Yesterday, I put on my first things onto Etsy!
Yes, I finally got around to doing it. And it was really not that bad at all--pretty easy, in fact! And I am ready to get back on there and put some more on. But I did want to post here and mention that I have launched my shop and that things are ready to go.
Oh, and I made this cool little widget thing on the side where you can see what I've put onto my shop. Or you can check out the shop here.
Soon I will be putting on some of my paintings too. But before then, may the Lord bless all you readers and give you shalom, peace.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
I'm finishing a book this month!
Hello Everyone!
I hope things are going well on your end of the internet sphere.
This month I'm doing something completely different. I won't be doing quite as much art as I was--I will be working on some foundation solidification activities--but I what I will be doing for the greater part is writing. Writing. Writing. Writing!
Writing the end of a novel that I've been working on for several years now. (It grew on me--turned from a nice little toddler to a ponderous giant.)
Well, Lord willing, I'll be finishing it!
Anyway, I've written on this blog about the program that I do during the month of November. Here's a badge that they made for the writers.
(It stands for National Novel Writing Month, by the way.)
Here's what happens. Thousands of people from around the world determine together to write (if they can) at least 50,000 words in the 30 days of November. It started off as something for kids to start writing stuff, but now it's grown so much that anyone from its original targeted participants to professional writers jump in to take the challenge. It's crazy, but it's a LOT of fun!
Anyway, I think I would ramble endlessly if I said anything more, so I think I will finish this post and be off to the races again--actually, I'm going to go eat homemade leek tart and freshly baked baguettes.
Shalom
I hope things are going well on your end of the internet sphere.
This month I'm doing something completely different. I won't be doing quite as much art as I was--I will be working on some foundation solidification activities--but I what I will be doing for the greater part is writing. Writing. Writing. Writing!
Writing the end of a novel that I've been working on for several years now. (It grew on me--turned from a nice little toddler to a ponderous giant.)
Well, Lord willing, I'll be finishing it!
Anyway, I've written on this blog about the program that I do during the month of November. Here's a badge that they made for the writers.
(It stands for National Novel Writing Month, by the way.)
Here's what happens. Thousands of people from around the world determine together to write (if they can) at least 50,000 words in the 30 days of November. It started off as something for kids to start writing stuff, but now it's grown so much that anyone from its original targeted participants to professional writers jump in to take the challenge. It's crazy, but it's a LOT of fun!
Anyway, I think I would ramble endlessly if I said anything more, so I think I will finish this post and be off to the races again--actually, I'm going to go eat homemade leek tart and freshly baked baguettes.
Shalom
Friday, September 12, 2014
Oil Portrait
This last week was very interesting! I had discussed with my sister if she wanted to sit for me, being my first live model portrait. Actually, now that I come to think of it, I have done a self portrait--I looked in the mirror for it, so it really was a live model--but that painting was horrible and my experience was decidedly lacking to compensate for my confusing and continual shifts of movement. Very annoying. I don't even remember what happened to that silly painting!
But anyway, I made another one over this last week, starting this Monday afternoon, and finishing yesterday. It was in oils, so it was necessary to take a little while for the layers to dry.
(Actually, there are several different ways that I could have done this portrait, one being alla prima, in which you do the main body of the painting in on sitting, but I decided to try a layered style.)
It was totally fun to do, although it was hard work, and one thing that I've always had a hard time with (for my sister's face, that is) is her lips. She has the most lovely curve to her lips, which I have never been able to capture quite satisfactorily. I think, in the end, I got it fairly well, although the expression is not quite what I was hoping for. But the whole effect was satisfactory for a first portrait and I am excited to try more soon, Lord willing.
Here's a picture of the painting partially done:
And here's a picture of the finished painting:
You can see the changes I made. Each layer would fix and refine the last layer.
All the way the through this painting I've been thinking of how I should be approaching painting, of what way I need to be thinking of it. So often I look at art as being my very own, my special possession. But I think you get a lot less satisfaction and joy out of thinking this way. This gift of painting is not my own; it was lent to me for a time. I should not think of it as being my own, as being something that I can keep for myself, or use for my glory, or store away and use to build up my own defenses and security. The work of my hands was given to me as a gift and I should remember the Giver throughout every action, every brushstroke, every mixing of the paints, every selection of canvas. I want to make sure that this is always about God, always about doing His will in my life.
