Being Spurred On

Dedicated to Chris Underwood
1979-2012 

Whew, this is a heart challenging thing to do.  In my last blog, I wrote of the day a certain artist showed and taught me, with much joy, his wonderful technique of painting.  It was written with hope; that he would be cancer-free, that he would he healed and still be living life to the fullest with his beautiful family,that he would still be creating masterpieces.

This blog is written with an array of so much emotion, as Chris Underwood has passed on to be with Jesus.  It is penned with sadness because of a person gone, who contained so much love still to give, so many beautiful pieces still left to create, and me being selfish, longing to be again marveled by his talent of that which was yet to be birthed.   Yet is it also written with joy and hope, knowing that God has a insanely perfect plan for us all,  and also, with soooo much gratitude.

I am excited for 2013. 

A new motivation is coming over me, mainly because I have been spurred on by the one who took the time to water a seed that was buried deep within...a seed of creativity, the seed of being an artist. I am forever grateful to Chris Underwood, who through his work, gave me, rather us all, a world of beauty to aspire to and as a friend recently said, "gave us a window into Heaven though his paintings". Thank you Chris, for allowing God to shine though you in this unique and lovely way. And thank you God, for sharing Chris with us, 

if but only for a short time.

With such anticipation, I look forward to see what emerges from my brush these next few months. I pray that even a small amount of his anointing graces my hands.

Even though I don't think he fully understood all that my heart contained, of the gratitude of that simple act, and of the inspiration that my being absorbed,
....I pray he knew.

God bless you Amy, Seb, Sophie and Benjamin Promise.
Our hearts are continually lifting yours up.

**ALL ARTWORK ON THIS PAGE ARE ORGINALS OF CHRIS UNDERWOOD, BORROWED FROM HIS WEBSITE: www.chrisunderwood.com

He Taught Me How

This gift of being an artist is really that, a gift, and one I am so very grateful that God decided to deposit in me.  Like all things given to you, sometimes you don't perceive the full worth of what you have.  It might come in time, or it could emerge in one afternoon.  My artistic talents have come about both ways.

But the one I feel compelled to share is the later, the one that was birthed in one simple session; a session that would impact my life in so many ways, yet one that was not quite fully known at the time.

My son and I were invited, well, I think I actually invited myself,  to paint for the day with a person, who in my eye's, was my "art god".  I know he probably wouldn't want to be known as that, but his work made me fall in love with this new-to-me, wonderful style of mixed media.  It was free, nothing immensely structured, but insanely beautiful and I so badly wanted to know how to create in this vane.  This came at a time in my life that my gift of being an artist was trying to get out, like a little bird pecking at the shell from the inside. I just needed someone to be on the other side, saying it's ok to break out, I'll show you how.

I knew that what I saw of this artist's work, 

was something I had to learn how to do. 

 This style really was, who I was.  

That afternoon set me free, and opened up the door of the cage that was rusted shut.  My teacher so patiently and joyfully showed me how to create in this simple yet complex way of expressing a beautiful idea, and it made my heart sing.  Even though that rusted door really only opened a crack, I felt as if it had flown wide open, in my eyes and in my heart.  I had been given wings to fly.  I had such immense joy.

This teacher, this wonderful husband and father, this friend of mine, is facing some pretty challenging health issues.  I write this blog in honor of him.  And to those who read it, to please pray for him to be healed, and for abundant grace for his beautiful family of 5.  I cannot tell you how very much his gift,  that which he shared with me, has changed my life in so many deep and wonderful ways.
I owe him, if only this, to pray.

Thank you Chris.  

This is the painting that came about that beautiful day up at The Farm, 

one that shall never grace the walls of another, for it's worth

 can never be replaced in what it did for me.    

"Summer Graffiti"

"Summer Graffiti"

An informal view of life on the streets of my Island Forest Drive life

I told myself I wasn't going to paint for the next few months so I could solely concentrate on a very over due project that I want to get done by Christmas.  BUT.....a simple text from my painting buddy Erin caused me to actually throwing paint on this canvas that started out very different...changed into something else entirely, 

and ended up as my version of graffiti.  

And I really like it.  

I'm intrigued by art that has been spray painted on sides of buildings, trains, and I'm sure a host of other places and objects.  I don't know if it's the art I love so much, or the fact that it's a bit rebelish (my own word) that draws me to it.  I think both, as that seems to be what's in me lately.  Art and rebel tendencies.  

Since I have been given a mostly easy life living in 'suburbia'  and aren't faced with some of the challenges that can arise when living in an inner city, 

my version of graffiti comes from my life right now.  

It's happy, it's colorful, it's me.  

But I can't take that for granted, only be grateful. 

