Risk Falling Behind in Your Career"

How can we put work in its place? How can I put artmaking in its place? How can you do leisure and rest? Risk falling behind in your career...and artmaking. The only person whose eyes you should have to prove yourself to, says to you, "It is good, it is finished." (Jesus said this on the cross.) Our sense of worth through work or doing stuff will never be satisfied. It will never be enough. However, our greatest need for perfection, worth and value before God has been accomplished for us by Jesus. We now have Sabbath rest because of what Jesus did. - Thoughts from listening to Tim Keller's sermon: http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/work-and-rest.

The religious leaders in Jesus’ time had a long list of rules regarding the Sabbath. When questioned, Jesus does not respond by dismissing the Sabbath, but rather redefines it — by dying on a cross. As Christians, we are able to enter into his rest and enjoy the same rest that God enjoyed after creation, by means of his works, not ours. The Sabbath is a blessing from God and one we will only enjoy if we understand it correctly. - Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church

In response to this sermon, I am going to rest, today, from making art. I still am doing the 365 day challenge, but, it will be with a rest here and there.

Oil Pastel Trees

I really enjoyed experimenting with oil pastels today. I was rather unsuccessful with a drawing of apples, so I watched a couple of teaching videos online about working with oil pastels and tried again. I layered oil pastel better so colors were less muddy. I saw that I could blend once I had enough of the oil pastel in a certain area. It is very different from soft pastels. I'll try those tomorrow!

I had a lovely walk with Vickie on the Burke-Gilman Trail. We basked in the warm sunshine along with bikers, joggers and other walkers. So restorative. Later, we had dinner and nourishing conversation. Vickie's friendship is God's grace in my life. Thank you, Lord for the friendship of Vickie.

My thought for tonight: "Art thaws even the frozen darkened soul, opening it to lofty spiritual experience ". -Alexandr Solzhenitsyn

Pottery with Grandsons

I had a blast tonight playing with my grandsons, Micah and Caleb. We had so much fun with clay tonight. My grandson, Micah, made a giraffe, a car and a pinch pot. I showed him how to do it. I smoothed mine a bit more, but then moved on to helping Caleb with his pinch pot (see smallest one).
Caleb was happiest with using tools on his mound of clay as well as making snakes. Much fun and laughter tonight making art with my grandsons!

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Young Buddist Monk

I am drawing during each of my Perspectives classes at this point, although I took some breaks and walked a precious 3 week  old baby around when his mom let me have a turn. Tonight, we discussed Buddism, what it is that Buddists believe. Quite interesting, and I'd love to have a discussion, spend some time with a practicing Buddist to learn more. It seems that a buddist thinks he or she has a collection of good works and then bad works that tip what he or she will be the next time around, and happiness is dependent on eliminating desire and passion. One's actions determine one's fate. There is no savior in the teaching as far as I understand. Hope lies in non-existence. (nirvana)  Hmmmm. My Italian relatives would have some trouble with the lack of passion aspect :-) I know I need a savior.

Pansies Study

Italiano class tonight was lots of fun. Needless to say, I am not able to add hours to my day, so my painting is unfinished. I will probably draw during Perspectives tomorrow night, so my happy, sunny pansies will have to be completed another day. It will be fun to see the progression!

Spring Tulips

When I see tulips in the springtime, I think of hope and joy and new life. I wanted to paint that new life with vivid colors, happy colors. Winter sometimes seems very long in Seattle, but fresh, cheery tulips brighten even the grayest Seattle day.

My thought for today: Trust has to be earned. Forgiveness may be given whether it’s earned or not – and usually it isn’t - but trust is something quite different. You have to deserve to be trusted. It can’t be demanded or required. A person must earn trust.

Happy Flowers

I have these flowers by my kitchen window. They cheer me each morning. I think my window gets just the right amount of sunlight. I decided to draw them in the same style as the daffodils that I made on Saturday. Maybe I could get some cards made from three or four watercolors in this style. I usually have worked very realistically, so this is new territory for me. I sprinkled salt on the leaves to get the varigated look. Lots of fun! Makes me thing that spring is actually coming. And.....by the way, I have been making art for 116 days straight. I am really surprized, but it shows what discipline can produce. And lots of grace from the Lord!