So I want to give this painting to the Lord, and say that this is His and for His glory. It is He who showed me the beauty of the human face, He who gave me the fingers to paint and the eyes to see and the mind to connect the two. It is He who gives me courage to pursue art and to keep on pursuing it. I give Him the glory here, for it is His and unto Him it should be given and my art finds its source in Him.
Shalom
Thursday, September 4, 2014
"Be aware that Adonai is God"
I was just reading over some of my older posts. I think I need to get back to this again. It won't be all about the same thing--I just have too many things I want to talk about!--but I do want to get back here a little more often.
Things are happening around at my end. Kind of uncomfortable, weird, unnerving things. Bottom line, I am learning how to put more faith in God, and less faith on my familiar surroundings. It's never been my greatest virtue, faith that is. I mean, I can have faith in the Lord, but I tend to go through things, and not directly to God for my safety and peace. I've been reading about it a lot in this one Bible study that I'm taking, called Self-Confrontation, and it's really been challenging quite a few of my preconceptions; things that really need to be rethought.
By the way, I want to really highly recommend this Bible study! I like the way that the leader of my study group called it; the Bible is the source for God's truth and God's wisdom, and this study is the resource. It gives you the full information for the whole basics of the Christian faith, in depth and all Biblically based. The manual is so chock full of Bible references, that it can hardly get more than ten words without giving another reference or two! Well there are some variations--twenty words, and five references, or variations on these numbers--but basically anything it says is really Biblically based, and backed up by years of studying the Word. It is really cool and really challenging and really encouraging. It is more than worth the money to buy it, and it really is worth the time you give it. But, I will say that it will be a lot of time that you have to give it, unless you take it nice and slow, like I'm planning on doing currently. It's basically the first class in a college level seminary--really cool but really hard!
Here's a link to where you can get Self-Confrontation: http://www.bcfministries.org/matls-01sc.html
Anyway, it has brought up a lot of preconceptions in my thinking, a lot of things that I thought were ok and things that I thought really didn't need to be changed. A lot of this stuff I already know, but this study shows you the Bible verses, and lets the Word of God do the convicting--and boy does it convict me! It helps me to really dive deep into the Word and learn to trust the Lord and wait on the Holy Spirit's prompting. I am learning so much about the Holy Spirit through this Bible study, which is cool, because I think the Third of the Trinity is often overlooked and His power and ability in our lives is disregarded. He wants to do so many amazing things through us, and He is willing and able to be with you and guide you and comfort you and fight for you in any and every situation. He can work past our stubbornness, but He wants to work through our willing submission to Him. That is all glory to Him, because He could have just had us automatically working with Him, but He, of His grace, allowed us to seek Him.
He choose that we should choose Him.
I'm going to end this with Psalm 100--I love this chapter; short and totally sweet!
Things are happening around at my end. Kind of uncomfortable, weird, unnerving things. Bottom line, I am learning how to put more faith in God, and less faith on my familiar surroundings. It's never been my greatest virtue, faith that is. I mean, I can have faith in the Lord, but I tend to go through things, and not directly to God for my safety and peace. I've been reading about it a lot in this one Bible study that I'm taking, called Self-Confrontation, and it's really been challenging quite a few of my preconceptions; things that really need to be rethought.
By the way, I want to really highly recommend this Bible study! I like the way that the leader of my study group called it; the Bible is the source for God's truth and God's wisdom, and this study is the resource. It gives you the full information for the whole basics of the Christian faith, in depth and all Biblically based. The manual is so chock full of Bible references, that it can hardly get more than ten words without giving another reference or two! Well there are some variations--twenty words, and five references, or variations on these numbers--but basically anything it says is really Biblically based, and backed up by years of studying the Word. It is really cool and really challenging and really encouraging. It is more than worth the money to buy it, and it really is worth the time you give it. But, I will say that it will be a lot of time that you have to give it, unless you take it nice and slow, like I'm planning on doing currently. It's basically the first class in a college level seminary--really cool but really hard!
Here's a link to where you can get Self-Confrontation: http://www.bcfministries.org/matls-01sc.html
Anyway, it has brought up a lot of preconceptions in my thinking, a lot of things that I thought were ok and things that I thought really didn't need to be changed. A lot of this stuff I already know, but this study shows you the Bible verses, and lets the Word of God do the convicting--and boy does it convict me! It helps me to really dive deep into the Word and learn to trust the Lord and wait on the Holy Spirit's prompting. I am learning so much about the Holy Spirit through this Bible study, which is cool, because I think the Third of the Trinity is often overlooked and His power and ability in our lives is disregarded. He wants to do so many amazing things through us, and He is willing and able to be with you and guide you and comfort you and fight for you in any and every situation. He can work past our stubbornness, but He wants to work through our willing submission to Him. That is all glory to Him, because He could have just had us automatically working with Him, but He, of His grace, allowed us to seek Him.
