Angels in the living room

Over the years, a variety of card-parts have piled up on the surface of Aunt Jessie's game table ... things like houses, choirs, Christmas trees, mangers. They bring their necessary accessories,  sometimes paint or ink, but always double-stick tape (my term) and scissors. 

 

This year angels are everywhere. While ink dries around their edges, the printer chugs away, turning out the message and the card itself.

 

Every December, I tell myself to go simple. I try, but the truth is that what I like is the look of multiple layers and uneven edges.

The ripping and inking are finished, but I'll be folding and taping for a while. And I couldn't be happier.  *smile*

...let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15

Thanksgiving

 

Thanksgiving Day. The very name of this holiday brings to mind the joyful duty of a person who has been redeemed by a loving God... thanksgiving that is filled with praise. 

 

Swirling round my words that are lifted in praise, is the mighty chorus of nature. Weeds that twirl in graceful dance...

 

 

... the heavens rejoice ... the earth is glad;

let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. 

Let the field be joyful and all that is therein;

... all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord...

From the rising of the sun

unto the going down of the same

the Lord's name is to be praised.

Psalm 96, Psalm 113 

Making improvements

I wondered when I signed in for my first art class that actually cost $$, if I was foolish, or if I would actually come through the experience with new understanding. Would I be able to take the info given and make it my own? Or would I just learn how to duplicate the art that the teacher makes.

 



You tell me... this is before the class. Me, on my own trying to be arty.

 

 

Same painting... trying a technique I learned.

 



 

I know it isn't there yet, but it is so much better! I'm still working on these little buildings. Someday... they will be just what I wanted to see when I started.

 

Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Chriat. Philippians 1:6

The 5x5 project

I jumped into the deep end knowing that I flail, splash and basically just roil the water. At the time, it didn't matter. I wasn't thinking about technique. There was a challenge... I had something to say... so aiming for the deep end... I flew into the air.

And now, among all the fine swimmers, there I am, flailing, splashing and generally having a good time. I may look a bit silly, but hey! You can't ever say, I hid when the pool opened.

Sunday, 11/11/12, you can see the whole thing here ... Seth Apter's The Altered Page blog.

 

Some absolutely beautiful pieces were submitted for his 5x5 project. He will be displaying every piece submitted every Sunday in November on his blog. No one is left out... every last piece will be included.

 

Take a look. You will be amazed at the talent some people can cram into a 5x5 space.

 

When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. Micah 7:8

 

 

Art Gallery Tour

 

 

Imagine how many times I went here on Friday. Kind of a reality check for me, as in - did I really see my name there?

 

If you haven't checked it out, go! It's a varied display of art that has this in common... the use of techniques taught in this class. 

 

I'm quite sure I'm the newbie-est of the group shown this week. What a thrill for me!

 

Now, feet back on the ground... get to work!

 

(He) satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:5

October in my yard

Early this morning the frost was thick on the neighbor's roof.

The maple trees lost all their leaves in the wind two days ago. The courtyard is now covered with a brilliant yellow blanket... beautiful today... soon to be reduced to a mound of smoldering ashes.

I love autumn. The colors, the smell in the air, long sleeves and jeans. It's the best part of living in Michigan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, I can stop feeling guilty about staying inside, playing with paint and paper. Happy days.

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11

Sign du jour

Encouraged by the completion of one "sign" project, I started on another. My usual work surfaces are in the 4"x 6" neighborhood, so when I saw that the first item on the supply list was a 16"x20" illustration board, I had the uneasy sense of too big... too big...

I squelched the uneasiness and bought the board. I laid it on my work table, squashing the words that danced about singing  too big... too big...

With every layer of paint and gel medium, I worked to stifle, smother and silence those words, too big... too big...

The new sign is finished, ready to frame and present to another budding artist.

 May she also squelch, stifle, smother and silence any nasty words that whisper in her ear.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Coffee and signs

Most of my projects end up leaving our house, never to be seen again. It's a great system... I can create to my heart's content and we don't have to buy a bigger house to hold it all! But then I decided that my dear husband deserved a piece of "art" to call his very own.  

It started with Lesson 3 of my class with Julie Prichard. (Have I mentioned how much I love this class? Or how much I'm learning?) She demonstrated how to achieve the look of an old weathered sign... to make them look something like these... old, weathered, full of character.

One very important issue in life on this acre is that the coffee we make must be good coffee! Coffee that shakes you awake with the first sip. Coffee that makes your eyes pop, your heart pound, and your ears ring! In fact it is so important that Rod has taken over the coffee making duties, determined that a bad brew will never happen here.

So... here it is. A shingle to hang in his coffee station declaring him... king of the "brutal brew"!

I think he likes it. It's still hanging by the coffee pot.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might... Ecclesiastes 9:10