"Trust" - an angel on reclaimed box...

New art assemblage/mixed media piece!

I truly do not know why this is the "Angel of Trust"...

Perhaps it is her gentle demeanor and expression -

Perhaps it is the fact that she has taken off and is holding her halo
(sweet tweener's idea), making her appear that she isn't "too holy" to be approachable -

Perhaps it is the quiet confidence that she seems to portray.


But we all need to learn to trust.  It is the first task of a baby, to learn, to trust, that his or her physical and love needs will be met, and sometimes even before the baby knows the need has arisen!  And I want to always have that sort of trust with my heavenly Parent!

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 NIV

She is available to purchase here (in the gallery shop).
(plus images of the interior)

Introducing My Memories Scrapbook Suite...

I had such a nice surprise after Christmas -Liz Gardner from MyMemories scrapbooking contacted me and asked if I would review their software and host a give away on my site...and I said "yes"!  It was such a wonderful blessing to be asked, and after a year with photoshop, I guess I thought I was up for learning another new software program...

A free template with my "Renaissance Rose" photo...

There are m.a.n.y free templates to use...here is one that caught my eye because of its beautiful Victorian feel!  It totally reminded me of the Renaissance Rose I worked on last year...and since it has lots of scrapbooking templates, I just had to use a picture of Miss Sweet Tweener from too many years ago to see how it would look!

I thought this baby picture of sweet tweener would be so perfect in this

But, Liz did say that there was so much more to the program, and was interested to see what I might be able to create with it...and I have been playing...please come back on Friday when I show some of the more graphic and artful ways this program can be used - and join in the comments for a chance to when a full version of this software!

Money 101 - for parents & teens...

I get these infographics delivered to my inbox every day - so many different topics, and a quick glance gives lots of information...and I click "delete" on the ones I am not interested in...maybe because it is just before Christmas, maybe because sweet tweener had an endless list of "wants", maybe because she has saved 1/3 of her allowance for over 18 months and has quite a sizeable savings account for an 11 year old, plus a big chunk of change in her allowance jar, but whatever the reason - I think you would like this information too! 

Sneak Peak Friday - Angel of Progress finds her identity

From humble beginnings - discarded, but with hope blooming:

She "became"...

In each passing season, she emerged more fully...

She gained more details, her uniqueness emerged, her true image drawn out of the background...

And she wasn't exactly as she was at the beginning of her journey....

She embraced the change (she really didn't want it any other way)...

She let her wings unfurl...

and contemplated her future...

Forgive my shadow in the upper corner?

She knew she could guard the progress of her charges now,
she knew she was the Angel of Progress...

She will be part of a charity auction in February - my largest painting to date at 24" x 20"

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives...

Another Angel quote...

"I fit just right on your lap" - said to Poppa tonight as they cuddled...

"sigh" - love such contentment, and it is one of those perfect, stay tucked in, cozy rainy evenings!

She has a face, and wings...and a name...

Angel of Progress: holding fast to eternal hope while embracing the "what is"

She has been, and is, 

a "lady in waiting"

She is "becoming",

from this beginning...

She has more of me in her 

than I would care to admit...

she does have a face -

(where I would rather - sometimes - remain in the background, hidden...faceless).

I wonder why

I find it so hard 

to paint a wing, or a pair...

the desire for balance?

(continuing the learning that balance and perfect tend to be polar opposites).

I choose other projects

when one requires 

more time -
tosoak, to absorb, to ferment...

And perhaps the finished piece

may sparkle and flavor life

like water made into wine

by the Bridegroom Himself...

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU for Sneak Peek Friday...

Texture Tuesday - Guardian I

With one layer (of many layers) using "and then some"...

I painted this (mouse over the image to see the original painting) during the summer, and afterward thought "I wish I had made that background a lighter, country blue"...thus the idea to play with photoshop and the background + other effects...

Joining with Kim Klassen for Texture Tuesdays...

Texture Tuesday - Angel on Elena

I am loving playing with photoshop!  I used Softly Stamped + Dream to do this sweet photo of my sweet tweener on her favorite horse...

Joining with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday here.

Sneak Peak Friday - Playing with Photos

Still playing with photos this week, this time with BigHugeLabs.com.


You can make photo mosaics for free here...and even create shaped mosaics...but I went with a classic style to show off Miss Tweener's school photos which were taken last Friday afternoon by a fellow creative in our homeschool group...

I love all the expressions she captured, and the textured walls she found to have pictures made in front of! There are over 100 pictures! Some goofy, some classic, but all are "All Angel"!

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU

Sneak Peak Friday - Mixed Industrial Angel wip

Remember these?

 (from this post)

and this.....

from this post?

(the flowers got obscured)

They are turning into this:

Sorry about the flash glare!

  She doesn't have a face yet...

she may not get one...

have you ever read C.S. Lewis's "Till We Have Faces"?

