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?  

Peace Be Still

"Peace Be Still"

Acrylic on Cradled Wood

6"x6"

$150.00

     This was definitely more than a day in the making, but the last layer was applied in a day.  This is my number 4 of the Leslie Saeta 30 Day Challenge.  I wish the photo would do it justice. The top photo shows the details in a closer up view.   I used collage layers and layers of acrylic skins on top of under paintings. That was followed with acrylic pourings which contained shimmering powdered pigments, followed by gold leaf, and more layers of pouring.  The depth and color translucency is really beautiful.  Mark 4:35-41 tells us that Jesus calms the storm.  There have been many storms in my life, in which I thought I was going to be overtaken.  Some of them almost did take me out.That was when I knew "of" Jesus.  Now that I "know" Him, I've learned that he will either calm the storm for me, or sometimes calm me in the storm.  The past couple of years have been one of those storms in which he has calmed me.  I've felt like that golden piece in this painting...right there in the middle of it; yet not overtaken, and even in peace through most of it.  In that peace, I can minister to the rest of my family.  It's only because of Jesus.  My question for you today is, do you know of Him?  Or do you know Him?  Does he know you?  Is that storm about to take you out?  Let Him calm it for you!  Amen.