The Excellence of the Word

"The Excellence of the Word (Proverbs 22:17-21)"
11X14"
Mixed media

Just a little fun with some calligraphy and collage and paint...

Here are the verses (I see that they are difficult to read from my tiny picture):

"Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge; for it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; let them all be fixed upon your lips, so that your trust my be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you.  Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you?"

When I came across these verses in my daily reading, they just grabbed a hold of me.  I like to write out verses in calligraphy now and then, because it helps me to meditate on them as I pen them.  So I wrote out these verses.  Then as I was going through some papers in preparation for a yard sale, I came across this flowered scrapbook paper and the canvas board.  It all came together so nicely.  Now it hangs in one of the bunkhouse rooms at Breakthrough 4 Life Ministries to minister to those who stay there.

Wonderful Peace

"Peace"
12X28"
Mixed media, acrylic and calligraphy on masonite

I was just reminded about this painting yesterday.  The person who received it has been very blessed.  I don't share that particular tidbit to shine my halo or anything, because in truth I had very little to do with it.  It was something that the Lord directed me to do, although when I started I had no idea how He was going to use this painting.

 

This piece is actually a paint-over. I liked the frame, but didn't care for the picture--funny, because the picture I didn't like was one that I had painted. I wasn't sure at first what to paint, but at the time I was battling a lot of anxiety and seeking the Lord's peace to reign over my spirit, soul, and body.  The Lord spoke to me then about seeing all my anxious moments as individual opportunities to trust Him:

Philippians 4:6 (New King James Version) "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"

So we (the Lord and I) started to work on this anxiety thing.  And for a few months the unfinished painting sat there.  The word "peace" on a sky blue background was all that I had managed to put down.

Then one day there was a visitor at the ministry center.  This person was expressing a lot of anxiety and unrest in their life.  As he continued to share what was going on in his life, the Lord told me very clearly to finish the painting and give it to him.  I hadn't touched it for awhile, so I wasn't sure what else to do with it besides the word on the blue background.  But as I prayed and began to paint, the Lord directed me to put several verses about peace and guided me through the rest of the process.

I did not share with this person what the Lord spoke at that time, but I worked to finish the painting before his next visit.  When he returned, I waited for an opportunity to give him the painting and explain how the Lord told me to do this for him.  As this person talked, he began to share how the Lord told him to look up all the Bible verses that have to do with peace.  I could hardly believe my ears!  I asked him to repeat what he said.  There was no more perfect segue than this, so I gave him the painting and told him what the Lord told me.  The painting blessed him, and I was blessed knowing that only the Lord could arrange such a thing through His Spirit.  Talk about an opportunity to trust Him!

Sleeping Dog

"Let Sleeping Dogs Lie #1"
16X20"
Acrylic

Abstract art hasn't really been my thing, but there's one kind of abstract sketch that I keep using. I call him "Sleeping Dog", and he was inspired by a former roommate's Labrador retriever.

In one of my drawing classes, the teacher had us draw with a piece of charcoal taped to the end of a 3 ft. stick. I guess this is a common tool to help students learn perspective, but I noticed that it also helped to create some interesting drawings. Not only did we have to draw in class, but we were encouraged to draw at home. The subject matter could be anything you found lying around the house.

During one of my drawing sessions in the living room, the dog came in, plopped down on the couch, and promptly began napping. Caught up in the creative moment, I decided to sketch him with the stick. I liked how the shape turned out, and after the drawing class ended, I decided to do the painting pictured at the top here. Since my roommate had moved into another apartment by this time, I gave the painting to her as a housewarming gift.

But that wasn't the end of Sleeping Dog. He resurfaced last year when I decided to participate in a patriotic-themed show. I altered the drawing slightly, and you can view him below in his transformed state. I'm sure he will reappear in many other forms, as the inspiration strikes.


"Sleeping Dog Does America"
24X12"
Acrylic on Masonite