A Dream Came True
- Jan, 28 2009
- By admin
- My Life, Home & Studio
- 3 comments
It’s intrigued me ever since I was a little girl… how an artist can take hot melted glass, put it on a stick, and turn it into something remarkable and useful. The swirls of color, the specks of detail… How do they do it?
On our honeymoon, my husband and I passed a unique little shop that had big, beautiful blown glass pieces. We walked over to them and Nate commented on their stunning colors, and I said how great it would be to learn how to do that someday. Little did I know that my sneaky, creative husband had already arranged for a private lesson from a master the very next day.
We arrived at Keila Glassworks, and a big, dreadlocked man greeted us with a smile. He bore a striking resemblance to one of my fellow art students at Union University, or for you, perhaps the “typical” art student. But he handled hot glass with perfection, and somehow managed to not catch his massive amount of hair on fire. For about 2 hours, Nate and I learned the basics of glassblowing and made three pieces with some assistance: two tumblers and a vase. Did you know that it actually takes two people to blow glass? One to blow into the pipe and one to keep the pipe moving.
It was so much fun, and one of my dreams came true. (Thanks Nate!)
What is something you’ve always wanted to do? Why not make it happen in 2009? Email or comment with your dreams. I want to know!
My Latest Painting
- Jan, 09 2009
- By admin
- Artwork
- 4 comments
Occasionally, I get an idea for a painting that I know is not from me – it is inspired by God and it usually takes hold of me until I complete it. “Redeemed” and “Unblemished” are two such paintings. My latest piece is another one.
This painting symbolizes Jesus’ resurrection. The empty cocoon represents the empty tomb, and the butterfly represents Jesus’ risen body, and our resulting freedom from sin. The red and white in the butterfly symbolizes Jesus’ blood and the complete purity that we have now that we have been forgiven. The falling piece of paper claims “It is finished.” These were some of Jesus’ last words on the cross, and they are so powerful. They express triumph rather than defeat. Because of the truth of these words, we have life.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very heart of Christianity. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul reasoned, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” In the same chapter he says “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins… If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” But then Paul triumphantly declares, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead!”
On Easter morning some women and apostles went to Jesus’ tomb, expecting to find his body. But the tomb was empty, and the angel at the tomb told them, “He is not here; he has risen!” Later they saw Jesus face to face. I have not seen Jesus’ face, but I know that I will someday. His resurrection means that we all can.
Please contact me if you have any questions about this painting or about Christ’s death or resurrection.
From culinary school to an art career: How a closed door changed the course of my life.
- Jan, 02 2009
- By admin
- My Life, Home & Studio
- 2 comments
“Have you always wanted to be an artist?”
This is the most common question I get at art shows or when people see my work for the first time. It’s funny, because one would think that I had dreamed about this career from childhood. It’s simply not the case.
You see, I had never met a successful artist. I grew up with the assumption that creating art was fun, and it was just something to do in your spare time, or after retirement… seriously. It didn’t stop me from loving the creative process, however. I colored with the best of them. I made art supplies out of the most random items, and it was always pure joy.
In middle and high school, I turned a great deal of my attention to the kitchen. I would come home, change into comfortable clothes, and go help Mom with whatever she was preparing. I didn’t care what we were making, but I wanted to be in the middle of it. Soon I began believing that I wanted to be a bread and pastry chef for a living, and my parents and I began touring culinary institutes.. I was all set! Now, just to graduate..
I’ve heard that God shuts doors and opens windows. I’ve always thought that was a pretty cheesy concept, but my senior year I got to experience it first-hand. It turns out that they don’t allow 17-year olds into culinary school. It’s something about sharp knives and hot ovens I’m sure… I got this jolt of reality as I neared graduation. It seemed clear that I would have to put off becoming a chef at least for a time. Not to be discouraged, I began looking for a way to amuse myself for a year, and decided on attending “regular” college. A school I wasn’t even interested in attending offered me a full scholarship. This scared me into trying for a full scholarship where I actually wanted to attend (Union University). I had only a week to get the ACT score I needed to even be considered for a full scholarship there, and it turns out they had a final residual test I could take ASAP.