to thine own self be true

To know your true self is a step toward balance. Trying to be who you are not, or who someone else wants or expects you to be is self destructing. God made us who we are and we cannot force ourselves to be anyone else. So who did God make you to be?

Me?
a daughter, wife, mother, friend, teacher, artist, and most of all His child!

Image of my face with a sun on it but I call it the Cowardly lion.

Which Oz character do your relate to?

Life is what we make it

God's holy light

shines through the cracks

in my broken vessel,

Darkness is gone.
Hope is restored.

Through His sacredness

I reach out to others

with compassion.

Spirits are lifted.

Believing in eternity

provides peace to a weary mind.

Day by day balance is restored

and joy returns to a broken vessel.

Healing is evident.

image is my shadow

How good God is...

Sermons aren't always in church from a minister.....

The mail was full of God's grace today. A great zine on self portraits from Randi Feuerhelm-Watts and terrific charms from the Christian Paper Artists swap with much needed messages:

from Beth: no need to fear "being good enough" since God's grace save us.

from Bonnie: The Lord is my ROCK!

from Phyllis: It's all about "gratitude." (No coincidence that attitude is part of gratitude)

from Stephanie: "God's peace daily...He keeps me balanced." (balance is my focus word for 2009)

from Donna & Loren: HOPE (small word-huge message)

from Anna: Christ is REAL.

from Shannon: Be with Jesus in all places, from doing the dishes to the check out line to creating art.

from Katie: Healing IS always possible, even if not in life.

Oh! How God has ministered to me today; through devotions, quiet time, an old episode of Touched by an Angel, creating art to share, and even the mail. I am revived by God's goodness.

Lord in your mercy.........................................

light in a broken vessel

God's light
Shines through the cracks
Of this broken vessel.
Darkness is gone and
Hope is restored.

Through His sacredness
I reach out to others
With compassion.
Spirits are lifted.

Believing in eternity
Provides peace to a weary mind.
Day by day balance is found
And joy returns to a broken vessel
Now made whole through God's light.

image is prismacolor on mi tienes paper

It's already there!

take time

to seek

all the good

there is

in you life

this day

be grateful

balance will result

image is an older watercolor

Lenten Season

,

A rhapsody of hopes

tears at my soul.

A novella of lives

fight each other's existence.

Dreams of perfection

haunt my days.

Wishes and fantasies of fulfillment

convulse in my mind.

A belief system of faith

creates a sanctuary for me and

solace is found there.

Image is an older sketch.

Outer cold
Inner warm
Outer challenge
Inner spirit
Outer questions
Inner answers
Outer doubt
Inner blessings
Outer worries
Inner soul
Outer decay
Inner strength

obsessed with alphabets right now. this one is digital. okay to borrow and use. just right click and save as....

new bird at the feeder

Two beautiful grackles came to the feeder on a cold Sunday afternoon.

This picture does not do them justice. Beautiful feathers of black iridescently in the sunlight blue and purple.

God's "son" light does that for us. Shine with the best today!

Just words but so powerful

Got this from an email:

JUST 19

WORDS GOD OUR FATHER,

WALK THROUGH MY HOUSE

AND TAKE AWAY ALL MY WORRIES AND ILLNESSES;

AND PLEASE WATCH OVER

AND HEAL MY FAMILY .

IN JESUS ' NAME. AMEN

Image is a mixed media painting on Crescent illustration board that was gessoed and incised with a stamp and other textures. Then painted some shapes, lifted some shapes, etc.

Called WEEDS. Will enter in local juried nature show.

Roving Artist

Here are some art thoughts to ponder:

What characteristics make an artist and artist?

* wild, free and a little odd?

OR reserved, classic and a little sane?

What makes a work of art a real work of art?

* technical proficiency, accurate representaion, and widely accepted style?

OR fun, free style and artist's preference?

What makes someone create art?

* a need to express one's inner soul?

OR paint splashing, experimental, creative fun?

What art thoughts are in your head?

Creative voice-speak up!

Your creative voice is like your fingerprint--

Unique to you alone.

If you never express it, how will your message be heard?

Each soul has a distinct narrative; to deny it

Is to kill a part of you spirit.

So speak out loudly and strong....

write

dance

paint

bake..............