He choose that we should choose Him.
I'm going to end this with Psalm 100--I love this chapter; short and totally sweet!
Shout for joy to Adonai, all the earth!
Serve Adonai with gladness.
Enter his presence with joyful songs.
Be aware that Adonai is God;
it is he who made us; and we are his,
his people, the flock in his pasture.
it is he who made us; and we are his,
his people, the flock in his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
enter his courtyards with praise;
give thanks to him, and bless his name.
For Adonai is good, his grace continues forever,
and his faithfulness lasts through all generations.
enter his courtyards with praise;
give thanks to him, and bless his name.
For Adonai is good, his grace continues forever,
and his faithfulness lasts through all generations.
Shalom
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
A New Painting
I've been trying recently to get into a steady rhythm of painting every week. It's been interesting. Sometimes I can just get it perfectly--the painting looks exactly how I want it to, or pretty close anyway. At other times, I just get a painterly mess. But, as I've read in some of my painting books, mistakes are not failures. I'm going to try to go into thinking of my paintings and other artistic endeavors as not the end result of my abilities, but rather just another steppingstone to get to the next level.
When I think about it, I'm not sure why I don't always think of it this way. I started drawing as most everyone else did--as a little kid with a piece of scratch paper or a coloring book with a bright crayon in my little fist. I remember being annoyed that my colorful scribbles looked absolutely nonsensical when compared to the clear cut lines in the coloring book, or the Big Yellow Bible Story Book (I loved that thing!), or even the simple drawings that my older siblings drew. Mine looked so confusing and strange and so unlike what I was trying to draw--a flower or a person or a dog--that I got frustrated enough to try and fix the problem by studying the objects and people around me. I clearly remember standing in my hallway one day having just made the breakthrough of realizing that I did, in fact, not need to draw scribbles for hands and feet, but could aspire to actual fingers and toes. It was no doubt a very little breakthrough that day, but nonetheless, it was a breakthrough, and I remember is with joy, since it was the first steppingstone on my journey in art.
I have gone to a few classes by a few artists, and learned a good deal from them. I have read books on art, books for art and the artist. But I think, in the end, the really learning is from trial and error. You learn from the artists who have gone on before you, and then you try something of your own. That is why I like the art books that I read--or the Create artists with their half hour programs--they bring up completely novel ideas to me that I would have only discovered after years of working on it. They are inspiration and teacher to me. But time is my teacher also, but only the active times, where I go over and over, learning from my mistakes.
But let me show you some of the stuff I do, the process of bringing an empty piece of paper to a colored, shaded, carefully shaped lines piece of art. This is my project that I did yesterday.
Well that is the process behind this painting, and little of my thinking while working on it. I'm not totally satisfied, but then I'm a perfectionist. And in any case, it was fun making it, which is, I think, half the point in art. If you don't have fun making your art, then it'll show, and it'll end up being less great, less true, less honest than it should be.
Well, now onto the next bit of art in my life--in this case, fiber arts--and I will say goodbye and,
Shalom
When I think about it, I'm not sure why I don't always think of it this way. I started drawing as most everyone else did--as a little kid with a piece of scratch paper or a coloring book with a bright crayon in my little fist. I remember being annoyed that my colorful scribbles looked absolutely nonsensical when compared to the clear cut lines in the coloring book, or the Big Yellow Bible Story Book (I loved that thing!), or even the simple drawings that my older siblings drew. Mine looked so confusing and strange and so unlike what I was trying to draw--a flower or a person or a dog--that I got frustrated enough to try and fix the problem by studying the objects and people around me. I clearly remember standing in my hallway one day having just made the breakthrough of realizing that I did, in fact, not need to draw scribbles for hands and feet, but could aspire to actual fingers and toes. It was no doubt a very little breakthrough that day, but nonetheless, it was a breakthrough, and I remember is with joy, since it was the first steppingstone on my journey in art.
I have gone to a few classes by a few artists, and learned a good deal from them. I have read books on art, books for art and the artist. But I think, in the end, the really learning is from trial and error. You learn from the artists who have gone on before you, and then you try something of your own. That is why I like the art books that I read--or the Create artists with their half hour programs--they bring up completely novel ideas to me that I would have only discovered after years of working on it. They are inspiration and teacher to me. But time is my teacher also, but only the active times, where I go over and over, learning from my mistakes.
