"Horizons of Blessing"

"Horizons of Blessing"

12x24

Acrylic on Canvas

     I've been working on pet portraits lately, fulfilling some Christmas commissions.  I started this piece before the commissions and really wasn't happy at first.  Today, I got back in the studio and reworked the road.  I like it much better.  While contemplating the title, I just couldn't see anything except "Horizons".  I had to consider all sorts of things.  Things like, "what's on the horizon', to the hope and light that is on the horizon, to the people that I love that seem to have nothing on the horizon.  That makes me gloomy.  But, when I painted this, everything was bright for me, and still is. My son had just come home from many a year separation!  My only granddaughter had been introduced to me, my other two boys and grandchildren are healthy, my husband and I are healthy, and we all love the Lord Jesus!  My children are taught of the Lord and they are blessed.  We are blessed in the city and blessed in the land!  Somehow this painting reminds me of that Blessing.

http://lillianjaneneal.weebly.com/horizons.html

A Touch of Gold

"A Touch of Gold"

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

8"x10"

SOLD

     I was experimenting with some mixed media glass beads and acrylic.  I painted this to be sold to aid in the prevention of Human Trafficking.  It did sell, almost before I could get it displayed.  It is really pretty and has depth like nobody's business.  The previous post shows the underpainting in complimentary colors, using water soluble wax pastels.  This was fun.

What He Says

This is what's on my pallet.  It's been way too long since I've been in my studio.  Enjoying the day, listening to good music, daydreaming with God, and painting.  I decided to do an underpainting of this still life using water-soluable wax pastels.  Thought I'd just use the complimentary colors to see what happens.  The mood I'm in....I rather be painting large, wild, and with texture and a pallet knife.  Too bad, this is small....we'll see.

The Lord spoke to me about this painting.  So many times when we think about ourselves, we think the opposite of what He thinks.  Our true colors are the ones that he sets to compliment us, and because we have experienced the opposite, it gives us a depth that others don't have.  The depth of understanding and empathy, rather  judgement.  Let's clothe ourselves in what He says.  Amen?

Alice Jo in progress

Got the eyes and lips in for initial washes.  Anxious to decide on the background.  Once I do the initial wash on that, I will be able to tell more about the other.  So far, I'm liking the way the newspaper is bleeding through to provide some shadow and depth.  Still don't know about the baton.  I think I will continue with it, and at the end, if it doesn't look right, I'll paint over it.  I love doing these.  This one is 22"x20" on canvas.  Very mixed media.

His Love

"His Love"

22"x30"

Acrylic on Canvas

SOLD

     I painted this during worship today.  It was so much fun.  Several people came up to me and explained that from their seat in the sanctuary, they could see the face of Jesus.  It was very interesting, because, when I sat down, I could see a definite face.  It's odd because each person sees it in a different place.  And, up close it doesn't appear at all.  That's one thing that I love about this kind of art.  This painting SOLD before I could get it off the easel, and for a DOUBLE portion.  Yay!

Alice Jo in progress

     I've gotten the first layer of handmade collage papers down, and the initial wash of gauche for the skin tones.  Trying to decide whether the baton is going to be a distraction.

Living Water

"Living Water"

Oil on Canvas

SOLD

I painted this during a worship service, and just as I began to work with oils. I love, love, love looking at it and thinking about staying in the river of Living Water. I didn't plan this painting, and never thought of the double water fall until just now. Now, I see it as a Double Portion. I like that!

work in progress

My Cousin, Alice.  This is in progress, using a new watercolor paper from Italia.  I personally don't like it at all.  Once the paint hits it, it won't move, blend, or soften.  I have resorted to pens in order to try to salvage it.  I will finish it, using different methods, and it will be fun to play.  However, I will redo this on some Arches paper knowing that it will turn out like I want it to.  I think this paper is good for collaging, or multi media or something other than straight up traditional watercolor techniques.