With quite a few of the pieces I create, I like to have my art look one way when the viewer is standing back at a distance.  But when it is viewed up close, other things can only be seen then.  It gives one  pleasure from anywhere in the room.  With this one, the flowers are the main focal point when standing from a distance, but as you get close, you'll find a host of other added touches like circles, bubble wrap stamps, and much splattered paint.  

And how fun!!!

This painting, although not true graffiti, is my happy version of it. 

Every time I doodle on a paper, about 90% of the time, a flower emerges.  

So when I didn't know what to paint on this large canvas, 

I went to my fall back and what evolved 

were these bright and happy flowers that kind of took on a life of their own as I went along.  

I really like the orange one the best.  Almost reminds me of an orange creamsicle.  YUM!

Erin snapped a picture of me as I am in the finger painting stage.  

Just can't seem to get the five year old out of me...gosh I miss kindergarden!  

To change it up a bit, I typed out the name of this one on an old scrap of boat canvas that I used as a practice piece on an earlier painting.  It just fit.

 Summer Graffiti.  I had fun with this one!! 

No thinking, just doing.  And I like that. 

Great South Bay

There once was a little blue-eyed girl who lived by the shore, collected sea shells,

caught hundreds of Blue Crabs,

 and watched sailboats float lazily by on the Great South Bay. 

Now that I'm older, and that place is a memory that is getting more distant as the 

years fly by, what it formed and left in me is an extreme love for the water, 

one that is deep in the caverns of my soul. 

When I look at this painting, rightly named Great South Bay,

I am home. 

A few years ago, I was blessed to take a very special trip back with my family and my dad 

to the place that is so dear to my heart.

My life on 3 Donald Court East was a beautiful one. 

 I was surrounded by boats, sea grass, salty air and my family. 

I snapped this picture on my trip back to Long Island.  This was the beach that was steps from my home, where I would spend hours everyday.  It's a bit more overgrown with sea grass now, but the beauty of that special spot is still evident.  

 I found this photo in a pile of old photos, one that I didn't even realize I had, and was captivated by the beauty of the sun, the snow, and the amazing color of the peach sky.  

Even in the cold of winter, this place was magical.

This was home.  The place I felt safe, warm, happy.  It was the place where those that loved me from the start, engulfed me in cocoon of love.  

I love this photo of me and my mom.  She is quite the beauty if I do say so myself.

Me and my mom lived with my grandparents on Long Island, 

in that little red house by the sea.

It was the perfect blend of wonderful people and the "Pearl of the South Shore".

My cat Purple, was my best friend, but not more than my grandpa, Tord.

He was my hero, the man in my life, and the one who showed me his love and, the

love of Jesus.  He taught me how to swim, bought me my first bike, and my first Bible.

I loved this man more that words can say.

I moved from my beloved grandparents home when I was young, but did get to make the trip back each year, to stay the whole summer long. I lived for those warm months, taking me back to my roots, my family, and to the sea.  

I stumbled upon a book at our local thrift store, one that is fondly displayed in my 

art studio.  That Little Golden Book spoke volumes to me about my life

and how everything that went into it, was from Him...and was good.

I am grateful that I now I live by a lake in North Carolina.

I walk our dog every morning in our neighborhood, getting 

to see the water.  Some days it's calm, like my heart. Other days

it is is choppy with white caps forming.  Every state that it's in, 

reminds me and pulls me back to those days living on the Great South Bay.

It invokes those memories of my youth, and other than God himself, centers me like nothing else.


 I know this is why so much of my work 

revolves around the sea and all it holds.

Great South Bay will greet you when you enter my home,

and stays deep in my heart forever.

Creating with my Girls!!

The times of being able to get together with

people who love to create, are some of the most

fun times for me. We learn from each other and laugh a lot!

Two amazing girls that I have the privilege of knowing and creating with are Hannah and Erin.

For two days this week, I've had a painting day at my art studio....and we've had a blast!!

Hannah brought us handmade wooden boards to paint on. Mine already had a great textured foundation, so making it come alive with my touch, was pretty quick and easy.

This is the piece I did, and I must say...came out pretty cool!! I named it "Great South Bay" which is where I grew up, and I just can't seem to get away from the sea, again.

This piece also, really should have Hannah's signature on it as she gave me some great ideas and stretched me in certain areas.

Sharing each other's gems are so nice. Hannah brought some great colors which ended up on my piece. (It's always nice to share with the class)

And here are "My Girl's!"

Hannah, who is an awesome teen-aged friend of mine, inspires me beyond measure. Her talent is immense and she has no fear or inhibitions, so her work is beautiful and free. I think that's what draws me the most to her work. She opens up my mind and brush to new things. When I grow up, I want to be just like her.

This is the piece she finished on that Saturday afternoon. She tried some new texture ideas for the foamy sea, and it came out very nice. What I love about this piece, are the billowing clouds, the choppy sea, yet the boat is calm.... "Even in the storm, I am with you" is what comes to mind.

