Purple Crocus Group

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Purple Crocus Group

The Purple Crocus was a different kind of challenge. Most Crocus pictures are taken from their side so you can see their cup-like shape. But this was a tight cluster of flowers and Mike got this beautiful shot straight down on them. I used them as a chance to sketch and not trace their outlines. I mixed the colors and loved painting these blooms. When I was close to finished, I wasn’t quite satisfied. I loved the composition and the colors, but something was ‘off’. Mike thought so too. We compared it to the photo, and it was true enough to that. Then it dawned on us what the problem was. Because it looked straight down on the flowers it was not possible to show the cup shape. But I like it as a fresh, pretty illustration, even with or because of its limitations.

My thoughts on this relate to how we see our challenges. Maybe we just need to step back and see it from a different perspective. Seen that way, maybe it can be pleasing in a different way. I see ‘tragedy’ in the lives of a couple people close to me. But when we step back from the shock of these circumstances, we can see the ‘beauty’ of what God is doing. We see new relationships, the strength given by the prayers of many, release of burdens carried for a long time now shared with others, and God’s great comfort. Let’s look for new perspectives.

Winter Sycamore Tree

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I have been in love with Sycamore trees since we came to Virginia. They line every creek, stream, and river throughout the state. They are magnificent giants, with the most interesting trunks. In the winter, we see their sturdy trunks in all their glory. They are brown and rough textured on the lower part, but the higher you look, the bark peels in places showing a light grey smooth texture with white patches. Then the widely spread smaller branches are white and slightly pink with small seed balls decorating them.

I’ve spent the winter trying to figure out how to paint these in watercolor. In acrylic or oil, it wouldn’t be a problem because white can sit on top of darker colors. But in watercolor white is the bare paper. But then how can I make a difference between the white branches and the white paper? I’ve watched some tutorials and my Sycamore in Winter is my first attempt. I’ll try some more, but I’m not unhappy with this first attempt.

I think that as we grow in the Lord; the hard, dark ‘bark’ of our life peels off. Patches of His light shine from our lives. The more we grow, the broader our reach and the seeds grow to be planted in other’s lives.

Brown Wood Owl

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Mike found the reference photo on the internet. I loved the picture, but it just seemed ‘off’ to me. Then I reversed it and it just looked ‘right’. Sometimes we just need to look from a different perspective to have truth feel ‘right.’

He was painted in a larger format than most of my other watercolors. This painting fills most of an 8×10 mat. That took lots more paint and because it was so large, many more visible details were needed.

Anna Mason always encourages finishing the eyes first. She’s so right! I took more breaks from painting than usual because of the size, but seeing those intense eyes looking off the paper, propelled me to keep working to give him life.

Our Father God, looks into our eyes. He sees what He wants us to be. He has a plan and a purpose for us. Look back at Him and allow Him to work in you some more each day until the day of completion.

While I was painting this there has been an on-going difficulty in my family. We were alerted many times of specific needs to pray about. We would stop and pray. Later we would rejoice to hear that need was met. Shortly after, there would be a new and different need. Then we would hear that one was cared for in an unexpected way. All those little answers to specific prayers has built our faith and trust in God so much more. We look at the whole situation and say it isn’t finished, but because the small details were done well, we expect to have a beautiful picture of God’s grace and love to share in the end.

Year of the Rabbit

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It is the year of the Rabbit for our Malaysian friends. It was fun to look through lots of reference photos for just the right one. I wanted a real looking one, not stylized, but I wanted one with character. I thought this one looked like he was alert and ready to GO. That seemed appropriate to me. I did him in colored pencils so his fur was fun for me to color.

Those of us in West have already begun our new year. How is that going for you? Has it been a good start with anticipation of lots of good things or are you already getting bogged down in details or troubles. Why not take a deep breath, turn to God, and ask for His wisdom, provision, and presence in your life for this year?

Tropical Swallowtail Moth

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Tropical Swallowtail Moth

The Swallowtail Moth is a common moth everywhere, though I found this one in the stairwell of our condo in Malaysia.

I sketched and colored this in a tiny sketchbook for practice of freehand sketching. I really enjoyed preserving this beautiful image.

Being common doesn’t make it any less beautiful or interesting! What we see as common about ourselves, can be beautiful to others. (Look at the beautiful color gradations.) We may feel we don’t stand out in the crowd, but God sees us as His son or daughter. (This one settled on a tan wall that made it stand out in relief from its background.) We are made to be a blessing. (This moth brought joy to my heart that day and again when I drew it.)

So let’s let our beauty show and please our Creator and those He wants to treat with a visit from us today.