Why I create Art.

Photo credit Fotoworkshop4You

I had some ask me once, after showing her a new art piece, what I was going to DO with it. She admired it but wondered what the point was. No one had paid me to do it, I had posted it on social media but it might not ever be printed . . .

It was a valid question. Photo artistry can take a considerable amount to time to create, so shouldn't there be a concrete purpose to it?? I mean, what is the point in creating one piece after another just because . . .

I thought about this for quite a long time, looking for a good answer. The only one I had at the time is because I loved doing it. It satisfied me in a way I couldn't explain.

Then one evening, while driving home, I looked up. I mean really looked up, and saw the most glorious colours staining the sky, wrapping around the clouds as the sun sank in the west.

And that's when I knew. God creates beauty around us everyday, if we stop to look for it. How many people saw the colours I saw, the subtle variations flowing from one cloud to the next? Not many I'm sure. We are always so busy with our phones, our devices, our troubles. Who has time to stop and look?

But God makes beautiful things new everyday, whether we see them or not.

²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Luke 12:27 (NKJV)

 Philippians 4:8 is one of my favourite verses . . .

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

I suppose, in the end, that's what creating art is for me. Thinking about things that are lovely, admirable, excellent and so on and creating, in my very small way, something that hopefully reflects those things.

Getting published, selling prints, creating artwork for people, I would love to be able to do all of those things, but even if if none of it happened, making art, for art's sake, is enough. 

 “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
~Pablo Picasso~

Monday Morning Musings. When I Worry about the Future

On the days I can't seem to help worrying about what's ahead . . .

²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

Matthew 6:26

Monday Morning Musings . . . I am a Sensible. Sober, Down to Earth Woman.

It's days like these when I know that, as many mistakes as I made over the years, I still must have done something right. I mean if your grown up kid says "Sure, no problem." when you ask him to do something rather crazy for your latest class photo assignment, you can't have been all bad as a mom right??
I'm not allowed to say what the assignment is yet but this is an out take. It was  -15C (probably -24 with the wind chill) and this guy was good natured enough to sit in a snowy field in shorts and a muscle shirt with a cold beer in his hand. (His hat, snow-pants and gloves are stuffed in the cooler.)

As I was looking over the photos I took I remembered a conversation I had with Henry a few weeks ago.

He teased me about being a 'wild woman'. Which I most definitely am not  . . .

I told him how sorry I was that he ended up with 'sensible' over 'wild'.

And then he just  . . . looked at me. And started to laugh . . .

"Well okay, I know some of my projects aren't always sensible, but in most things I'm pretty sensible!"

"In your head maybe!"  and he laughed even harder.

Then I laughed a bit, looked at him and said "but I am!" He kept laughing. "No, really!!"

The thing is, I really do think I'm pretty sensible. In fact I've always believed that I was a sober, sensible, down-to-earth kind of girl.

But, now I'm starting to wonder. As I think about it, I'm pretty sure two people who know me well are rolling on the floor in hysterics right now. (You know who you are !!!)

 I'm thinking about some of the things I do that might not seem very sensible or even down-to-earth to other people.

So, I'm curious . . . Do you see yourself the way others see you, or do they say things about you that have you questioning how well they actually know you. Or how well you know yourself??

And . . .if you know me . . . don't you think I'm sober, sensible and down-to-earth most of the time???

 Inquiring minds want to know . . .

Monday Morning Musings. Baby's First Christmas

I know it's the new year and Christmas is over but I couldn't let it pass without at least one post about our sweet little Amelia's first Christmas.

Was she spoiled? Of course she was! But this grandma bought the best kinds of presents, ones that never get old . . . books! Morgan and Kim have been warned. Milly's going to have a bazillion pictures taken of her and her room is going to fill up with books. And what's not to love about that??

We all had a great time watching her 'open' her presents and Jada, who loves opening presents, was standing by, ready to offer assistance if needed. Morgan even got to play Santa courtesy of Jesse's new Santa hat complete with flowing white beard.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Monday Morning Musings

'Autumn Harvest'

 
 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9 niv

Creative Opportunities. Creating Social Media Images.

I love to style things. I always have. Pair this tiny vase with that feather, add an assortment of foraged bits and before you know it you've created a pretty vignette.

This skill has been handy in countless ways. Decorating a corner of the living room is an obvious one. I've also used it to enhance meals I've catered, bring a little extra 'something' to floral arrangements for weddings, create atmosphere for large events and even just to pretty up an empty spot in the garden.

As time went on, and photography became more and more important to me, I discovered it was just the skill needed for still life photography. This resulted in an ever expanding collection of props in my style cupboards.

My dear husband Henry would look at me and smile, shaking his head when another trip to the thrift store resulted in 'just one more thing . . .'

Creating marketing and social media images was just a natural extension of all that and over the last few years I've had the chance to work with some beautiful products.

Trinkets Metalcraft

Trinkets Metalcraft

Mada Boutique

Mada Boutique

Mada Boutique (Audrey's) Instagram

Mada Boutique (Audrey's) Instagram

Copper Kettle Soap Co.

Trinkets Metalcraft

Trinkets Metalcraft

 Not long ago I was able to style fall belgian mums, for Milner Gardens' Facebook page, and decided to spread the styling love around. (actually, my friends shared the love with me . . . I have great friends!)

I gathered up the mums and an assortment of fall decor then set off to visit a few like minded friends who allowed me borrow their beautiful homes and  gardens. I was even able to incorporate some of their lovely decor.

It made for the best day. I mean, how often do you get to play with all the things you like best and spend time with your friends while you do it?


Life is good. 

Monday Morning Musings

Psalm 62:5-6 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.