Water Color

It is hard to believe that it has been slightly over a month from which I wrote a blog entry about a Skype conversation with a few students from the University of Cincinnati DAAP. Since that time, I have had a few more interactions with these three peer tutors and met the instructor, Jenny Ustick, via Skype as well. I really enjoyed the chance to ask my questions, get new perspectives for my painting techniques, recommendations for supplies to assist in the techniques and even a few good reads about different artists and art in general.

During the first Skype conversation, I was invited to take part in their art show, though at first I understood it to be an art viewing held there at the school. The art show will actually be held at the Cincinnati Cultural Arts Center. As I got more details, it became more exciting. I was permitted to send in two of my own paintings–choosing was not too difficult. I chose ones that represented the best of my painting techniques: Fire and Ice. and Clematis in Full Bloom.

The second part of this art show and experience in general was something new: collaborating art. These past two weeks, I have been working on my portion of the pieces–a canvas and water-color cards–each in which I was the beginning half. Painting has never been so full of thought! But it was a different thinking…I usually paint with an ending in mind; a finale, final project and work towards that image in my mind (though they don’t always turn out as hoped.) I simply sat for a good half hour just forlorn, “What am I to paint?” I finally formulated some ideas as I dug around in my bead and fabric cases. When I finished my starting half, I felt satisfied with the result, but in my mind, I kept saying it needed more. The first of my “expanding your horizon” experience!

The second part was water-color cards. I have only used water colors a handful of times a good three years ago, and even my high school art class (years ago, haha). All the times, prior this week, the water colors were pencils…then I applied the water with the brush. This time, Mom let me use her set of water-colors…true water-colors that look like mini paint tubes. It must be my reputation for using a lot of paint, because Mom’s first comment to me was “It doesn’t take much.”

The cards were easier in terms of what to paint, because for two of them I did have an ending in mind. Not that I know the ending, but I painted images that just need ink details. My portion for the cards was just the water-color as even holding a pen to sign my name is difficult these days. I just sent the cards back to the university where ink will be imaginatively drawn for completion.

Here is one of my image cards:

It is a Beta fish. 🙂

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Working collaborating art reminded me of how we interact daily with each other. We have all been given gifts–mine are specific to me as the same for you. When we recognize our gifts and live them, it starts a beautiful, detailed picture.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV