Art is impossible during the holidays...

From Thanksgiving, through Christmas, and the New Year ... very little art is possible in my life. It is just a fact during this six week period.

One thing I never neglect, however, is my connection to the Lord especially throughout these days of celebration, thankfulness and expressions of genuine love.

Therefore, until I get back to serious focus on art, I'll share my meditative thoughts here on the blog.

My meditative thoughts today.....

There is a Psalms that describes the process and results of the New Birth, Born Experience. I'd not seen this until just now. This is so awesome...think on this: Psalm 51

Process of New Birth

The Recognition

¹ HAVE MERCY upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions. ² Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin! ³ For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me.

The Confessions

⁴ Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment. ⁵ Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful]. ⁶ Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.

The Plea to be Released from Guilt

⁷ Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean [ceremonially]; wash me, and I shall [in reality] be whiter than snow. ⁸ Make me to hear joy and gladness and be satisfied; let the bones which You have broken rejoice. ⁹ Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt and iniquities.

A New Heart and A New Birth of Spirit

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. ¹¹Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. ¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.

The Witness.

Proclamations Before all Human Kind

the Good News of Restoration & Revelation of Divine Wisdom.

¹³ Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted and return to You.

^{Deliverance Unto Eternal Life}

¹⁴ Deliver me from blood-guiltiness and death, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness (Your rightness and Your justice).

^{Praise & Adoration Breaks Forth}

¹⁵ O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

Upon the day of Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving blessings...

Truly if we have thankfulness and gratitude in our hearts that in itself brings blessings upon us.

Ungratefulness is a germ that infects the heart of some and harms relationships. With that in mind, I express my thankful for my friends who love me unconditionally and bless me with their thoughtfulness. I'm thankful for my family who support me and trust my judgment in family matters who are quick to forgive my blunders. I'm so thankful for my son and daughter and their spouses who make me so proud to be their parents. I'm thankful for a loving faithful husband that I can count on without question and trust completely. I'm so thankful for this country that gives me the freedom to express my ideas and opinions freely and gives me freedom from an oppressive government and the power represented in my single vote.

Finally, I'm thankful to our LORD for bestowing His merciful grace upon me, a sinner saved by Grace, which is a gift of undeserved and unmerited favor before Him, and for His written Words that anchor my soul through faith in His promises to his children. Promises that are for those who love Him and His Word. Thank you Lord for what you have done and what you are going to do in the future. -- In Jesus' Precious Name I Pray -- Amen

Some won't understand...others will.

For many years, I have had this burning desire to teach the Word and teach what I've been privileged to learn. Yet I've been hindered and often frustrated. What I have learned over my life time from my beloved Mother who is residing in the heavlies as we speak is this that God controls my circumstances and directs my lives. She admonished me so often when I became discouraged when nothing happened, "In His timing, He will bring it about." After 30 years of waiting ... He has finally brought it about ... it has happened and it was not by my doing at all.

On December the 1st ... a group of people most I do not even know will knock on my door to enter in with me into fellowship and teaching will begin. I stand amazed ... it amazes me every time this happens for this is when the invisible God becomes visible and very real. Why must it be like this and not my doing? So that I can KNOW that it is His will and He will therefore, enable me to accomplish whatever He desires.

Lord, take my weakness and make me strong. Lead me and I will follow. Thank you for what you are going to do through my teaching and fellowship with whomever you bring to my door. I stand amazed and completely humbled to my knees in thankfulness. At last. Mom, as usual, you were exactly right and I have the full assurance of my faith.

Gestures and Notans

I think I've discovered something. Go look at the side bar at right under the topic Notan ... after it is opened, scroll down to the "Notan" examples... open up and look at these.

Now look at my are gesture drawings focusing on my quickest drawings. Both of these methods are principally designed to do similar things ... namely create dynamic figures and powerful interesting compositions in paintings bringing out the central focal point and the composition's power to speak.

The gesture is designed to create a dynamic figure from the beginning as a primitive drawing that has accurate Proportion, Balance, and Movement even in the crudest sketches .... with as little as possible drawn.

