Texture Tuesday

This is the second time I've participated in Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

I'm really enjoying it but am definitely photography challenged ...much more comfortable with a paintbrush !  Some of the entries are amazing !  But I really want to learn how to add textures and digital work to my paintings, so,

 persevere, I will !

I haven't got the soft blended look I'd like , I'm sure it will take alot of trial and error. Anyway, the entry had to be have something to do with a story and inlcude on of Kim's textures.

The above one has the 123 texture at dodge 29 %

and the next one has the same texture with value .

Which one do you like better ?

Inspirational Message

Enjoy these words of inspiration , however they work for you . I plan on adding angel messages weekly to my blog to inspire, uplift, or support so please check back.

This message is particularly meaningful to me . After being at the lowest point in my life after my sweetheart passed, it was a devestating struggle to get myself back in the land of the living again. I know that I acted very robotic like and made sure I took care of my kids needs ....but to really get back into life  and feel some joy was a huge challenge. I couldnt go to  grief support groups because I couldnt be with people.....way too fragile. I went to a grief counselor but I ended up counselling her.

No, my growth and healing began by exploring myself and what perceptions I had about life, life after death, God, Angelic help .......the whole shebang .

Although it is a never ending journey and I still continue to work through much grief, laughter has come back into my life again and  I did find the answers I needed ....and a whole lot more surprises within myself too ! Sometimes I think its like going down Alice in Wonderland's rabbit hole ......

Texture Tuesday

I've just stumbled upon "Texture Tuesdays "  with Kim Klassen ...........yes some of us are a little slower than others (wink, wink )

Anyway, this is my first little project using a warm sunny texture that she provided us with.  Although it's a far cry from what I'd like to be able to do , I had lots of fun playing around........but I  got absolutely nothing else done tonight. 

You can get totally carried away playing around in Photoshop and have no idea where the time went !

Enjoy !

Bre

NB: Whoops .....just figured out I must have brought up the wrong Texture Tuesday ( Lord knows how : )   Oh well, I'll get it right next week !

What's Your Word ?

Geri at My Heart Art  http://www.myheartartbygeri.com/2011/12/whats-your-word-for-2012.html   has a wonderful challenge going on for the New Year. What's your word for  2012 ?

She's chosen the word BALANCE which is definitely a major goal for me this year after everything that I've been through in the last two years.

But my word for 2012 is   LOVE .   As my journey has unfolded that is the one thing that is abundantly clear to me ,  that I am soooooo blessed to  have LOVE all around me....from my kids, from my friends from my colleagues......and from the angels  ; )  

 And I am a true believer in  the more you give love the more you receive.

So, the above painting is one that I did that reflects my word for 2012 and beyond. ....with love .... all things are possible.

Enjoy !

Divine Inspiration

So, what comes first , the inspiration for the painting itself or the words ?  For me,  that depends on the type of painting it is. For any of my landscapes or portraits, the inspiration almost always comes from a picture or vision that sparks my inner light. 

 But for any of my work , that I refer to as "Divinely Inspired, the inspiration almost always comes to me in the form of a message. Some other day I'll go go into more detail about how I  began receiving these messages ................yes, I love to paint, but a poet, I am  not : )

So it is without a doubt, that I know these messages are not from me.   They gave me comfort in a time of great despair when I needed it . And now it feeds my soul to be able to paint them.

The one above has touched many people, including myself........it started from these beautiful words :

Let your pain drift upon the wings of an angel and mingle with the light of God.

They then made their way into this painting:

I truly hope these angel inspired words give anyone who is suffering in any way, as much comfort as they do me.

Where Creation Begins

So here I am in my studio,  AKA "my dining room . At this point this is where I create all my paintings.

I love painting in here ..its got such a great energy . I am playing with the idea of  turning an old house on my property into a studio .......that is if the kids dont' win out and turn it into their hang out place.

 Right behind me is my Angel Altar. I often have candles burning on there while I paint . Look closely at the top photo, can you see the two orbs behind me ?

 Here's a close up. All kinds of goodies here !

I think a huge part of creating is having a space all your own that you feel totally at home in .

Inspiration

According to the Greeks, Inspiration  really means to be "in spirit" " to breathe in and be filled with spirit of the gods . Greek myth explained that all creativity came from the gods .

Inspiration defitnitely comes from somewhere and as an artist , I find myself inspired all the time. Inspiration can come in quietly like a cloud drifitng in during a meditation or with a flash like a lightbolt when I'm washing the dishes . It comes to me in my  nightly dreams and quite often it arrives on tiptoes at the light of day when I'm on the verge of waking up.

I think the Greeks really knew what they were talking about ...to breathe in and be filled with the spirit of  the Gods ...but I also like to  think of it as breathing in and being filled with the Light of the  Creator.......and I can't think of  anything more beautiful than  to have one's paintings reflect this light.

 Certainly in my meditations ...when I'm breathing in and breathing out ....there is a connection there and the ideas seem to flow. And everyone agrees that life is much easier when you're "in the flow"

Whatever our source of inspiration, be it nature, music  or just being with people, slow down, be in the moment,  and just experience the flow ............... I think you'' be surprised what arrives !

The inspiration for one of my favourite paintings

came from a painting of my daughter wearing a white dress. I got lost light and colours  that were reflecting off of the sleeve.

I'll leave you with one of my favourite quotes:
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle"