Never Alone

There are several scriptures in the Christian bible that express how God will never leave us. I especially like Joshua 1:9 - "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest".  I kept singing the song "Never Alone."  That resulted in this mixed media canvas with the dimensional flowers and butterflies.  I think the sentiment says it all...we may be by ourselves, but with God we are never alone.

submitted:Word Art Wednesday challenge 195

Birthday Canvas

New blog location coming soon...

...until then I have a canvas to share.  I made it for my friend's birthday.  I hope she likes it.

Collaged bg
texture paste...yeah I can't list it all...mixed media supplies. LOL

I AM grateful...

I am grateful for many and all things, but in this season I am especially grateful to GOD for sparing my life.  I was experiencing increased pain in February 2014 until I went to the emergency room on March 7.  After a series of miraculous events including a discharge interruption I came out of my anesthetic sleep to learn that my appendix had ruptured.  I was told that it had ruptured some time ago and that gracefully most all the toxins were encapsulated in one spot.  Glory to God!  So, yes I am grateful to GOD for amazing grace and favor.

I created this background with leftover paints some time ago.  It just happened to be in my travel mixed media kit.  I sketched this face while in the hospital.  Amazingly it satisfies two challenges for this month-wow!

 

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March 2014 Creative Dare

March 2014 Challenge with Limor Webber

Word Art Wednesday challenge #125

Abstract Watercolor

This was done for a art journaling prompt to make an abstract inspired piece.

Watercolor pencils and black MS marker on watercolor paper.

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Catching up on Journal52

My online buddy added me to a FB page.  Thanks Tiare!  The page is Journal52 where there is a art journaling prompt each week.  I didn't originally plan to participate with the prompts.  Here I am (LOL).  I am not sure if I am really following the prompts all year...I think I am more just plugging in wherever I can.  And really enjoying the art work of others and the unveiled sharing that goes on in the group.  My emotions and pages do not always come in pretty packaging tied up with a bow.  As demonstrated with this first page.

The first prompt was Up, up and away to represent  'taking off' into the new year.  I used a technique I learned from watching Sundays with Sandee  A part of the process was to include some white space.  Ha! I so did not like my white space so I doodled around the tissue paper, wax paper transfer and image.  I so desperately want to 'embrace the space'  LOL.

Here is my page:

Sentiment: Sometimes I am 2 chicken to fly...So I stand here frozen watching my dreams go up, up and away. 

Submitted: Word Art Wednesday #118

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My word for the year

REPLENISH:

1. To fill or make complete again; add a new stock or supply to: replenish the larder.

2. To inspire or nourish: 

There are many words that I could have chosen. I decided upon Replenish. Mainly because I have so much trouble with doing what feeds my soul. I was programmed to believe that 'have to do' things must be done before 'want to do' things. I am not sure when this ideology became an issue; all I know that it is no longer working for me. Since the onset of my disability and physical limitations (coupled with age-lol) I no longer have the physical capability to do the entire 'to do' list in one day.
Now I do not think I am capable of totally ignoring responsibilities, house work, cooking, laundry etc., so no fear there, but I am trying to create balance.  Replenishing may be spending time in my art studio creating (not cleaning and organizing), going for a walk; watching a  movie, praying, taking a nap, taking a candlelight bubble bath, or just being a couch potato.  The lesson for me to learn is to not allow myself to have feelings of guilt when I am doing an activity that shows love towards myself.  I want to be present in the moment enjoying the replenishing activity and not thinking about all the things I "SHOULD" be doing instead.

I pray that the LORD will fill my cup.  The sentiment says: Help me Lord to show love to myself and to do things without feeling guilty.  AMEN.  The background is tumble dyes and doodles.


January Creative Dare with MMM
Word Art Wednesday challenge # 117

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December Creative Dare

The assignment from Tracy was to make an art journal page highlighting 5 values.  Once I started pondering the question it was hard to only put 5 on the page.

 

Journaling: FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, PEACE, Creativity

Submitted: Word Art Wednesday #111

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Mixed Media Layout

Limor's Mixed Media December challenge is to make a monochromatic lo.  This is my version .  I am really trying to learn how to blend the edges better.

Materials: gesso, black gesso, white paint, washi tape, canvas scallop, french script stamp, circle stamp, script stencil, silver scrapbook paper, pp scraps, perfect pearls spray.

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I AM an artist

God made 'The creative call..."All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded" (Exodus 35:10) I answered the call...I AM AN ARTIST.'

Thank you LORD for choosing me to be a creator of beautiful, inspiring things.  I accept the call and daily rebuke the negative voices of self doubt and worldly criticism.  

I like the background colors.  They look a little dark for the writing in the photo.  In reality you can see the writing much better than in the picture.  All a part of letting go.

