Unfinished

Speaking Art

2012-01-26T08:28:00.001-08:00

Why do artists make art? As humans, we each have in us the urge to create in some form or fashion. Whether it's spreadsheets, layouts, solutions, building stuff, story writing, and the list goes on...we all can relate to our Creator God in that way. After all, we are made in His image, and we take the same great satisfaction He did when He saw what He made and that it was good. Now no one can even come close to God's ultimate originality, but we get a small taste of what He must feel when He sees his creation come to life.

We all receive ideas, information, messages so differently. A scientist might say, I don't get what those artists see. A musician might think, how can accountants sit and look at numbers all day? A small child can't grasp the advanced vocabulary of a college professor. A chef is appalled at the busy family who scarfs down fast food each night. We each have our own language, our own expression that gives us life and energy. We are each a unique and equally valuable piece of the puzzle, contributing our distinct gifts, no more, no less. At least that how it should be. But when we think of our gifting, or language, as the only or right way, we rob others of the joy of being their own unique selves. We all need to find someone who can speak our language for encouragement and companionship. We were not made to be alone. But we also need to be willing to learn other languages, in order to see through the eyes of others. Exhibit A, those economics classes I had to take in college did not make me love economics, but it helped me appreciate those blessed folks who do.

I once heard an episcopal priest say, "All art is speaking in tongues", which confirmed something in me that I've been thinking on for a while. Art is a language. It is a way of communicating something that cannot be written, sung, or told. It is spoken by some, interpreted by some, and received by some. Artists are often perceived as social deviants or weirdos that just want to make a statement. Although that may be the case with few, I believe artists have a gift of speaking a visual language that is profoundly powerful. Art's spiritual impact cannot be quantified, but the ripple effect of a moving, life-giving image extends beyond what we can know. I once did a simple painting, a loose interpretation of the star of Bethlehem, which was purchased by a woman who fell in love with it. Years later, that painting appeared to her in a dream that brought about comfort and healing from the tragic loss of her son. I'm so thankful for her sharing this story with me because, as an artist, I don't often see the impact of what I do. You see, I don't just want my art to be pretty pictures. I long for each piece I make to be a source of life, of healing, of restoration. For some unique reason, God has put in me (and many others) the language of art, and so I get the privilege of creating alongside my Creator, and allowing Him to freely make through me something bigger and more amazing than I could ever imagine.

Bluware Painting

2012-01-24T14:30:00.000-08:00

My most recent painting was done in less than 3 hours, start to finish, Saturday night. A friend from college invited me to do a live painting at his company's (Bluware, a technology consulting company)25th anniversary event.

This is the finished product. I was able to do a practice run at home before the event, which made a big difference. The piece will hang in Bluware's offices, so I wanted the feel to be technology related. I also loosely incorporated the company logo. The style of this painting is a deviation from my typical style, a more abstract but structured interpretation of the company's techie environment. It's 30"x48", painted with acrylics.

I have enjoyed painting publicly in the past, because it forces me to push through the times I just want to quit. It challenges me to paint more freely and expressively than when I'm in my studio, where I can carefully plan out each work on my own time. I love sharing my process with others, allowing them to be a part of the painting, from start to finish. As an observer, it's exciting to me watching a blank canvas come alive.

Lost Rose

2011-06-18T15:20:00.001-07:00

Lost Rose
18"x24"
Mixed media on canvas

Recently I heard a speaker who heads up an organization called As Our Own, "a Christ-based, community-driven movement in India that rescues vulnerable children from certain enslavement and exploitation, caring for them as our own."
As the speaker shared story after story of girls they had rescued off the streets of India, I couldn't help to think of my own children. These beautiful innocent children who are being thrust into a terrible, dark life of enslavement have so little to hope for.

This painting, was inspired by these girls and their tragic beauty and loneliness. The family that God longs for each of them to have is ripped away from them and they become desperately lost and alone. I was incredibly moved by this man's story of how, one by one, these girls are plucked from their terrible lives of slavery and prostitution and brought into a welcoming place where hope and love can be restored in their lives. To learn more about As Our Own and how you can help, check out their website: www.asourown.org.

Small Paintings for Sale

2010-01-20T14:04:00.000-08:00

Dandelion
Acrylic mixed media on canvas
8x10

$50

Make Room
Acrylic and paper on canvas board
9x12

$50

I love you Mom and Dad!

2010-01-18T18:16:00.000-08:00

So, it's been a while, I know. But here it is, the long awaited blog post. I know some of you were beginning to wonder if I'd given up on this thing. I've been working on this piece for at least six to nine months for my parents. They grew up around farming and cotton fields. My mom loves vivid color--these especially. The mountains are for my dad. I will never forget on our family road trips, my dad always pointed out the mountains and talked about how breathtaking they were. The yellow trees are just for fun. Green just wouldn't work here. This piece I did with oils--many many bazillions of layers. I hope when they see this piece that they remember how much I love them and appreciate the wonderful heritage I have. I definitely learned a thing or two through this process. I wasn't prepared with a definite sketch beforehand, which definitely killed me later. I had to rework the composition a few times, but eventually it worked out ok. I love oil. It is my friend. Natural Turpenoid also became my very good companion.

