On This Rock

On This Rock

6"x6"

Oil and cold wax

Some years ago when I just came in to believing the absolutely everything in the Bible was for me, we traveled to Saint Maarten for a diving vacation. A nice walk along the beach from our resort to these rocks was my hiding place for that week. I would go there morning and evening and I would take my bible and I would read and I would pray. I would watch the water as it hit the rocks and the foam and the waves would just crash and white foamy water would splash above me. Across the water in the distance I could see Saint John. I always wanted to take that little excursion over there, but it seemed pretty costly to go that short distance. But I think about what Jesus said "upon this rock I will build my church".  That was ringing through my ears as I was painting the scene. I love this painting, maybe just because it has an emotional connection with me. This one is number 14 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

 

Hope Found

Hope Found

Oil and cold wax

available

Have you ever experienced just a hopeless feeling and an area of your life? Maybe everything else in your life is going good, but in this one little area it's a big deal. A big deal of hopelessness. And then all of a sudden, the Lord can bring hope.  All of a sudden, I have found hope again for this area of my life. This painting is oil and cold wax, and is number 12 in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. It's kind of crazy to think that the challenge is almost half over.  I think after number 15 I will go back to another style much more controlled. I have enjoyed these abstracts and always love to come back to them when I'm feeling the need to rest.

 

work in progress

I'm going to have to count this one as my number ten in the 30 and 30 challenge. This is the underpainting for a pastel. I don't work with pastels often at all and this paper is very challenging. Not sure whether I will finish it up or throw it in the trash.
 

Soul Hunt

 "4:19"

Oil and cold wax

Available

In Matthew chapter 4 verse 19 Jesus says come, follow me, And I will make you fishers of men. As I was painting on this piece today for the 30 and 30 challenge for January, I began adding some more layers of paint, and turned the painting and immediately I saw what looks like an image of a fish. I love it when something appears like that unexpectedly. So I begin to contemplate.   I began to meditate and I began to wonder what to do with this fish.  Our sermon series at church this month is so therapy. So isn't it fitting that Matthew 419 is just perfect for this painting? Not to mention that I love to dive and have seen many creatures as beautiful and colorful as this one. I hope you enjoy it.

 

Full Yield

"153"

Oil and Cold Wax

     I'm loving playing with new colors and layers.  I see portals in this one.  2017 is going to be a year of revival, harvest, kingdom, multiplication, evangelism, full yield.  Did you know 153 is the prophetic Biblical number meaning just that?  Let it be!  Thus is my 5th painting for the Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days.

 

Giving Back

We all need to give back a little...  Uganda, Africa gave me so much the three years that I traveled there.  The heart of those people taught me so much.  The Spirit of God that reigns in people is so powerful, and resonates in my soul.  I'm doing this 16x20 watercolor in order to donate to raise funds for the children of Uganda.  Last year, my painting brought a nice amount of money, and I'm believing this one will, too.  I'll update the progress throughout the week.

Worshiper

"Worshiper"

22"x28" Ink on Yupo

Commissioned

     This one is finished.  I worked a few days on the 30 in 30 challenge.  You'll have to read the blog below for all the tidbits concerning this painting.  It's a great story, and will be shipped off in the next few days.  I'm pretty pleased with it.  

Work in Progress

Work in Progress

I've been commissioned to paint a memorial type painting for a young woman that lost her baby.  I've been seeking the Lord for a couple of weeks, mulling it over in my mind.  The woman's sister in law (who commissioned me), mentioned that when she would see a Cardinal, she would be reminded of her baby.  Somehow, I knew the cardinal had to be in the painting, but I just couldn't feel peace about painting a pretty little cardinal eating out of a bird feeder or sitting on the fence.  Yesterday, the Lord showed me that this baby, in full Spirit is worshiping the King of Kings with fullness,  joy, and wild abandon.    I could just see Creed fulfilling his purpose in heaven.  It doesn't help with the loss and pain, but it does help knowing that he really is in the arms of Jesus.  I was just reminded this morning (after painting yesterday), that the scripture that this momma has held dear to her heart, is I Samuel 1:27-28.  I read it this morning, and was blessed beyond measure...that,  "I heard from the Lord", because it reads...."And he worshiped the Lord there."  Stay tuned, as it's not quite finished.  I can't wait to get to it!  

Work in progress

Work in Progress

     I've been painting up a storm today.  I'm reworking a painting and thought I'd post it for my #29 of the 30 in 30, just because the REAL painting that I'm working on is a commission, and I can't let the secret out.  It's turning out really well, so far.  You'll just need to wait on seeing that one.

