$45.00 worth of pure, raw potential :)

Nate may think I’m crazy when he comes home tonight   I just made a run of some antique stores near our home and picked up a really random assortment of old buttons, pins, wood, hinges, and other rusty things.  I’m as giddy as I got the time we were cleaning my grandparents’ attic and I discovered a forgotten calligraphy set, complete with pens, ink, and paper.  My parents’ first inclination was to throw it out, but for me, it became a 9-year old’s new favorite hobby.  It’s funny how some things never change… my desire to create something beautiful out of raw materials will always be with me.  Sometimes my raw materials come in tubes, or are shiny and white like new canvases.  For this endeavor, they are old items that beg for resurrection.

What brought on this itch?  Last night, my dear friend Caroleann and I went to an Andrew Peterson concert.  His songs told the story of Jesus’ birth and life much like a fairy tale would be told.  During intermission, we discovered a table covered with artwork that corresponded to the message of the songs… artwork that mesmerized me.  This artist, whose name is Evie (and who disappointingly does not have much of a web presence), had taken old wood and discarded items, pairing them with her own original watercolor and ink paintings.  The result was beautiful, intricate works of art that beckoned for further review.

Throughout the rest of the concert, I let the music and my own wandering thoughts give me inspiration for my own take on this “found object” type of work.  Be on the lookout for these pieces.  I already believe that they will be hard to part with.  I always know I’m on to something great when I can’t think of anything else, and neccesary things like showering and phone calls start seeming like a nuisance.    See you soon – this artist has work to do.

Passion and Purpose…

As I look ahead, I am filled with anticipation and wonder at what is in store. What will I create in the coming months? Will my paintings be ones that will inspire people to see life a little differently, to appreciate the beauty of a moment, or maybe to even get out their old paintbrushes and be a little creative?

I hope so.

I hope that people see my work and love God more. Even typing this seems a bit strange, but it really is my desire. See, God has given me every shred of talent that I have, and He has called me to make art. He has blessed my career and allowed me to somehow do this amazing thing that many people just dream about: doing what I LOVE for a living… I am determined to not take this blessing lightly, but to use it to its potential the best that I can.

I encourage everyone reading this right now to consider what it is that makes you feel fulfilled.