Make your own artistic voice heard.

image is digital play with shadow

Create from your heart!

Fernwood Thoughts

The wind in my hair.
Reflections from the water.
Blue sky.
Brown earth.
Nature has mastered peace and balance.
Why can't I?
I must take time to seek it, know it, embrace it,
Allow it in life!
Don't let the day to day trap who you really are.
A spirit having a human experience as Joseph Campbell said.

God made humans to commune with. I commune with Him no where better than in nature. As a Christian I know the importance of corporate worship and fellowship but alone with God here I know no troubles, problems, finances, nor relationship irritations.
Donne I believe said "No man is an island" but it sure seems easier to be an island, deserted and bare. Living mostly alone. Coming together periodically rather than vice versa. The touch of God's son and wind on my skin is like a warm embrace and the very breath of God on my face. His sweet message whispers right into my spirit.
His creation is a sermon in my soul.

The wind is God's spirit.
We sway like tall trees
Sometimes closer and
Sometimes we blow away.
Never to return until another day…or season of need.

every day is a gift

The calm at sunrise
Is undeniably the best time of day.
A whole 24 hours stretched before us,
Ready to unfold with so much potential,
New chances and great hopes.
We are free to choose
How we spend it.
Do we use it wisely or waste it?
Do we help another?
Do we reach out to the hurting?
Do we extend forgiveness?
Do we show gratitude and appreciation?
Do we share with someone the grace of God?

image is digital collage of my
Valentine Roses

THANKS

I would like to thank all my readers of this blog and especially those who write nice comments and encourage me to continue this blog. It's great fun for me to share my art, photos, ideas and words and it really makes my day to get the positive responses.

Here is a little graphic for you to save and use in appreciation for all your kind words!

silence

Pierre Lacout suggests "God is silence."
Then why do I hear Him in the wind?
Know His voice in the song of the birds?
Hear His compassion in a mother's soft voice?
Understand His message through a sermon?
Believe His existence through a child's acknowledgement?

*******************

I am the question.
Silence is the answer.
I am pain.
Silence is healing.
I am confusion.
Silence is calm.
I am worry.
Silence is peace.
I am fear.
Silence is hope.
I am the journey.
Silence is the destination.

Eyes of the Heart

Quiet messages penetrate the mind,
Conveying stillness to the inner spirit.
Words speak to the soul
That only the eyes of the heart can realize.
Taking a moment out of each day to allow these lessons
To enlighten and strengthen understanding
Lead to a better comprehension of life's purpose.

These words and the image began in my art journal (Journey Through Words) where I write, sketch, paste, etc. Many great ideas come out of art journaling. If you don't do it, start. Whether you are an artist or writer, you will gain insight, ideas and projects galore. Just go for it!

techniques and sources

Here is the result from the painted background technique on the ICE Altered Book Yahoo group.

Used in my altered book "Master Keys of Life" Key #2 Love with all your heart!

Note: Lots of neat free vintage images available at http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

AND here's a simple idea for recycling old art work and creating new background papers.

Watercolor and Mixed Media Background Technique #1

1. Choose an old watercolor painting you know longer wish to keep.

2. Cover with Gesso (an acrylic prep medium). Run a texture comb or plastic fork through the wet Gesso in various patterns. Dry thoroughly.

3. Paint over the textured Gesso with various watercolors. Use at least 2 colors that work well together. No more than three is recommended. You don't want a muddy color. Dry again.

4. Stamp with a color similar to the paints used. Dry thoroughly again.

5. Stamp with the same or similar themed stamp using Gesso as you stamp ink. (Spread a thin coat of Gesso on a palette and press stamp into it just like a stamp pad and press on surface. Clean stamp thoroughly with a damp toothbrush when you are finished to protect your stamp surface.

6. Dry the sheet completely and use like you would any other decorative paper. Punch, cut, layer and make collages and backgrounds for collages. The images will be original and exclusively yours.

7. This idea works with any media you are already using, acrylics, inks, paste paints, collage, etc. Have fun and don't try to have any preconceived ideas.