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU

Guardian 1 - finished

The finished painting...(I have since painted the background a lighter shade of blue, 
scroll to the bottom of the post see how it looks now)

16" x 20" artist canvas...sides painted black and ready to hang

words across the robe read "...their angels always see the face of My father who is in heaven..."

The story:

Guardians.  We are guarded by heavenly hosts, even from childhood according to Scripture.  I suspect the assignment begins at the moment of conception, as God's esteem of the preciousness of all life would warrant the protection of even the smallest component.  I think the Spirit's conversation over all this was prompted by my attention over the changes needed in the left wing (mentioned in last week's post here).  My thoughts, mingling with His, telling me it didn't have to be perfect, to match the other wing perfectly..."after all, why can't each wing, every feather, be as unique as a snowflake...as unique as each one that the angels are assigned to guard.  Wouldn't the Creator God be as intrigued with variety, as bored with sameness as your creative heart?"  I was listening, my brush gaining more freedom as the words soaked into my inmost being.  

I adjusted the lighting so you could see the texture in the canvas...
the canvas was a garage sale find, and I painted over what was there, but left the texture. 
There is texture in the face - look around the eyes and you can see it.

 

He continued, "And since their wards are children, wouldn't the guardian appear in a way that would appeal to a child?  Perhaps feathers in disarray?" (At this point I am wondering why I even picture angels with feathered wings?! The result of culture no doubt!) And images of angels with wing feathers all askew, smudges on faces and crooked baseball caps along with rumpled robes were parading in my mind at this point!  Very appealing to the children I was thinking!  The words continued, "Why do you carry the image of perfection in the heavenlies that you do, the image of symmetry and order that has no variation, nothing "out of place"?  Yes, the angels, being spirit beings, can transform themselves, ...they can appear with perfect symmetry as you imagine, or as imperfect as any child, even to the point of appearing just as a human".  And I am wondering why, if they are simply beings of light, do I think of them as having wings at all (?) - and He faithfully floats up the description of the cherubim in Ezekiel...ah yes, there are the wings...and I am grateful that He even knows when my heart is becoming confused, and takes the moment to help untangle it...

close-up of eyes and face

The words were rushing, or perhaps it was word pictures being dropped in my spirit.  Truths that I have planted deep were being drawn to the surface and woven through new ideas - to me - that were as old as time itself...the definition of perfection - God's definition (the Hebrew word translated "perfect" carries the meaning of being complete, whole, sound...); plus the verse from Matthew 18:10 which declares "their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven" (ESV).  I know somewhere that beholding His face, being in His Presence, is the source of perfection: I am complete in Him; I lay my brokenness down in exchange for His Wholeness.  (More truths here)

The image of the angels gazing at His face in heaven, of understanding their being complete in His Presence, not in and of themselves, was a subtle thought, yet somehow it was as if I always knew it, that I just hadn't had opportunity to solidify it till now...

And couldn't it just be possible, that the great conflict in heaven, where a third of the angels lost their way, is the same conflict that we face?  Especially since it was with the same foe?  That the battle the angels faced was over "Will I remain at His throne, beholding His face, worshipping Him only and not turn my face away?"  That it was the subtle, temptation to the individual, to turn to something (or someone) other than the Lord God for completion, satisfaction, wholeness?  That it was a quiet battle fought in the heart, and not with shields and bows and weapons of this world, as depicted in Renaissance works of art?  The thought was astounding, and yet I know that the deepest battle I face is just that...will I remain at His throne, beholding His face? Or will I be distracted away...

And the wing is finished; I emerge from deep thought, thankful that my guardian still is by my side, and has faced the same battles I do, and always beholds the face of My Father, even when mine has turned...

A new, lighter blue background now....

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU...

Guardian 1 - almost there...

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Sneak Peek Friday...

We are in the full swing of school now, it seems our days have settled into a predictable pattern, and this year, I find I have time to do more creating during the school day!  So I have gotten the chance to work on this painting...

Remember the beginning?

And a little further along...

Here is the progress...

still some shading work do be done on the face + finishing the hair...I have really loved creating this piece...I have focused on the wings for about two weeks...I knew something was "wrong" and finally I saw it (have you ever had to walk away from a project multiple times in order to really see it with fresh eyes?)  If you look at the 2nd picture as compared to this one, you can see that the left wing was adjusted...after adding the smaller top feathers - it was clear that the angle I had it going just looked awkward...so I swirled a fresh rainbow of acrylics over the entire wing, obliterating it (that was a growth experience for this recovering perfectionist!) and I adjusted the color of the lips...  I have played with many more layers of shading in the face than I usually use - she is the most realistic face I have attempted.

And as I have painted this week, God has talked to me about perfection - His definition.  I have had His voice whispering about the great war in heaven when a third of the angels fell...I have heard things about the guardian angels we each have assigned over us - actually, He has been gently confronting long held assumptions of mine...

and I will share all that next week when I hopefully post the finished work!

Blessings to each of you!

What I've been doing while tweener is at camp...

One of the works in progress that have been sitting on the work table...

the background is one of the canvases I use to swipe my leftover paint over,

 

no thought, no color matching...

not sure they will be there at the end, but I do like them!