On the other hand the Notan exercise is designed to find that same dynamic force in the composition ... in a landscape, portrait, or figurative genre setting .... starting with a set primitive set of black and white drawings drastically simplified. And in so doing the cards revealing another kind of dynamic power in the composition ... telling the same story in so many different ways and so many possibilities. Movement, balance, proportion is also found there. Both are designed to bring dynamic powerful paintings and figures forth. This is how it is done.

I'm beginning to understand how important this is.

This is art otherwise we are nothing more can a zerox machine.

My prayer today...

It is interesting how negative people and negative critical words affect one's soul and the works of our hand. It is so easy to be sabotaged by these people. Everyday I thank the LORD that He is in control of my life and my destiny and when I remind myself of that and humble myself to His will, how truly joyful and happy I become. Therefore, I resist the critical garbage coming my way and turn to prayer for encouragement.

Father, Blow upon the embers of my heart and flame up the faith that is in me this day. Give me strength and wisdom and a forgiving attitude. Help me to be Christ-like in all I do, especially in the works of my hand. Muzzle my mouth to speak only your words. I pray for those who attack me and ask your mercy be upon them for they truly do not know what they do. If it be possible, reveal yourself to them in a profound way that will transform their thinking. Thank you LORD for this season of beauty and reflection upon your goodness toward us for it is your goodness towards mankind ...that leads us to repentance. Thank you for revealing your truth to those who have been given ears to hear and eyes to see. With thanksgiving I pray .... In Jesus Name, Amen.

When attacked for sharing the truth...weld your sword & stand!

¹⁰In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

¹¹Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

¹²For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

¹³Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

¹⁴Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

¹⁵And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

¹⁶Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. --- Ephesians 6

Promises

Psalms 92:12 "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD [is] upright: [he is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in him."

I was at church this morning worshiping. My custom is to turn to the Psalms and read as I worship and especially during the praise singing. I opened the book randomly and this was what I read. I've been feeling my age and thinking that I have started a serious study of fine art too late in my life. I wanted to teach the Word but have been prevented. The Holy Spirit quickened my spirit and I knew the Lord was speaking to me directly from His word ... and giving me a promise for my old age. I will be fruitful. Thank you Father ... you always give me just what I need in encouragement and your promises are true.

Edit: When one walks with the Lord on a daily basis, that one's priorities are kept in their place and when the spirit is fed spiritual growth comes. I desire to be spiritually fat. I know that my relationship with the Lord directly affects all the works of my hands and everything that I do in life ... attitudes and ambitions. I desire to flourish growing a very fat soul and I shall flourish no matter what my circumstances------- ;-]

Playing with pastels...

First one is overworked and am thinking I'm going to abandon it . . . but it is a beginning in pastels. I really don't know what I'm doing with pastels. My first attempts in full color.

This second one is a work in progress...flesh tones will be much better...use of more grays is helping immensely and this one is "working up" better ... let's see if I can kill it...ha ha. I need a good instructor but can't find one.

I Cor. 15: ⁵⁸Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].

Recent work.

++

This last drawing is from the first figure drawing class of fall session ... at the end of two hour class.  A five to ten minute sketch.  I was so glad I ended with a pretty fair sketch.  It is amazing how being off a week and not drawing sets you back (I was on vacation).  ++  The figure at the top is an experiment on plain ole brown shipping paper heavy weight.  I don't know ... I still feel I need more instruction.  Playing around with pastels...  Maybe I'll never really be satisfied with my drawings.  

A new class...a new goal!

Tonight I start a another class in figure drawing. The class is basically the same thing I've been doing for about two or three years and is my way of studying with Glen Thomas. By taking the same figure drawing classes consecutively I finally am nearing accomplishing my goals. Eventually, I plan to turn from charcoal to oil painting but I have no illusions, I'm not quite ready to do that for a good reason. I'm still not making art; I want complete control.

Although my drawings have steadily improved over these classes and the accuracy of the proportions, the balance and the motion in my gestures are correct 85 percent of the time, I'm still far from creating art.

