In the Depths 8/12/13

(Oil on canvas)

"O Lord, God of my salvation;

I cry out day and night before you.

Let my prayer come before you;

incline your ear to my cry!

For my soul is full of troubles,

and my life draws near to Sheol.

I am counted among those who go down to the pit;

I am a man who has no strength,

like one set loose among the dead,

like the slain that lie in the grave,

like those whom you remember no more,

for they are cut off from your hand.

You have put me in the depths of the pit,

in the regions dark and deep.

Your wrath lies heavy upon me,

and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah

You have caused my companions to shun me;

you have made me a horror to them.

I am shut in so that I cannot escape;

my eye grows dim through sorrow.

Every day I call upon you, O Lord;

I spread out my hands to you.

Do you work wonders for the dead?

Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah

Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,

or your faithfulness in Abaddon?

Are your wonders known in the darkness,

or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

But I, O Lord, cry to you;

in the morning my prayer comes before you.

O Lord, why do you cast my soul away?

Why do you hide your face from me?

Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,

I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.

Your wrath has swept over me;

your dreadful assaults destroy me.

They surround me like a flood all day long;

they close in on me together.

You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;

my companions have become darkness." (Psalm 88, ESV)

The Lost Art of Oil Painting 8/1/13

Oil painting used to be my primary medium.  I enjoyed the richness of color and how slow the paint dried allowed for better blending and cohesiveness.  However, an oil painting is a commitment.  It's not something to be finished all at once and the days it takes to dry can deter the impatient such as myself.  Most of my pieces over the last several years have been drawings since they can usually be finished in one sitting and that is what my motivation and concentration allowed for.
I've had an increasing urge to paint again and as my summer is drawing to a close, I decided now is as good of a time as any.   I think it'd been about four years since I'd used my oil paints and I had pry them open with pliers :).  I've spent two days working on this piece and will probably spend a couple more.  I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the medium and am finding a welcomed change of style in this piece.
Here's a little preview of part of it:

Planted By The Water 7/28/13

"Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish."

-Psalm 1

Ask 4/13/13

I am searching for ways to find time to make more art.  This time, I did part of this piece while spending time with a friend who was also doing art.  I also didn't finish it all in one sitting (what I usually do).  I found that I was still inspired to work on this piece, even over the several days that it took me to complete.  Hope you enjoy.

"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” 

(Luke 11:9-13, ESV)

Waiting: Comfort in the Light 3/25/13

It took me writing on my calendar that I'd make a piece of artwork tonight to make this happen.  I decided to make another watercolor mixed with pen/ink:

Words of encouragement for one resting in God's love from the Psalms:

Our soul waits for the Lord; 

he is our help and our shield.

For our heart is glad in him,

because we trust in his holy name.

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,

even as we hope in you. 

(Psalm 33:20-22, ESV)

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light do we see light. 

(Psalm 36:7-9, ESV)

Wrestling with God 1/20/13

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

(Genesis 32:24-28 ESV)

The Bleeding Woman 1/15/13

This woman is mentioned in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  She must have been an outcast from society for her affliction.  She must have not only suffered physically, but also emotionally and spiritually as those around her shunned her and prevented her from entering places of worship.  However, she knew who her savior was and how he could heal her and she had the boldness to reach out and touch him, which must have been considered improper.  Jesus responded by saying it was her faith that made her well.  She didn't have to touch him, but that act demonstrated her inner belief, despite her years of discouragement.  Jesus cared enough for her to stop in the midst of a busy crowd, on his way to save someone else from dying, to talk to her.

"And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well."

(Matthew 9:20-22 ESV)

Lifter of My Head 1/8/13

My, my, it's been a long time.  It's so easy to fall out of habits.  As I think about the last several months, I know that I need to start drawing again.  Along with that, I've begun a plan to reread the entire bible this year.  It would seem that both of these things are appropriate New Year's resolutions.  I've felt the lack of them.

This drawing is inspired by Psalm 3:

"O LORD, how many are my foes!

Many are rising against me;

many are saying of my soul,

there is no salvation for him in God. Selah

But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head.

I cried aloud to the LORD,

and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah"

(Psalm 3:1-4 ESV)