Well, this week I have ventured outside of my comfort zone. Normally I stick to canvas and to landscapes. This is what I did differently, thanks to my art instructor. I painted an animal instead of a boring landscape. He’s a bit rough but developing his own character
Today I decided to ditch the canvas and paint on a raw live Catawba leaf. I wasn’t prepared for how much the leaf would absorb the acrylic paint. It’s going to take more paint since this one leaf spans about two hands wide. Going to need more paint still but here is my little cabin next to a mountain creek.
I like experimenting with different textures, sources, and new projects. Previously I have painted on wood, rocks, and metal watering cans.
Don’t be afraid to explore the unknown. Feel what you paint instead of just laying down strokes.
My current painting may look very dark but it has yet to receive the final stroke.
We go through so many things in life that at the time we may not fully understand their meaning. It is especially hard when those times involve the lives of innocent children. Remember, like this painting, it will go from dark to light. The darkness of the person who took the lives of innocent children will pass away and be overshadowed by the beautiful and happy lives that these children led. Satan does not win! Their spirit lives on in the hearts of their families and in a community and country that grieves with them.
This painting will not stay that way long. The light will soon reveal itself. The beautiful thing about art is that it gives us a venue to share messages to all its viewers.
Never let darkness stay in your life. Light will reveal truth in all things. Be the light for others. We still have an opportunity to not just enjoy life but to share that joy.
I typically am an early morning riser. My day starts anywhere from 4:30 to 7:30 depending on how much I have slept. While my husband and dog sleep I am either sketching, reading, or stitching. Today, I’m sketching.
I am trying to increase my skill in portraits. While I typically sketch in pencil my art teacher tells me that is a no-no. Be bold enough to do it in ink she says. So here I am in bed sketching in ink trying to make a character appear on this page.
While he might not be perfect and is lacking color he does at least in some form seem to have some resemblance to my source. As I make each line I try to give him character something that will make you question “who is this guy”?
I think now I may use him in my next short story. Sketches as imperfect as they are give you a quick insight as to what the finished piece will be. Sometimes I add color but most of the time I don’t. As I add each stroke I am building not just his structural features but also his character. I ask myself “Who is this guy” because forming an identity in my head makes him more real on paper.
My teacher says I am more critical of myself than anyone else. Drawing is not just fun but at my age helps me to keep that part of my brain active. It also helps me build characters to write about.
Well, time to get up and fix coffee. The dog is squirming and the husband will be waking soon.
If you want something to read on a rainy day, check out my e-novella on Amazon. The name of it is Once Upon A Mountain Christmas. It is short, sweet, and deliciously Christmas.
For those penny pinchers, you can also read the Kindle version for free.
With everything that is going on in the world around us, you wonder how we got to this point. How did society take such a big left turn?
I grew up in a middle-class household but from day one we were taught strong values. I never saw my parents read the Bible but I knew they believed in what was in it.
And yes my parents were old school and believed strongly in the “spare the rod and spoil the child” theory because my behind rarely got spared. My father worked hard and ruled with a firm but loving hand.
Come Sunday we were off to church. We listened to what the preacher said and tried to apply it to our lives the best we knew how. Have I ever made mistakes, you betcha. At the end of the day, I asked for forgiveness and enjoyed God’s grace.
I left the church some years ago when it became so obvious that their focus became more about money than God. My focus was on finding peace with my faith. I took a year to read the Bible and focus on who Jesus was.
I grew closer in my walk with God that year than I ever did in church. Mind you I am not saying all churches are bad but some are. Most are driven more by the love of money and power than the love of Jesus! Mega churches have sprouted up like weeds but their backbone is theatrics not faith.
Faith is not learned. It is not theatrics that feel good in that moment. Real faith is much stronger. When you are in a dark room without the theatrics and the loud music it is just you and Jesus having a conversation that matters. That is where faith begins. Yes, I guess you could say the church drew out a plan of faith but they failed in that plan.
I hold on to my strong faith and yes I probably would return to church if I could find one that didn’t just talk the talk but could prove they could also walk in the path of Jesus.
I pray that this world can wake up and find faith in its Creator. In the meantime here’s a little tune to remind you.
You may not recognize what is on my grits. There are three spices here, Tumeric, ginger, and cinnamon. No, this does not alter the taste. I know you are scratching your head right, but sit back and open yourself up to a new way of thinking.
If you are a fan of Mexican,Mediterranean or Chinese cuisine, it is probably because of the spices. On this day I ran out of my Tumeric/Ginger supplement I went to my spice cabinet and pulled both along with Cinnamon. The Tumeric is great for the relief of arthritic pain and swelling. Ginger is also used as an anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. Cinnamon is used to speed up the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Herbs and spices are also mentioned numerous times in the Bible. In Genesis 1:29 it mentions herbs. Leviticas 2:1 talks about Frankincense, which is also a strong spice for healing and was presented at the feet of Jesus. In Exodus 25:6 it talks about using spices for anointing. The queen of Sheba presented the king spices because they were so highly valued.
The moral to this story is that you can improve your health by adding something as simple as a spice. You can add them to your tea, coffee, meats, and vegetables. While most you may not taste, you will slowly change your body in time.
