"The one who delights in the Lord shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water whose fruit ripens and whose leaf does not wither. For whatever He does shall prosper." Psalms 1:3 God gives us many promises in the Bible. His Living Water is enough to give abundant Life now and Eternal Life in the future to those who delight in Him..
The prophet Amos said "Let Justice flow like a river and Righteousness like an unfailing stream. 5:24 An unfailing stream has a source of water that is deep and never ending. It flows into a river and the river flows into an ocean. I love the metaphors of the Bible. Truth is explained so clearly for those who seek it. Justice and Righteouness come from the Source of Living Water which is God. And He never fails!!! Truth, Goodness and Beauty flow from the throne in Heaven, the source of our Living Water!
My husband and I hiked to the waterfall at Roaring Run a few days ago. For these falls, I relied on photographs, inspiration and imagination in order to work on composition. I am finding that the desire to rearrange and compose is much more fun than sticking so closely to the photograph. Letting my paint brush follow the light and shadow patterns and the flow of water is so relaxing. Going with the flow of life, knowing God will shine His light on the path gives peace beyond understanding.
After fighting with these waves, I am so glad that I chose to paint water in all its forms! It is indeed challenging, but I always love to stretch and grow in my abilities. An online class helped and I am looking forward to exploring more images of water. I also find much joy in praising my Savior for the Beauty of this world. God calls Himself the "Spring of Living water"and Isaiah uses flowing water to picture God pouring out His Holy Spirit. May God pour out His Spirit on His children as we fight the storm tossed waves that are so prevalent in this world.
.png)
I am very excited to begin a new series of water paintings. To paint the movement of water is a challenge but what an incredible feel of refreshing coolness in the summer heat. Can you feel the spray and hear the roar? I want to get the senses involved in these paintings and at the same time explore the spiritual metaphors of water.
"We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises or other beautiful attractions in life; those are simply moments of inspiration. We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength." Oswald Chambers
This quote makes me cry. I don't want to be in the valley, but I know by experience how true it is that this is where we learn to be on our knees, which is exactly where God wants us to be.
This finishes my Father, Son and Holy Spirit Series. My goal was 50 paintings. Now I'm on to something new. Next post will explain!
Going Home Series #49 12 x 18 oil $550.
"Light unshared is darkness. To be light ideed, it must shine out. So, the very essence of light is that it is for all to see." George MacDonald
That magic hour when the sun touches the earth is sooo exciting to me; when God kisses the earth He made and says it is good!. Praise the Creator for His Creation!
When God Arises the Light is intense and powerful!. If you are discerning, you will see all of life pointing to Him. There is no mistaking His Glory of True Holiness! What a day it will be when we see Him face to face!
This started as a demonstration for my students. I can get a painting started and almost finished in 2 hours, however I continue to refine it a week or so later after looking at it for a while. I can see the mistakes better if I wait to say it is finished! When immersed in life, it is hard to evaluate. I am usually totally covered (underwater) just surviving and doing the necessary things each day. The flow of Life gets way too busy, so I stop and retreat to my studio for a relaxing break, floating on the water and allowing God to handle the currents. My perspective is better and I can head off mistakes and blunders. Life goes much better when I wait on His Presence !
During this drought in Southwest Virginia, I'm reminded to follow the path of Living Water, which refreshes my soul. I want to be the tree planted at the edge absorbing all the Water I can for healing and redemption. When I paint I am listening to You Tube music of running water and birds singing and instrumental hymns. It's an incredibily relaxing break from the rush and noise of life!!!! There's no drought in my Happy Place!!!
This is a large painting to be displayed at the Adventure Center in Bedford. I have painted Raven's Roost before (much smaller version) and it is always inspiring to be up so high looking down in the valley. But the larger canvas really shows off the rock formations at sunset. This overlook is actually a few miles north of the official start of the BRP on Skyline Drive.
The path is in the shadows, on the other side of the rocks. Sometimes the journey is hard and you need to climb over obstacles to get into the clearing. The lesson; pray for the guidance and protection to surmount difficulties. God is faithful, even in the shadows to keep us going in the right direction.
Going Home Series # 43 18 x 24 oil $ 900.
When God calls, we walk towards Him and the open door He has put before us. We choose the path that leads to life and to the Son we see before us. This image is a metaphor for a life that is seeking His will, His plan and His purposes. The liquid gold leaf is hidden in the light. I like to make viewers search for it the way God wants us to search for Him.
I am continuing my series into the Spring wth images that represent the Father (liquid gold leaf), the Son (the sun) and the Holy Spirit, (the path). My original goal was 30 paintings however I am having so much fun, I will continue until the Lord gives me something else to do!
This is not my usual landscape! Sometimes I just need a break from the usual. I love the abstract quality of this and it testifies to God as the ultimate artist! It is so fun to follow His lead even into the debths of a flower.
.jpg)
Living in rural Virginia is such a blessing. Horse farms are everywhere. Fences and gates are used as boundaries for animals and gardens and property lines. Boundaries are good. Even Heaven has gates. Jesus talked about the road to Heaven as narrow with a small gate. Matthew 7:14. Finding the gate involves searching for it; it is open to all who find it but because the price was so high (the blood of Jesus) those who go through it are only those who relationally know the Landowner.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need. Ps. 23. Amazing thought!! God gives us fields and fields of plants and herbs. Maybe there should be more research into the healing properties of the natural resources on this earth. Just a thought.
I enjoyed doing this painting because I spent a lot more time on details. Usually I stop with a looser, more impressionistic style but this one called for what my students call my "2 hairs brush". I try to get my students to always use a bigger brush than what they are comfortable with however, I'll have to admit sometimes its just fun to tighten up.
Working out the compositions in black and white first is fascinating. Color is eye catching but value does the heavy lifting in paintings. If you get it right you create magic.
On the coldest day of the year, with a wind chill of -0, I am excited about a new show of Spring paintings coming soon to Black Dog Salvage and the Peaks of Otter. Can you feel the Sunlight?
After viewing #5 of the Series at the Peaks of Otter a friend commissioned this painting, similar but with a hiking trail . Thank you Beth Letz! Glad it has a good home!
