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Above:  Shelly's Art Adventure comes from the White Brik Haus in OK.  We've done alot of landscaping since this picture was taken.  Imagine bushes, lantana, grasses, pansies and more. 

If you happen by my blog be sure to click on follow me so I'll know you've been here and you'll get a notification that I've updated my blog.  Zero in on the fun.  I'm investigating making the blog more interesting and trying to figure out the technical side of this application.  New stuff for me.  Any hints?

Progress with gallery

Working on getting more artwork displayed on this blog, I delved into flickr and loaded some pics there.  I was then able to display the contents on my blog.  Still not sure on how to get then to scroll rather than just display them all at the top but you can click on an image of interest and it will take you to the larger pic.  Most of the images in this batch are taken from the journal I made when we were on vacation in St Maartin.  It was such a lovely time and so great to be able to take the time to work on my journal.  I also did some vacation art and discovered that I can travel with "my art mess" with no problem.  Although "the art mess" referral came from the spouse since I managed to take over the diningroom table.  It was so relaxing and conducive to creating, I just couldn't help myself.  So I documented my experience along with little drawings, comments and things I saved.  I was happy with the end result.  ...and mostly the end result was that it was a ton of fun to do.   I have been able to take a collection of small art supplies, colored pencils, glue, scissors, paper, and small travel watercolor sets.  Now I must get back to the job of the day which is wedding invitations for my daughter.   Since I made the invites myself, its just another exercise in creativity, altho' repetition of artwork is none too exciting the end result is worth it!

What will you do?

I"ve finally worked on some painting today and, gee, its only 7:06 pm.  Just about everything else comes first it seems so I still must work on my priorities.  Priorities.  How does that go?  God first, family, and then everything else.  So now I want to concentrate on making my creativity a spiritual effort.  Dedicated to God.  There are many ways to serve and I feel art is one way to convey His message.  A challenge, a calling, a passion and spiritual quest.  I'm ready for it.  PS:  this painting is not the one I worked on today.

Art show

I participated in the Fall Art Show at the local art association.  I was suprised by the lack of particpation by the membership.  There were about 20 artists represented out of a membership of around 150 artists.  But then I looked at my own contribution and it was a struggle to come up with pieces that I could show.  You have to have the artwork framed and matted (big expense) or at least matted and protected with clear plastic sleeves.  ... more expense.  Did have someone interested in my art that they may want to commision some work.  It might be nice to work on something that you know will be a money maker!  The art assn is having a juried show next spring so I will be able to produce some new artwork to enter.  And they have another show at a festival in the summer whch brings more opportunity to sell original artwork.  I have so many ideas right now that its hard to settle on one to get started.  should just write them down and throw them in a hat and pull one out and get started.   Hmmmm  that's kind of a good idea. 

What gets you motivated.  I usually have to have some kind of dead line imposed to really light a fire under me, but I need to get over it and just get on with things.  Overcome the indecision...  On to fight the confusion!

Collage

I do like combining my artwork with collage elements.  I have oodles of itty bitty tidbits  that I know will just look fab on something.  I'm planning on doing some work by picking an elements and building the art around it.  I've had some seredipitous results when things didn't always go as I planed but turned out pretty great anyway.

I've discovered that my classic work.... straight out painting without collage seems to appeal to a lot of my friends although there are a couple that like the off the wall stuff.  I want to do both.  I want a lot of things but my preference is just to dive in and do it.  Some things take planning, which requires discipline which really chaffs me but I must do the discipline thing to get some work done.

Here's some vacation art and other stuff.  Enjoy.  (one day I'll figure out how to do a slide show on this blog)...

Creating

What a frustrating day.  Not because it was bad or anything but I didn't have anytime to work in my artroom.  Gardening was a small outlet this afternoon but mostly it was about appointments and groceries and physical therapy.  The PT really did me in. I crashed afterward.  It wasnt strenuous but getting those tight muscle tissues some release cleanses the toxins out of your body and it wore me out.  It did give me some time to think about being creative and some projects that I want to work on soon.  I can't get it done just thinking about it.  A big portion of my creating comes in the process.  Serendipitous thoughts, mistakes; found objects any of the treasures that reside in my room can really get the inspired thoughts zooming.  Do other people think about this kind of activity.  What gives you satisfaction?  A clean room, a tidy desk, bringing people together, playing with your pets?  I want to get my creativeness out there to be seen.  I want a specific message to be given.  My love, my faith in God and the filling up of the Spirit need to shine through the things I do.  It is extremely important.  Its the main thing that gets me going.  OK, sometimes pushing the envelope gives a tremendous satisfaction but where does it come from...  if its from the Truth then its worthwhile anything else is just wasted time.  I've wasted more than enough time in my life.  Its time to live and to live is to fulfill the creation by God with creation we make.

Trip to Inspiration

Vacation.  Change from the usual.  Not a trip I would have taken by myself altho' now I might...  Went to Branson with a friend for her summer break.  It was green, it was hot, it was muggy.  I would only go back there just to take in the scenery, maybe fish with friends.  Spiritually it felt full, no we didn't go to a love-in or a church conference we just enjoyed each other's company without a big agenda.  We saw what we wanted, went where we wanted and did nothing when we wanted to.  Did see beautiful vistas, intriguing signage and ol' timey stores and shops, some real some contrived for the tourist business but its pretty nice if you want to see the shows or not. . .    The feeling spilled over into some artwork and journaling.  I'm not wanting to be in a hurry for everything anymore.   Busy is not enjoyable.  Rushing to do things takes the joy out of it for me.  I felt love and the presence of our Lord and it was overflowing and more than enough for me.  I will have artwork to post soon.

Hatred

To make a broad statement that fundamental Christians are intolerant might have been more true back in the day -- and there are groups now that spew fear, hatred and intolerance. But to lump all Christians into that group and put that stigma on us as being hate spreaders, is only going to be divisive for which we certainly don't need more things drawing people apart. I'm not sure what "driving hatred" means but I feel that not only fundamental Christians but also ethnic groups, gays-lesbians, liberals, conservatives, democrats, republicans, and all the various religious groups, have perpetuated the problem by "looking for any iota of activities or statements" that may be construed as "hatred". Not to mention those that take some off'-hand thoughtless statement and turn it into a national cause for fear. Many groups have been persecuted throughout time and its difficult to let go of that FEAR.

Fear and ignorance are exactly what drives these hate-motivated attacks whether physical, mental or verbal. Fear stems from not knowing God's Word. We are not to judge others because judgment is reserved for Christ Jesus at his return. We are to Love. God loves us eternally and that includes some of those supposed haters and hateds.


People of every group commit actions that are morally reprehensible, criminal, heinous, etc. Every possible act that even we can't imagine are inflicted on other humans. We do not have to stand by and endorse these actions nor should we. All these hate-mongers and name callers do nothing to change the problems, they just make them worse in the name of information (think news media). This is the problem when we stereotype groups of people and give them a label and call them ALL bad.

Sorry I can't cite any academic resources (not my class) but I could if I had to. This is just my impression of the situation. It might be simplistic but I've gotten similar feedback from just some of us regular ol' Christians (multi-denominational). I feel that those that have no moral compass can be some of the biggest problems. These people live in this inherently worldly society (the playground of the biggest Evil ever) and have no guidelines for their actions. It is up to Christians to point these things out but never to stereotype or spew hatred toward anyone or any group.