Penciled Musings

Simply Communicate

2010-02-02T11:36:00.003-05:00

"To design is to communicate clearly by whatever means you can control or master."

- Milton Glaser

Communicating. It’s a fairly common activity among we humans, and yet so often poorly conducted. One will say such and this, while the recipient will hear thus and so. “Speak my language and no one will get hurt...” we seem to scream back without words. What is the difference between hearing and listening? Recognizing and seeing? Feeling and knowing?

How often we say one thing and do another, sending mixed messages and confusing signals. Our words form a sturdy platform on which we claim to firmly stand, but our actions cause us to fall flat on our faces. We live in a confusing world, with many contradicting messages.

Are we ourselves adding to the noise? Or living the difference?

Simple communication was the subject of one of my first projects in my Digital Illustration class this semester. The challenge: design a series of pictograms (pictorial symbol for a word, phrase, etc - which were used as one of the earliest known forms of “written” communication) that clearly portray elements of your chosen theme(s). Create 30+ sketches of ideas, then draw and perfect these ideas in Illustrator. Each finished pictogram must be a complete, compound shape or object. Finally, design a simple poster to display your theme(s).

Two of the themes I chose included “Ways To Fail Class” and fairly common Bible stories. Although this turned out to be a fun assignment, besides a great learning experience in Illustrator, I’m glad we humans finally decided on utilizing alphabets instead of artwork to aid in our everyday communication.

A Sneak Peek

2009-11-19T20:58:00.002-05:00

“A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.”

- Paul Cézanne

Inspiration for pieces has always been a touch and go process for me. Sometimes an idea pops in my mind without the least bit of effort. Others projects present a more labor some and often painful literal brainstorm. Through observation of the world around me, various books I read and seminars I listen to, as well as conversations, songs, and sketches concepts morph into visual representations. One aspect I noticed through these creative endeavors is how much emotion plays into the birth of a brainchild. Granted, though much of my work comes from intellectual impressions and spiritual convictions, I cannot deny how often emotional experiences shape the outcome. This was the case from the beginning with my most notable piece from this semester.

Meet Adagietto. She is a seven foot tall monumental self-portrait that I’ve been slaving away at since the third week of the semester, and is still unfinished! I’ve never worked with plaster and armatures before, so this has been quite the experience. Her inspiration comes from a deep emotional and yet intellectual experience I had this summer while listening to Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor: IV. Adagietto, played by the London Symphony Orchestra, for which she is named. It is a twelve minute long piece of genius that is sure to inspire one with a plethora of visual imagery.

With only five weeks left to the semester I’ve got my work cut out for me to finish all my projects! I’ve lost count of how many pieces I work on simultaneously, let alone the hours and hours spent on each. Yet, as I see the progress, the effort all becomes worthwhile. I hope to post a mega-blog of my semester’s adventures come Christmas break. :)

A Site to Behold

2009-10-11T15:12:00.010-04:00

“A good artist has less time than ideas.”

- Martin Kippenberger

I’ll testify to the truth of this statement. I’ve lately been praying for an extended 36+ hour day. Then perhaps I could add sleep and other such luxuries back into my lifestyle!

Below follows the product of my first project in Digital Imaging II (Photoshop). The assignment was a site specific installation. Basically I had to choose a site/building to create a design for, take pictures and measurements of the future location of the art, design a floor plan, and research what sort of piece(s) would best suit the facility. Then I had to design what material(s) the piece(s) would be printed on (i.e. wood, metal, fabric, plastic, glass, etc) and find companies that could print/fabricate my design, getting estimates from them. Finally I had to create the artwork and then present everything to the class.

This was the result...

I choose to do a series of mock stained glass for my church. I wanted to convey the warm, close-knit, simple spirituality of our church family. After discussing the concept with several members one suggested I use the Shepherd and His flock as my theme. I liked out it turned out.

Each window conveys a particular aspect of what Jesus has done/is doing for each one of us and a possible response to that. Many implications can be read into each, I’ll leave that for you to decipher. I’ve also included a bit of my “word within a picture” style. Each piece contains at least two (or more) words that title each window and explain its individual theme. See if you can find them. :) (Some are much more subtle than others.)

The Way - Follow

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

- John 10:27

The Truth - Believe

“For thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.

As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep,

so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were

scattered on a cloudy and dark day.... I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away,

bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick...’”

- Ezekiel 34:11-12, 16a

The Life - More Abundantly

“I am the door.

If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved,

and will go in and out and find pasture.

The thief does not come except to steal,

and to kill, and to destroy.

I have come that they may have life,

and that they may have it more abundantly.”

