New Art available on Chris Tessnear Art Blogspot

Preview:

original art prints with original text

and

only one

original mini 3X3 inch art book

and coming soon....

a Gift from the Sea Devotional.

Finding your Voice is a Gift from the Sea

I found my voice on a quiet island.

I discovered my heart crossing a peaceful dune.

I heard my spirit on the crest of a wave.

I say my soul in a flock of gulls.

I know my solitary existence because of Kiawah.



Gift from the Sea continued

God's grace and

The sun at my back;

God's face and

The surf in my ear.

God's embrace and

The sand under my feet

Sends my heart racing

And my spirit soaring.

God's love and

The shells in my hand.

God's forgiveness and

The gulls in the air.

God's mercy and

The salty air on my skin

Lifts my weary soul

To heights I never imagined.

Kiawah 316

For God so loves me, He gave me…

• A beautiful island with relaxing views

• An annual escape to paradise

• Amazing sunrises

• Delicious meals

• Time with my soul mate

• Prayers for peace

• Hope for tomorrow

• Joyful memories

• Delightful moments to hold close

• Picture perfect snapshots of a time apart

For God so loves me, He gave me eternal life, through a Savior who died for me and

rose again that I may live a wonderful life.

A Beach Psalm based on Psalm 23

The Lord is my navigator; I shall not  perish.

He helps me walk down sandy shores.

He leads me beside crashing waves.

He takes me down paths of Spanish moss covered oaks.

Even though my mind wanders He gives me new views.

I will fear nothing.

He is with me.

His love and joy comfort me.

He refreshes the surf and sand before me in the presence of fellow beachcombers.

He anoints me with salty air.

Surely His mercy and grace will follow me home and I will dwell in His glory forever.

(You will often notice words typed do not match words on artwork. A writer is constantly editing.)

Gift from the Sea - the memories continue

Haven't had time to transpose writing. Hope the words can be read on the few I have posted. Some scanned better than others.

Composite of all Journal Pages for Gift from the Sea

Each year for a long time

I have read and reread Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Many find it old fashion and outdated but I find it to be inspiring and true. Basically it teaches what a wife, mother and woman needs to know about life as each role separately and collectively. It uses ideas centered around the sea to illustrate its message. The last several years I have not only read the book but also made little illustrated journals of my own writing and reflections on the topics. This year I took an old copy of the book (yes, I have several versions, printings, and even a guided journal of it) and watercolored directly on the pages and then wrote over the pages my own thoughts and ideas. It is my favorite so far and possible my very favorite altered book I have made. I did include a few packing tape transfer images here and there as well but I wanted a book that would still lie flat or fit in a book case. Often I have not minded having an alterd book overflowing with things but since "simplicity" is one of the thems of Gift from the Sea, I felt I should keep it simple. So I will be sharing the pages and reflections as well as other imagery from my week at Kiawah Island, SC as I journeyed once again through Gift form the Sea.....

gifts from the sea reopened

by the sea

the beautiful sea

tension breaks

tears finally flow easily

breathing is less labored

on the sand

the silky sand

tension breaks

relaxation and release come

problems seem less intense

troubles seem far away

under God's care

His amazing grace

anxieties lessen

hope returns

going, going.....gone

Doubt grows our faith.

Trouble teaches us compassion.

Fear ignites our prayers.

Weakness generates our strength.

Irritations enhance our patience.

Sadness makes us seek joy.

Hard times cause us to appreciate the good times

that were and are to be again.

I will be at my favorite place

 on earth the next week

KIAWAH, SC!

earthen vessel

Our bodies are a lot like our homes. We live in them and abuse them and neglect them too often.

If we don’t take care of its various systems it begins to break down, system by system.

Let its façade age and weather without regular maintenance and it shows wear and tear.

Ignore its pipes and it begins to unravel and spring leaks.

Let its electrical system become old and less than functional and suddenly it stops functioning all together.

Ignoring its needs breaks its spirit, kills its soul and eventually it is lost completely.

Take care of your body, mind, spirit and soul and live in its luxuriousness for a lifetime.

Realizing a calling...

If only I can stay strong, calm, rested and inspired I can survive.

If only I can be prayerful, scripturally sound, and believing I can continue.

If only I can ignore the fears and worries, embrace the love and hope, and trust the Savior and Maker, I can be whom I am intended to be.

Simple findings

I know a place of lasting joy deep in my heart where Jesus abides.

Grace abounds in the loneliest part of my soul where God lives.

Hope resides in every cell of my being where the Holy Spirit lingers.

In their mercy I am healed.

Through their love I am saved.

By their abundance I am blessed.

Autumn Thoughts

Acorns rain down on this autumn day.

Breezes kick up leaves of every gemlike hue.

The last pink and amber light melts in the west.

A pearlescent glow rises in the east.

Peace floods my heart.

my Ah Ha! moment

The Lord will fight for you. You need only be still. Gen. 14:14



Attempting to add new power and shed more light on my morning devotional times. I have been going through my Bible, re-reading sections I have highlighted. The above verse leapt out at me today.


Why do I struggle when God is my general?


Why do I fret when God is my comforter?


Why do I wander in darkness when God is my light?


Why do I question when God is my answer?


Lately, I ask more questions about my faith and way of living each day but I always get the same answers: go back to square 1, go back to the beginning, go back to God.


Some conclusions are just never wrong! It’s time to really believe A2 X B2 always does equal C2,


Maybe algebra doe solve everyday problems.


Me X Me


Plus


God X God


Equals


A more godly


Me


No one should or can do anything alone.


Maybe this is only a revelation to me but it’s a big one. Though simple and time tested. Eureka! I have found the answer we all seek. We truly can do nothing apart from God. Simple but profound. It’s what we already knew but keep forgetting to put into action.

in the mind's eye

Life is a mixed media collage

with dabs of bright colors and patches of grays.

Joyful memories are interspersed

with sad times to create a balanced canvas.

as in any work of art, it is always

In some stage of completion.

at any moment, the artist can step back

to see the whole composition and find just the

Right brush stroke or bit of texture needed

to improve its content.

Seldom 100% completed because as viewed

by another some tweaking may be done in the mind’s eye.

Devotional thoughts:

I am constantly reminded of what and who I have so why do I get so frustrated?



Paul in 2 Corinthians 4 says:


Do not lose heart.


Shine in the darkness.


Remember the treasures in clay vessels.


You are pressed but not crushed.


You are perplexed but not in despair.


You are persecuted but not abandoned.


You are struck down but not destroyed.


You are outwardly wasting away but renewed inwardly.


Ignore the temporary.


Focus on the eternal.


These gems are gleaned from The Upper Room, Guideposts and Daily Word. (Yes, I read them all each day in addition to scripture passages.)


Don’t fret over life’s speed bumps.


Do your job only and let God do His.


Like a baby learning to walk, don’t be discouraged at stumbling. Get up and try again and again…


Yet, I do fret and whine over perfection. So I should:


Just do it right from the start.


Listen the first time.


Question less and accept what is.


Avoid comparisons.


Cling to the source.


Practice gratitude daily (hourly maybe).


Live now!

falling into grace

Autumn spills into my heart with gold and ruby gems of joy.

Breezes cool my fevered soul with hope.

Blue skies support my dragging spirit with new strength.

Seasonal changes create a new beginning to a tired and fledgling life.

possibilities

Stuck between bliss and sorrow.

Incomplete

Immobile

Incapable

Not even balanced

Waiting to tip the scale

Weigh it

Positively

One day if possible.