Wonderful Peace

"Peace"
12X28"
Mixed media, acrylic and calligraphy on masonite

I haven't had much opportunity to do art projects lately, let alone post anything about the few that I have managed to work on here and there. But it was so amazing how the Lord used this piece, I just felt I had to take time to share.

This piece is actually a paint-over. I liked the frame, but didn't care for the picture--funny, because the picture was one that I had painted. I wasn't sure at first what to paint, but at the time I was battling a lot of anxiety and seeking the Lord's peace to reign over my spirit, soul, and body.  The Lord spoke to me then about seeing all my anxious moments as individual opportunities to trust Him:

Philippians 4:6 (New King James Version) "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thansgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"

So we (the Lord and I) started to work on this anxiety thing.  And for a few months this painting I had started sat unfinished in my kitchen.

Then one day the ministry I work with had a visitor.  This person was expressing a lot of anxiety and unrest in their life.  As he continued to share, I heard the Lord very clearly direct me to finish the painting and give it to him.  I hadn't touched the painting for awhile, and I wasn't sure what else to do with it.  But the Lord directed me to put several verses about peace and guided me through the rest of the painting process.

I did not share with this person what the Lord spoke at that time, but I worked to finish the painting before this person's next visit.  When he returned, I waited for an opportunity to present the painting.  As the conversation went on, this person begin to share how the Lord told him to look up all the Bible verses that have to do with peace.  I could hardly believe it and asked him to repeat what he said!  It was the perfect segue to give him the painting and explain what the Lord spoke and what the Lord directed me to paint.  The painting blessed him, and I was blessed knowing that only the Lord could arrange such a thing through His Spirit.  Talk about an opportunity to trust Him! 

Sleeping Dog

"Let Sleeping Dogs Lie #1"
16X20"
Acrylic

Abstract art hasn't really been my thing, but there's one kind of abstract sketch that I keep using. I call him "Sleeping Dog", and he was inspired by a former roommate's Labrador retriever.

In one of my drawing classes, the teacher had us draw with a piece of charcoal taped to the end of a 3 ft. stick. I guess this is a common tool to help students learn perspective, but I noticed that it also helped to create some interesting drawings. Not only did we have to draw in class, but we were encouraged to draw at home. The subject matter could be anything you found lying around the house.

During one of my drawing sessions in the living room, the dog came in, plopped down on the couch, and promptly began napping. Caught up in the creative moment, I decided to sketch him with the stick. I liked how the shape turned out, and after the drawing class ended, I decided to do the painting pictured at the top here. Since my roommate had moved into another apartment by this time, I gave the painting to her as a housewarming gift.

But that wasn't the end of Sleeping Dog. He resurfaced last year when I decided to participate in a patriotic-themed show. I altered the drawing slightly, and you can view him below in his transformed state. I'm sure he will reappear in many other forms, as the inspiration strikes.


"Sleeping Dog Does America"
24X12"
Acrylic on Masonite