Word #10 and #9

#10 in my Word series. More than one article in Artist's Magazine has given the advice to 'paint what you love'. In looking at quilt art, I find myself drawn to those pieces that are 'collages' if you will, of bright color, contrast and shapes. So I have been attempting to make these types of pieces - and failing.

So I feel I should go back to my first love, painting nature. Word #8 included a painted rabbit. This piece I used pictures taken at our home in WV of a Swallow-tail butterfly on azaleas. The butterfly and azaleas are painted with the Tsukineko inks and markers. I let the painting lead me to the color scheme of strong primaries - with a little green thrown in. I also broke the rule of design - put like items in odd numbered groups, 3 or 5. I used 2 groups of 4, just to see if it was irritating - like I used to sprinkle salt in the sugar bowl just before my sister 'sweetened' her cereal. That WAS irritating - but groups of 4 are just fine.

Again on this piece I used a paper printed with the verse captured in angelina fibers. I am really enjoying the shine that the angelina fibers add - and by photographing in natural light - you can see that shine in both of these pieces.

Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in thy word. Psalm 119:114

This is my piece for week 9 of 2009 - Word #9. About 2 years ago I did a selfstudy of color theory. I found many of the 'rules' of color theory to reflect God's glory. For this piece, my attempt was to show how black enhances, strengthens those hues next to and surrounded by it. Much as going thru tough, dark times in life , suddenly the small everyday items in our life are made sweeter and more meaningful. (I feel this attempt fell well short of the mark.)

Imagine how dark and tough it was for Mary and Martha to lose their brother Lazarus - knowing the Son of God, knowing their brother was loved and a friend to Jesus. Many people know the shortest verse in the bible - Jesus wept. But please know, He wasn't weeping because Lazarus had died. Why shed those tears when He was going to raise him from the dead? Jesus wept - in sympathy for Mary and Martha - knowing their tears. And He said to them, Said I not unto you that if you would believe, you should see the glory of God? John 11:40

That is a verse of high contrast - the tears and sadness of laying their brother in the grave - and the high worshipful glory of seeing their brother walk out of that grave.