and more beautiful (on the inside & maybe the outside too!) than I am today. It is going to be a fabulous 58th year and I can't wait to dance all the way through it!!
These are the things that I am doing this week that I never thought that I would EVER do: I am in a 12 week body for life makeover, every Thursday I am taking a Zumba (Latin/African) dance exercise class (it is the MOST fun I have had since being married!!!), this Saturday I am walking in my 1st 10K walk (up and down a mountain) AND entering my 1st art competition/sale at a gallery in Roseville!!!!! Not bad for approaching 58 huh???
If I cross your mind--prayer is ALWAYS welcomed. I will let you know how this journey goes! Thanks for walking it with me.

More Bravery

2007-08-08T15:28:00.000-07:00

Well, here are 2 more watercolors. The view from the window still needs some brightening up outside, but I still wanted to post it.

I can't tell you just how much better I feel these days since I've been taking care of me! I could paint all day!!! When I drive down the road, I am looking at scenery, buildings so much differently--ummm...that would be fun to paint :-)!!

Thank all of you for your prayers as I know that THEY are the real reason I was even able to begin to put attention onto myself!! You are all the best!!

In The Secret Place

2007-08-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formedd in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. Ps 139: 13-15 (NLT).
We were in awe as we looked into what was once "utter seclusion" and saw the beautiful face of our granddaughter! This is the new 3D ultrasound. The video that was taken is in 4D.

We were amazed to see the detail of her face and parts of her body in such detail. Look forward (I hope) to a You Tube link to see the video :-).

This is either Shayla or Kyla and she is 29 wks in these pictures--due Oct 8!!!!! 10 weeks to go.

Being Brave

2007-08-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I am doing something that I normally wouldn't do--but I am determined to regain the braveness that the past 10 years have sucked out of me. July has been full of things that I have been doing just for me--like taking a digital scrapbooking class, a beginning watercolor class, attending 2 multi day women's conferences and enrolling in Massage Envy and in Healthy Now (personal trainer, nutritionist & gym) not to mention spending a week with my precious granddaughter & daughter, X, & Fran, a very special friend! I am beginning to feel the life, joy, excitement and bravery returning to my soul.

I am posting my first watercolor from class. The edges are blurry because the original is too big for the scanner but look past that. This is a place that, Lord willing, I will visit one day. It is a farm in Tuscany! If anyone would like to contribute to this dream--I'm not proud :-)

This is who I want to be--my prayer for myself today

2007-06-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

I am "borrowing" this from Beth's blog from a few days ago. When I read it, it so struck my heart that this is so what I want for myself. To be truly meek. I am blessed to know a few women like this and so I seek to imitate them as they imitate Christ.

MEEK ~"The meek man, is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather, he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God has declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is, in the sight of God, more important than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything. That is his motto. He knows well that the world will never see him as God sees him and he has stopped caring. He rests perfectly content to allow God to place His own values. He will be patient to wait for the day when everything will get its own price tag and real worth will come into its own. Then the righteous shall shine forth in the kingdom of their Father. His is willing to wait for that day.In the meantime, he will have attained a place of soul rest. As he walks on in meekness he will be happy to let God defend him. The old struggle to defend himself is over. He has found the peace which meekness brings.Then also he will get deliverance from the burden of pretense. By this I mean not hypocrisy, but the common human desire to put the best foot forward and hide from the world our real inward poverty. For sin has played many evil tricks upon us, and one has been the infusing into us of a false sense of shame." AW Tozer, The Pursuit of God.

You Are Loved

2007-06-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls7ila3srzI

click and be blessed

The high charge of being a mom

2007-06-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

A special friend forwarded me this poem. What a challenge it is to all the moms of this world. If we aren't diligent about our paths our precious little lambs will follow right behind us. No matter how old they are our job to stay on the right path never ends. What an awesome responsibility the Lord has given to all of us. How can ever get off our knees?

'Twas a Sheep Not a Lamb
'Twas a sheep, not a lamb, that strayed away in the parable Jesus told:A grown-up sheep that had gone astray from the ninety and nine in the fold.Out on the hillside, out in the cold, 'twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought and back to the the flock, safe in the fold, 'twas a sheep the Good Shepherd brought. And why for the sheep should we earnestly long and as earnestly hope and pray?Because there is danger, if they go wrong they will lead the lambs astray. For the lambs will follow the sheep you know, wherever the sheep may stray: When the sheep go wrong, it will not be long till the lambs are as wrong as they. And so with the sheep we earnestly plead, for the sake of the lambs today; If the lambs are lost, what terrible cost some sheep will have to pay!
Parable of the Lost sheep - Luke 15:1-7
Author Unknown

Today's reading & prayer request

2007-06-22T09:18:00.001-07:00

I am using Stormie's The Power Of A Praying Woman Bible this year. It is great--like having all her books rolled into 1 and then having them sprinkled throughout the Bible! Today's "Going Deeper" section on 2 Kings 4:1-7 spoke to me in regards to my waiting and so I thought that it might minister to you, too.

"Elisha said, 'Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, as as each is filled, put it to one side;".
The widow didn't know what God would do with these empty jars; she only knew He asked her to gather many. This woman's faith would be measured by how many jars she collected.
God took what the widow had in her one jar and multiplied it to fill all the containers she borrowed and brought into her house. She was then able to sell the oil and pay her debts.
God will take what you have and multiply it to meet your needs as well. But how well are you able to contain all God has for you? Do you have faith enough to embrace the big things God wants to do in your life? If not, ask Him to give you big faith, and then determine to shut the door on doubt.

May I ask you to pray that I truly may shut the door on any doubt that the enemy tries to neutralize God's plans with in my life as we continue to be in waiting. Thank you, dear friends.

Please leave any of your prayer requests or devotional thoughts!

Still waiting

2007-06-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

Well, this is my first blogging experience...hmmm...wonder what it will help me discover about myself and what the Lord has in store for me?

I have been "sitting" for 1 year now since resigning from a ministry position. I was so sure that God had a new chapter all ready to reveal to me when I followed HIS prompting to resign. So sure that the house would sell immediately and that we would be back "home" by the end of last summer...I wonder if God wonders if I will ever really get the fact that His ways aren't my ways etc. I am so glad that He isn't like earthly parents, but that His way is perfect and that NOTHING ever keeps His word from being fulfilled, "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope." Jer 29:11

I am at a level of peace now, knowing that His timing just hasn't been reached yet. I don't want to miss ANYTHING that He has for me to know or learn. I know that waiting is one of the best ways to get to know Him more and that is my goal--to really KNOW Him more.