The colors of Christmas

Painting Christ

Sometimes an artist just needs to see what other artists gifted by God are doing with His gifts.

I praise God for His love, compassion, His mercy but most of all His forgiveness through His son.

Doing it for Matt

I think it is fitting that I completed this painting today and then I receive an email from Michelle about the way the family is dealing with their loss. I have added Michelle's email for you to read. The next step for this painting is to get it framed and then give it to the family. Thank you for watching its progress and for the prayers that were lifted up for Matthew and his family.

Dear Friends and Family, If you didn't already know, my brother Matthew took his life at the end of July of this year. We've made the commitment to try to do something positive despite our huge loss. We have formed a team, we're calling it "Doing it for Matt" and we would be very glad to have your active participation in joining the walk, or your support from afar if you would like to donate. If you would like to donate, here is a link to my webpage: https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=659&participantID=30899 Or you can enter my name in the search engine on the national website www.outofthedarkness.org If you are able to donate in support of this effort, we all want to thank you. If not, here's hoping you have a good holiday season, and please know we'd like to stay in touch, even if we are having a little more trouble initiating social contact this year than normal.

Thinking of all of you, Chelle

More time with Matthew

I was able to spend a few hours with Matthew this weekend. You can click on the picture for a closer look.

I am getting closer to finishing this painting and yet with each stroke I know that there is nothing that can bring him back to us. I will only be able to view this reminder and remember the time spent in prayer for his family and friends. With each day, pain is lessened but that certainly doesnt mean he is being forgotten, that will never be. I know that when we lost Phil's mom, it was well over a year before we could talk about the memories without crying, there were all those "firsts"; the first birthday, anniversary, holiday, all events without her for the first time. I know over the next few months as the holidays come screaming around the corner that there will be smiles through the tears. I will continue to pray for Cindy, Ken, Roy, Martha, Michael, Max, Chelle and their families, I hope you do as well.

Singing to Heaven

One last side project before I get back to Matthew. I am part of the Vocal Arts Team at Scottsdale Bible Church. We have a retreat coming up and we were updating our handbook.

I volunteered to create a painting that could be used on the cover. I am so grateful to have the freedom in this country where we can lift up our praises to God without persecution. A big thank you to the men and women that protect that right, in our communities and abroad.

I was able to paint this weekend but not at home. I was asked to paint during all three morning services a picture that would represent us standing on the Solid Rock of Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-10 was the scripture reference and guest teacher John Politan walked us through the scripture and talked about the importance of the cornerstone of Christ. The part that I cling to, is in verses 9 and 10:

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own posession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

I chose my painting(s) to be during daylight and to show a man - who with outstretched arms is receiving Christ's mercy. This man can receive this because he stands on the solid rock of Christ.
It's sometime frustrating to do a painting to the quality that I would like to do in less than 20 minutes, but I am humbled that people feel the need to take pictures with their phones and ask me questions about the painting after the service. I paint for the audience of One and it is God who provides the blessing to others. I am so grateful that He uses me even when I am at my weakest.

Just like the man in the painting, I am so grateful for God's mercy, for His forgiveness that washes all the muck, gross and stupid things I have done in my life. I could not live without that in my life. If you have questions about what that kind of forgiveness can do for you, please let me know. I would love an opportunity to talk to you about it.

Adding on to the painting

After a long day at work, it was nice to spend a few hours with Matthew. Again, prayers were lifted for his family and other friends and family were brought to mind as well. A blessing to end the day this way.

Starting on Matthew

For a way to help deal with the grief of losing Matthew Fleming, I asked Michelle for some pictures of him so that I could do a painting for the family.

I didn't realize how hard this would be for me, not from a technical standpoint but from the heart. My only desire is to do Matthew justice with each stroke. I am going to take pictures at the end of each session I paint, so we can all witness the progress. As I finished yesterday I was struck by how our lives are very much like a painting, we live each day stroke by stroke and eventually the details begin to show that there is whole picture that God has created in us. It is up to us to make each stroke count.

The Blank Page - Getting ready to start. This is 16"x20", 300lb paper.

One day's work.

Face details.