But let me show you some of the stuff I do, the process of bringing an empty piece of paper to a colored, shaded, carefully shaped lines piece of art. This is my project that I did yesterday.
 |
| This first one is of the actual bottles themselves. I was going to do the blue one alone, but I like the other ones too, so put them in. |
 |
| I love this part! To avoid making the paper buckle (official term here--it means warp), you wet the whole thing and tape it to a hard surface. |
 |
| It's all taped down here, and looks nice and straight--perfect! |
 |
| I started adding in the background first. I wanted a textured look for the background, so that it wouldn't be too dull. You can add all sorts of things, like big chunks of salt, droplets of clear alcohol, or, like I did here, moisture absorbing balls. (I don't know what the proper name is, but they really did the trick.) |
 |
| Here's a closer look at them when they're wet. |
 |
| Now I have a couple of the bottles painted, and you can see the result of the moisture absorbing balls. It creates a sort of abstract wood effect. |
 |
| And here it is, all done. Well, sort of done; I might do a few finishing touches. And crop it some. |
 |
| I filled in the background to created a table, since it looked a little like the bottles were floating midair. |
Well, now onto the next bit of art in my life--in this case, fiber arts--and I will say goodbye and,
Shalom
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
The Spirit of Adventure
A little while ago, my sister suggested I should read a story that aptly describes the importance and brilliance of The Spirit of Adventure. It's by O. Henry and it is actually more of a short story, called The Green Door. It's goofy, fun and not serious about the way it's presented but serious about what it means.
Here's a link to the eBook from Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2776/2776-h/2776-h.htm#15
It gives a great example of the way most people act when the strange and unusual happens vs. the way that an adventurer reacts to the same situation.
I was going to try to give examples of random "adventurous" situations, but unfortunately, since I am not ordinarily an adventurer, I can't think of a situation which wouldn't be far too dangerous. (I'm being ironic; I do that a lot.)
Anyway, I guess the whole point is that the real adventurer is willing to risk those scary things. A real adventurer is willing to look goofy going into a weird situation--like the guy in the story, taking the invitation to go to the Green Door. A real adventurer is willing to stick at the things that everyone else calls foolish--like a knight going off to quest or to fight a dragon (or to joust with a windmill).
I guess I could go on and on about what an adventurer is, but you probably have the idea. Its a great thing to be an adventurer, but it's a rare thing. It isn't impossible to cultivate a heroic attitude to life, and there are many ways of being an adventurer and just as many situations that require one.
There is one thing that an adventurer should be, but isn't always, and that is that he (or she) should be always aware of right and wrong in the situation and ever willing to do right and justly by anyone.
I read this a little while ago. I think it's from one of the legends of King Arthur. (I'm not exactly sure which one...) But I loved the quote and I think it's admirable for a code of honor for any adventurer.
Shalom
Here's a link to the eBook from Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2776/2776-h/2776-h.htm#15
It gives a great example of the way most people act when the strange and unusual happens vs. the way that an adventurer reacts to the same situation.
I was going to try to give examples of random "adventurous" situations, but unfortunately, since I am not ordinarily an adventurer, I can't think of a situation which wouldn't be far too dangerous. (I'm being ironic; I do that a lot.)
Anyway, I guess the whole point is that the real adventurer is willing to risk those scary things. A real adventurer is willing to look goofy going into a weird situation--like the guy in the story, taking the invitation to go to the Green Door. A real adventurer is willing to stick at the things that everyone else calls foolish--like a knight going off to quest or to fight a dragon (or to joust with a windmill).
I guess I could go on and on about what an adventurer is, but you probably have the idea. Its a great thing to be an adventurer, but it's a rare thing. It isn't impossible to cultivate a heroic attitude to life, and there are many ways of being an adventurer and just as many situations that require one.
There is one thing that an adventurer should be, but isn't always, and that is that he (or she) should be always aware of right and wrong in the situation and ever willing to do right and justly by anyone.
I read this a little while ago. I think it's from one of the legends of King Arthur. (I'm not exactly sure which one...) But I loved the quote and I think it's admirable for a code of honor for any adventurer.
