Something New

This painting is the result of a class I took a couple of years ago.  I like the movement and the color. Honestly, I do not even remember who this instructor was, but I was pleased with the way the painting turned out.  It is a copy of one of that painter's originals. This is a 16X20 oil and is available if anyone is interested.

 I hope I never get too old to learn, to improve myself, to develop the gifts God has given me.  Don't ever think you are too old to discover a new gift.  My first art lesson was 5 years ago.  My focus as far as talent was concerned had always been singing, obtaining a degree in vocal music and using that in various ways all my life.  There was a desire, kind of a little twinge and not a real yearning, deep in me for many years to draw and learn to paint, but had never pursued it.  Finally, I  met a lady at a party after our move to Montgomery, Texas who was an art teacher at a Christian school.  At the time she did not teach privately, but soon did and contacted me.  It was so cool for me to drive out to the country to her home to draw and paint.  Thank you, Lynne Peverill!

Never think it is too late to start something new!  If there's anything you've always wanted to try....try it!! You just might be surprised at the results!

See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19

Solitude and Do-Overs

                                                             

A couple of summers ago, we rented a beach house down at Surfside, Texas for a few days.  I so enjoyed walking the beach and taking lots of shots of cute houses, the surf, the vegetation.  I very much love the sound of the waves, the smell of the salt air, even that yucky fish smell (well...not the really yucky very dead fish smell), the colors, the light, the birds, the breezes.  We don't go there often enough for me.  My hubby would be happy if he never saw a beach again, I think, so we compromise on our vacations.  He has bad memories of sand starched into his fatigues at Ft. Bragg.

So, on return, I put together my own picture, comprised of pieces of several pictures to make up my own.  Whenever I paint, I begin and feel I have no earthly idea what I'm doing.  I paint, and paint over, until I get it just like I like it. (One reason I like oil paints...they are very forgiving and patient).   Frankly, I was surprised when this one turned out as well as it did. 

This is another "take me away" kind of picture, carrying on yesterday's theme of quietness, solitude, and adding that of the second chance...and third...and fourth.....and....

It's so nice to know our God is a God of unlimited do-overs. (BTW..the verse below is one of my absolute favorites!)

                                                                        Solitude

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23 ESV

Quietness

When I first began painting, it seemed all I wanted to do was Italian street scenes.  Perhaps it is the romance of it that appeals, the color, the character, the narrow streets, the flower boxes.  I painted several totally from my imagination. "A Quiet Corner" evolved from another painting much like it.  The first one sold fairly quickly.  A benefit for the American Cancer Society was coming up in our neighborhood with a silent auction, so I repeated this painting and donated it.  I was happy it sold and supported a wonderful cause.  I was even happier when I learned the same friend who had bought the first one bought this one to go with its mate. And, then really pleased when my neighbor loved it, so I painted another one for Jackie.

We live is such a busy, busy world, and we are bombarded with pressures.. financial, security, children with problems, aging loved ones, and on and on.  But there is Hope.  There is a quiet place in the presence of our Creator and Savior where we can find peace.  I hope you find your quiet place today.

                                                                          A Quiet Corner

"For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said......'in quietness and trust is your strength.'"
  Isaiah 30:15

Is there nothing more cheery than sunflowers?  My friend, Sheryl, has a very green thumb.  I used to think I might have, but no, I do not.  I love flowers and having a beautiful yard, but in my recent years, it has been proven the love of that does not equal the doing of same.  Sheryl is my very good friend, and a kinder and more loving heart you could not find. In summer, Sheryl has these huge sunflowers in her yard, and I was excited to go over and take some pictures.  This painting was done a couple of years ago and Sheryl kindly purchased it from me.  It is an oil.  You will notice what one might at first think is a flaw/mistake on the leaf at the bottom right.  As a teenager I collected Ladybugs and so I thought adding one in the garden theme would be kind of cute.  I enjoy this happy painting so much I used it on my business cards.  

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

My most recent completion is of a collection that I compiled, mostly in my mind.  The teapot I purchased many years ago.  The rest...well, I used a teacup that looks like this only in shape.  I imagined the jelly jar, the spoon, and the tablecloths.  I love painting fabrics, the way they fall, the textures, and the light.  A table setting of this nature is calming to me, inviting for sure. 

                                                                   My Little Teapot

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will 

guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

                                                                      Philippians 4:7 

Pencil Drawing

As I mentioned yesterday, I find such pleasure and relaxation in drawing.  When I pick up a pencil and piece of paper, I totally lose myself in what I am doing. The minutes fly.  Some photographs will call out to me and the need to pick up pencil tugs at me.  For me, getting the details of a figure is much easier with that fine point than when I try to paint it.  Well, I do still have so much to learn about painting.  With drawing, you have paper, pencil, eraser.  No decisions.  Drawing endearing photos of children with their favorite toy or a dear grandparent brings much joy and then the giving of that drawing to the family is such fun.  I do hope they like what they are getting and appreciate it for time to come.  I still have much to learn about every medium and plan to keep learning as long as I live, as long as my good Lord lets me.  I'm thankful He has given me this new avenue of creativity at this stage of my life.

                                                    My darling great great niece, Evelyn. 

I'm really not sure what I'm doing but I have to start somewhere so here goes.  I'm an artist who at the age of 57 made this discovery.  I like to draw...really like to draw.  I think I'm pretty good at it.   I like drawing and painting people, still life (domestic types of still life), and some landscapes.  My favorite style is impressionist.  Anyway, I want to display my art and I think this may be a good place.  Thanks for checking out my work.

I've started today by displaying two of my works, one very recent, Coming Home.  The feel of walking down a tree-lined path is comforting, welcoming, peaceful.  Is that not the way coming home should feel? 

The other, To Market, was inspired by a trip to the Caribbean island of St. Martin.  The colors, activities, aromas, sounds, people of the marketplace get the creative juices flowing.  I love the islands and the beach (sitting on it..not in it!).  Take me away!!

More next time.  Thanks for joining me here on the launch of my art blog.