Shout out to Monet

2008-06-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, I know, but I thought I'd show you a photo of my latest. I did this for my mom's guest room. Yes, I know, it's a copy of a Monet seascape. I used acrylic as opposed to Monet's oils--not quite the same effect, but I glazed it with a varnish, which gave it more richness and depth. I'm definitely leaning more toward the oils these days.

Crickett's Painting

2008-01-15T14:10:00.000-08:00

Crickett's Song

Oil and Paper on Canvas

24"x36"

Last year, an old friend from college, affectionately called Crickett, contacted me and asked me to do a painting. She is a very gifted violinist and music teacher, and she had a wall in her studio that needed some color. She remembered some pieces I had done back in college and wanted me to do something special for her, giving me total artistic freedom. This is what I came up with. It's not the best picture--the color is a little more vibrant in person, but you get the idea. This one was very experimental for me, using many, many layers of oil color, drybrushing, gluing on pages from a Bible, using leaves to make imprints, dripping the sludge from the bottom of the turpentine jar, and more glue to add sheen and dimension. I'm really getting excited about mixed media lately. God is so amazing to provide me with ideas and inspiration in the midst of all the madness of life.

Three's Company

2008-01-02T13:42:00.001-08:00

One of the most popular questions I've gotten as a mom and artist is "Do you find any time to paint?" This was a depressing thought when I first embarked on motherhood--that I would somehow lose my ability or time or passion to paint because my much more important children have taken priority. Well, had no problem painting through my oldest's first year of life, since he was an amazing napper and also very content to sit in a swing and watch. It became more of a challenge as he got older and napped less. Since baby #2 came along, I have often wondered if I needed to just store all my art supplies and give it up for a few years. I have recently come to terms with not having nearly the time or energy to pour into my artwork like I did before kids. I still long for the day that I can go to my easel and paint whenever the inspiration hits me.

A sweet friend and fellow artist, Ramona, gave me some great advice shortly before she passed away. She encouraged me to get Asher his very own easel and art supplies to put next to me while I'm painting. That way, he won't feel like art is off limits for him. I always remembered Ramona's words, and this Christmas I asked grandparents for art supplies for Asher. He now has his very own awesome two-sided easel, paints and art kit in the art room. For the first time last week, we created together--Asher with watercolors, Eden with chalk, and it was so wonderful to share my love for art with my son and daughter. So, the answer to the question is, yes, I do find time to paint! Sometimes it just looks different than I thought it would.

Jesus and the Marshmallows

2007-12-24T12:59:00.000-08:00

This Christmas, Brandon and I decided to simplify and scale back on our normal gift giving and holiday activities. We want to focus on giving to those with less than us instead of loading down our already blessed family with more stuff that we don't need.

Every year I look forward to Christmas, and the meaning quickly gets lost in the stress--oh the stress! Self-imposed stress, triggered by a compulsion I have to decorate my house and tree and car (ok maybe not the car part) and bake and buy and wrap and dress everyone in beautiful clothing. These are all things I love! I enjoy baking and dipping lots of sweet goodies and making my house look festive and shopping for fun toys and wrapping beautiful packages of things that I will have forgotten a year from now. But after many years of doing these things, I am realizing that these activities, if they don't draw us closer to Jesus and to each other, are crap! Totally meaningless time-filling, pound-gaining, self-centered, empty fluff. It's pretty much like stuffing myself with the marshmallows love so dearly but don't help me out too much.

So, as much as is possible in our crazy suburban life, we are trying to scale back. This year I only made two kinds of treats instead of 17. I got my shopping done early, which is a first, partly because our shopping budget was much smaller, and Brandon and I are only giving each other stocking stuffers. The kids are getting 2 gifts apiece and we also did simple or no gifts for family members and friends. We have continually reminded the kids what we are celebrating and talked about giving. Asher took his full piggy bank to Living Water so kids could have clean water.

I must admit all of this was tough at first. It has been hard not to just focus on what we're cutting out or even be prideful that we are doing so good with what we have. It's also been amazing because I actually have a little time to reflect and enjoy my husband and kids. I still struggle keeping my eyes on the Lord and will until the day I die. But hopefully every little change we make will draw us a little nearer to our Savior.

Tonight as we go to our Christmas Eve service, I hope and pray that we are all freed up to really feel God's presence.

Fall has Fallen! (at least for a day or two)

2007-10-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

Monday brought some fabulously chilly, windy, overcast weather that gave me hope that it might not be summer forever! That day Asher and I decided to make playdo pumpkins to welcome Autumn! Who says pumpkins can't be purple?

