Valentine Fine Art

"Image Of God"  by We Are Messengers

I woke up with a broken heart in my chest 
I couldn't sleep couldn't get no rest 
Weighed down by the heaviness of life 
And I try to shake it flipping through my phone 
But all it does is make me feel more alone 
How could anything that feels so wrong be right 

Seven billion voices separate us 
But only one can show us who we are

This first part of the lyrics explains how I've been feeling lately. My heart has been so heavy with all that's going on in the world. Fear and anxiety have kept me awake at night. I try to stay away from the news or friends' posts but like a train wreck, I just can't look away. The fighting that has been going on is so upsetting. I've let it affect me too much. We have been treating each other in ways that must break God's heart.

I was reminded recently that my hope comes from God. To feel that hope I must focus on HIM. I have to continue to pray, wait and trust that God is in control.

I was reminded in our Sunday sermon the importance of prayer. It enables us to have a thriving relationship with God.  

We Are Messengers -- "These are challenging times where we need unity, hope, empathy and love," shares lead vocalist, Darren Mulligan. " 'Image Of God' is a song to unite us, reminding us that every single person is created wonderfully in God's image, and as such are invaluable and fully worthy of our time, respect, love and honor."

When I heard this song for the first time this morning, I knew it was meant for me. 

In Psalm 8 King David wrote about his awe that a powerful God who created everything would be concerned with tiny human beings. Think about that...let it sink in. The creator of the universe cares about YOU. He cares that you're feeling overwhelmed. He cares that you're feeling afraid. 

We shouldn't hide from God for any reason. We must pray to him. If we don't, the result is fear, loneliness, a feeling of worthlessness. 

Give the song a listen! 

Luke 12:32  “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

I created this mixed media piece at the start of the pandemic. I called it Fearless. It's my favorite piece of art so far. So much so that I kept the original.

It's hard to be fearless in the world we're living in now. There is so much for us to be afraid of. If we don't focus on God, the world will overwhelm us. 

A shepherd is a person who protects, guides, or watches over his flock. God calls us His flock. He is our shepherd.  He protects us! If we stay focused on Him, He will give us peace.  

That's not to say we will never be anxious or fearful. We are humans living in a fallen world. 

Psalm 56:3–4  When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? 

David said in this verse, "WHEN I am afraid." We have to recognize that fear is real. His next line is "I put my trust in you." When we feel afraid we have to shift our focus back to God. 

Have you ever heard someone say "what you focus on grows?" Let's let God grow in our hearts and minds rather than our fears. With His help, we too, can be fearless.

When I feel anxious or afraid I listen to Christian music. Give a listen to Fearless by Jasmine Murray.

November 5, 2020

Hello friends,

I thought things were bad BEFORE the election but that was nothing. All the lies, the cheating, the slander... how can we believe anything anyone says? Everyone has their own agenda, and thus, an ulterior motive for every move they make.

I spoke to a friend earlier about how upset we both are about what is going on with this presidential election. We both expressed fear for the future, especially if the behaviors of many of those in question aren't recognized and dealt with. It seems anymore that so many things just get swept under the rug. So many BIG things!

I painted this years ago after the Las Vegas shootings. I called it, "I am Coming Soon."  Jesus, cradling the world lovingly in His arms with tears streaming down His face. It was relevant then and is as much so today. My friend and I discussed how it isn't that God has let us down, but instead, that we have let Him down.

We humans have made such a mess of this world. We want money, power, status and many will do anything to get these things. We are on our own thrones! There will be no sweeping things under the rug with God. There will most definitely be consequences to our actions on judgement day if we don't get ourselves right.

John 3:26 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish, but may have everlasting life.

God STILL loves us and gives us every chance to repent for our sins so we can join Him in heaven one day. That is something we should hold on to amid all this craziness. He is in control and He has our backs!

God bless!

October 29, 2020

I don't know about you but I'll be glad when this election is over. People are so angry and ready for a fight. Never in my lifetime have people been so unwilling to allow others to have their own point of view. Isn't that one of the many perks of living in this country? The overall attitude is -- if you don't believe what I believe then we have nothing to talk about. It's all or nothing.

When I was a kid my family would get into some heated discussions about politics. When dinner was ready though, we would all sit down together. It was ok to disagree.

This painting is called United We Stand. It's meant to show that we all come from the same source. In this mural I painted for Wilson Arts, I asked folks passing by to participate by putting their handprints on the mural; all ages, all races. God created us all in His image. We have more in common than we realize. 