I can't wait to paint with you again!!

I met Erin a few summer's ago at our church camp. She quickly became our daughter's best friend, and a very special part of our family and thus, my friend too!! She and I painted together for two days this past week, one of the days, her just getting her feet wet with this whole world of mixed media art. She pencil draws beautifully, so she wanted to incorporate that into her piece. After getting her elephant done, I showed her my techniques for creating a unique piece of art...and what emerged was absolutely beautiful and she was hooked!!

"There is no death, only a change of World's" was the piece she created on our fun painting Saturday.

I love to see the different ideas we all have floating around our heads and see how they are transfered to the canvas, or in our case, boards. Even though we like the same mediums, our finished pieces are each different, and reflect part of who we are.

I love being with like minded people, and one's who love to do the same thing as I do. I love the laughter that fills my home when we get together, the seeds of creating that get planted and grow, and the satisfaction of a thought or idea, that when put down on the board, comes out really good. But probably the main one is the joy that is felt when you stand back and say "Oh, I love how that came out!!" There's not much else that is that satisfying!

I can't wait until we have another Creating Day and get our hands all messy....for it really is so wonderfully fun!!!





Check out Hannah's new blog by visiting the following link! www.vesselart.blogspot.com

Black to Hope

This painting took on many forms and was literally put through the ringer.

I wanted to try a few new ideas, one being holding my painted canvas under running water to see what emerged.

A mess is what I ended up with, but I kept at it and this is what evolved.

I loved the bird cage, but thought it was ruined when my printer spit out a badly colored copy, so I used it as a practice piece. Well, that resulted in a bigger love, so I put it on! Oh, what one can do with seemingly junk!!

New Each Day is stamped on a swatch of boat canvas. There's anything to do with the sea sneaking in again.... ;)

Day is a choice to be New!

I have realized that as an artist, I've come a long way, a long, long way. I used to be so self-conscience about my work, what people might think of me...and the list goes on. But lately, I see myself coming out of that place, that Black, and into a more secure and confident place that is full of hope, knowing that what I create is pleasant to me, and to my Father, and who else really do I have to have the

acceptance of?

Black to Hope

Mixed Media

12x12 on canvas

"I awaken, and breathe in the air.

New hope is born."

Grace Remains

My soul felt chilly. It was like the warmth of the summer that once had filled my being just vanished, and I was left shivering. I've been listening to those constant, nagging voices that seem to surround me and say that my life was slow and mundane, and felt like my purpose had waned.

I don't say all that to be a downer, but as a testimony of the goodness of God that met me, let me know that His grace is big enough to keep me perfectly centered, and that I do count, just as I am. And all those feelings of insecurity melted away, as the sun melts the snow, when I let His love secure my heart. Grace and love, I cherish.

During this time, "Grace Remains" came to be.

It started out with longing, evolved, with an ending of sweet peace.

It symbolizes the knowing that Spring is faithful to come and

that His love is real & it never needs to be doubted!

Tucked in the corner is a little diddy

of the childhood game

"He loves me

He loves me not",

but ends with the fact that YES,

HE LOVES ME!!!

Who's a size 2 anyway?!?

Thriftstoring (one of my many made up words) is one of the more fun events of my week. I usually go with my daughter, daughter-in-law, and sometimes with my mom. It's always a thrill to see what treasures we're going to find, and on Wednesdays at the Salvation Army, well, all clothing is 50% off so the thrill is doubly as wonderful. On this one particular day, I didn't find a thing and was a bit disheartened, but did come across this very beautiful wool skirt with a unique trim a the bottom. Well, pretty is was, although in a size that has never grace my body...but my mind went wild with what it could become! So, I bought it, for a mere $2.

The trim actually coordinated with the wall color in my living room which led me to think...Pillow!!

I stared by sewing up that slit with a whip stitch. Then measured how big I wanted this pillow to be. To have the ruffly part be in the middle, I measured up from the ruffles the same distance it was from them, to the bottom, then sewed a straight stitch across to make it symmetrical.

Next, I found an old feather pillow which is pictured below. (I'm rather mortified to put this picture on the blog since this one had been around for a hundred years or so and has many disgusting stains on it) (I really am a clean person) I knew it would be all covered up and no one would know...well, until now. So, I went to work stitching in two places so I could cut in between to the size I needed, without that poor goose's coat go a flying throughout

my whole room. It worked!

Now I was ready to put the new-sized feather pillow into the skirt bottom and sew up the bottom with a whip stitch.

Here is the finished pillow sitting proudly on my new Ikea chair I got for Christmas. I think it came out rather nice and am certainly going to be looking for more

fun skirts to make a few others.

I just hope the lady who once wore that skirt never comes for tea and recognizes one of the items that once hung in her closet. That would be a strange thing to have to explain.

But for now, I'll just relax in my chair and enjoy my skirt pillow!