Be Dazzled

"Be Dazzled"

22"x30" 

Watercolor on 300# Doak Paper

Will Be For Sale

     I'm calling it a night.  My eyes are popping out from this tedious work.  I love the colors, the reflections, and the effort I put in it panned out.  Hope you can appreciate the work involved.  For the most part, I used Windsor Newton and Daniel Smith Watercolors.  The 300# works well for not having to be taped down.  

Be Mine Upside Down

The painting on the bottom is the intended painting.  The one on the top is what we discovered when I turned the painting upside down.  The second face appears to be that of someone in distress or even a lion face.  I immediately thought of the Lion of Judah who rescues each distressed person from the pit, as they call upon His name.  The name of Jesus.  This was a real worship painting experience for me.  See the previous post if you are interested in the details.

Be Mine

"Be Mine"

Worship Art

Acrylic on Canvas 22"x30"

"Be Mine", Acrylic on Canvas Painted during Worship today. This was such a fun experience. I have had a very busy week, and was a little apprehensive going into the morning without much inspiration. Last night as I prepared my canvas with the help of 3 grandsons, I decided to just put some modeling paste on it for some texture. As I explained what texture was, and kept little fingers out of the wet goo, I kept saying, " I don't know what I'll paint, but the Lord will come through". The boys couldn't quite grasp that idea, and I must say it wasn't long ago that I couldn't either. So, as the worship team practiced and I stood before that barren white, well textured canvas I prayed. I searched for an idea. About all the idea I had was that I like RED. So, that was it. I decided to start with red. So I squirted out 3-4 shades of red, along with white and some browns. Then it was time to just rest and wait. Wait for something....Worship started, and I prayed again..."Lord, which brush should I start with?" "Oh, that one. The one thats not really a brush. The one I have not used before. That one looks good." Then, I began. You have to begin somewhere. Otherwise, worship will be over and you'll still have a blank canvas. Well, that funny non-brush was a little wider than expected and happened to grab a bit of old paint (left on the pallet), and when it mixed with the white paint, and another color it was a serendipity.
On and on, I went enjoying the presence of the Lord, asking Him what to do next, and loving the colors. I flipped the canvas the other way, and noticed some things! Thank you, Lord! I began to see...then, I "heard", "Be Mine", just Be Mine".

I don't know if it's finished or not. I know I could work and work and make it look really polished. But, I may rather leave it be and remember the moment my hands were shaking from hearing the voice of the Lord, and had a very hard time lettering because of it. Maybe I'll leave it as a symbol of how beautiful imperfection is to the Lord, and how he can work through us. Maybe I'll leave it just to show that I don't have to use RED. And maybe I'll leave it, because when you flip it back right side up, like I started painting it, there is yet ANOTHER FACE! This one that appears to be like a person in distress, and like the face of a lion. Isn't that amazing? The Lion of Judah rescues the one in distress, if we just call out to Him. I will post a close up of the 2nd face in the next post.

Moon Glow

"Moon Glow"

4"x4" Alcohol Ink on Yupo

     This is number 28 of my 30 in 30 challenge.  I had an all day of all sorts of work today, so was glad to get to do a fast project with these inks.  I love the glow of these colors.  Hope you enjoy it.   Thanks, June Rollins for your tutorial.

Bad News

"Bad News"

9x11

Watercolor on Recycled Painting

     This is number 27 of my 30 in 30 challenge.  This challenge has been so much fun, and has created a freedom in me, that I didn't know existed.  My intention was to make every single daily painting experimental.  I've never tried to do any drippy and wild colored portraits before, so thought I would give that a whirl.  I chose this photo reference of myself, taken just after receiving some bad news. Everyone always tells me that I wear my feelings on my face.  I guess I do.   I wasn't sure how to begin with the drippy style, so I settled with brights and nontraditional colors. These hydrus liquids did the trick for that.   I tried to do this really quick, without overworking anything.  If you look carefully, you can see the underlying shapes and shades, which add so much interest.  Although I recognize that I need a complete make-over, I am fairly pleased with the way this turned out, considering my goals.  

Portal to Glory

8x8 inch alcohol ink on Yupo. Just spent the weekend in Global Celebration. Just painted thus in my lap in the car. I'm loving the ease of transportation of this media.