First Sale

My friend and I recently submitted paintings to a local museum. We attended the opening last night and had a blast. There was music, dancing, and food. Guests were allowed to walk through the gallery and admire the artwork, as well as bid silently on the art pieces that we submitted. The gallery itself contains American Art, but local artists were given the opportunity to submit a work of art themselves. We were given a small 10"x 10" canvas to let our creative juices flow. We also agreed to allow our art pieces to be up for auction at the show, receiving no profit ourselves. All proceeds would go to the museum if the piece was sold. I am happy to say that my painting, as well as my friend's painting, both sold! Even though we didn't get the money ourselves, we can still say that we finally sold our first painting! Below is my piece titled: Manipulation

True Meaning

Thank you to the bloggers who posted comments. I will now divulge the true meaning of 1:2

Congrats to Alyssa for thinking of Genesis 1:2. You are exactly right. Although, this verse was not the initial reason for this painting. Let me explain...

My main goal for this piece was to reveal how God breathed life into each of us. I wanted to create a large swirl of sand, dirt, clay (items from nature) and attempt to symbolize the breath of God forming each individual. We were formed out of the dust of the earth....etc. This is why I tend to use a lot of items from nature in my recent pieces. I use what God has given us. Pieces of the earth that are obviously not man-made, but created only by God's hands.

When we were given the theme of "God is with us" for our church art show, I wanted to also reveal how God has been with us since the very beginning of time and how He brought light into the dark world when it was formless. When trying to think of a title for the painting, Genesis 1:2 was perfect. He created our formless bodies as well. He knit us together, hense the thread and the layers of paint, and dirt which reveal being built or formed together. I love how there are many different meanings behind the layers of this painting. It shows the many different layers of God as well. There is so much more to God that we do not and cannot know. Similar to creating a painting that can reveal different meanings to different people, as well as show layers upon hidden layers that no one will ever see.

Our pastor's sermon this past Sunday has inspired me to create a new painting very soon. I am excited to get started!

Sneak Peak

I will give you all a first look at the new painting that will be in the art show this year during our Christmas concert at church. It's definitely more dramatic in person, so I hope you can make it to the show. Here it is....my most recent piece titled 1:2

Curious about the title? Well, here's what I want you to do. Take a few minutes to really look at the painting and tell me what you think of it. How do you feel when you look at it? What do the colors make you think of? What emotions arise? What do you think it symbolizes? etc... Think hard. Once I get a few comments, I will post again in a few days and give you a hint as to what 1:2 might mean. Until then, I'd like to see how you interpret this piece!

Sunday Afternoon Walk

Today was a sunny, beautiful day and it inspired me to finally go out and take some pictures just for the sake of creativity and wanting to use my eyes. Even though the sun was bright, the air was cold and my hands were a bit chilly. But, I endured the weather to find beauty in some simple things along my way.

I'm back

I have been MIA lately, I know. And I apologize to any faithful followers of my blog, if there are any out there :) I have been quite busy lately. I moved, I've been singing more, my friend had a baby, and I have had several photography jobs since the last time I posted. I photographed another wedding and I have photographed more children and teens. It's been a busy several months. Sadly, I have not painted. But that is about to change because I will be submitting some work to an art show being held at my church this year. That will definitely get me motivated and I need that. Will post again soon. Please come back and check!!

Latest Paintings

I guess you could say that I've been pretty busy the last few months. Too busy to post I suppose! But, I have been painting and I'm excited to share my latest pieces.
Once I feel like I have a solid body of work, I will post the whole collection.

6 Months of Self Discovery

In November, I decided that I would create a new painting each month for the next 6 months. I made a large painting that explored my feelings and struggles throughout that month. When December came along, I found myself less determined and unfortunately my painting was pushed to the backburner. However, a new year brings about new ideas, new goals and new motivations. After spending almost a whole Saturday covered in paint, I discovered how much I enjoy the medium. The piece below has encouraged me to start a series of paintings that will deal with the earth. I will use God's creation to make a series of paintings that will express a variety of emotions in layers and layers of nature.

Below is a closeup detail of the texture made with dirt, sand and paint.

Busy

I realized that I haven't posted in several months and I can't tell you how depresssing that is! I would like to inform you that, although I have not posted any artwork on my blog, it doesn't mean that I have not been creating artwork. I have been doing A LOT since my last post in September and I can't wait to share it with you. After Christmas, I will reveal to you my latest endeavor....6 Months of Self Discovery....so stay tuned.

Early Riser

Last week, I decided to wake up at the crack of dawn in an attempt to capture mist rising from a river nearby. To my dismay, I found no mist. BUT, in my departure, as my headlights were turned on, I found some amazing things happening. My lights lit up a park bench in front of me and this amazing sight changed my original plan. I thought I was going home with no pictures and wishing I had stayed in bed, but instead, this bench became my 5:30am inspiration. Thanks to my little Versa :)

Just Be

There's something mysterious about a hammock. The way it moves in the wind, or the way it sways when a person lazily sprawls across its netting. A hammock provides a type of relaxation far different from a couch or a lawn chair. A person hears the word "hammock" and their eyes light up at the thought. They can just "be" in the hammock. Just "be". That's something that has been a goal of mine the last year. To be more me. More outgoing, more giggly, more blond, more kind, more adventurous.... It's very liberating. I have gained a strong sense of self awareness and self acceptance. My advice......find a hammock.

Grandmother of the Groom

I recently went to a friend's wedding and took some pictures of the bridal party and guests. At the reception, there was a mix of slow dances, and wild dances, including Albanian, which I had never seen before. It was a lot of fun. If you enjoy dancing the night away, then you know how tiring it can be. In this photo we see Ryan's grandma taking a break and watching the rest of the guests. I just loved her polka dot skirt and the light coming from the window. She appears so frail and small in this image, yet she definitely proved to be just as much of a dancer as the rest of them.

Timeless Love

I saw this couple at a park recently, and I was immediately drawn to them. From the back, you cannot see that they are both reading newspapers and totally engrossed in what they are reading. I loved the way the light was hitting the couple. His white hat compliments her white dress and their feet criss-crossed in the same fashion. The image made me think of my grandparents and the amazing love they had for one another. A love I hope to one day feel as well. As I spent some time at the park, the couple finished reading and got up together arm in arm. I was able to capture a snipit of this couple's life, even if for only 15 minutes.

Still

Secret

Alice

Evanescent

Unaware

Time

Weekly Words

Yes, it's been a while since I last posted. But I'm back and will be posting more often especially in the next few weeks. I have recently taken some pictures that I feel either capture or relate to one word. This word may or may not, in your opinion, reflect the essence of the image at all. The word may be so unrelated that you want to know why I picked the word. That's what I'd like to know. Please comment! So, in the next few weeks, I will be posting one word, and one photo.....

Vanity

A Flea Market First

I love flea markets and I've been to many local ones. However, this past weekend was my first time photographing people at a flea market. My friends and I took a little trip to try and find some photographic opportunities. I've never been much of a street photographer. It's always been a challenge for me to just snap away at random people on the sidewalk or in a park. There's always a small bit of intimidation or fear that comes with it. Yet, being a photographer, I've realized that it's time to overcome this fear. Below are two vendors at a nearby flea market. Two quite interesting characters who were willing to let me take a few pictures of them.