8. Use your paper for notecards, altered books, collage and any all mixed media creations.

Birding

Spring arrives soon and I'm without a word.
As I listen to songs from each special bird.
On a vacant limb sits Robin Red Breast,
giving his wings a much needed rest.
The Mocking Bird shows off in the tallest oak.
The Brown Thrasher sits where other birds spoke.
The beautiful Cardinal hides in a nearby thicket.
The Blue Bird perches on the neighbor's picket.
The tiny Wren entertains on my sun deck
While the Mourning Dove moves across the lawn with a peck.
Each one is special to its Maker above,
singing His praises for protection and love.

given by God

Cold morning.
Warm afternoon.
Hopes of respite.
Joy returns.

Fatigue lifts.
Body revives
Promise of peace.
Serenity restored.

Faith kicks in.
Belief is strengthened.
Grace abounds.
Mercy is given.

Been doing lots of photo work.....me inside my shadow....

Healing

Recovery is possible.
Faith and strength is the way.
Given freely by a simple prayer.
Lord, in your mercy.

Recuperation is steady.
Little by little it happens.
Achieved through prayerful words.
Lord, in your mercy.

Healing is evident.
Returning day by day.
With prayers of praise.
Lord, in your mercy.

Image is digital collage of me at Fernwood, our retirement property, my respite, retreat, and escape.

Caught by the wind

Have you ever felt like you were floating on air? Not knowing where you may land. Thinking you may just float away. Was it peaceful or frightening? Do we all fly in our dreams? Do we wish for wings like birds? Maybe more are like me. Grounded for life.

Homeland

LIfe is what happens

I remember a student I went to high school quoting in our Senior Yearbook "When opportunity comes, I'll probably be taking out the garbage." He died before our 5 year reunion. He was president of our Senior class. He lived life and loved it and enjoyed every day he had. I think of him from time to time. I wrote some words about life recently and several quotes about life came up this morning in devotions and blog reading, so I'll share my thoughts now.

Life is full of wonder.

Peace is attainable.

Seek joy with all your might.

Life is what we make it.

Goodness is available.

Receive it and extend it.

Life is a gift.

Embrace its mystery.

Live in the present.

Life delivers its share of tears and fears but also promises us chances and opportunities. All that is required of us is to take it all with the grain of sand....keep our heads high...our hearts loving....our focus above and look to the heavens for guidance. Life may disappoint but it also surprises and exhilarates the willing and the strong of heart.

Feel free to use these banners for your art projects. Click on it to see full size, then right click to save image. Enjoy!

A different method for fonts

another tutorial

Freebies and tutorials

I had a wonderful comment from an artist I highly respect, randi feuerhelm-watts, (check her blog and art at http://randif.blogspot.com/ and http://www.randifeuerhelm.com/) and decided to do more with the font work I enjoy so much. So here is the first of a series of tutorials on how I make interesting lettering for my artwork. I'm including a complete set of this first alphabet. If anything is unclear, don't hesitate to ask questions. I'm happy to try to explain further. I've tried to keep the instructions simple and straightforward. As always, I really appreciate all the kind comments I receive on this blog.

Current Projects

Here's a group of things I am working on for swaps, shows and Somerset submissions.

Polymer clay charms for swap at Christian Paper Artists (yes, I decided the first ones were too large and made new ones)

Brush stroke watercolor drawings for possible entry to Natural View (local art exhibit), can only submit two.

Fan fold binder ring book for Somerset submission on the theme of Vintage Halloween (color pencil and ink drawings on mat board pages, acrylic backs with quotes, hinged with binder rings.

Free Hearts for Valentine's Day

Click to get full size image. Right click to save then.

Enjoy in all your Valentine's Day projects.

Lessons from Life

Hope is a little word with big impact that keeps nations in tact.

Mercy is an extension of God's grace that anyone can offer to another.

Joy is a gift from God that each soul can possess if they choose.

Love really is what makes the world go round if you share it with the unlovable.

Peace is realized truly when you feel it despite unavoidable conflict.

Contentment, likewise, is obvious when your circumstances suggest otherwise.

Truth is undeniable when you admit error when you are all alone.

Gratitude is the possibility of unlimited blessings .

These are lessons I still learn everyday and hope to even perfect one day.

Image is finished mixed media canvas, 12X24 inches, acrylic, paper, leather, metal and polymer clay: Secrets.