“This is the oath of a Knight of King Arthur's Round Table and should be for all of us to take to heart. I will develop my life for the greater good. I will place character above riches, and concern for others above personal wealth, I will never boast, but cherish humility instead, I will speak the truth at all times, and forever keep my word, I will defend those who cannot defend themselves, I will honor and respect women, and refute sexism in all its guises, I will uphold justice by being fair to all, I will be faithful in love and loyal in friendship, I will abhor scandals and gossip-neither partake nor delight in them, I will be generous to the poor and to those who need help, I will forgive when asked, that my own mistakes will be forgiven, I will live my life with courtesy and honor from this day forward.”If you have any more ideas for what an adventurer should be like, please leave a comment; I'd love to hear from you!
Shalom
Friday, July 18, 2014
An adventure for an uncertain heart
Hello everyone!
I've been away for a long, long time. I never can seem to find the time to do it, although I really do have time... But never mind, excuses never have been the most enjoyable of reading subjects!
I'm starting up a few things for my career in creativity. (I don't say career as an artist, although that really is the biggest thing on my heart, but career in creativity since I will be working on crochet and knitting things, and, who knows, other things maybe too.) I just created a new Facebook page that will be exclusive to this creative endeavor:
https://www.facebook.com/theworkofmyhands/timeline
I'll post things onto it, such as some of the stuff I'm painting; like the purpley dark painting, which is of the tree outside my front door and of which subject I painted for my sister's birthday; or a project that I'm knitting or crocheting, or other similar things.
So, lots of things are happening around here, on my side of the internet connection. One thing that is big (with me at least) is that I might be moving from the state that I was born and lived in up till now. I have made many friends--some of whom I have not kept up a connection with very well--and a few very close friends who I am not looking forward to leaving! I have a ridiculous horror of becoming clichéd, so I don't want to talk about how this is a weird, uncomfortable, frightening, unknowable time in my life, but unfortunately it is exactly that. I can't say that I am feeling particularly brave, even after my sister said the other day, "But aren't you enjoying this new adventure?" (I still can't tell if she was being sarcastic or not.)
I think that was another thing that got me thinking again about the idea of Adventure. I think it's a lost art in our day and age. People nowadays like to have fun and do crazy things, but the courageous, noble, simplicity of motive, the daring adventurer is sadly rare in this day of quick fixes and easy solutions. The kind of adventurer of which I speak has never been numerous, but I think never has he (or she) been less known or highly prized.
I'll write a quick description of the adventurer, mainly for my own benefit, and, no doubt, it will need some adjustments as I learn more and understand more.
An Adventurer should be:
Shalom
I've been away for a long, long time. I never can seem to find the time to do it, although I really do have time... But never mind, excuses never have been the most enjoyable of reading subjects!
I'm starting up a few things for my career in creativity. (I don't say career as an artist, although that really is the biggest thing on my heart, but career in creativity since I will be working on crochet and knitting things, and, who knows, other things maybe too.) I just created a new Facebook page that will be exclusive to this creative endeavor:
https://www.facebook.com/theworkofmyhands/timeline
I'll post things onto it, such as some of the stuff I'm painting; like the purpley dark painting, which is of the tree outside my front door and of which subject I painted for my sister's birthday; or a project that I'm knitting or crocheting, or other similar things.
So, lots of things are happening around here, on my side of the internet connection. One thing that is big (with me at least) is that I might be moving from the state that I was born and lived in up till now. I have made many friends--some of whom I have not kept up a connection with very well--and a few very close friends who I am not looking forward to leaving! I have a ridiculous horror of becoming clichéd, so I don't want to talk about how this is a weird, uncomfortable, frightening, unknowable time in my life, but unfortunately it is exactly that. I can't say that I am feeling particularly brave, even after my sister said the other day, "But aren't you enjoying this new adventure?" (I still can't tell if she was being sarcastic or not.)
I think that was another thing that got me thinking again about the idea of Adventure. I think it's a lost art in our day and age. People nowadays like to have fun and do crazy things, but the courageous, noble, simplicity of motive, the daring adventurer is sadly rare in this day of quick fixes and easy solutions. The kind of adventurer of which I speak has never been numerous, but I think never has he (or she) been less known or highly prized.
I'll write a quick description of the adventurer, mainly for my own benefit, and, no doubt, it will need some adjustments as I learn more and understand more.
An Adventurer should be:
- Courageous
- Noble
- Daring (different from courage)
- Honest
- Imaginative (for he would never get anywhere without imagining the worst, or even the best, of the unknown)
- A Romantic (in the old sense of the word)
- Hopeful
Psalm 31:25
Be strong, and fill your hearts with courage, all of you who hope in Adonai.
Shalom
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