Finally after all the holiday hubbub, it looks like my life is getting some form of order!
For me....that is something!
This year I'm dedicating to exploring what future might be awaiting me in the art world.
My word for 2013 is -- INVESTMENT
I'm investing time, money, effort and concentration in making and sharing my art. Why art you might ask (or perhaps you didn't). Art is a passion of mine, what inspires me and gets me up in the morning. Now I know that might not sound "holy" but you need to understand.... To me...art is an opportunity to share in Abba's beautiful gift of making more beauty. To recognize that He shares with me a small part of His creativity...well...it boggles my mind. And in the journey to discover true joy...how can the gift He's shared with me for this time NOT be a major part of my world and life?
And...I learn from it. He uses my experiences in my studio, learning from other artists, sharing this passion to teach me more about Him and about His desires for my life.
Like today.....Patience
I have a new piece on my work island and I'm so excited about it. It is laid out and ready for the next step which will be the stitching. But before that, I have to pick out a backing for this fiber art quilt. Now I KNOW that most people see the backing but I try whenever possible to make it pleasing as well. I "auditioned" several fabrics that would work but none really satisfied me.
The temptation to "settle" and just get on with the fun part was strong. I walked away from my fabric stash a couple of times but just couldn't really commit to the fabric I had in my hand.
THEN...the inspiration from Him hit with full force! And it was like a key fitting into a lock and smoothly turning to open up the door!
So here's the deal. The theme for this exhibit is "Page Turner". I happen to be a HUGE mystery buff so I chose as the title for my piece the iconic first line "It was a dark and stormy night..." I can't show you the piece yet as it has only just begun but it will be a dark night with an old house and lightening. Fine...now for the backing fabric.
I have a large piece (in fact HAVE had it for some time!) that is a very light cream background with an almost golden light brown WRITING on it! How perfect is that for a book themed art piece? I'm so excited!
Now to the lesson for my life today --
Don't settle just to keep moving or doing. It is SO worth the patience to wait until it is really "right" and "fits".
Would I have had a nice piece with the other fabrics? Probably. After all, this IS just the back of it. But...AHA! Another lesson.
He cares about the so-called insignificant and the often unseen!
Who among us hasn't at some time or another felt insignificant and unseen, stranded in the backwater, passed by unnoticed? But He never loses sight of us...never loses His caring for us and His desire for our JOY.
Patience (NOT a virtue of mine I'm afraid) but it is growing daily...by His grace!
Last thought -- I am humbled that He considers His patience with me to be worth the Joy at the end. That He sees me as HIS valuable work of art, embellished daily by His hand......even the backing part of my life no one else really cares about.
For me....that is something!
This year I'm dedicating to exploring what future might be awaiting me in the art world.
My word for 2013 is -- INVESTMENT
I'm investing time, money, effort and concentration in making and sharing my art. Why art you might ask (or perhaps you didn't). Art is a passion of mine, what inspires me and gets me up in the morning. Now I know that might not sound "holy" but you need to understand.... To me...art is an opportunity to share in Abba's beautiful gift of making more beauty. To recognize that He shares with me a small part of His creativity...well...it boggles my mind. And in the journey to discover true joy...how can the gift He's shared with me for this time NOT be a major part of my world and life?
And...I learn from it. He uses my experiences in my studio, learning from other artists, sharing this passion to teach me more about Him and about His desires for my life.
Like today.....Patience
I have a new piece on my work island and I'm so excited about it. It is laid out and ready for the next step which will be the stitching. But before that, I have to pick out a backing for this fiber art quilt. Now I KNOW that most people see the backing but I try whenever possible to make it pleasing as well. I "auditioned" several fabrics that would work but none really satisfied me.
The temptation to "settle" and just get on with the fun part was strong. I walked away from my fabric stash a couple of times but just couldn't really commit to the fabric I had in my hand.
THEN...the inspiration from Him hit with full force! And it was like a key fitting into a lock and smoothly turning to open up the door!
So here's the deal. The theme for this exhibit is "Page Turner". I happen to be a HUGE mystery buff so I chose as the title for my piece the iconic first line "It was a dark and stormy night..." I can't show you the piece yet as it has only just begun but it will be a dark night with an old house and lightening. Fine...now for the backing fabric.
I have a large piece (in fact HAVE had it for some time!) that is a very light cream background with an almost golden light brown WRITING on it! How perfect is that for a book themed art piece? I'm so excited!
Now to the lesson for my life today --
Don't settle just to keep moving or doing. It is SO worth the patience to wait until it is really "right" and "fits".
Would I have had a nice piece with the other fabrics? Probably. After all, this IS just the back of it. But...AHA! Another lesson.
He cares about the so-called insignificant and the often unseen!
Who among us hasn't at some time or another felt insignificant and unseen, stranded in the backwater, passed by unnoticed? But He never loses sight of us...never loses His caring for us and His desire for our JOY.
Patience (NOT a virtue of mine I'm afraid) but it is growing daily...by His grace!
Last thought -- I am humbled that He considers His patience with me to be worth the Joy at the end. That He sees me as HIS valuable work of art, embellished daily by His hand......even the backing part of my life no one else really cares about.
