A Psalm of Cinquains - f and g

"F"
Fountain
of Life that gives
Life - bubbling over
with joyful abandon for all
to drink.

"G"
Gracious
God with holy
lovingkindness flowing...
hardened hearts gently open to
His love.

I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose, now upped to 2!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

Proportions for drawing the human body

at "therealcolorwheel"

How to paint lips

Here is a good tutorial for painting realistic looking lips...

(Click to go there)

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...

A Psalm of Cinquains - e

"E"

He is
Emmanuel...
God with us; Wonderful
Counselor; Redeemer; Friend. My
Jesus!


I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

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!

A Psalm of Cinquains - d

"D"

Divine
power, beauty,
and wisdom and honor - 
layed aside humbly to become...
human

I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

A Psalm of Cinquains - c

"C"

A cross
stands distantly
calling to a people
lost...One turns; drawing close, he kneels...
Cleansing!


I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose!)

and linking this week with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU



Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

1000 gifts and then some...

Photo from this source - 80 top photos of rain - go check it out, the artistry will be a treat

Continuing the count - at least the written count (#215- #223)

and remembering gifts given throughout time:

2 1/2 inches of rain, 
about 12 days ago - so refreshing!

the return of night insects singing their symphonies
even they quit singing by the end of July!

frogs croaking their songs
as they were enticed from their early muddy hibernation -
and once again silent as the heat wave continues... 

school starting 

getting back to a schedule

tweener starting her tweener youth group

her desire to help and serve now that she has "graduated" 
from being Kidzoned!

still getting in a little afternoon siesta time!

the heat -
I am sure there is something positive about the heat?-
even weeds are dying
the undergrowth of our across the street neighbors forest has died down enough
that we can actually see them! (The neighbors that is!)
 
Linking up with Ann and others lifting up the song of thanksgiving....

A Psalm of Cinquains - b

"B"

Bridegroom
Majesty donned
In passioned quest His bride,
Watching o'er her preparation
with joy..


I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

Sneak Peak Friday...mid August musings

I am all over the place these days...husband has had a couple of business trips, which puts my late night painting on the back burner...the Lord has brought more counseling opportunities, which is wonderful as far as walking in my gifting and seeing Him bring change in folks...

and it is August and my goals lately have been to simply stay cool - which means staying indoors as much as possible, which does give the opportunity to muse as I tackle little projects...dabbing paint and then on to something else that the tweener can participate in more...like cleaning closets and figuring out why my head is so distractable (done while she is engrossed in audio books)...

it is time to plan the coming school year!  Yikes, we were going to start on the 15th!  Yes, we can, tho' I will still be writing lesson plans!   Pinterest has been invaluable as a virtual bulletin board!

See other wants/ideas here

before he left, dear husband put new lights in the office - no more yellow tints on white (I hope)...

Worked on face shading - do I want to tackle ears?  And the white looks true!


I want to declutter - my mind and the house...
and I know that is a sign of transitioning, a metaphor for something the Lord is working in my spirit

I find new purpose for fabric scraps that I have held onto for years...I cut strips and tie them on to ribbon and make something beautiful for spring - the colors say "New Life" to me...glittery purple with green streaks, and purple sheers and green sheers to compliment...

I am contemplating sewing through my (extensive) fabric stash...to declutter, repurpose, and I am looking forward to that sense of satisfaction of having not wasted a thing...I open the first box and find fabric scraps from the Christmas dress tweener wore when she was 3...

Fabric scraps large enough to make eight mugrugs - machine embroidery added this week while husband was out of town...thinking Anita might have liked the scraps for her quilting now

and perhaps that is why I feel in transition, because she (the tweener) is this girl/woman now - in transition herself.  I have boxed up the "dress-up" clothes from the under-the-stairwell closet...leaving out just a few of adult sized clothes that she and her friends can still fit when the mood strikes (I was surprised when she and a friend enjoyed an afternoon of make-believe and dress-up this summer..)

playing with fabric is a way I connect to my own mother - she sewed, and I learned to sew from her...and I learned not to waste A THING from her as well...