I've accomplished a lot. In addition to these skills, my drawing overall is quite fast now. Like practicing scales on a piano, this rote discipline of drawing gestures in 60-30 seconds is creating speed. As a result, I am seeing the whole figure and large shapes and like a puzzle that fits perfectly, I learning to put it all together but do it swiftly without sacrificing the quality of line or accuracy. There is no other way than rote practice for some things.

In this fall class, other than practice, it is art that I will be after. In contour drawing, varying the pressure of my hand and releasing the line is a skill I've become proficient in resulting in a line that is quite beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. Glen has commented on and appreciated that progress.

Another goal I have is learning to do wash drawings in watercolor washes, a thing Glen is a master performing with nearly a 98% perfection on every figure.

On my own, I will be studying fabrics and folds, lighting and textures in view of beginning to clothe the figure.

I am making great progress. I'll post some recent photos soon.

Socializing in the way of artmakzing. . .

Once a year, I have to do my part and make dinner for our Bunco Babes ... a social group of women who meet, eat and play bunco and such. Been working three days on this and two days on my mother's estate inventory and you wonder why I haven't posted any new work????? The week is blown .... Aaaaaaaargh. Soon this will pass and I will focus back down on art.

Edit: By the way...it was scrumptious if I don't say so myself.

Thoughts for this day for me... thinking out loud.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

¹⁰And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth but refused to love it that they might be saved. ¹¹Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false, ¹² In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness.

As C. S. Lewis writes in the Great Divorce... heaven to the ungodly would be hell. They despise the truth and take pleasure in unrighteousness.

But for those who have been transformed and have a heart that loves the Lord and righteousness ... a far different experience:

BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. --Psalm 1:1-3

Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. -- Psalm 3:6-8

Wonderful promises. God never changes.

How sad that many delude themselves into thinking they are followers of Christ when all they are doing is giving lip service, being "religious", and the truth does not abide in them. How dark is their darkness. From their mouth come cynicism and darkness and you know...I'm not interested in crossing paths with such unless they are seeking truth...another matter indeed.

Fail...

Well...just worked for several hours and failed miserably....ugly awful artwork .... you'll be happy it's destroyed! Maybe I'll do better tomorrow. Think maybe I'm sad today......just so you know what I'm capable of. Ugh.

Working art into busy schedule. . .

Photos taken with and without flash of same art; much difference from the original which is somewhere between warm and cool light. I'm experimenting in pastels flesh tones. Interesting....I'm trying to figure out what colors and methods work that gives me luminous living flesh. I'm also continuing working with wash drawings and attempting to gain control of the water and edges in that medium.

Oh to have nothing to do but just art!!!!! How delicious that would be.

Recent...

Impossible to explain...the anchor holds firm.

anchor_wikipedia_image (one side of the anchor is the Promises of God to man and the other is God's Oath to man...in other words his covenant. This is what we "hope" in and put our trust in the fact that God cannot lie. This is why the Word of God is so essential to the believer and where we find strength for the storms of life.)

How truly blessed I am Lord; how satisfied and how comforted am I. What joy there is in my heart and peace . . . impossible to explain. Knowing you, Father, is an anchor to my soul in the midst of life's great storms.

Hebrews 6:¹⁷ Accordingly God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath. ¹⁸ This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us]. ¹⁹ [Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it -- a hope ] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil [i.e. literally reaching into the Holy of Holy's in Heaven], ²⁰ Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance], a Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek [i.e. Melchizedek ... meaning an eternal High Priesthood never ending for all Eternity].

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's working...drawing exercises.

The drawing to the left was done with three crayons ... gold, green, blue. The task was to enlarge the figure and make it exceed the frame. The gold was the quick gesture, the green was refining the drawing and corrections; finally the blue was to define the negative shapes in the background and with the remaining time firm up the figure. We were given about 5 minutes.



The other drawing is a rapid contour drawing I did last night...a three minute sketch and this is designed to state the gesture - figure as quickly as possible with as little line as possible.

We also put paper over our drawing surface and drew three different poses blind...that's right. We could not see what we were drawing. The point of this exercise is to force the artist to concentrate on the the contour line of the figure, never taking our eyes off it. It was best done without lifting our charcoal pencil from the surface ... I do not have any pictures of these but I can say I was amazed how accurate my "mental drawings" are becoming. In this exercise you must think and imagine where you are on the page without using your eyes. It is very sensory.