She is going to be an angel,

the title of the piece is Guardian I...

You'll have to see the rest of what I've been painting on Friday when we do Studio JRU's Sneek Peak!

Blessings!!

How to REALLY receive a gift...

Our sweet tweener received an early birthday present in the mail this week, and while I can safely say that I do not know where this total delight and savoring of every aspect of the event was learned from (I do believe it is from the Holy Spirit, because even though she doesn't quite recognize how she flows with Him, she TRULY does!), I also DO know I learned much as she enjoyed the treasure:

1.  Pick up the package, hold it close to your heart, and twirl around the kitchen a few times...

2.  Kiss the writing in the "From" corner...

3.  Delicately touch your fingertips - with wonder - over the "Addressed to" writing...

4.  Run to where ever there is another human being in the house so that they can document every move and share in the awe and excitement of the package (aren't gifts even better when someone can share the joy with you?)

5.  Sit on the bed together and babble about "Isn't it nice, I got a package in the mail...!"

6.  Carefully open the superlarge envelope (which is the package) and slide out any card or letter that is inside, all the time making sure that you really don't see what the gift is quite yet...

7.  Kiss the card and/or letter...

8. Ask that person to read the card/letter to you as you dreamily look in the distance, letting the feelings of belonging and specialness wash over you as that person read the words of love meant to be lavished over and through you...

9.  Peek inside the package, and if the present isn't wrapped, make sure it is face down or that you look away as you draw it out of its container...

and I must mention here that all the while you might be smiling, or at least the corners of your mouth turned up, and that there are a million stars in your eyes sparkling to mirror the beaming joy of your soul...


10.  Carefully draw out the gift...

11.  Look at the person with you and ask if they are ready for the reveal, when they nod acknowledgement, take a gentle breath, hold it, and...

12.  Turn the gift over!

13.  Gasp with the beauty of it!

14.  Babble about every detail to the person you are with...let the words of awe tumble over each other as you both just pour out all sorts of comments and blessings on the one who gave it...

15.  Hug the gift to your heart as you close your eyes and smile...

16.  Prominently display it and share it with everyone who comes by...

And THAT is how you REALLY receive a gift!


and I imagine to myself, how receiving the gift of Christ the first time, and every day might look if I used her example....

Linking up with Tiffini at:

The House of Belonging

Linking up with Emily at:

Oy Vey!!

I am working on companion pieces to her (remember?), but something is wrong! I put the word on - sort of like an art journaling word and just haven't liked it, but yet I feel the word needs to be there! Every night I work on it and every day I come back to the table wondering what in the world I was thinking!!!! I definitely want the letter "shin" there - but am. not. liking. how "shema" is looking -today, I decided to keep it AND the direction I ended up going in last night (which is the photo you see here), and when I am finished I think I am going to play a little with it in photoshop! I will see!! (And so will you - LOL.)

Angel of Creation - a WIP!

I've been experimenting with a new technique - one that makes the "background" work the focal point of a piece....I thought I was done till I took pictures for listing...what is up with that light blue "line" in her dress!!! Back to the table for a little fixing up!

Better, the colors look more spread around, but it definitely looks "undone". Back to the table for - I don't know! Inspiration please come back to the painting table, too!!

Ahhhh, much better I think! On to the companion pieces!

5 things

Saturday's five things from the past week I am thankful for:

1. A smooth start to the school year!
2. A great Mother/Daughter event on Thursday night at our church!
3. The fashion show was fabulous! A tone of cute, modest outfits and all for under $25!!!
4. And everyone at our table got a little prize!
5. My Daughter!!!!!

What if...

"What if...." is a question we all ask ourselves one time or another. It is different from "If only....". 'What if' rings of hope, opportunity, possibility, a joy-filled risk! Her eyes say it all, as she gazes up and out to her future!

New angel painting - Angel of "What if..." It wouldn't fit in the Etsy picture window, so I am showing it here and there!

A Wonderfully Successful Birthday Party! (Part 1)

Angel was 9 on Wednesday - so this past Sunday afternoon we had her birthday party. We were brave, and hosted it at our house rather than Chuck E. Cheese's, a Jumping Party place, or some other venue...(we thought we would save money - HA!) But it was worth it for three DADs to say "This is the BEST kid's party ever!

We loosely based it on "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" - thus necessitating lab coats and science/invention type activities! Lab coats was Angel's idea, and it was up to me to achieve it - thank God for Thrift Town! And God sent me on the day that there men's shirts were on sale for half price! Yay! - lab coats were button down white men's dress shirts with the cuffs cut off the sleeves (and re-sewn to be the approximate appropriate length for tweeners) with an Angel-designed beaker and gooey lime green fluid emblem sewn above the pocket. Oh, and don't forget the name badge pinned over the heart!



Activities included the infamous Iowa State University "egg drop"...





The incredibly famous "Mentos in the diet cola 2-liter bottle" reaction...