My mother, the planter of the hundreds of bluebells, called.  She said, “There is a frost coming and I don’t know how long they will last.”  There was no time to get [...]]]> A Wonderful Mother ♥  Daughter Story

A few days ago the bluebells were in full bloom and the earth was laughing flowers.  A painters delight!

My mother, the planter of the hundreds of bluebells, called.  She said, “There is a frost coming and I don’t know how long they will last.”  There was no time to get my oil paints (my preferred medium) so I threw some pastels in a bag along with some paper and headed to her house.  Upon arriving the wind had started blowing and the temperatures were dropping.  Grabbing my camera, I headed for the garden and started taking pictures.

See the color in the bells!

The mass of color was spectacular.  Bluebells everywhere and the extra benefit was the azaleas and dogwood trees had started to bloom, ah! How beautiful.

It was too cool and windy to draw outside so I headed for the sun room that looked out over the garden.   While pulling the art supplies out of the bag it suddenly dawned on me…there is a problem!  It’s been over 40 years since I’ve drawn with pastels!  The pastels and paper that were in my art bag were part of  art basket that I had won at a soiree.  Now what do I do?

Garden Art

Mother to the rescue!

Mom said,  she had a book in her library on pastels and  while I draw she would read to me.  So for the next 4 hours,  she read excerpts from the  pastel book that she thought would be helpful,  gave great encouragement and brought me tea and cookies.  This was a “keeper” moment in life.  What a special painting of life.

Mom's Bluebells Garden

Below is the pastel picture that is the result of  “our”  collaboration and my gift of love to her for a very special Easter.

This is not about hearing a voice on the outside,  such as the latest news happenings, T.V. shows, Family issues, etc.  This is about looking inward, deep within, in the heart of your soul.  What stays with you for days and weeks, maybe [...]]]> The First Question – What is Stirring Inside of You?

This is not about hearing a voice on the outside,  such as the latest news happenings, T.V. shows, Family issues, etc.  This is about looking inward, deep within, in the heart of your soul.  What stays with you for days and weeks, maybe even years?   How does this voice influence your life and cause you to do what you do?  While reading this paragraph did a thought come to your mind…if so stop,  write it down.  These thoughts of deep stirring are sometimes fleeting, or the voice of the critic or judge rises up and you discount the thought.

The Second Question – “Who They Be” vs “Who You Be”

Do you like this person’s artwork and that person’s artwork, this latest subject or style of art….what’s hot right now and then try to create painting from those ideas?  I’m not talking about learning,  and strengthening technical art skills.  I am speaking of creating art as an echo of another person’s work. This  is creating artwork out of Who They Be….not Who You Be!   This is what is happening in much of the paintings we see today.

The Third Question -  Are You an Echo or an Original?

Do you create art from the voices that come from the outside in or do your create from the still small voice within?  This is what separates you from the “art pack”, creating works from revelation and inspiration instead of being an echo.  This is creating art out of who you be!

My Example – The Process of Painting “The World Within”

I paint and teach coming out of  “Who I Be” as a spiritual director and artist.  You can read my About page for more information on my life.  My passion is to help enable you and others to create art from the heart which will inspire others and help them to see life with new eyes.  Art is not just about creating pretty pictures or art for art’s sake!  Art is about inspiration, painting what others are not able to see; it’s about opening eyes that are blinded by the busyness of life. In my series in the development of  “World Within” (which you can see below in my earlier blogs) is a painting that will be used as a visual teaching tool for meditation.  Maybe some of the examples I use may be helpful to you.  As you can see I come from a Christian perspective but the basic principals can be used or adapted by anyone regardless of spiritual belief.

To Realize One’s Destiny is a Person’s Obligation to God and Mankind.

Continuing development of the painting, World Within - A Journey into Meditation

This past week while working on this painting of  “The World Within;  a Journey in Meditation,”  the creative door slammed shut.  No creative “juices” were flowing…nada..nothing,  I was at a stand still!  Can you identify?  This process seems to happen periodically to [...]]]> Visio Divina – Have you ever Hit a Creative Wall while Painting a Picture?

This past week while working on this painting of  “The World Within;  a Journey in Meditation,”  the creative door slammed shut.  No creative “juices” were flowing…nada..nothing,  I was at a stand still!  Can you identify?  This process seems to happen periodically to all creative people.  Painting by inspiration is a process and each step on this spiritual journey requires reliance on the Holy Spirit.  It’s as though you are creating or walking like a person that is blind!  We need help to take the next step or go in a new direction.  This can be true in every aspect of our lives.

How Do You Open the Door?

While walking into the studio to get some brushes that needed cleaning, I glanced at the painting.  Wham! Ah Ha,  I had a “serendipity moment!”  There was a TRIANGLE in the middle of the painting.  Then a complete thought came, not sentences or some words but a “creative revelation.”  This is difficult to explain but you know it when it happens to you….it’s Visio Divina, Divine Seeing. Then you realize you are not alone in the creative process!

We Don’t,  God Does!            

At each point in the TRIANGLE was a symbol of the Godhead.  The Lion, representing God the Father;  The boat (you) being guided by the Christ, the Shepherd of Your Soul, and the Holy Spirit hovering over the water bringing forth creation. WOW!  Yahweh is already at work before we even realize it… initiating, guiding, leading us to the place within.  This place of meditation, prayer,  revelation and even creation.  This is the Kingdom of God where spiritual sight is given,  revelation,  understanding,  and SO MUCH MORE!

The Divine Dance

In every Visio Divina  painting you study or paint, I believe you will learn something about this Divine Dance with God.  My hope is this blog blesses you today.  May you keep on dancing even when you don’t know all the right steps because you have a great teacher within you! ♥

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