Judge Yourself

"Judge Yourself"

8"x10" Acrylic on Collaged Watercolor Paper

1Cor. 11:31

     "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged".  When I painted this, I painted while in the "zone".  The means connected and intuitively painting.  I had no preconceived idea of what I was going to do, so I just used some colors that I liked and a little texture.  I've looked at it wondering...what in the world?  Tonight, I remarked that it looked like Judgement Day.  Then, I remembered this scripture.  I'm sure there are some things I need to judge myself on.  I'm going to meditate on that and take care of it.  What about you?  Is there something in your life that you need to turn from?  This is Day 5 of the 30 paintings in Thirty Days.   I love daily painting.  I wish I were making a living at it, because I love it very much.     Yes....I know I got the mat crooked! :)

Job 31:1

Job 31:1

Acrylic on Paper

8"x10"

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     It's been awhile since I've posted; it's been a very rough ride on the train of life.  However, a new year is rolling around, and with it has to come Hope.  I've been painting a lot.  Leslie Saeta has two 30 in 30 challenges a year, and guess what?  It starts tomorrow.  I didn't do the one in Sept., so Ive determined to do this one.  I got a head start over the holiday, knowing that right off the bat I will be out of pocket for a few days.  As I was painting this one, I just began to reflect and paint.  I paint intuitively most of the time.  It's pretty rare that I begin with an idea unless I'm painting in watercolor.  My husband has been studying scripture lately, and as he looked at this one, he felt that the title Job 31:1 fits it perfectly.  That scripture reads,“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman."   It's kind of strange, because I believe I painted a woman.  However, in either case, the scripture fits.  There will be more figurative's to come.   Day 1.

Not a Starry Night

"Not a Starry Night"

20"x16" Acrylic Canvas

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     This is number 2 of the 30 in 30 day challenge with Leslie Saeta.  I determined that this go around, I will paint daily if at all possible, even if it means just working on a piece rather than putting myself under the stress of having to finish a piece each day.  Just releasing myself from the pressure allowed me to consider reworking some things, finishing some things, or doing some studies.  This is a reworked piece using a very well used canvas with many layers, topped off with some pouring medium.  I considered working on it some more, and taking out some of the bottom part, but decided to leave it be and call it good. 

The Hill

"The Hill"

6"x6" Acrylic Pouring on Wooden Panel

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     For almost every single morning for the past 6-7 years my husband has walked up on the hill that is not far from our house.  This hill is the highest point on our property and you can see for miles all around.  He goes up there for a purpose; for prayer and worship of God.  He first started going up there to be alone with the Lord. As I left out one early morning, I looked back and I could see his silhouette against the early morning light.  My heart was humbled and so proud to be married to this amazing man.   He started a little tradition of picking up rocks and depositing them in the ruts of the road leading up to this hill top.  As he would pitch the rocks in the road, he would say a prayer for someone.  

     Today, if you go up to this holy place, you will immediately notice a rounded out spot that has no grass, because those faithful feet have been planted there for so many hours. You might also feel as if you are in a secret hiding place.   You'll  notice that the road can now be traveled easier because the ruts are full!  One can not imagine how many prayers are marked by these rocks.  If anyone has ever asked him to pray for someone or some situation, their name is under a rock.  It's a very humbling experience, walking up that road.  Many times it brings tears to my eyes as I think about all the prayers that went up in my behalf, in order that my youngest son be brought back home for reconciliation.  Still, rocks and prayers go in daily for those other ones that we love and that need breakthrough in their lives, along with all the other requests that we have.  Sometimes I think that a handful of people have a whole rut full of rocks because that man is faithful to continue to pray for them.  That's why I call him "Faithful Feet".  

With this being our National Day of Prayer, I pray that many other Faithful Feet find their secret place to pray for our nation...the one that is under ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD.

Still Life #1

Still Life #1

14x16 Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

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     An artist friend and I decided to do this little exercise found on Craftsy.  It's not my typical sort of thing, but I did enjoy doing it.  I had to abandon the lesson, just because I don't have the patience to sit and watch it.  I added some extra flowers and kind of did my own thing.  I enjoyed doing it, and love the contrast.  I think I'll try another, using fresh flowers.  That is, if they will ever bloom.  It's been so cold around here, I wonder if spring will ever get here.  

Promise

"Promise"

22x28 Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

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     I painted this during worship at Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Sweetwater, TX a couple of Sunday's ago.  It was one of those days in which I had no ideas.  I was busy that morning with other ministry duties and couldn't take time to focus.  I was about to take the stage, with brush in hand and no clue.  It can be a little frightening.  I think of the musicians.  They take the stage and have practiced and practiced and have music in front of them.  They have a clue!  It's different with us artists.  I look at this tree and even right now as I'm writing the Lord revealed something to me.  I realized that this painting might have been just for me!  It is when I go out on a limb, that He always comes through!  His promises are always yes and amen for me. Why should I ever worry?   I wasn't thinking about that as I painted.  I was just thinking...what now, Lord?  What can I do next?   

