Moving Along

This painting is (tbh) part of a whole.  The whole is called "To Market" which I partially drew from my own thoughts but the lady in polka dot comes from another painting of mine who originally found herself in a travel magazine of the island of St. Martin.  Our next door neighbors were living on the island half the year and when they returned once, their little girl, Sabrina, who was around eight years old at the time brought me this magazine which she, who has very artistic abilities herself, thought would be nice for my inspiration.  Wasn't that the sweetest thing?  So, the lady in polka has now traveled from one of my paintings to another.  The first one was called "Market Day in St. Martin" and this, "To Market".  This little section of painting happened when Google decided to interfere with my painting image and this is the product.  I thought it was quite artistic, so I kept it.  

Ms. Polka Dot is certainly on a mission, headed in a confident direction, moving forward.  I think she knows just where she is going.   There are days when I don't seem to know which way is up or down or what!  There are times when the path I am on is foggy.  There are days when I get discouraged because I'm not sure what is just around the corner.  When my days get like that, there is one thing I know.  Jesus is with me and He will guide me.  I can trust Him to lead the way.  I may not know exactly where I am going on a particular day, but He knows. In this I am confident.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you like my paintings and get a bit of encouragement at the same time.  

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.   Psalm 32:8  

The Protector

There is a story for sure behind this painting.  When I was volunteering at our high school office some years back and around the time I began painting, one of the office workers brought me a photo, and truly flattered me by asking if I could paint it for her. (my first commission).  She told me it was of her little girl and a cousin.  The two are taking in the view from a window from which my friend's two year old had fallen a couple of years prior!  Horrors! Can you imagine the story this child must be telling which likely has been repeated to her over and over by her parents?  Wouldn't you love to have been standing nearby to hear that?  Thankfully, she only had bruises after the fall from this second floor window.  Babies are made of rubber, pretty much, aren't they?  God always knows what He is doing.  He protected this little one in an amazing way.  

There are times when we are so very much aware of His protection over us and our families and are amazed, but we truly have no idea how many times each day our Heavenly Father reaches out to keep us from harm. He gives His angels charge over us, His children, to keep us from falling, physically, mentally, and spiritually!! (Psalm 91)  He is our Protector.  When it comes right down to it, He is all we need.  I hope you know Him.

Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy.  Jude 1:24

Safe Harbor

So, I hope we don't float away.  The rain has been coming down constantly since Friday evening, heavy at times, light at times, but constant.  Our area was in drought for over a year but no more.  The lake is brimming and the ducks out back are happy, happy. (I didn't realize what I was just typing..quack, quack..DD, anyone?)  A rainy day is very pleasant to me, but not a rainy several days in a row with rather chilly temps.  Today's weather forced me to exhibit today's painting. 

Our neighborhood is extremely supportive of the American Cancer Society, raising many thousands of dollars each year through various events.  This painting was done a  couple of years ago specifically for that cause and purchased by a local couple who are former owners of several art shops.  That made me feel great, a donation to a great cause and a nice pat on the back for me.

As an aside, daylight savings time is back.  How do you feel about that?  My opinion...let's just stay with it all year.  It would be easier on all of us, don't you think?

                                                                          Safe Harbor

Thank you very much for stopping by.  I am enjoying this pleasant way of exhibiting my work, putting "e-pen to e-paper", and perhaps bringing a glimmer of hope your way.  Please leave your comments so I'll know you dropped by. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;....

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  Isaiah 43:2

The Beauty of Spring

Can it really be?  Spring is beginning to subtly peek at us. I have not heard of so much snowfall in so many places in a very, very long time. My many friends and relatives in the north, surely you all are weary of the cold and the snow and the ice. Even my southern friends have had their share.  

 As I look out my window here in Texas,  I see pine trees blooming and I see those bushes with the reddish leaves and fuschia blooms whose name has slipped away from me.  Some of the early flowering trees have blossomed, and new growth is beginning to pop out.  (I looked it up...those plants with the fuschia blooms.. they are Loropetalum or Plum Delight, and to expose my horticultural ignorance, my Google search words were Laura Pedlum!)  Anyway, I believe the whole U.S.A. would say altogether, "We are ready for Spring!".

Today's painting is of one of my very favorite flowers in the whole plant kingdom.  The Peony.  I think one very excellent reason to move further north would be to be able to grow these in my own yard and go out and cut them for my viewing pleasure. I have one special friend in New Jersey who does just that.  I am jealous, Julie.   And, speaking of north, this painting was purchased by a college friend who lives in Illinois and with whom I had not had contact for some 40 years.   Thanks to Facebook, we have been reunited.  She saw this there and wanted it.  Thank you, Gail!

I would love it if you would post a reply here.  How great it would be to hear from you and get your feedback.  Follow me, if you like, by signing up on this page.  Thank you for stopping by.

[He has sent me] to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Isaiah 61::3

Country Living

"Elaine's Barn" for my sister...Elaine.  She has this hanging over her fireplace in Oklahoma which is a real honor for me.  This barn is reminiscent of our Grandpa Hall's barn where we spent many fun times as kids on his farm a short walk from Bayou Bartholomew in Louisiana.  Those memories are the best.  Too many kids today have no idea what kid life can be like.  Sad.  

I love the peace and quiet out here in the country, after so many years in the rat race near Houston.   We live at the end of a cul-de-sac on the edge of our subdivision (yes, it is a subdivision, though in the country) next to a pipeline/power easement. Tall pine trees surround us and across that easement are farms.  I love to watch the birds that come to feed at my feeder(s).  Once in the midst of the terrible drought, a thirsty Pileated Woodpecker came onto our deck for a drink of water.  If you've never seen one it is quite awesome......they are HUGE!  This is also bluebird haven.  We have a bb house and it has been home to, I would venture to say, 100 bb's in these 8 years.  It's funny how they seem to all come back occasionally for a family reunion.  No kidding.  One night the scream of a bobcat pierced the quiet which was hair-raising indeed, and sadly in the midst of those screams were tiny yelps.  That was not peaceful.  A large lake is within easy walking distance.  We have deer and fox and possum and raccoons.  I swear I saw bear tracks once.  I spoke of the drought.  I was so amazed the spring after the drought, I had never seen so many wildflowers.  Could that have a spiritual connotation?  Something like the rainbow after the storm?

We are fortunate to live in a place like this.  Even in such a setting, peace in these difficult days can be elusive, but there is a peace that transcends all understanding.  Knowing Jesus, realizing who we are in Him...that's true peace.  

These things I have spoken to you, (said Jesus), that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

John 16:33