December 15, 2011

My New Artist Statement

My dear friend Day Burns has been gifted with a talent for writing that I can not come close to approaching.  She graciously accepted my plea to rewrite my pitiful artist statement.  I am in awe of the beautiful words she wrote that capture precisely what I feel when I paint.  A huge thanks to my wonderful friend!!!!

I am an artist because I can be nothing else and still maintain the integrity of my heart.  My art is my story of love and gratitude for my Creator.  Every color represents a divine experience, every brush stroke a soft intervening whisper, every line a path directed, every drop of paint a grateful tear shed, every contrast a praise rejecting the lies and moving further into His Light.  When I am painting I see glimpses into who I am created to be.  I feel an invitation to be the best possible version of myself being called out from my soul.  Striving ceases and peace surrounds me like a warm blanket.  I accept that I am a work in progress, a great masterpiece full of bursting colors and expressions of my love for the Creator.  The Master is adding His finishing touches.  I see myself the way that He sees me.   He speaks life, truth, and affirmations into my soul.  I am fully alive.  Free.  Why does an author share her story?  Why does a vocalist share her song?  Why does a painter share her art?  It is the beauty of the Lord within each of us that begs to call out the beauty He has created in others.  Beauty unlocks beauty, deep calls to deep.  We all have captivating beauty to share, a gift the Lord has hidden inside that creates a deep longing when it is not expressed.  When I am painting it feels like I am looking through the Creator’s eyes to see the world as He sees it.  It’s like He is inviting me to tell His story.  I am so honored to be asked to even try.  Through His eyes, every person has beauty, all of nature sways in worship, and hope sings of a great story that has no ending.  I paint because I need to tell the story that the Lord is writing in my heart.  I share my paintings because I want to invite you to share the story that the Creator is writing in yours. 

"What would it be like if you lived each day, each breath, as a work of art in progress? Imagine that you are a Masterpiece unfolding, every second of every day, a work of art taking form with every breath." ~ Thomas Crum

December 14, 2011

Christmas Cookie Decorating

 Here is just a small sample of the yummy cookies we decorated last week.  It is one of my favorite Christmas traditions!


 If you run a toothpick through the wet icing you can make really cool effects.


December 9, 2011

Such Great Heights Lyrics...Lovely






Just playing with photoshop tonight and decided to create a little image with one of my favorite song lyrics.  It is from the Postal Service song "Such Great Heights".  Iron & Wine did a beautiful cover version of the song too.

December 7, 2011

Fun Sewn Christmas Tree Ornaments - Art Class Project

We made the cutest little Christmas tree ornaments in this week's class. I used a non-traditional fabric to make them a little more funky.

Many of the girls had never sewn before so it was quite a challenge.  They did a really great job and I will definitely do a sewing project again.  So fun!

Snowman Ornaments - Art Class

We made snowmen ornaments from mini canvases this week. 
It was a fun little project.  The girls did a great job on them!

December 2, 2011

Free Holiday Music!!! NICE!!!


Gotta love free music!  I am seriously addicted, and Amazon is my enabler!  Enjoy!!

November 28, 2011

2 for 1 Fat Quarter Sale at Spoonflower.com

This week Spoonflower is having a 2 for 1 fat quarter sale!  Buy two fat quarters and only pay for one.  They don't have to be the same.  Here is the link to my butterfly calendar.  It printed up beautifully.





November 17, 2011

Ribbon Turkey Pins - After School Art

We made the cutest turkey pins in class this week.   I swiped this idea from a baby onesie I saw on Pinterest (my newest obsession). 

Here are the finished pins and my how-to photos...