Storm Approaching

"Storm Approaching"

Alcohol Ink on Tile

6"x6"

NFS

     Three more days to go in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again...It's been so much fun, and I hate to see it come to an end.  However, I will be glad to breathe if I need to.  I'm not one to live on challenges, but if I commit to it, I will see it through to the end, no matter what. I hope to continue daily painting, but to also add in my quiet time prior to painting.  I hope I can coordinate the two with the time I have.  So many times, other things get in the way of having that kind of a chunk of time.  

     I just booked our diving trips for 2016.  I guess I had the ocean on my mind. 

Jer. 5:22 says, "Do you not fear Me?' declares the LORD 'Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it." 

      Every time I get to depth, I can't help but sing, "How Great Thou Art"; through my mask of coarse.  God's underground creation is just as amazing as His above ground.  I often look out over the sea as we skirt the waters in our "fast boat" and think about Peter.  It's easy to criticize him when you're in the boat.  But what about when you are in the water or the storm?  What then?  

Overflow

"Overflow"

Oil 11"x14" on canvas Paper

     This is number 25 of the 30 in 30 challenge.  The Lord gives me a cup and a portion, and draws my boundary lines.  He's filled me to overflowing, and that's where I create from.  I can't believe this challenge is almost over.  I've looked forward to painting every day, and for the most part, I have done just that.  There were a couple of days that I did more than one in anticipation of being out of town or something.  This is a discipline that I would like to continue.

"Hello, my name is Joseph"

4x6" watercolor mounted on hardboard

     This is number 22 of the 30 in 30 challenge.  I had lots of fun painting this guy.  He has so much character...I started to make him a she with hot pink lips!  The colors that I used were a new brand ,Qor.  I think they are wonderful.  I mounted the 300# paper onto a board using acrylic gel.  I then applied an acrylic varnish to protect the paper.  At last, no more glass to have to mess with.  I'm excited about the possibilities this technique will open up.

Choose Light

"Choose Light"

6"x6" Alcohol Ink on Yupo

     This is #20 of the 30 Paintings in 30 days.  I can't believe how fast this month is going.  Creativity breeds creativity.  I feel as though I could just keep on going.  We will see.  This one has a solid message of the contrast between light and dark, heaven, and hell.  Do you see it?

Rejected

Purchase This Painting

"Rejected"

16x20 Watercolor

     This is number 17 of the 30 paintings in 30 days.  I enjoyed doing this guy, using a slightly different watercolor technique.  I usually paint wet on wet, but employed wet on dry paper, keeping the bead line wet.  I can't help but think that this poor guy is watching his sweet thing being taken by someone superior.  I didn't intend on painting this emotion, but there is something about the look in his eyes that just get me.  The ape family is very interesting to me, and I'm doing a little research along with this painting just to get to know them better.  Our here, in west Texas is not the place to find them.  I doubt we have any in our local zoo, either.  Maybe warm weather will require a little zoo trip to find out.  What do you think of him?  Does he have a story to tell?

Psalm 23

Psalm 23

Alcohol Ink

4" Tile

     This is number 12 of the 30 paintings in 30 days.  I just love the vivid colors and the photo doesn't do it justice.  What's your opinion?

Live, Laugh, Dance

Live, Laugh, Dance

Purchase this Tile

6"x6" Ceramic Tile with Alcohol Ink

     Life brings with it seasons.  Some are rough.  We must all come out of the rough, into the new.  Live, as if there is no tomorrow; because there may not be one.  Laugh, as if it will heal you; because it is good medicine.  Dance like you'll never stop,; because someday you may not be able to.  Do it all with your whole body, soul, and spirit.  

Maybe

"Maybe"

16x20" Original Watercolor on 300# Paper

Purchase This Painting

     I've just been on a roll with these creatures the past few days.  I've experimented with different watercolor techniques.  This one was done by a "pouring method", which is more difficult that you would think.  The expression makes me think that "Maybe, I'll hurt you", or "Maybe, you better leave me alone".  Hence, the title of "Maybe".  This is number 8 or the 30 Paintings in thirty Days.

Full Bloom

"Full Bloom"

16"x20" Acrylic on Canvas

Contact me for Purchasing Information

     This is number 6 of the 30 paintings in 30 days.  I worked on it several days, experimenting with high gloss gel and transparent acrylic applied with a palette knife.  It has quite a few layers on transparent on top of transparent, and finally a spattering of opaque acrylic ink.  It was fun, and kind of "Georgia O'Keefe style.  I'm working on several paintings daily in order to keep up with this challenge.  I guess if I would paint very small and very simple, I could do one per day.  But, no.  I have to work large.  I guess the whole idea is to paint daily, not necessarily finish one daily.  I refuse to let it beat me, though.  Hope you enjoy these colors!

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"

Purchase this Painting

     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.