   Interestingly, the sermon was on blended families in our "Family Matters" sermon series.  It spoke to my pastor, Eric vonAtzigen.  He thought it expressed the beauty of blended families.  My husband, Paul thinks it looks like a pathway into Glory.  I love prophetic art, in that it has a Godly message that can be so different and so personal to different people.  

Red Bay

"Red Bay"

Work in Progress

16x20 Acrylic on Canvas

     This is still a work in progress and number 26 of the 30 in 30 challenge.  Yes, I know I signed it.  That was before I photographed it and see obvious things to change.  It all started with a bunch of left over paint on my palette that I didn't want to waste, along with an old painting from long ago.  I decided to reuse the canvas and am glad I did.  Some of the underpainting was just what I needed.  Red Bay is on the island of St. Maartin, on the French side.  It's a beautiful place.  There are some big rocks that make the water swirl and crash as it comes inland.  

Red Bay in Progress

In Progress

Red Bay

Acrylic on Canvas

     I almost didn't make it!  This is number 20 of the 30 in 30, and posting a day late due to schedules.  I'm painting intuitively, and having fun doing it.  There is this beautiful place on the Island of St. Maartin, on the French side...called Red Bay.It's a great snorkel area if you can manage to tromp through the knee deep sand to get to the water.  There are lots of red bluffs and red rocks right up on the beach, so you get lots of wave movement.  On the other side of that bluff on the right is an oasis for adventurous types like us.  We floated our cooler over there and had the whole place to ourselves. There are beautiful swim throughs and places to get out of the waves.  We had plenty of "mermaid" encounters on the way over to the other side, I might add.  Let's just say that their beach attire is vastly different than ours.    I'll keep you updated with progress pics.  

"Freedom"

"Freedom"

22"x28"

Acrylic on Canvas

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     This is number 19 of the 30 in 30 challenge.  This was an image I saw in my mind's eye as I sat in a School of the Spirit at Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Sweetwater, TX  I couldn't wait to paint it, but had to wait just over a week.  While in a waiting room for a few hours, I worked it out on my iPad, just to play with colors, and the idea.  I was so amazed that, the very  same  day my pastor ran across a logo of a similar drawing!  He emailed it to me, and I was so surprised.  The Logo was in black and white and mine was definitely in the fiery colors, but it was confirmation to me that I was indeed supposed to paint it.  I was the artist during worship today, so this is what I did.  You know, "When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed".  John 8:36.  

"All Wrapped Up"

"All Wrapped Up"

11"x14"

Mixed Media

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     This is number TEN of the 30 in 30 challenge.  I couldn't wait to get this done!  I've wanted to do some real experimenting and this was it!  I collaged hand painted papers and book pages onto this watercolor paper.   I added moulding paste and stencils.  I wasn't sure I could make anything out of it, but pressed on through.  I discovered if I wanted my charcoal to adhere and yet be erasable, I needed to coat the whole thing in acrylic medium to begin with.  I proceeded using my grandson, Tristan Moya as my model.  He just loved taking my Ugandan wrap to make a head wrap.  I got lots of photo reference shots and will probably do more on this line.  This was really fun, because I didn't worry about making anything picture perfect.  I enjoyed the play on light and dark as wells as the hues used.  I even pulled in my red acetate overlay to check my values and make sure that I had a good variety.  Yay.  Lessons learned, coming into play.  I haven't gotten his feedback, but in real life it looks great.  More of these to come, I'm sure!  

All Inked Up

"All Inked Up"

Acrylic Ink on YUPO

6"x6"

50.00

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     Number 7 of the 30 in 30 Day Challenge.  I'm still experimenting with acrylic inks on Yupo.  I'm finding that if you try to back over the first layer, it will completely lift the paint off!  The colors that I'm using are basic primaries, not so much mixing colors.  I think I like working with these inks, but prefer the alcohol inks for their blending and unpredictability.  The acrylic inks are not total predictable, but very workable with a brush.  I think the next time I play with them, I will experiment with some texture and see how they cover.  

"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

Throne Room

"Throne Room"

22x28

Acrylic on Canvas

$150.00

Weebly is driving me nuts!  Email me for purchase info.

     This is a piece that I started during worship this morning.   I'm so totally always amazed at how the Lord always comes through.  I was struggling with this piece.  I had a little bit of an image in my head:  of the colors that I see when I worship, and the veil, and just dancing before my Father.  I could not seem to get that going.  Granted, I only have 2-3  songs to work it out during church worship.  Sometimes, I long for the worshipful painting time during communion to continue to paint.  But sometimes the very best worship is in my own studio in my quiet time...loving my Lord; worshiping my Lord, interceding for others, and petting my beloved little doggie, J.W.  This painting just transformed.  I suddenly realized that I had painted a trumpet and didn't even realize it!  I was just praising, praying, and asking the Lord...what?  I began....I realized there was something to this.  He brought to memory...something about the throne room. I quickly google what I was thinking.  Come to find out, I had put in the 24 elders!  At that point, I knew I was on to something, so I continued with the 4 creatures and the 7 spirits.  If you read the verses, you will see that I was on the right track.  I love to be on the right track.