Very good drawing night. (happy)

Something Truly Great Happened...

Frankly, I can't even believe it. I EXPERIENCED something at class last night that I can not even explain. We were doing an exercise where a piece of paper is put over our drawing/hand so that we draw blind. As I was drawing something happened in my brain...I FELT where to draw. OH MY!!!!

Pentel Color Brush Pen

I'm employing a new tool for figure drawing practice. Here are my early attempts.

How does one place in mid tone values with this medium...hum. Maybe I should just leave them out.

Can't make any mistakes . . . not very forgiving but not too bad so far. The next drawings are getting better and you can see that I'm beginning to figure out the brush ... the absorption of the paper is a bit tricky.

Now this drawing looks so pin up-ish (ugh)...but I'm beginning to get the feel for the brush.



Drew this pose twice...

I'm working on expressive strokes. The object of this work is to draw precisely, keeping the figure in balance, in proportion and showing movement ... what the figure is doing.






I know these look rather cartooned but that is not important right now . . . I'm learning something . . . I'm not concentrating on beautiful faces or aesthetics per se. I don't want to draw in a formulaic way . . . so I have to be careful here. This is more to help my eyes and brain see and increase the simplicity and structure of forms . . . I am understanding better the power of thin/thickness of strokes appropriately placed. I'm learning to see into the blankness of the paper first before drawing the stroke and "SEEING" where and what to drawn in my mind first and "SEEING" what to leave out. There is a place to for a heavier line and edges are still important even in high contrast drawing . . . . Seeing bigger and bigger shapes which is extremely exciting. I feel like I am gaining tools . . . physical human tools to put in my artistic tool box.

Soon I will see what this will do on canvas with a brush. Very encouraged my hard work is finally paying off. . .













These are my first effort using a Pentel® Color Brush Pen ... Sepa, black/gray, and a water brush (I haven't incorporated that yet).

Recent sketches...

Random sketches...and a few class work sessions.





















Here are some done with ball point pen...my favorite is a Zebra.

Watercolor study #1

This is a study . . . to learn to control watercolor. In this case, the secret is controlling the water first, the color and then edges.

Blindness....slavery versus freedom

⁴For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

This is heavy on my heart today. How true. Blindness.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHT....R E L A T I O N S H I P S
¹⁴For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.

¹⁵But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.

¹⁶But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).

¹⁷For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.

Come, let us reason together. . . if one is a slave to his/her flesh, does that one really have a free will? Can there be a choice?

That is why God has to intervene. Every good work and every good deed is orchestrated by God in this world . . . ponder that. If you think you are the originator of goodness in your life, you do not give credit where credit is due and there is no recognition of man's true plight and why he must be saved from himself.

God has to step in and do for man what he cannot do for himself.

If one is born again by the Spirit, he/she will finally gain a "freed will" to choose righteousness over unrighteousness. With a new spirit, a new heart, he/she has the power to choose and the flesh is conquered and subdued.

Otherwise, if one can save himself within his own power to choose, why would you need the Holy Spirit or Christ's cross? In essence if man can save himself, he gets all the glory and can boast . . . when clearly salvation is "not of works lest any man can boast." Salvation is a gift given man by God. A gift.

Ponder that. . . a deep thought.

¹⁸But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

¹⁹ Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, ²⁰ Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), ²¹ Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, ²³Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge] ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.

²⁵If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] ²⁶Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.

AMEN . . . there is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ. If you are free, you are free indeed....not unto perfection and sin-lessness but free from the slavery to sin. Freedom to choose.

Charcoal Drawing Commission

This is a commission I just delivered to my client today. She was very happy with it...and that pleases me.

I received this email forward entitled Two Wolves... so the picture and cut line below are not mine and I'd give credit if I could.

I was immediately struck at how this illustrates a passage in scripture wonderfully.

TWO WOLVES

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson
about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between
two wolves inside us all.

"One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow,
regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment,
inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love,
hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then
asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee replied, "The one you feed."

