10 things I am thankful for.....

My husband.....

My home which keeps us warm as the days grow shorter and more brisk.....

My studio.....

My children's love for making music.....

My church.....

My youngest son's new coat (just in time for the cold weather).....

My dog.....

My oldest son's quick mind and sense of humor.....

Answered prayers and unanswered prayers.....

My Creator's plans.....



"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Art is hard work.

No really, it is.

Some days the LAST thing I want to do is to walk back into my studio. Sometimes I am so disgusted with the work I've done that I have to leave for a while and observe the image from a distance before I can grow to appreciate parts of it and return and try again. Sometimes everything seems to be going GREAT then an interruption comes (generally in the form of one of my children) and it all falls apart before my eyes because I have lost focus.

So why do it?

"In the beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth.
The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light; and there was light.
And God saw that the light was good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it; and God separated the light from the darkness.
And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day." Genesis 1:1-5 (AMP)

I prepare. I form. I fashion. I create. I move and hover and brood. And on good days, I approve. What reason more do I need than to watch, emulate and learn from The Master Creator of All?

This starving artist :)

I'm starting to feel like an artist....

I have two pieces on display at the local art center until the end of April and I sent off a proposal this weekend for a hospital looking to buy or commission art from Michigan artists. Now if I could only sell something so that I can buy more supplies....or maybe groceries....here I am....living the dream. *Sigh*

10 things that made me smile today.....

The weather being warm enough for me to wear a light jacket outside in the middle of February.....

Eating the last apple out of the refrigerator.....

Listening to "Here With Us" by Joy Williams.....

The chirping of two lovely parakeets.....

A warm puppy dog that likes to curl up next to me when I read on the couch.....

My children getting their homework done in a timely manner.....

FINALLY finishing (and being happy with) the sketch for my next painting.....

Listening to my children talking back and forth in bed even though it is WAY past their bed time and I have told them 3 times already to go to sleep.....

Having the use of a good tripod (thank you, Victor).....

Reading the words: "When life is heavy and hard to take; go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear." (Lamentations 3:28-29 MSG).....
.....today was a good day.

New Eyes

When I first read Psalm 33 it was like my eyes had been opened for the first time! I had struggled, in my teen years especially, to understand why I had been given so much, so many talents while it seemed that so many others were given lives that were lacking, or given struggles to endure. I knew from a young age that I had been blessed with talent and had been told repeatedly that I should share that talent with others. But I was mistaken - I did not receive my artistic ability from my mother but from my Creator! He chose my parents for me because He knew they would make ME! He gave me these talents not only for me to use to praise Him, but also and more simply so that I would USE them! Have you read the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30? God wants us to live FULLY and to USE what is given to us! Luke 12:48 tells us that great gifts mean great responsibilities;greater gifts, greater responsibilities!

So use your talents! Whether it is painting, singing, baking delicious foods, caring for children, loving your family, gardening, or keeping a smile on your face - God not only tells you to USE what he gave you, it makes him SMILE to see you living FULLY! :-)