What Do You Have to Trade?

While looking through my collection of paintings this week, and realizing that they're not doing any good just sitting in a garage, I decided to distribute to my friends the ones that I'm ready to let go of. Some are from when I lived in San Diego, others are from when I first moved to Lancaster in 2006. They all have a story to tell and the stories have been kept silent for too long.

So, for the next few weeks I'll be uploading these paintings one at a time to my blog. I will let them go to a new home in exchange for what you have to trade. It may be something small like a book or a bottle of wine, or maybe theater tickets, a canoe or a service that you could offer from your business. Be creative! This is an incredible opportunity to own an original piece of art.

When you see a painting you'd like, list the painting and your item for trade in the comments section below. I'll choose the best one and announce the winner on the blog. Don't forget to check back regularly.

"Naivety"

40" x 40" | Acrylic on canvas

This is a pretty old painting, but it still gets me every time I look at it. How dangerous it is to think we know it all. It is a privilege to have people speaking into our lives, especially pastors and mature Christians who have way more experience than us. So don't ever take people like that for granted. Every day we make a choice to respond to what the world has to say or what the Spirit says. What a waste of time to listen to the world. Speaking from experience, it's truly not worth it in the end.

"Flow"

18" x 24" each | Acrylic on canvas (framed)

I painted these pieces within the first couple months of moving to Lancaster from San Diego. My heart was aching for the chance to just drive to the beach (which I lived minutes away from my whole life) to breath in the fresh air that could calm me in a matter of seconds. To watch the beauty of each breaking wave and the seagulls flying above was therapy for me. I could now understand why they said Southern Californians are so laid back. It's a completely different world over here on the East Coast, but I'm okay with that. Still, I needed to get back to my roots of finding beauty in God's beautiful creation everywhere, enjoy His peace overwhelming my soul and just go with the flow in the midst of uncertain change. 

"Seeing Through"

16" x 20" | Acrylic on canvas

What do you see when you look at this girl? Is she crying or laughing? I loved using this painting as a conversation piece to ask why people saw the emotion they did. Was there something in their life right now that made them see her as crying or laughing? Maybe they needed to see someone enjoying a good laugh to lift their spirits and that's why they saw what they did. Either way, it drew a lot of emotion from people and I loved being able to witness that.
-TRADED ALREADY-

"She Sells Sea Shells by the Sea Shore"

16" x 20" | Acrylic on canvas board

For the love of the ocean and the beauty of wet, colorful shells.  
-TRADED ALREADY-

"Shield of Faith"

36" x 24" | Acrylic on Canvas

This painting was done for a sermon series based on Ephesians 6:10-18, where we are called to put on the full armor of God in order to take a stand against the devil's schemes. This one is a reminder to always put on the shield of faith in order to fight off all attacks from the evil one. As soon as you see them coming your way, you have the power and will be given the strength to fight them off with the Spirit's help before they penetrate your heart. Stand firm and pray in the Spirit on all occasions.

The Visual Gospel

Scarlet Steps this year far exceeded my expectations and I have no idea how we're going to top it next year. The gospel was presented through a variety of impressive mediums, styles, and expressions but all with one intentional message -- God sent His Son, for you and for me, to die on a cross. He was then resurrected by God as it was predicted by the prophets in the Old Testament, and those who believe in Him will have their sins forgiven and will be with Him forever.

To see the Gospel presented in a visual way like this was amazing. Each piece of art was well thought out and deeply moving. There were descriptions of the artwork next to each piece so you got an insiders view into the artist's creative process. Below is the piece I did this year.

 "For All Who Fear Him"

Acrylic on Canvas

My painting below is based on Acts 10:34, 35 where Peter realizes how God shows no favoritism to anyone. Christ died for every sinner, no matter what culture, gender or background.