Now CLICK HERE....and read this passage of scripture from the Amplified Versions

Zero in on this and ponder it.

Christ's Spirit taking up residence IN YOU. This is what is meant by being born again. So the two wolves are the flesh and the spirit. Which is in control of your body? Which one do you feed?

(There is much to say about this and if any of you do not understand this very basic concept of the Gospel, I would be happy to share more privately. The truth will set you free and when you are free, you are free indeed. If you are a prisoner of your flesh and this control has literally killed you, if you feel dead inside and do not want to live, you can be set free and come alive. When a man or woman finds spiritual understanding, and what is the purpose of living, though he were dead he shall surly live. Jesus said, "You must lose your life, to find it." I encourage you to feed your spirit; "if you seek me you shall surly fine Me" . . . and Jesus cannot lie.)

Break through....at last

This wash drawing I did in class a few days ago, really got a lot of praise from fellow artists; nearly everyone thought I should frame it... I frankly don't see it (I was floored). Even my instructor said it was very good. Could it be that it was just a good likeness of the model? Any comments on the wash drawing are welcome...please tell me what it is that you like or don't like . . . I'm curious why I can't see what they see or maybe I'm right and they are wrong.

Some ink drawings recently ... I think are really some of my best work so far in figure drawing aesthetically speaking. I will post them soon in a new post.

Thanks Jon for your comment (below).
This drawing will be signed and framed.

"You've had a major break through, Patti and you have gone to another level in your drawing," instructor Glen says. At life drawing class, he pulled me aside, "I've watched you for the last two classes and I can confirm it is a real advancement, he goes on, "This is how it goes in art; you have advanced. It's unpredictable." I had noticed that Glen had stepped back and was just letting me go lately. I thought he was not wanting to pressure me because of my grief and stress when actually, he was watching to see if this was a true advancement.

Puzzling isn't it? One would think progress would halt in such circumstances since I have not been able to focus down on drawing since my mother passed away? The last few weeks has me drawing here and there and fearing my recent progress was slipping back. Instead, something great was happening.

Apparently this is how artists grow . . . in plateaus and often suddenly. One can never plan for it and it goes against logic for you work and work and struggle and don't feel you are getting any where and then all of a sudden "things click" and you see differently as you draw. Yet, I know how the subconscious mind continues to work on problems even when our conscious mind is unaware. This phenomena happened in brainstorming for ideas in my former career in graphic arts. The greatest ideas would often come a day or two after brainstorming for hours and hours. The mind works on problem solving even when we are not fully conscious of doing so.

(I will edit this post and upload some more recent sketches. Truly feeling blessed for I needed a boost right now badly . . . no time today to do it.)

Pondering this great mysterious passage...

¹AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins in which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God] among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God's] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind but God--so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) and He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor toward you) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Therefore, remember that at one time you were Gentiles (heathens) in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by those who called themselves Circumcision, [itself a mere mark] in the flesh made by human hands. [Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart) from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise [with no knowledge of or right in God's agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near.
--Ephesians 2:1 (Amplified Version)

Pondering this great transform-ative Gospel which is the work of God at work in us . . . i.e. Christ being IN US. This is a mystery. It is truly a miraculous work of the Spirit of God . . . a work that is God's purpose in creating us in the first place. The first two chapter of Ephesians if taken to heart and understood will transform a person's thinking.

Returning to Art . . .

Here are some recent sketches.

I'm working on giving weight to the figure, balance, proportion, and movement.



Last figure drawing class, I had a really good night and there wasn't any good reason for that because I hadn't drawn in over a week. I was just on. I truly think I was given a bit of grace and favor to encourage me a bit...I wasn't expecting to do any good at all.

Establish the work of our hands...

