Schefflera

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Shefflera- Umbrella Plant

I am fascinated by the Schefflera plant. I used to have a potted one when we lived in the US. I loved the form and intense shades of green in the leaves. But my love of the plant grew exponentially when I saw it in the rainforest here in Malaysia. I’ve tried capturing this in graphite and in colored pencil, but this watercolor comes closest to my ideal image of this glorious plant.

The Schefflera is commonly called the Umbrella Plant. When viewed in the forest, it is easy to see how it earned that name with its spreading leaves and lush growth.

When we join together like the Schefflera in the forest, we can be part of a great offering of praise to God. Seen from above, we shine with His reflected light. And while we are doing that, we become like an umbrella spreading God’s comfort to those who are weaker and in need of shelter from harsh conditions. Let’s remember we are more than the sum of our parts when we grow together with those who love God.

Wildflower Doodle

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A Wildflower Doodle

This Wildflower Doodle was just fun! I spend a lot of time trying to be precise and attending to details. This exercise was one of delight in putting colors on paper with only a minimum of attention to how wildflowers grow in the ‘wild.’ This was mostly imagination and fun with colors.

I think God had FUN when He was creating. He must have laughed at how some of the animals and plants turned out. Someone asked Tommy Tyson, a wonderfully sincere preacher, “Does God laugh?” He answered, “I don’t know for sure, but He sure fixed me so I could!”

If this little doodle doesn’t make you smile, find something that does. I think it is time for even more than just a smile or soft chuckle. I think it is time for a good old-fashioned belly laugh.

Giant Tree and Canopy

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Giant Tree and Canopy

Mike took the reference photo when we were walking in our local park. This giant and its nearby friends spread a canopy over much of our path. Mike had to almost hug the tree to get the shot.

Living in the tropics where one can ‘plant’ a stick and it will grow into a tree, still does not prepare you to gaze at a giant like this without a sense of awe.

Our God is Mighty, like this huge trunk and spreading branches. And He is Merciful, like the leafy canopy that provides shade even on the hottest days. Let’s give Him praise from hearts full of wonder.

Strawberry

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Watercolor Strawberry

This is another tutorial exercise from Anna Mason. Wow, trying to keep track of those little seeds was a challenge I didn’t quite meet. But overall, this strawberry makes me hungry for some strawberries and cream!

The lesson I see in this one is that we can focus so much on the tiny seeds that we miss the whole fruit. When we are looking for ‘growth’ or ‘change’ in ourselves or others, we may miss the blessings of lives lived for His glory and joy.

Tiny Gems

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Tiny Gems

I call this sketch, “Tiny Gems”. These flowers are about the size of your little fingernail. These are either weeds or wildflowers. They are only noticeable if you take the time to look for them. Our neighbor cultivates the Little Birds, but the rest were found along paths in parks.

Perhaps these tiny blossoms or their leaves or roots have a known reason for existence, but to most of us who notice them, they are just pretty and intriguing for their intricacy.

Like the leaves I painted last week, I see God’s handiwork in these tiny flowers. Then I remember Psa. 103:15-18. “The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field, the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts”.

We can just live our little life like grass, and then be blown away and remembered no more. Or we can honor God, remember his precepts and treasure his covenant with us in Jesus. We can know and share His love and live eternally with Him. Wow, what a big lesson from such tiny gems.