Be praised for all Your tenderness
By these works of Your hands
Suns that rise and rains that fall to bless
And bring to life Your land
Look down upon this winter wheat
And be glad that You have made
Blue for the sky and the color green
That fills these fields with praise…
“The Color Green.” Rich Mullins.
A Liturgy, A Legacy & A Ragamuffin Band. 1993.
Tag Archives: flowers
Beautiful Earth!
Filed under Paintings, Uncategorized
April Showers
It has been grey and rainy. But this time, I find that I don’t mind as much.
Rain means moisture. And as Earth drinks, it begins to become green again.
April showers have me anticipating beautiful May flowers, leaves on the trees, bushes in bloom, gardens anew.
Life in the Spring.
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth. Psalm 104:14, ESV
Title: Ripening Watermelon
All on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrushstrokesbyMel 🙂
More to come…
Filed under Paintings, Uncategorized
Possibilities Endless
Possibilities. It is what makes you stop and marvel at the tiny flowers emerging from the cracks in the sidewalk. How is it that they grow?
Today was a day of possibilities. Two more doors opened this summer for my paintings. They are set for late summer, but it gives me time to work on the bigger canvases. (And big as in 48×36 sizes!!) My paintings will also be in Beans-n-Cream the month of June. That sounds far off, but considering that tomorrow is May 1st, it only gives me the rest of the month to finish my fresh batch of canvases. 🙂
Similar to coming out of a long winter…the ideas for what to paint have just been frozen in my mind. A few weeks ago, I looked at last year’s art show pictures and wondered how it was that I had so many ideas. I remember them just flowing and I would go from one painting to the next. Then I just experienced this lull. This writer’s block in art form.
Now that possibilities have begun to open, the ideas for paintings are beginning to blossom through the cracks in the sidewalk. They are small, but they are rooted in thankfulness for yet more opportunities to share my passion and my paintings. Best part is, I get to paint…all summer long.
“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” ~Mr. Rogers
Filed under Paintings
Needing a Guide.
Amidst the winter storm watch (and a nice load of snow), I went to Columbus to visit my sister and brother-in-law for the weekend. My sister had invited me to her work’s floral class where we made our own Easter/spring-like vase centerpieces.
After we finished our bouquets, the rest of the time was for an experiment. My sister had never made this display piece before. With a room full of creative ladies–the event turned out to be a great social time of sharing ideas and learning more about flowers. I just tried to follow along as best I could. 🙂 The result: a bunny rabbit centerpiece! (The rabbit is white carnations…the tail carnation sprayed pink. Paper ears, but rose petals for the inner ear. And some sort of filler is sprayed black for the eyes/nose.)
@ The Flowerman. Columbus, OH.
I probably could have made the bouquet centerpieces on my own–just due to floral experience [I worked three summers in high school at a flower shop]–but I don’t think that they would have turned out as beautiful as they did without the coaching help from my sister. I don’t remember flower names, so if I went to order flowers I would be at loss. I would not have thought of burlap, lace or raffia for the jar decorations, let alone using canning jars for the vase. Having the guidance from someone experienced made all the difference.
Guidance can come with just about anything: My parents helped guide me in making wise decisions as I grew up; I see it in my physical therapy sessions as my PT shows me stretches that help my body; my doctors guide me in helping me understand my MRI results and researching the best treatments or actions to follow; my pastors and Bible study leaders at church encourage and guide me to become more Christ-like.
For me, guidance is important. I think it goes with my personality…not a leader, so I lean on others when I make decisions. I am slowly learning to make the decisions on my own…building confidence and taking responsibility for my actions. And it is hard. Being a passive personality feels like sitting on the fence; like being afraid of the 50/50 chance of getting it wrong or being the only one doing it different.
In Mel Gibson’s movie, The Patriot, Benjamin Martin gives his new daughter-in-law the necklace that had once belonged to his late wife. As he puts the talisman of Polaris around her neck, Benjamin says, “It’s the North Star. That is the only star in the sky that never moves. It is constant, unwavering. A guide.” I wrote this quote down in my “favorite quotes” journal; to think that something in this ever-changing world is constant–a guide.
Then I think of my journey in life: ever-changing and wavering as if being blown by the wind. But I have a stronghold. God has given me his own constant guide: his Word:
Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 46:10, “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.”
Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
I am never alone–in everything–God’s presence is here: “It is constant, unwavering. A guide.” ❤
Filed under Adjusting to NF2, Family Times
Back to paintings…
I have been finishing some paintings these past few weeks…here and there amidst everything and pretty much finished just in time before tomorrow. There are some details left, but I am going to procrastinate the rest of this week on that part and feel just fine in doing so. 😀 However, I am highly anticipating what is coming up after this week and wanted to share a bit of exciting news. The month of February will be full of art! If you are in the area, my paintings will be in two different places: a coffee shop and a library. Yeah, you read that right–A LIBRARY!!! 😀
Xenia Community Library displays local artists’ work on the second floor in the hallway. My paintings will be on display there for the month starting February 4th (actually that is the day I will be hanging them…so starting February 5th). Displayed are some of my personal ones as well as a few from the art show in August. But just the fact that they are in a library is so cool! Books and art! Just add a cup of coffee or tea and it is like a free museum. 😉
My paintings will also be at the coffee shop, Beans-n-Cream, in Cedarville again. I painted some new canvases themed with spring, love, flowers, bright colors, and fun. I incorporated different media (silk flowers, buttons, book pages) in the paintings as well, as I am trying new techniques and styles. Like my Dad always said when we were ordering pizza: “Expand your horizons.” (I always just wanted cheese. Then I realized I was missing out! Add the veggies!!!) 😀
I am getting very excited for these two avenues as they approach quickly! Just getting back into painting has been exciting too! It had been too long.
Here are a few paintings that will be at Beans-n-Cream:
Now that the paintings are set, I am ready for this week though my thoughts have been anxious (especially today). Not fearful, just nervous I guess. Like I can’t sit still, because I am trying to get a few more things done before tomorrow. But I should just take a bit to sit and be still…so I am remembering Zephaniah 3:17 (italics emphasized),
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
Tomorrow starts very early…please pray for safety as we travel down to Cincinnati and thank you for already praying for the surgery and doctors. I will not be taking my computer with me this time, but if anything comes up or I stay long, I will get a post in somehow.
Thank you for your continued prayers, love, encouragement, Bible verses and letters. They mean so much.
Mel
Filed under Adjusting to NF2, Hospital Trips, Paintings
My Life with NF2 