Revelation 4

New International Version (NIV)

The Throne in Heaven

4 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasperand ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’[b]
who was, and is, and is to come.”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

Ascension

"Ascension"

6"x6"

Acrylic and gold leaf

$175.00

     Number 30/30!  I did it!  The completion of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  Second one completed this year!  This one was really a challenge.  The hard part was figuring out what I could paint that I could be finished with, or almost finished with in one day, and to keep that pace up all month!  I honestly am glad to have completed it, and now will have fun working on things that can be more lengthly.  This piece was one done over several days.  It is another acrylic pouring on cradled wood.  The depth of colors just don't show up good with the photography.  I have many layers of pouring with metallic pigment powders in each pouring.  It's beautiful in real life.  Shipped with it's own small easel.

     I don't like watermarks!  But my artist friend, Kay Smith has recently had two of her pieces stolen and reproduced and is selling through Target!  Art theft is a disgrace!

Quick Study Self Portrait

Quick Study

9x11

Mixed Media

     This is number 29/30.  I had several things going on with this piece of play.  First off, I had a sheet of Fabriano watercolor paper that I'd splashed some fall colors on several months ago.  What to do with it?  I've wanted to increase my speed in drawing portraits because it's my desire to be able to do prophetic portraits in real life by the end of the year.  I also wanted to do some experimentation with textures, so I whipped out my acrylic gel medium and spread it over the paper with my knife.  I then stamped over the gel with some stamps and let it dry.  I took a pic of myself with my photo booth, and timed myself with the drawing.  I also challenged myself by not allowing myself to have any eraseing, AND to force that issue I drew with marker.  No erasing marker!  I was satisfied with the initial line drawing, so decided to transfer it with graphite tracing paper.  I did not know that the graphite would adhere so well to the dried gel medium!  It even clung onto every place that I'd applied pressure to hold the original on, so I had lots of dark splotches all over the place.  They would not erase, so I determined to just go with it and not worry.  I proceeded with the painting phase, using water soluble wax crayons and acrylics, again timing myself.  The is a 15 minute piece, and I believe that I accomplished my goal, and learned a few things.  I don't plan to refine it, as I really just wanted to find some things out for future use.  I do love the texture created by the stamps.  

Work in Progress

     This is Number 24 in 30 of the 30 Day Challenge.  It's another acrylic pouring.  Under the first layer of pour, is an underpainting done in water soluble wax crayons on wood panel.  The pour layer was a little more intense than planned.  I will ask Holy Spirit what to do next, because I don't know.  It's been a busy week already, with the next 8 weeks looking just as busy.  Hopefully I will get time to paint!

Untitled and Unfinished

Unfinished

     This is a progressive photo of an acrylic abstract that I'm working on.  It's number 23/30 in the 30 or 30 chellenge.  It's got multiple layers of "pouring", along with layers of acrylic paint, wax crayon, and gold leaf.  I had a direction that I was going, but with the last pouring it changed direction.  These are fun,  but slow. Drying is tricky and it's always a challenge.   I'm excited to see where it winds up. 

First Snow

"First Snow"

8x10 Acrylic on Canvas Board

     Number 22 of the 30 in 30.  This was another back to basics value lesson taken from the Art Tutor online ebook.  This was a little more fun than the first couple of lessons, I guess because of the colors added.  I had fun doing it, especially the clouds.  However, I will be doing it again!  This time I will add my own ideas, I'll correct the clouds with a little more softness, and certainly fix that non-melodious mountain, that blends into the shape of the trees.  The photo reference does the same thing.  In this one, I realized that I did what lots of artists do....copied a photo, instead of making art.  I was concentrating on following directions and not missing some basics, that I fell into the trap of what nature was doing in the photo.  Nature doesn't always know best, when it comes to a nice painting.  Well, good thing the canvas board was cheap, and I have more!  Stay turned for my version of this one a little later on.  

Blues

The Blues

Acrylic on Canvas Board

8x10

     Number 21 of 30/30.  This was a monochromatic value study done from an online art tutor ebook.  It never hurts to get back to basics, but it is very hard for me to do step by step things like this.  If it's not the subject matter that I'm interested in, it is like pulling teeth for me.  I guess sometimes I need a few pulled.  It was a good exercise and I value the value study tutorial.  

Untitled

"Untitled"

6"x6"

Acrylic on Wood Panel

     Number 9 of the 30 in 30 Challenge.  This one was a hurry up and get done job.  It was a busy day, and kind of had to just check this off of my list.  Used the limited palette again, simply because I had it left over on my palette.  Good thing.  Good thing also, that I had little grandsons prepare panels for me a few days ago.  I'm not sure...but seems like I see a "portal", and perhaps some glory pouring out.  And I also notice some of those "orbs"....hummmm.  Didn't do that intentionally, but seems they are there.  I love the deep and rich colors of "Nova".  I could really do a plug for Nova.  Next time I order, I'll do the large bottles.