WORKING AT PLAY....

Almost finished....but was a joy in the process so far....loved the looseness....for me a switch....a story below of this painting..... This is what I found to be like Chuck, Grandpa, running ...... Catching butterflies, running and happy..... New and never used colors for me....and whimsy....even the trees praise His name.... Finding little people in the shadows...and developing what was seen...I like this stage of it with the gray people....below. Beginning of a new technique from a video on the Gut Art Group classes..... Something tried....a little bright...maybe wishing for spring or summer... Happy New Year Peyton.... A big paper doll for Peyton....an experiment with old dress patterns...collage.... It has been quiet this week and cold out..... so I've been working inside, cleaning away Christmas and working at playing with new ideas of fun with my painting. It is also a sad week for us with the loss of two dear people we loved.... a long time friend Jim Record and Chuck Rollen our son in law's father. Jim stood up in our wedding in 1966 and Dick kept in close contact with him over the years....men who go to war together have an incredible bond and devotion to one another. Chuck was a wonderful, fun, jovial, big smile, laid back, an "in love with his bride of many years" man and an awesome father to two boys. I admired him also because he put his bride before everything, even his boys....... My daughter is married to one of them and I'm proud to say they have treated and loved Kellie as if she was the daughter they never had. He was tremendously loved and cherished by his Grand Children who called him Grandpa. He loved the Lord and so went "Home" on Saturday to live forever in the presence of the Most High! I did a painting today that was totally unplanned except wanted to try a scene of sorts.....and after applying the paint and forming small figures from the shadows in the grey parts that seemed to appear there.....and seeing all the little windows in the houses....I was reminded of John 14:2 that says..."In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you." And as I kept shadowing in the little shapes that were there into figures there was one in particular coming (running!) from behind the house that made me think of Chuck! And I thought.... He is almost there, as soon as he rounds the corner from the house he will be in the presence of others who dwell in the place of the Most High! A place Jesus promised and went to prepare for us...FOREVER! I continued to work it out and added the little stream for some blue to contrast with the orange. Then later I found another scripture from Psalm 46:4 that says..."There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High." When I finally stopped to assess the painting....I just stared at it and then broke down and cried..... realizing how much the Lord cares for us! I will never forget the experience and amazement of that painting today..... it is not finished but it ministered to me and I had a special joy for Chuck as he and his family have decided to celebrate his life today at his memorial in Florida and to celebrate his "COMING HOME!" We are promised no less through God's Son Jesus! ..... the very demonstration of God's love for us .... Chuck's love for Jesus was an inheritance given to his grandchildren while he lived here with us..... what more can we leave our children and grandchildren or any children than the love of Christ demonstrated for their Eternity! Heartfelt Blessings to you for 2010..... sherry