Submitted to Word Art Wednesday # 109

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In ALL things give thanks

Today in church the minister asked us to close our eyes and think of the things we were thankful for.  I began by thinking about my health, that I was no longer confined to my wheelchair, for my house...then suddenly I began to think about the fact that JESUS chose me.  He died for me!  That was all she wrote, I was overcome with emotion and gratitude.  Thank you God for sending your son to die for my sins.  Nothing else matters, because my name is written in heaven I can rejoice!

The Tracy W.'s November Creative Dare was about gratefulness.  I made this art journal page to express what I felt today and everyday.  I am thankful for a lot of things...I can't even count...

...but (sentiment) The thing that I am most grateful for is that HE knew me yet HE LOVED me...when HE was on the cross I was on HIS mind.

Submitted to Word Art Wednesday #108

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Watercolor on the go.

This watercolor was done on the go.  I see miracles everyday in my life.  Thank you JESUS!!!

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October 2013 Creative Dare

Let it go!  I always hear this sentiment in art world and in church world.  As a drama teacher, I am always telling my students to "be in the moment".  Personally, I strive to live according to this advice.  This month Tracy challenged us to create a piece journaling about what we will let go.  Here is what I came up with:

I know the picture is horrible. 
 Journaling:

In the moment by Tina Riley
I will live life in the moment
I am very unique
like the petals on the flower
When I walk, I am like poetry in motion
My gratitude rises like a song of praise
I plan to sing it for all of my days
I am so glad that Jesus lifted me
My life is full of calm and storm,
but God guides me through all situations
All my trials will soon be over
Until then....
I will live life in the moment

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Time to feed two birds...

This piece was inspired by Tracy on MMM (Mixed Media Monday).    And this piece also fits the criteria for  Limor's October 2013 Creative Journaling Dare . 

 

Journaling: ring the bells that still can ring

forget you perfect offering

there is a CRACK in everything

that's how the light gets in

by Leonard Cohen

My friend Lieba inspired me with the quote I used here.  She said I was shining from all of my cracks.  She has been helpful in teaching me to accept and love my not so good parts.  I love you Lieba!  The ideology is so in line with what Tracy and Limor are always encouraging us artists to do-LET IT GO!

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My House

It is so easy to be a secret service saint in the world today.  Followers of Christ are always under scrutiny, peer pressure and judgement.  The tendency may be to hide one's faith under a rock.  Joshua's message to the children of  Israel is very timely today- when he told them to choose who they were going to serve. Like Joshua, I declare "...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”  Joshua 24:15b

Through all the criticism from the world, mistakes I make, EVERYTHING!  I choose to be unashamedly Christian.  I made this mixed media piece as inspired by Tracy.  She asked: "What is in your house?"  

My house is covered under God.  Inside there are many things, but especially LOVE,  Joy , Peace and Faith.
I used my travel mix media kit.  I would have loved to use acrylic paint.  Instead I used watercolor pencils, book pages, charcoal pencil, MS marker, gel pens, glitter pens, Sakura, Souffle, Micron and zig markers. 


Submitted: 
September Creative Dare
WAW #99

The LORD will provide

Many are feeling the effects of a struggling economy.   Having to stand at the gas pump and make the choice- gas? medications? or electricity?  Rather than be frustrated about limited finances, I choose to meditate on lovely things.  So Matthew 6:26 KJV lifts me up and focuses me on the provider-the LORD.  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

 Watercolor pencils, book paper, zig markers, generals water soluble pencil.

I am thankful for God's love and provision.

Submitted to WAW #99

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August Creative Dare

This is my submission for the monthly dare hosted by Tracy W.  I was inspired by her Mixed Media Mondays show.  The dare was to just let go, use your favorite quote and create something in 1-1.5 hours.  I spent an hour on this art journal page.

 

Water color, sharpie paint pen, MS marker

 

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Put a bird on it...

Here is another art journal page I made using gelatos.  Among some of my online scrap buddies whenever someone is stumped with a project or makes a mistake...we say "put a bird on it!"  (LOL)  This bird was done on purpose.

Submitted for Sistah Brotha blogger challenge #9

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Hoot Hoot

Here is an art journal page I made based on a tutorial where the teacher, (Andrea Domoll),  encouraged using limited products.

Gelatos, doilies, book paper, white out, stamps, stencil, matte medium.  All stamping done with gelatos.

Submitted: Sistah Brotha blogger's challenge #10

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Lost and Found

The words are not very visible in this picture.  I had the label strip off a sheet of "Lost and Found" paper.  So that inspired this art journal page.  Sentiment: I once was lost- now I AM found, found, found.

THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!

Also submitted to Word Art Wednesday Challenge #72

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Mini file folder tag album

So I had scraps left over from cutting down 12 x 12 file folders to standard size.  I made this tag album which I learned from Inkwell's (Dede) USTREAM show.  

each tag it tied with fibers/fabric. The cover is fabric

ribbon binding with beads and shells

closure with elastic and button

 each file folder has four pockets and flips out.

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