Artworks Created

I've had several people tell me over the years that I should start a website/blog showcasing my artwork. I have hesitated mainly because I do not have a plethera of work to show. Art is simply not something I've had a lot of time to do over the past 14 years. My priorities have been my husband, my home, and my children. They have been my art, my blank canvases, my empty spaces. I have created several paintings, however, some for my family and some for others. I have actually had the pleasure of doing a few commissioned works for friends at church which has given me much satisfaction! For many years I led the stage design team at my church and helped design and create aesthetically pleasing stage backdrops and props. If I can find any photos of these, I will post them here. My goal is to have photos of all the art I have created over the years in one place - somewhat like a portfolio of sorts. Again, I have met many people that say, when they find out that I am an artist, "Oh! I'd love to see your work, where can I take a look?" Here is where I can finally point them to, instead of inviting them over to my house to look at my little personal gallery :o) For a short while, I was creating "surrender boxes" which were inspired by an art therapist I was seeing at the time. These are cigar boxes laden with paint, decoupage, and collage - used to hold prayers and things in our lives which we are surrendering to God. They are also little beautiful pieces of artwork to set on your shelves. Again, I will post photos, and possibly be inspired to make some more! Another thing I absolutely adore doing, but have had very little time or opportunity to do, is make jewelry. I took a metal-smith/jewelry making class in college and had a ton of fun. Most of the jewelry I've made since then, however, is not the kind you make with torch and flux as I did then, but with beads and wire. These techniques I learned several years ago through a dear friend from a bible study I was in. We would have "jewelry making parties" and I'm pretty proud of the pieces I created. Most recently, besides finishing a painting, I have been newly inspired to create an art journal. A cousin of mine began an art journaling group on facebook and invited me to join. She gives us a prompt each week and we are to create a page inspired by the prompt. I'll also be posting the photos of my pages here. They are ultimately little glimpses of my life on paper and I really hope to develop my talents and techniques of journaling, lettering, and collage as a result of this experience.
Lastly, my hope for this blog is to possibly inspire others to create art. Creating and making things with your hands that are beautiful is so fulfilling and freeing. It is a wonderful way to express yourself and release tension and stress in your life. So, go create something today. Make art. Paint. Draw. Build. Color.