truth movement

I have been enjoying weekly visits with a group of artists in Grand Rapids. We’ve been exploring the use of acrylics for background and oil for color. It’s been very interesting to see how each of us uses color, shapes, and design in different ways.

For me it was a bit difficult to shift from photo references of realistic scenes to see what the paint would bring to life.

It reminds me of messages I’ve been hearing/reading on logic vs imagination in business, life and in studying the Bible. It is after all the Living Word.

Every word you give me is a miracle word—
how could I help but obey?
Break open your words, let the light shine out,
let ordinary people see the meaning.
Mouth open and panting,
I wanted your commands more than anything.
Turn my way, look kindly on me,
as you always do to those who personally love you.
Steady my steps with your Word of promise
so nothing malign gets the better of me.
Psalm 119:129-133

closer to heaven

Some opportunities you can’t pass by.

J. Scott McElroy, author of “Finding Divine Inspiration,” is bringing an array of speakers and creatives for a weekend of sharing on “The Creative Church”

Using the arts in worship, healing, outreach and more. Prayer rooms, creative time, I will be soaking. Maybe in a hotel pool but the days for the event look packed full of God’s goodness.

Indy Schedule.

I can already see how this can work in life, art, church, community and with our Haitian Artisans. I even look forward to the hours in the car. Watching the scenery is therapeutic to me!

Thank you Lord for bringing this so close and “creating” such a time as this!!!

Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:4-10

imagine that

Noontime prayer for the city was on renewed passion to worship. As prayers were spoken around the room I kept seeing David in his abandon before God. He was unashamed even though others were embarrassed for him.

I too want to worship in that way. In some places/groups I find it difficult – usually because nobody else seems to be.

Let’s be like David – the man after God’s own heart!!

There was also a section to pray for the arts in the city and in worship. I recognized the voice across the room thanking God for “Judith” who brought color, texture, and wonders to their sanctuary. It was a great pleasure to be one of the artists to help bring some renewal to his beautiful church.

–Lord Jesus…May the Holy Spirit fill us in the same way that He filled You, so that we can be a people overflowing with joyful praise to the Father–

you mean purple

Jessica Kerbawy, an artist and graphic designer from Michigan

Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the eight-color boxes, but what you’re really looking for are the 64-color boxes with the sharpeners on the back. I fancy myself to be a 64-color box, though I’ve got a few missing. It’s okay though, because I’ve got some more vibrant colors like periwinkle at my disposal. I have a bit of a problem though in that I can only meet the eight-color boxes. Does anyone else have that problem? I mean, there are so many different colors of life, of feeling, of articulation, so when I meet someone who’s an eight-color type I’m like, “hey girl, magenta!” and she’s like, “oh, you mean purple!” and she goes off on her purple thing, and I’m like, “no – I want magenta!” ~John Mayer

from the beginning ABC…

Thank you Drusilla for the nomination for the ABC Award.

The lists created by you and Susie share my feelings completely…because It’s not really about me!

Glory to God in the highest…

Drusilla’s ABC list

Susie’s ABC list

To see other great writer’s sharing their faith journey, questions and amazing talent, check my blog roll to the right…through their pages you’ll find even MORE wonderful writers with great things to say.

Makes me wish I could read all day!

free indeed

Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:35-36

Every person on this earth can be free…no longer a slave but part of God’s family.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18

No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:23

I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corintians 6:18

Can you see a theme – Jesus died for us – receiving that gift – yes, a gift, we receive our heavenly inheritance that is delivered here on earth! I know there are many who believe in a God but don’t understand or want to believe in Jesus….the only way to GOD the Father is through His SON….

This video will share an amazing art that tells the story – OK…SUPER AMAZING!!!!

out of the studio

Glory Filled

A switch to dress for outside work instead of “whatever” to create inside. CultureWorks still has some construction so I checked in, then worked from home.

They requested a Myers-Briggs personality test (Jung version). I’ve done several times before. Funny how we “mature” both inside and out. Things that were just beginning are now in bloom as I become even more who God designed me to be.

“Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of “the brightest and the best” among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

new opportunities

Openings

Some excitement to the week. A second interview Monday brought a call Tuesday offering the part-time job.

That will change my days but in a good way. It feels like a great fit to be a part of the new non-profit venture CultureWorks Institute for Creative Arts. Using my business skills in a creative environment reaching out to local community. That uses my passions and talents on all levels.

Some new paintings will also be shown and one auctioned at their opening reception April 16, 2011. If you’re in Holland, MI …stop by. The exhibit runs March 28 through April 22. New paintings on my website.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. ~George Bernard Shaw

your story

Deep Blue

We all have stories and its important to share them. Good and bad…its all part of the history of this world. You may think your story seems boring, lame and of no account to anyone but I believe every story has value. Extreme detail isn’t always needed but it might just what someone else needs to hear.

Imagine thousands of years ago people writing on animal skins, no printing presses, copy machines or YouTube to help. Yet people took the time to record their discoveries, trials and thoughts. History books, theories, star charts and inventions. What if these hadn’t been shared?

Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn’t wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say. ~Sharon O’Brien

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth

….and music….would we have that treasure without shared stories?

striving

number 18

We are all striving. But what for? We make lists, set goals, decide whats normal, acceptable and perfect in our lives then attempt to make it happen.

BUT are we having any fun doing it?? Do we have any imagination left or just written plans?

From The Artists Way class a few years ago, we created a list of 5 Silly Things we’d like to do. DIFFICULT for me. One I said was be in a tub with jello. I don’t know why…just write what comes to your mind first.

While visiting my HS art teacher later I asked for her list (I didn’t tell her mine), she said the same thing!! SHOCK (No – I don’t have a picture. I haven’t done it……yet! How would you dissolve it?)

“A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” – William Shedd