This idea, inspired by my friend Kathleen, was the easiest and most hilarious pumpkin decorating we've done. Move over, Mr. Potato Head.

Bubbles!

2007-10-18T14:01:00.000-07:00

Asher has become quite the helper around the house, so I started putting noodles in a jar for every time he does chores or helps (a reward system I got from my friend Jen). Once the jar was full, Asher finally received the long awaited prize--a Spiderman Bubble Pipe! This brought forth endless hours (or minutes) entertainment for him and baby sis.

Thanks to you, Linda.

2007-10-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

Throughout my life, God has provided miracles and provisions in a million different ways. A couple of years ago, a quirky thing happened. A stranger whom I had never met, named Linda, called me and said she was an artist who no longer painted. She wanted to bring me all of her oil paints and other art supplies if I wanted them. Of course I said yes, and, as a result, I experimented with tons of colors I never would have bought. I still have all the paint, including many tubes that are so old I can't even open them (although I have tried with pliers and other various tools). But I keep them as a reminder of how God has lavished me with so many gifts I don't deserve. I may never see Linda again, but God used her to open a door for me that may have remained shut. This painting below was painted almost entirely with Linda's paints.

Thanks to you Linda, Oil on Canvas, 24" x 36"

Mini Matisse

2007-10-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

I've recently started turning Asher loose with some paint, and he loves it!!! He gets so absorbed in creating bold brush strokes and mixing colors. This time he got to paint with Daddy... He loves watching the water turn colors when he dips his brush in it.

I'm so proud of my boys!

Girly Pants

2007-10-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

This one we call Eden is so crazy! She makes us laugh every day with her sassiness. Almost every day I attempt to put her hair in pigtails, and every time she successfully pulls it out and thinks she is so funny! This was one of those moments...

She is growing up before our eyes.
Baby girl loves her swing!
Thanks Mimi!

2007-06-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

Circles I

11"x14"

Acrylic on Canvas Board

$75

Circles II

12"x16"

Acrylic on Canvas

$100

Circles III

9"x12"

Acrylic on Canvas

$75

Arkansas

2007-06-22T21:09:00.000-07:00

About once a year we try to make the 12 hour drive up to the farm in north central Arkansas to visit my wonderful grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. A couple weeks ago, we went with the whole clan (Mom and Dad, Jonathan and Maridyth) for a long overdue trip. Asher caught 2 fish with his Tigger fishing pole, and he proudly shows us with his two chubby little fingers. Eden got to meet the whole family for the first time, and she cut her first tooth the first day of our trip. Everyone oohed and ahhed over her cuteness and funny antics. Asher kept asking Papaw if he could ride the green thing (Papaw's Gator).

Aqua Chair

2007-05-29T13:34:00.000-07:00

11"x14"
Acrylic on Canvas
$100

This is a piece I started about 3 years ago, during my chair painting phase. I finally got around to finishing it recently, so here it is...

Super Asher

2007-05-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

My son is currently obsessed with superheroes, especially Spiderman. When I ask him "Are you Super Asher?" He says, "No, just Asher." Could he be any cuter?

Goodbye, Beloved Goop!

2007-05-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

On this pallette lies about 10 years worth of caked up acrylic paint. It has become quite difficult to gather all the paint onto my brush, but somehow I cannot let it go! Last night, with a friend there for support, I allowed my husband to do what he has long been waiting for...get out his big knife and peel the paint off in one massive rubbery chunk! I hope he feels better now...

Don't worry--I'm not throwing it away. It will be displayed somehow in my house.

Abstract

2007-05-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

I met a fellow artist and kindred spirit four summers ago. Her name is Anne McCrady, and she is a gifted writer and poet. She wrote this for me, and it has given me much joy and inspiration:

Abstract

Like prayers, colors
are placed on the altar
of waiting canvas.
Pulled from heart-places
only God can know,
rivers of red and rocks
of purple bloom
with the urgency
of creation:
fire and forgiveness,
water and worship,
soil and sanctuary.
Each offering,
each frame,
a sacred song,
a spiritual gift.
In the genesis
of this single hand,
God speaks,
and we can listen!

-Anne McCrady

The Art of Motherhood

2007-05-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

How dramatically life has changed for me over the past 3 years, and even more so in the past 10 months. The vision I once had of a beautiful life of raising children and producing vast numbers of inspired paintings has come to a screeching halt. Whoa. Who knew that these two precious bundles of cuteness could turn my world upside down. How do I do what I love so much--paint, and also pour into these people I love so much--my husband and kids? With just Asher, my 3 year old, it was so manageable. Just one to feed and cart around. Just one to take nice long naps so I could have plenty of creative time. Somehow with the addition of Eden, our sweet happy girl, I can barely find time to crack a cookbook to try a new recipe, much less get lost in a painting. I can barely keep up with the laundry and dishes.

So, here I am attempting to document my journey as an artist, and now a mom, to those of you who would like to follow along...