Two are Better

This painting was submitted late for the Paint and Draw Together painting challenge.  It is listed under "recent paintings for previous challenges." I really enjoyed working on the light/dark areas in the shadows and highlights in this one.  It was my last chance to paint before going back to work.  We've been off for a nice long Easter break.  Tonight I'm busy getting ready for the school week ahead.  God's blessings to everyone! Hope you enjoy.

8 x 8

acrylic on canvas

His Beloved

The school where I work has weekly worship services and collects offering to support various missions throughout the school year.  Jesus spoke often about taking care of the poor, the widows, and the orphans.  Last year our little school raised $1000.00 to purchase a "Jesus Well" for Gospel for Asia ministries.  The need for these wells is so incredibly urgent and dire.  The "Untouchables," as their called, are often shunned away from wells that the higher-ups in society gather water from because they are considered worthless, unclean, an abomination. These women must walk for miles in hopes of getting water. Their stories will change how you feel about your everyday life.  Hopefully, it will inspire you to do more, to see more clearly how your life, your struggles, your resources can be a blessing to someone else. You can read these stories and many others about how Gospel for Asia ministries is changing lives through Christ at http://www.gfa.org/.

The portrait is a blend of a few photos I researched on line.  After reading again yesterday how GFA is working to address the great needs of people in Asia, I felt compelled to do a portrait.  Here is my attempt at honoring the women of courage who fight daily to provide for their children, overcome abuse, and merely survive.  May God show us all how to use the resources He has given us to reach out to others for Him. God's peace.

8 x 8 acrylic on canvas



Stir Fry

I took a picture of these peppers one evening before cutting them up for stir fry.  The painting began as kind of a different approach for me...more like an experiment.  I worked with some acrylic medium I'd never used before.  I didn't love the transluscent effect it gave the paint and ended up feeling as if I'd overworked what began as a nice free piece.  I'm going to try it again with a bigger brush and allow myself less brush strokes.  It was a fun nights project.

I am determined I'm going to begin doing some experimenting with different tools and mediums which means getting away from the idea of a finished piece and allowing myself to mess up a lot in order to learn.  Will be worth it though.

8 x 8 Acrylic

God's blessings everyone.

"Birthday" Cardinal

Shhhhh!  This is a birthday present for a lady I work with.  She mentioned that she liked cardinals.  Hope she likes this one.  Something about that vibrant red color just takes my breath away.  My students are always asking my favorite color.  I tell them I couldn't live without red.  I have red in every room in my home and my classroom too.  It's the color of life, of passion, of love.

During this Lenten season it has especially powerful meaning. I think of Christ's blood, His sacrifice.  I am extremely blessed to work in a school where the passion for Christ is as strong as it is.  My son's teacher recently told her class that if they remember nothing else she has taught them this year, they must remember that it is completely impossible to out-sin God's love.  It makes sense if you think about it... He has seen it all.  Nothing could surprise Him.  Yet because of our sinfulness He sent His Son to take the punishment for our sins so we could be reconciled with Him - made right, made righteous.  The Bible says, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16 (NIV) I look at the cardinals in my yard and I think of all of the reasons to sing, to celebrate my Savior who found me worth His very life.  There is no other love like that. So, Happy Birthday my friend.  Happy Easter to all.  May God's love be made evident to you through the power of the Holy Spirit.  May He make His love for you known.  Celebrate His love, His death, His resurrection and your victory with Him, your new life. "

My (18) Blessings

This post is dedicated to my 18 2nd and 3rd grade students, who happily dedicated their artistic talents for a class art project to be auctioned off at our annual spring auction.  It was a lot of fun to put all of their handiwork on one canvas and see how it came together.  They were thrilled. They have learned that their teacher is pretty crazy about birds, and now I find drawings of birds tucked away, folded neatly, and sheepishly handed to me throughout the day.  They are a very sweet, loving group of kids.  I may have to bid on this one!

God's blessings, everyone!