"The days of our years are threescore years and ten (seventy years)--or even, if by reason of strength, fourscore years (eighty years); yet is their pride [in additional years] only labor and sorrow, for it is soon gone, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? [Who worthily connects this brevity of life with Your recognition of sin?] And Your wrath, who connects it with the reverent and worshipful fear that is due You? So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom. Turn, O Lord [from Your fierce anger]! How long--? Revoke Your sentence and be compassionate and at ease toward Your servants. O satisfy us with Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning [now, before we are older], that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad in proportion to the days in which You have afflicted us and to the years in which we have suffered evil. Let Your work [the signs of Your power] be revealed to Your servants, and Your [glorious] majesty to their children. And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands--yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it." -- Psalms 90

I hear you LORD. Thank you for your Word and the Holy Spirit to quicken me. I will go to figure drawing tomorrow night and grief will not defeat me. I will count the number of my days as precious; grief will consume them. Therefore, I will trust in you, Oh LORD, dry my tears and move forward. Grief will not defeat your purposes for my life . . . for in my weakness You are made strong. Thankfully Lord, unlike David, I am under Grace and not under Law in this age ... and all of my sins are forgiven and covered and favor resides upon my head because I belong to you.

"Sing to the Lord, O you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:3, 4
-- Amplified Version

Heartache . . .

The depth of my soul is full of anguish and my body physically hurts. Heartache is physical pain . . . I had not known that and this is a new scary experience. I am dry, yet I am full of inner weeping. All desire to create art has vanished along with all ambition and motivation. Will it ever return? Will I ever feel normal?

As I worship alone today at Crossings, grasping my mother's worn Bible in my arms to my breast not knowing where it had opened . . . (I usually turn to the Psalms for comfort and guidance during praise time) . . . I am feeling overwhelmed with God's presence. I pull my arms down and my eyes fall upon the page to a one single verse "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." God promises are faithful and true. Thank you Lord. Amen

Absent from the Body...

Obituary:
http://www.news-star.com/obituaries/x1777821685/Edith-Juanita-Carruth

Edith Carruth, my mom, entered into the presence of her Lord and her Savior this afternoon at about 4:15. In death, she finished her race the same way that she lived her life: with great courage and steady faithfulness. She told me just Tuesday ... "I can hardly wait to see the Lord. I am ready ... I'm okay with this ... the Lord is in control (meaning ... in control of my living and my dying)."

This is the full assurance of faith that the scriptures speaks of that Christians gain when they have a relationship with the living God.

We her family rejoice in this day for we agree with David when he stated ..."Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints. O LORD, truly I [am] thy servant; (David proclaimed) I [am] thy servant ... thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. " (Psalms 116:15, 16).

As I am rejoicing and celebrating mother's life, of course I bear a great personal loss and sorrow of separation. The grief I feel is very different ... a deep loss ... yet knowing confidently ... that we cannot grieve as others grieve who have no hope. We shall be reunited one day soon. Therefore, my great loss is her greater gain and that comforts me now.

Mom became ill Saturday morning and was rushed to Presbyterian OU Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital in OKC. After scans and tests, lymphoma was found and the tumors were restricting the flow of brain fluid causing her symptoms. We were encouraged that they were treatable even at her age without much discomfort. So I held out a bit of hope for recovery, yet looking back, I think mom knew and didn't want to dash the bit of hope I hung on to. She was improving until Tuesday afternoon when she suddenly had a turn for the worse and was taken to ICU. A few hours later she suffered a brain hemorrhage which is a bleeding stroke leaving her left side paralyzed. She never regained consciousness. On the third day...today, she peacefully slipped into the arms of her savior. It was apparent to me, she was at peace even to the end.

Mom has had a love affair with her Lord and Savior since her twenties ... and she has borne great tragedy and grief just as she has experienced the ecstatic joy of a relationship with the living Lord ... Her love affair with the Word of God has also saturated her life and teaching. She is an anointed teacher and I have stood in amazement all of my life at the depth of her understanding as has other learned theologians.

Mom has continuously taught the Bible since she was in her twenties. She gave her heart to the Lord and a few months later, her son was struck and killed while crossing a highway that ran in front of their home. How could the Lord allow such a tragedy but it was that experience that drove this young woman into the Bible ... to find answers no preacher could give and so, a passion for the word of God began and grew and God healed her broken heart. Since that time she has devoted her life to the study of scripture and taught Bible classes.