And I hear messages in my spirit...

I don't waste a thing - pain, triumph, past, present - 

all are recycled for your future of Purpose and Hope

I can do a new thing with the old that has been packed away...

You are finding light

You are revealing beauty pulled from darkness

You can teach the tweener all these things too... 

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU

A Psalm of Cinquains - a

"A"
Abba
You are awesome
in this place, Holy God.
You receive me in Your Grace, my
Father.

I recently got inspired by David's work in writing Psalm 119...and at the same time had come across this instruction (from an old homeschool English book) for writing cinquains...I am sure it wasn't just a serendipitous coincidence!  So here I am, taking the 26 letters of the English alphabet and creating my own Psalm of Cinquain for my Lord...(one a week for imperfect prose!)

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at imperfect prose...

Here is the pattern for writing a cinquain:
Line 1 - states the title.........................2 syllables
Line 2 - describes the title....................4 syllables
Line 3 - expresses an action ................6 syllables
Line 4 - expresses a feeling..................8 syllables
Line 5 - another word for the title.........2 syllables

Would you like to join me in writing your own?

1000 gifts and then some...

Continuing the count - at least the written count (#194- #214)

and remembering gifts given throughout time:

A scorching summer - reminiscent of 1980...
no lawn mowing (there is no more lawn left)
the delight of a frozen popsicle - made especially delightful by the 100+ heat
Swim team championship finals
a green fifth place ribbon
a girl loving to swim...
always having a spot in the shade for swim team practice...
Him always giving me a shady place to park the car as well.
time...
summer rhythms
free movies at the City Lights theater in Hudson Oaks
more understanding of the learning disability
she loving knowing that others' brains get tired when trying to read
a fuzzy black caterpillar
puppies keeping cool by "swimming" in water bowls

horses
ears
noses
eyes 
looking towards the future
colored contacts?
painted toe nails...

Linking up with Ann and others lifting up the song of thanksgiving....

Trauma Prayers + Kisses from the Savior

by rhymz4jesus at photobucket

  Her face carried the wear of the previous four days; her lips speaking the fullness of her heart overflowing at having been on the receiving end of miracles this week.  The couple did what any shell-shocked family would do...they kept the rhythm of the life before, walking the pattern in an attempt to return the family to "normal", they joined with the body of believers on the first day of the week, as was their custom.   She said that his words were, "We have to; how can we not?" She consented, emotionally stunned and astounded and worn all at once, thankful for his determined leading.  She held in her arms the gift they had been given again...following the rhythm, the pattern...following the familiar path to the church nursery.  They clung to each other - her arms encircling comfort and protection which she had provided for close to two years; her gift sunk deep into her chest, as if the wee one would have crawled through her heart and down into the safety of the womb once again if it were only possible. 

The little gift smiled at the nursery workers who had prayed for her and with her during the first hours after breath had been forced out of lungs so severely that Careflight was called...her mother sharing that they had returned from the journey of facing off with death just Saturday evening - and now it was Sunday morning and the numb of being in the center of death and the blessing of being in the center of the miracle was all mixed together as she shared the story.  And there in the fellowship of women, she shared concern still deep, that the horse stepping on the gift wasn't the only trauma...needles and procedures and the strangeness of the hospital was now lodged in a toddler's heart and mind and the little one was clinging tight to maternal stability...

And I was the one standing closest, petting a tender little head to communicate comfort and understanding - the Spirit strong in saying we don't need to wait for altar call to pray - so warrior mother and one who has been given the privilege of praying over trauma many times in the past laid our hands on the small bruised body, wounded heart, sensitive spirit and went to the throne on the gift's behalf, and as we prayed, that head lifted up, fear being replaced with confidence; trauma memory uprooted by the joy and peace from the Holy Spirit filling up the being and we watched the truth of beauty being given in the place of ashes become real for a toddler as that little gift opened up to life abundant again, climbing from the lap of safety and engaging in what had been her normal Sunday morning activity for almost two years, as if nothing unusual had happened over the past week and it all happened in the fellowship of women at the gathering of believers on the first day of the week...