In the time of Jesus spices were also used on the deceased as an embalming agent. There are so many ways to use spices. Yes I know some like frankincense can be pricy but aren’t you worth it?
People often ask me how I create the things I make. It is a process but one I have come to love. To tell the truth I think it’s the design process I prefer over the actual creation on some things.
Things pop into my head often without invitation particularly on sleepless nights. Why these things could not present themselves during the day I will never understand. It’s the idea, the first thought, the inspiration you see that leads down that colorful road of design.
Last night when I could not sleep I was sitting up working on a cross stitch sampler when it popped into my head I should be creating my own sampler design. I put away my cross stitch project and grabbed some paper and a pen to start roughing out the design.
(C) Sue G. Heath Designs
The layout may change once I enter it into the computer, but you get the concept. Getting the idea on paper as soon as possible is important. Otherwise, it becomes a missed opportunity.
While I would like to have the time to work all of the designs I create, my many other interests don’t make it possible.
I just resurrected my shop on Etsy. Hopefully, I will be posting some of my designs there. I will keep you posted on that and provide the link.
I guess my drive to design somewhat stems from my childhood as I watched my father painlessly draw house plans.
What motivates you? Do you have a hidden skill or talent you have yet to explore? Why not test the water. Maybe you’ll create that next great invention. It all starts with just one idea.
The last five years have provided a lot of tragic events. From a man-made virus to violent and disastrous floods, earthquakes, and other unpredictable events. Who is the one who is first blamed, God. Hate to bust the bubble of those people, but God is NOT the one to blame.
While thousands have died during the last five years, you have to look not at the negativity of the events but what these events taught us. Pointing the finger at God is a waste of energy. We all know God created us, and he has the right and capability to destroy us at any time. But what have we learned? God did not create these events, but in some instances, He may have allowed things to occur to open our eyes to things we need to face.
If a person has a heart attack but survives, it’s not just a coincidence. It is because God loves us so much that he doesn’t want us to suffer but needs us to learn how to be faithful and take care of our bodies. In some instances, a person is allowed to pass because they have already suffered so much.
God does not do anything without reason. Some years ago, a small child fell into a public swimming pool. The lifeguard saw her go in and went in after her. Despite her valent attempts to save the child, she never took another breath. When the death was reported, there was an investigation, and it turned out that sweet child had been abused by a family member. Sometimes, in situations like that, God does intervene because he knew that child had suffered enough! When bad things happen, look at what leads up to that event.
At other times miracles happen even at the worst of times. Just look at the events that occurred after the massive loss of life in Western North Carolina. When the government failed to provide comfort and relief, people came from states away to help. There were miracles that occurred almost daily.
Even in the most horrific of situations, God tends to let us know He is there.
What can you do? Be grateful daily and give of yourself to others. Love begins with you.
Guess you are wondering what these two have in common! Throughout the Bible, prayer is discussed, and we are taught how to pray.
Women used to wear their hair long and men wore their’s cut short. Somewhere along the way that standard got reversed. Here is what the Bible says about that: 1 Corinthians 13 – 15 13 Consider for yourselves; is it proper and decent for a woman to offer prayer to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the native sense of propriety itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is a dishonor to him. 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is her ornament and glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.
I just happen to have long hair and have worn it most of my life that way. Having read this, I do have a greater appreciation for that gift and is an added reason to let my hair grow.
This world needs a lot of prayer. In your prayers, remember those who have lost so much in Western North Carolina, Texas, and New Mexico.
Thursday – despite predicated bad weather, my sister Donna and I packed our bags and departed for Sanford. After an easy two-hour trip, we pulled into the parking lot of our rent-a-home for two days. Our suite was squeaky, clean, and pleasing to the eye.
We settled into our room and made plans for dinner. After researching the area restaurants, we settled on the Bay Breeze Seafood. It was a nice restaurant with the typical beach theme. The price was not bad for what I had and the area we were in. Needless to say, this place did not disappoint in food quality.
The next morning, we took advantage of the motel’s continental breakfast and made plans for the day. After breakfast, our first destination was the Ole Gillium Mill Bridge and park. After about a ten minute ride, we arrived at the bridge.
Even though this is a reproduction of the original bridge, it is still pretty awesome.
Across the road from the bridge is the park, which is privately owned but opened to the public most days. Here’s what we saw at this unique mill park.
After leaving the park, we decided to go back to the motel for a brief rest and swim
For lunch, we chose the Rufus Restaurant in Goldston just a short ride away. The restaurant was very small and looked like an old store from the 59’s. It was so small inside that you could barely turn around. There was even with the size a steady stream of people in and out. Needless to say the food proved to be wonderful. Leaving the restaurant we ventured downtown to the visitor’s center. After collecting brochures we decided to follower the mural trail. Even though we did not find them all the ones we did find did not disappoint.
I also shot the depot and house.
We ventured back to our motel after our day of adventure. Today, we depart to visit our sister in a town about an hour away before heading back home.
Thanks for following me on my road trip. Yall come back now here!
Through My Eyes 