At 91 years of age, she was teaching two adult classes right up to last week before falling ill. Teaching one class a week is one thing but she taught two different lessons weekly .... studying intensely for hours and hours each week. I've seen her study all day many times. My favorite story she tells on me was when I was a toddler. So accustomed to seeing my mother study, every time she would take a break from chores, I would go and get her bible and put it on her lap. I loved that I did that but it says how hard she studied.

She taught Bible ... always teaching verse by verse ... New Testament passage compared to Old Testament passages ... always harmonizing the Word. She taught in such away that the scriptures interpreted themselves and made perfect sense. She knew how to "rightly divide the truth."

That is a super natural calling and a devotion ... a motivation only the Lord can give ... a genuine call to ministry. She never tired of, or burned out of her ministry. She never asked anyone for anything monetarily for her ministry was truly non-profit in that sense. Yet, God richly blessed beyond measure overflowing exceedingly. Mom provided the refreshments for her class at her expense (a few volunteered occasionally); and notes were freely given. She was happy to do it. All she ever asked is that her students bring a pencil, note paper, and a Bible.

I have never sat under such teaching from any one else ... ever ... not even from learned preachers with doctorates. She was truly anointed and a chosen teacher of the Word of God ... and I feel humbled to have been her child. In our home town, I am happy to be known as Edith's daughter.

"Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. ... She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, And doesn't eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: Many women do noble things, But you excel them all. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!" --- Proverbs 31

How sorely I will miss your guidance, Mother. How I will lack understanding because I cannot longer hear your prayers. Whose hugs will give such comfort as yours gave? Yet your love continues to abide in me as a blanket upon my shoulders .... and "I rise up and call you blessed" today for all the days of my life you have walked consistently with God. How I yearn to again join you in worship and praise.

Already, I'm receiving calls and cards from people who have been touched significantly by your ministry. (I thought I knew everything.) It is your the young women who tends your beautiful rose garden and who clears the snow from your driveway .... who tells me how much you have helped her and how your wise guidance brought meaningful changes in her life. I see the tears streaming down her face and the love in your eyes for my mother and I am stunned.

If Mom were here reading over my shoulder, she would say .... "no no no, Patti, don't write that" ....and quickly draw attention away from her and insist ... "whatever crown that the Lord may give me, I give it back to Him for it is he who has done it through me. I was only a willing vessel." How many times she said, "don't make my funeral about me." Yet, Mom it is about you and what the Lord has done through you.

Thank you Mother for teaching me to love God's word and to apply it to my life. For opening the mysteries of God's Word to my understanding. For opening my eyes and ears that I might see and hear the truth which is the way that leads to life everlasting. Thank you for living before me a standard that I could never meet. Thank you for your consistency and steady walk.

Good bye my sweet Mother for now ... I will be there with you soon.

How dark is the darkness...

Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers; But his delight is in the LORD's law; On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper. The wicked are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked shall 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 shall perish. – Psalms 1 KJV

A more amplified translation….having the same meaning….

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper. But this is not true of the wicked. They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. NLTranslation

Lately, I have been hearing some advice from people who have no understanding of the Lord whatsoever even though they go to a church on occasion. Why they profess Christianity, I will never know. They are being dishonest with themselves …. And are greatly deceived. It is truly challenging to listen to and tolerate.

Lately, I can’t bear the scoffing for the Holy Spirit in me is grieved and I am thinking of seriously removing myself from the presence of such people .... at least for a while. How dark is their personal darkness; how sad.

Thank you Lord for the hope that is in me and for the deep joy you have established within me.

Hinderances...

Apologies to my followers. My husband slipped on black ice and broke his ankle in three places. So you know why I haven't blogged lately or been able to make progress on my art. Surgery a plate and lots of screws for the tibula, fibula and the little bone that sticks out usually ... unless it get chipped off as Jack's is ... and the ankle itself is fractured (the left foot goes the other way..it's dislocated). Lots of pain...8 weeks on crutches but boy we have fantastic surgeons thank the Lord.

Composition Notan Woman at the well

2-13-11 UPDATE:
It would be so interesting and helpful if those who view this blog pick the composition that you feel is the best and strongest. I have numbered the cards (click to see number) and invite your selection and comment if you wish. I'm in the process of deciding for myself and will post the steps that follow to the final painting.

