Well of Creativity – How People Conceive Such Extraordinary Things!

“Inspiration” is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language in the following way: “1. a.  Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity. b.  The condition of being so stimulated. 2.  An agency, such as a person or work of art,  that moves the intellect orContinue reading “Well of Creativity – How People Conceive Such Extraordinary Things!”

Experimenting, Learning and Working Hard

 Taking the attitude that we are learning and experimenting helps take some of the pressure that we put upon ourselves away.  If we consider learning a “win” then we are encouraged.  If we are perfectionistic in our expectations then we will certainly become discouraged when our efforts don’t measure up.  Personal progress is a reason toContinue reading “Experimenting, Learning and Working Hard”

Enjoying Art and Dealing with Adversity

My friend here loves art.  I’m not a great face painter but he was encouraging and kind and appreciated the snake that wrapped itself around his eye and slithered around until the forked tongue came down his chin.  My young artist friend has spina bifida and life has handed him some stiff challenges.  But he meets adversityContinue reading “Enjoying Art and Dealing with Adversity”

5 “P”s – The Fourth “P” is for Passion

When we work with passion there is a quality that draws people.  We may or may not equate with the subject of the passion, but people tend to appreciate someone who is enthusiastically working with their heart and soul.  It is evident, it shows. May years ago I submitted a painting (there is a detail ofContinue reading “5 “P”s – The Fourth “P” is for Passion”

5 “P”s – The First “P” is for Patience

Sometimes progressing in our artistic skills and abilities boils down to exercising patience.  In an instant technology-rich culture, growing in the character quality of patience doesn’t seem productive.  We hear the phrase a lot in leadership circles to not work harder, but to work smarter.  While that has value under some circumstances, the stretching of our intellectContinue reading “5 “P”s – The First “P” is for Patience”

Why Art?

Why art?  Many would say there are much more practical ways to spend one’s time and energy.  There are incredibly talented artists all over the world.  Does the world really need one more painting or other creative form of expression? Art is many things, but for me in this season of my life, art hasContinue reading “Why Art?”

Painted Flowers Express Emotions

The giving of flowers express so many emotions.  Occasions where we congratulate, celebrate, encourage, convey love, tenderness, sorrow and caring are times we give flowers.  God could have created a very  practical world in which flowers didn’t exist or they could have been very utilitarian in form and function.  Yet the earth is beautified byContinue reading “Painted Flowers Express Emotions”

Observa-tion is the Key to Art

Observation…we discuss it every week in the art classes whether it be drawing or painting.  We often ask, “what did you see differently this week because you took the time to really observe something? The study of art gives us an avenue to view our natural world with fresh eyes and take in all the nuanceContinue reading “Observa-tion is the Key to Art”

Happy Creating!

  There is a sense of exhilaration as a painting, in this case a wedding portrait, nears it’s completion.  The many hours spent before the easel has something tangible to show for the effort.  There are jars full of various brushes and daily pallets which if seen all together would have hundreds, if not thousands, hand mixed dabs of paint.  The mixed paint onContinue reading “Happy Creating!”

The Color Commit-tee

They drove up en mass to our stained glass studio.  I smiled because people usually made an appointment as we  left the shop at times to install our stained glass windows in the cities in and around Orange County in Southern California.  I’m glad we were there when they came.  They were a committee ofContinue reading “The Color Commit-tee”