The Lighthouse

This painting is a gift for Dean and Charlotte Taggart. They are dear friends and the wonderful (and tolerant) parents of one of our dearest friends Jim Taggart. (We love you too, Kelli)

I painted this from a photograph of a Vancouver Island Lighthouse.

Phil's Bounty Part 2

I received some valuable feedback from the incredible artist at WetCanvas.com in the watercolor gallery. Here is the same painting reworked. I think it shows more depth.

His Bounty

Original Watercolor

11x14
140lb Paper

$150.00

This painting was done from a photograph I took after picking some of the vegetables and herbs from Phil's garden. The many types of tomatoes, okra, peppers and more along with some fresh herbs made this basket inviting. Is anyone hungry?

Daniel in Still Life

Daniel and "our" bird Thai.

Finished-San Juan Capistrano

Watercolor

13" x 10"

140lb paper

$ Not for sale at this time

Mission San Juan Capistrano. The statue of Padre Junipero Serra points the way for a young Indian to the right of the picture. It's almost as if he is pointing to the sky to show the miracle of the return of the swallows.

A Work in Progress

Between scanning family photos, listening to Christmas music, here is my work in progress of Mission San Juan Capistrano from a picture I took last week while I was there.

San Juan Capistrano Lillies

Original Watercolor

10"x8"
140lb paper

$75.00 unframed

These beautiful purple waterlillies were floating in a fountain at San Juan Capistrano.

Art for God's Sake

This book is only 60 pages long so I read it this morning while on my patio drinking a nice cup of coffee.

Philip Graham Ryken explains in this book that there is a biblical view of art beginning in Exodus 31, where God calls two men (Bezalel and Oholiab) to be artists. Their calling was under divine direction and they were to create the items that went in God's holy tabernacle. God was pretty specific about the items He wanted created but He also allowed these artisans to to use their gifts in the details as their gift back to God.

This passage in Exodus teaches at least four fundamental principles for a Christian theology of the arts. (1) the artist's call and gift come from God; (2) God loves all kinds of art; (3) God maintains high standards for goodness, truth and beauty; and (4) art is for the glory of God.

Another point Ryken (with the help of Gene Edward Veith) made was that in Exodus 31:3, God gave Bezalel the "skill, ability and knowledge" to do all kinds of artwork. So the gift was multi-faceted: Skill-the artist's inate talent, Intelligence-which indicates that the artist must use their mind to consider artistic inspiration. Knowledge - the artist must understand the properties of the materials they use so that their ideas can be conveyed through their art. Craftsmanship - technique and the difference between being poorly executed or well-made.
These criteria should also be used as the lens with which we look through to evaluate art.

So what did I get out of this book? I like the quote Ryken used by composor Igor Stravinsky "I take no pride in my artistic talents; they are God-given and I see absolutely no reason to become puffed up over somtheing that one has received." Well said. My prayer is that any piece that I create that first and foremost the glory goes to God. -soli Deo gloria

A work in progress

I am so excited about having a long weekend to spend some time with my paints and paper. Right now I am starting a list of the many subjects I would like to paint.

Family members
Friends
Places I've been to: Argentina, Romania, Italy, Old family homes, Places with cool architecture

I'm sure there will be no end of inspiration. It is all a part of the journey.
I will be sure to post the next piece.

In the Stars His Handiwork I see

Original Watercolor

11" x 14"
140lb paper

$75.00 unframed

Inspired by a photograph taken from the Hubbel telescope. Just looking at the expanse of space makes me feel so loved. God loves me, a smaller speck than the farthest star in the universe. That kind of love is so amazing. Thank you Lord

The Blue Butterfly

Original Watercolor

8" x 10"
140lb paper

$50.00 unframed

I just loved the richness of the wings of this delicate butterfly.

Iris

Original Watercolor




8" x 10"
140lb paper




$150.00 unframed




My dear friend Kelli loves Irises and I couldn't help but think of her while I painted this.

A Place to Begin

I didn't want to take too much of my family blog space with what I am doing in the creative part of my life so I thought, "Hm, I should set up a separate blog for my art!". So here it is.
The posts in this blog will be pictures of my art, the journey I go through and the things I learn on the creative side of me.

I give all praise to God, the only true creator. I just feel so blessed that He touched me with the desire to interpret some of His beauty through creative gifts.