For more pictures of the event, go to our website at www.scarletsteps.com

Motherhood Series

I just completed a new painting that begins a new series I'd like to do on Motherhood. Ever since I was pregnant with my first child I've had a desire to express what that experience was like for me through a series of paintings. Unfortunately, I lost the energy and creativity that I had before I was pregnant, so it never surfaced. But, now that I'm pregnant with my 2nd child, I'm finding it to be a very different experience. Especially since the need to express has surfaced like never before. I have never felt so many mixed emotions about having a baby than I have with this new pregnancy. I never imagined being in the place where I would say I was unhappy to be pregnant, but that's how I felt for 3 insanely long months. But after completing this new piece, and with God's help and insight, I came to finally accept and be proud to be given the opportunity to be a mother to another child. It truly is a blessing, honor and privilege to be a mother.

Below are a few pieces that have led up to the latest painting called "Motherhood."

"Motherhood"

Fabric pieces stitched on Acrylic painting

"Sweetest Gift"
Acrylic Painting on Wood

"Precious"
Fabric on Wood

"Welcome Home"
Acrylic on Wood

Art Show Tonight at Square One Coffee

I've very excited about this show tonight, not only because it shows off some great handmade pieces by fantastic local artists, but I put up my first baby painting I've done since being pregnant. Not sure why, but it's been harder than usual to get myself to paint these last few months, but I'm glad I finally made myself do it. I found an awesome quote to use on it too, so get the kleenex now.

Another Baby Painting

A good friend of mine from San Diego, and her husband, commissioned me to do a painting for their new baby a few months ago. I knew I was going to be flying into San Diego at the end of August, so I was hoping to finish it by that time and take it on the plane with me to avoid shipping charges AND to see the couples faces when I presented the painting. Well, there's nothing like waiting till last minute, and I've found that I'm actually pretty good at it, so it wasn't a surprise that the morning of my flight I was still putting on the finishing touches. The worst part of doing that is never getting to actually enjoy the painting, so my husband and I were both pretty sad to see it go, but to see their reaction was well worth giving it up.

The painting is based on the song "The Sweetest Gift" and you can listen to it here. What a great song.

Motivation for New Painting

I love this prayer. It is deep at the heart of what God is teaching me right now, and where most of my motivation and inspiration for my paintings have come from recently.

St. Theresa's Prayer:
"May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

Round Robin Journals

The Art Ministry at NewSong Fellowship has started a new Round Robin-type Journal project where we meet on a monthly basis sharing what we've done in our themed art journals. The theme we chose was "Elements and Principles of Design" and I chose Movement. No surprise, I'm sure. But ever since our zucchini plant has grown and blossomed I've been wanting to draw the beautiful movements of the vine-like stems. Every morning I excitedly go out into our backyard and am not only amazed by how many new zucchini and yellow squash we have growing, but how long and curvy the stems of the leaves grow. It's beautiful to watch.

Paintings for girls bathroom

I painted these for NewSong Fellowship Church's little girls bathroom. They're a set of 3 wooden pieces with cute yellow polka-dotted ribbon attached to hang it. Aren't they cute! Below are pictures of the final product.

Gift Cycle

The Gift Cycle is a cross country cycling project that carries works of art as gifts from local artists of one town to local artists of the next town along the route---a 3,000 mile journey uniting 12 plus communities. Watch the slide show here /// giftcycle.org

I think this is such a cool idea, I just had to participate, so I donated a couple pieces for when they come through Lancaster. One is a print of my "Your's or His" painting. The other is a painting that says what I think everyone needs to tell themselves everyday.

For their schedule, go here and to see pictures of artwork donated so far, go here.

Painting 2 for New Baby

I have a friend in Portland who commissioned a painting from me right after she had her first baby a couple years ago. She just had her second baby last September and I'm finally finishing up the next one. I LOVE how it turned out and can't wait to hand deliver it to her tomorrow night when my husband and I fly into Portland to see her.

It's based on a story book with the greatest line in it:
"I love you right up to the moon and back."

Frame for New Baby

Shhhhhh.
This is the frame I just finished for a friend and mailed it off this week. I was too excited to not show it, so I'm risking the chance that she'll see it before it arrives in her mailbox.

Picture Frame for New Baby

My best friend in San Diego just had a baby so I made this frame for her. I'm loving the new swirly flowers I made and can't wait to use them again on another piece. I never would have thought yellow and pink would work together, but I think it turned out alright.