This is Whimsy the Frog. I was having trouble finding things to laugh about. Usually that is not a problem for me, but then what’s usual now? I decided to find a subject that would make me smile. Actually, this little guy makes me laugh.
I had to pay more attention to detail on Whimsy than I have on almost any other painting I’ve done. He has so many colors! My palette was overflowing with colors. What fun! The textures were varied from his pebbly skin to smooth bamboo to super shiny highlights. All this requires lots of water in some parts and almost dry brush in others. Wow. This kept me on my toes. Concentration went a long way to lightening me up.
Little by little this cheeky little frog peered out from my paper. Little by little he took shape hanging on with his sticky little toes to the slippery bamboo. I wondered, “Where will he go when he gets that left foot up on the bamboo?” I knew where he would go for me. He went right to my heart and brought overflowing joy.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Sometimes we have to look for it in unusual places. This week, Whimsy was where it started for me.
What about you? Are you finding the joy of the Lord to be your strength?