And we all felt the kisses of the Lord as our hearts and hands praised His lovingkindness...

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at Imperfect Prose

Pray for Rain

I have gotten this several times today, 

and thought it would be good to share in a larger venue... 

by cloudyraine123 at photobucket

                          Father, You said whatsoever any 

two or more 
come together 

and agree and ask in 
Your Son's name, 
it shall be given. 

We come to you, humbly, 

and ask that you bring down the rain to our parched lands. Our farmers and ranchers 

 need it desperately, 

as well as our firefighters. 

We ask this all in Jesus' name. Amen.

Sneak Peak Friday...a new Eternal Word painting, and more...

 Bird trio - found on clearance at Hobby Lobby and painted white over the multi-colored images...

the images are still visible...beautiful texture

but the tweener preferred the color!

 New eternal word painting complete and shown with its complements...

 Guardian 1 is moving along...I am loving that paint under the wings, and what has stopped me is seeking God on how/if to let that beautiful color stay...

the hair is blocked in, only to show me where it fits...

3rd in the "Eternal Words" series...it is complete!

And finally, check out this link at my website, for the rest of what I have been up to this week...
If you have ever had an intense emotion that was difficult to work through, or know of a friend who did, this information is for you...Creative Pathways - Recognize + Reflect + Release intense emotion through journaling...

Joining with Studio JRU being hosted at Jodene Shaw's place Opened Door

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!!

Sneak Peak Friday - My DIY vintage style blocks

I have been having a little more time to make art this week...here are my version of the Dayspring blocks...I decided I really liked doing it myself because I was able to personalize them!  I found at the end, that I didn't have enough blocks for all the letters I needed, so I raided the wooden blocks we still had around from preschool days, and painted the letters over in the same colors I had painted the art blocks...and in honor of Studio JRU who hosts us every Friday...here is the first picture (by my free print by Jennifer as well!)

Another option:

 And working on the next eternal word art: HOPE.  Here is a part of the background, I am ready to add the word and scripture...

 The white is being yellowed out by the lighting in the studio again...one of these days I will get the lightbulbs changed to the flourescent "daylight" bulbs...

Looking forward to linking up with Jennifer and other creatives at 

Studio JRU Sneak Peek Fridays being hosted at "Life with Kaishon" this week...

Crossed Ways

Glory moments come knocking in disguises...

I can miss this friend dressed as stranger, my eyes blind to God's ways in the ordinary...

I must lift them up to the One who helps correct the vision, the perception - lenses adjusted to see into the spirit realm, to see the multitudes at the ready to come to my aid...

Photo Source

My sweet tweener and I had gotten cross-ways with each other…as I finished combing the snags out of her beautiful curls, the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit started filling in “the rest of the story”…then, as we shared some art time shortly after, our conversation naturally turned towards the issue that had been at the root of our little conflict – and we had such a rich, full, insightful, deep into each other’s hearts sharing time! And  I was able to speak into her what God had been telling me about her purpose and calling at the same time!

Crossed ways redeemed by Cross Ways!

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at:

Sneak Peak Friday - Creating Memories

This summer has been about creating - creating memories!

Yes, there are projects in various stages on the work table, 

but memories of these things are what we are busy making most days:

Swim team and swim meets

Skateboarding down the big hill

 Friends singing at a slumber party breakfast

Cupcakes for breakfast are more nutritious than sugar sweetened cereal!

Telling stories, late, late, late, at night (or was it early morning?)

 Volunteering at the therapeutic riding center - this is Angel's favorite horse.

Jr. Volunteers washing the horses after classes are over.

Keeping up with equipment and grooming items.

 Fourth of July water balloon fight (because there was a statewide ban on ANY fireworks!)

 

Dressed up as a mutant cow (notice the udder?) and getting free food from Chick-fil-a

Ahhhh, summer!

Linking up with the Studio JRU creatives being hosted at Anita's Blog

 The Other Side of Me