Lilly is Single.

"Lilly is Single"

14x16

Original Oil on Canvas

To Purchase this Painting

     Pretty Lilly here was the first painting that I did in the Nancy Medina workshop.  This also means that it is one of my very first oil paintings, done with a brush, and also done using fresh flowers as a model.  I chose this single big and full beauty very carefully, anticipating what kind of challenge I was up for.  I remember my heart was racing and I was beginning to sweat a bit.  I think that came from being among so many artists.  I know I began to compare myself to all the others before there was even a need to compare.  At the end of the day, I was unhappy with it, so I took it to my hotel room and continued to work.  I haven't had time to work on it until now, but I think a few days to soak in my training helped.  I've made lots of changes and I do love this one now!  My husband made the comment, that the glass looked just like a glass of water!  What more could I ask for? I am pleased with the sharp focal area and the subtle color changes within the painting. I think Nancy would really approve of my painting.   What about you?  Do you think the glass looks like it has water in it?  

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.  

"Dam Break"

"Dam Break"

5"x7"

Watercolor on Yupo

     This is number 18 of the 30 in 30 challenge!  I'm half way through!  I decided to work with watercolor again, rather than the inks that I've been using.  Usually watercolor dries shades lighter and usually doesn't show up vibrant like this.  However, I used "Doak's watercolors, from New York. ( I think).  I purchased these liquid watercolors several years ago.  They are highly pigmented, and the person call that you have to make to order them is kind of...a gut check.  Enough said on that.  This one required just a little more intentional painting, some with a brush and some just dripping.  I like the effect, and am pleased with the vibrancy.  After working a Walk to Emmaus team meeting today, I can't help but notice where the "dam" is breaking on this and the water is gushing in.  Let it be, Lord.  Let the dams break and let your river flow!  Amen.

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.  

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.  

Wave of Redemption

"Wave of Redemption"

22"x30" Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

     

     I painted this during worship one Sunday a couple of weeks ago.  It was another "experience" in which I had absolutely no idea where I would go with it.  Painting in this way, while worshiping my Lord, Jesus sure brings a level of freedom.  A freedom from performance, a freedom from thinking and planning, a freedom from expectations and outcome.  It's truly a "let go, and let God" experience.  Very fun.  

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!