I keep hearing this song on the radio and can't help but think how perfect it is for this time: Revolutionary by Josh Wilson. Here are the lyrics.

Revolutionary

Maybe you’re not like me 
Maybe we don’t agree 
Maybe that doesn’t mean 
We gotta be enemies 

Maybe we just get brave 
Take a big leap of faith 
Call a truce so me and you 
Can find a better way 

Let’s take some time, open our eyes, look and listen (yeah) 
We’re gonna find we’re more alike than we are different (yeah) 

Why does kindness seem revolutionary 
When did we let hate get so ordinary 
Let’s turn it around, flip the script 
Judge slow, love quick 
God help us get revolutionary

(Whoa oh) 
Revolutionary 
(Whoa oh) 
Let’s get, Let’s get 
(Whoa oh) 
Revolutionary 
(Whoa oh) 

I’m turning the TV down 
Drowning their voices out 
‘Cause I believe that you and me 
Can find some common ground 

See maybe I’m not like you 
But I’ll walk a mile in your shoes 
If it means I might see 
The world the way you do

Let’s take some time, open our eyes, look and listen 
We’re gonna find we’re more alike than we are different 

Why does kindness seem revolutionary 
When did we let hate get so ordinary 
Let’s turn it around, flip the script 
Judge slow, love quick 
God help us get revolutionary

What would Jesus do 
He would love first 
He would love first 
What would Jesus do 
He would love first 
He would love first 
So we should love first 

Why does kindness seem revolutionary 
When did we let hate get so ordinary 
Let’s turn it around, flip the script 
Judge slow, love quick 
God help us get revolutionary

Click to listen.

Life is hard sometimes. We don't always feel like being nice or loving first. I struggle with it, too. Jesus was on this planet and knows how difficult it can be. He loves us, warts and all. If I behave the fool, I feel convicted and have to make it right. I have to do that more often than I'd like to admit. I work every day at stifling that fool to begin with. I am a work in progress. God help us get revolutionary.

October 11, 2020

My husband came in my studio and noticed a box of ceramics a neighbor was coming to pick up. He asked me why don't I cut them and use them in my art? I have no idea why I didn't think of that. I'm always looking for things to cut up and use in my glass and resin art. It just never occurred to me to use ceramics. He had to cut those pieces for me because my saw isn't large enough. I got so excited when he brought the cut pieces in and I began painting one.

My next dilemma was how to put the lighthouse on the wood cradle because the bottom was open and I didn't want people to see it. My husband looked at me and simply said "foam". I'm sure I looked very confused because I had no idea what he was talking about. He suggested using canned foam and retrieved some from his shop. He showed me how to use it and told me that when it dries I can carve it to the shape I want. What???? 

This is a whole new world! 

Well, I did as he suggested and the lighthouse art came out beautiful! I was open to his suggestions and learned something new. I look forward to making more of them!

September 29, 2020 

People often ask, how did I learn to do what I do?

I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. As a child I used to draw the comics from the Sunday paper to practice. When that wasn’t challenging enough, I began drawing models in magazines. I would draw anything in front of me, vases of flowers, plants, coffee cups. It was just something I needed to do. Being creative was in my DNA, nothing I did could change that.

Eventually I began taking art classes at the Fashion Institute of Art in Manhattan.  Yes, I am originally from New York – don’t hate me! I worked as a graphic designer for years but didn’t really enjoy it. Later I began taking painting classes at a local school called Art Lab located in Snug Harbor on Staten Island. After moving to North Carolina, I began painting more seriously and taking workshops from internationally renowned artists. My husband built me a studio and now I create all the time. I’m always experimenting with new material. You can’t be afraid to fail and I fail a lot! It’s all about the process.

I've been working on some new painting commissions. I'll fill you in on those when they're completed. I did finish this commissioned mixed media piece. I haven't been doing glass collage for that long so this was a real challenge for me. It's also the largest piece yet that I have resined. I am not ashamed to say I was glad when it was finished. It was a little stressful! In the end it came out beautiful and the customer was thrilled. I even made a second one with the other half of the pitcher!

Working with glass collage is exciting. It's all about the sparkle! I've added glass on top of existing paintings and made them pop. I've even had a few classes to share my excitement with others. My students have created some beautiful pieces. 

I'm part of a couple of artist groups. The Wilson Active Artists Association and Greenville Brushstrokes to name two. I met with another member of the latter today to discuss some new opportunities. I'll keep you posted!