Thursday, April 24, 2014

Sunday Mornings

photo and design by my talented friend,  Kaitlin Monroe

I saw the words "No perfect people allowed" on a banner for a Church that we saw on the road to Galveston, Tx this past week and couldn't get it out of my head. We are all God's children even though NO ONE is perfect. Such a beautiful reminder.

When I began painting, I began a journey of growing closer to God. You see I've always believed but my relationship desperately waned and I certainly fell away from Him. I think I began to feel a sense of unworthiness. But what I know now is that none of us are worthy, but He loves us so much anyway! He sent His Son, Jesus to die on the cross so that we are no longer bound by sin. We are set Free!

You see, I truly feel that He gently drew me closer by calling art into my heart. The complexity and subtly that our Creator works is something to be in awe of.....

As I was in church one morning, I felt the calling to create a class all about my Sunday morning worship paintings. Normally what I do is attend early service Church and come home and paint till we have lunch. I want to share this time with you. Time spent praising God. I really think we can use our gifts to reach others. In doing so, we pass the light on to others….who then share their story.

For this class, I envision lifting each other up as we spend time creating as the Great Creator meant for us to do. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable with God….to be vulnerable in spirit with others….we reach others easily. Gently. We open ourselves up to so much….to giving….to nurturing….to being still….to gratitude….to trust….and to faith. I imagine the magnitude of the lives you will touch with the art you will create. My prayer is that you become a vessel to reach and touch others lives with your art….gently….but with passion. To say things that cannot be expressed through words!

While pondering this class, I thought the only way to reach out in this way was to offer this class for free. I will open it up to donations if you feel called to give.


Journal Page that we will be creating


Class will begin May 18, 2014 and a new project will post weekly for 5 weeks. So basically they'll be 5 projects for you to enjoy. Thank you for allowing me to give back! Guest Artists Susana Tavares and Michelle Sylvia will also share with you their beautiful, soulful approach to art.
Susana

Michelle

Michelle is also giving away this original piece of work
Blessed with Peace



*****I need your help in spreading the word. Please post a link to this blog post on your social media (Facebook, twitter, blog, pinterest, etc) 
Then come back here and leave a comment stating how/where you shared.....and I'll have a drawing and choose 3 names and donate $50 to a charity of your choosing. 
Michelle is also giving away the painting above....so a total of 4 names will be drawn.
Drawing will be made on May 10th, 2014.  Please come back here on the 10th to check to see if you win!



You can sign up HERE for class


sign up details and instruction

  • Class starts May 18th, 2014. You will have 1 year access to the classroom and all videos are available for download to keep
  • click the link above and if you are not already a member of my ning group, you will need to sign up for my network. Click in the "sign in" or "sign up" button
  • Once you get signed in, go HERE and hit the "join group" button and you are all set to go. 
  • I will be sending a message to all of the students on the first day of class with a reminder and link to the project. (but please bookmark the above classroom link for your easy access)


To get an idea for the supplies that I use in this class, please check out my pinterest board




Awakening


a little note about this class:
This is a Christian based online class. There will be talk of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit along with Christian music (which I can't wait to share with you all). Plus lots and lots of painting and having fun. Join me as we praise God and create together!!
Any and all are welcome to participate…..all religions, denominations, believers, unbelievers, anyone.






Thursday, April 17, 2014

New work


Sometimes while I'm working in the studio, everything clicks easy....time seems to slip away....and I get lost in this sacred space of creating. Other times I feel a tad frustrated and irritable. I feel as though things aren't coming together as easily as it should. I wonder why that is? I guess it truly is just like life in general......some days you wake up and you can just feel it in your bones that it's going to be something very special about the day. Other days not so much!

Many times when I feel frustrated.....and continue to work....within minutes I can hit a breakthrough. I am reminded it doesn't have to always be easy....nor would I want it to. I must remind myself to embrace those moments. they are needed too. they are needed so that we can quiet them with charging onward. or by being still. art teaches me. art helps me to trust.

wherever you are.....welcome the struggle....a breakthrough is in order!







Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Blessings

Last Friday, as I was meeting my husband for lunch….I heard this song. Blessings.
The chorus begins and I hear "what if your blessings come through rain drops"…. and I got chills. I had just finished this painting before getting in the car……






We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise


and here is the song

Friday, April 4, 2014

New paintings


I've been busy lately creating and painting and getting inspired. Lately the works of Lynne Hoppe have gotten my juices flowing wildly again. There is something about the simplicity of color and building up of texture that she does so well. Go to her blog…..there is so much to inspire. She even has a tutorial of how she paints faces. (thanks to Lynda Metcalf for turning me on to her)













Thursday, April 3, 2014

Art and Soul - Kansas City

A couple of weeks ago Kaitlin and I went to Excelsior Springs, Mo (just outside of Kansas City). I taught two days and Kaitlin took a class by Jane Davies. We both had a chance to experience their amazing spa and enjoyed great food too. I normally fly to these teaching gigs but Kansas City is only about a 7 hour drive from my house in Roland, AR. 













On our way back we stopped by my cousin's place, The Antique Flea in darling Noel, Mo. Such a beautiful little town nestled in the hills and the Elk River. I'm hoping to go back this summer to do a little fishing and painting with both my cousins Doug and Zac. The shop is filled with loads of art, lots of antiques, and the best hamburgers I ever ate.

me and my 1st cousin, Doug Laman
all photos are by Kaitlin Monroe