Here are some of my Notan index cards. I finally get it . . . and wonder why this was made more difficult to understand than it is. That said, what I've learned is never to take the first idea for a composition that pops into one's head. I found so many more ways to say what I want to say. The exercise exploded my imagination and I soon began placing myself mentally into my imagination. This is definitely an exercise routine that will be used in designing ... yes DESIGNING ... any future paintings.

Samaritan Woman At the Well - John 4:4

Oh NO!!!!! not Notan

Always learning. I posted my Notan exercises on Cennini Form and was told to burn the book NOTAN the Dark-Light Principle of Design as a heretical book.

In fact here is the Moderator's post to me regarding this book:
"Patti, none are remotely related to notan. If that's in the book, it is among the plethora of misleading books available to sap away any possibility of artistic knowledge. It does real damage...as all bad ideas will do.

If you have a fire going, this should be used for tinder because it's so off-target that it's doing real, lasting damage. Excuse my passion but this is why I came out of my secure and profitable studio -- to teach... and not just to impart workable knowledge, but to to absolutely destroy, in no nice terms, the charlatans and hucksters who are drawn to this field and feel capable of teaching. The intent is identical to those creeps who lure children into cars.

This sort of misdirection makes me very angry. It's doing real harm. My advice to you is to never think about notan again. Just concentrate on your figure drawing and painting as you were before. The advice in that book will undo any advances you have already made.

Burn it now! You have let a pestilence into your house." -- Rob Howard, Moderator Cennini Forum

I stand corrected. Back to drawing my index cards. Frustrating for I thought these exercises would truly help me.

My apologies to my readers and followers. Live and learn. I trust Rob's judgment. -- Patti

Trying out some New Pastels....

Work in Progress...trying out pastels on little Roxie foxie (Pomeranian). Still have a bit to do.

Help...

I'm not sure if the contact feature is working. Have any of you submitted a contact form?

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

UPDATE: YES...the form works. Thanks for verifying that for me!!!

Patti

New Feature...contact me via email

Immediately to the right do see "To Contact " link ------------->

This is a new feature on my blog and I hope it works for it occurred to me that there is no way for visitors to contact me directly. Now, if any of you would rather comment privately and directly to me, I'm offering a way to do that and remain anonymous if you wish. Fill out the contact information form and submit it. I've provided an upload if you want to create a .pdf text file, or send a jpeg ... you may attach it using the "browse".

If you wish to remain anonymous you may do so; however, any information you decide to share will be held in confidence.

Besides the contact feature, I've included a "search this blog" for your convenience and a list of my labels on the right side bar.

--- Patti

December Drawings

The good the bad and the ugly . . . I've broken free from my artistic block for the moment. . .



This one is pretty good...

It is with a great deal of freedom, and oh so little time for art during this family & faith month of December, I manage to squeeze in a few drawings. I'm feeling so free and I am no longer afraid to show the world the good along with the not so good work.

Drawing is the key to all art and many artists today feel they have no need to develop this discipline ... and it is a discipline akin to practicing scales on a piano. I'm determined to keep drawing even in the most demanding month of the year.

The following are random sketches from my book that is always by my side.


This one is okay but not yet what I want ... a study of my daughter in view of her portrait in oils...



Fair accuracy .... quick drawing what is before me. a card table in the living room and a new set of pastels (I'm not quite ready to post that work) ... Ozzie, our white Schnauzer mix and our tree (unfinished)...I'm adding detail ... a quick sketch ... drawing what is before me.



Roxie & Ozzie ... I plan to sculpt them in the Winter Session of City Arts with Glen Thomas as instructor starting next week. I will photograph them tomorrow. I'm thinking something on this order posed together for they are literally inseparable ... maybe change the head positions ... a quick sketch.



Lots of watching football ... and I do love football ... sometimes the television is too prominent at times in our lives.



I enjoy drawing heavier women for them seem just as this drawing's feel almost free from the bondage of vanity.




Quick gestures from a book of figures.