- John 10:9-10

Rescue the Perishing

“And I give [My sheep] eternal life, and they shall never perish;

neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”

- John 10:28

Eden Redeemed

"Do not fear, little flock,

for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

“So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,

will give You thanks forever;

we will show forth Your praise to all generations.”

- Luke 12:32, Psalm 79:13

Savior & Sinner

“I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine.

He feeds His flock among the lilies.”

- Song of Songs 6:3

Back to Kindergarten

2009-08-31T14:42:00.004-04:00

I’ve never considered myself much of a runner, but this past month has truly been a marathon!

Four and a half weeks ago I was asked by the school teacher of our church school if I would paint a mural for their new kindergarden corner. “You can do whatever you want, just make it happy and brightly colored.” The possibilities were endless... but time wasn’t.

I must of spent an whole evening brainstorming and coming up with a composition in Photoshop. The first draft was well, you could tell I was getting tired, and even my mom said I should scrap it. Somehow or another I got my second creative wind and a few hours later had something we were both much happier with.

Next was getting it on the wall. The corner of the one-roomed little school had been blocked out with tall bookshelves bolted to the floor and was no bigger then 12x12. Carpet covered the walls up to about waist-high, except for the wall I was to paint on.

I had all my ideas, the paint, and excitement... but that all had to be put on hold while I gallivanted off to the International Pathfinder Camporee “Courage To Stand” in Oshkosh, WI. I was part of the team of some 150 summer camp staff that were to set-up and facilitate a city for 35,000 people. Wow! What an experience, but that’s a whole different story...

Two and half weeks later I was back home, with only one and half weeks until I resumed school. This left no time for dilly-dallying. For the next 10 days I lived, breathed, and dreamt mural.

After sixty hours of crunching in front of a 130x32” space, this emerged...

Here’s a glimpse of the progression...

Prime wall, outline transfer grid, sketch figures, under paint base colors, add gradients and details, etc, etc...

I learned quite a bit from this whirlwind experience. I hope to continue painting and refining my skills. Plus a few classes would really help with technique!

But hey, the kids love it and it’s so much better than the previous murals I’ve done!

Have a happy and brightly-colorful day! :)

Knowing

2009-07-24T18:54:00.010-04:00

“You can’t be truly loved if you’re not truly known.”

Something about those words stuck me this morning as I read. How true they are, especially when coupled with the following...

“There is nothing more healing to the sinful heart than to be fully known and yet fully loved.”

What does it mean to fully know someone? And even more so, define what it is to fully love someone.

It seems we all have things we’d prefer others didn’t know about. “What would others think if they knew?” we ask ourselves. Yet those skeletons that we wish to jam back into the closet keep creeping out at the most unlikely times.

What is so beautiful to me is that our omniscient God is just that - all knowing. He transcends all time and space, even our “hidden” closets. If anyone could fully know you and me, it’s Him. The beautiful part is that He also is the definition of love... God is Love. So He simultaneously knows every single last aspect of our lives. That includes who we are all the way from our presented superficiality to the deep realms of our being not yet fully understood by even us. And yet, even with all that knowledge, He doesn’t use it against us, but to draw us to Him. “I know it all, yes, all of it. And yes, I do love you still. I never stopped. I have always loved you. That’s who I AM - Love.”

This is where the healing part comes in.

“Because to be fully known and yet fully loved is the essence of redemption.”

Redemption... freedom... recovery. That’s what salvation and conversion is all about. Once we can begin to grasp onto what and who Love really is, then we too can be changed.

When God looks at earth, He sees more than just a swarming mass of sinners...

Instead, He sees each one of us individually... entirely... knowingly.... lovingly.

At prayer meeting several months ago, my pastor shared an old hymn which we sang together before digging into the study for the evening. It was called “The Love of God.” The words somehow struck me, especially the last verse, and I new immediately that a new art project was imminent. The last verse goes like this...

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

I was able to use this idea as my final for my Photoshop class this spring semester. It is entitled “Love.” Printed, the piece is 19”x39”, but I hope you can get a small grasp of it here.

All the texts, excluding the hymn lyrics, are verses describing and exploring God’s love for us and how we relate to Him as a result.

Here are a few details...

The amazing wonder is that God not only knows us, but has also given us each the invitation to know Him.

“You can’t be truly loved if you’re not truly known.”

The same is true with God... we can’t truly love Him unless we truly know Him. If we have mistaken pictures of who He is, what His character is like, how can we love Him truly?

Do you who God is? And what He is like?

I’m still learning. But the more I find, the more in love I become.

Frenzied Finishing

2009-06-11T11:50:00.003-04:00

Spring semester is charging full speed ahead to the finish line... and dragging me in its dust. I’m caught in a whirlwind of Photoshop final projects and book-long English research papers. Fun and fascinating, but I’ll be glad when I can breathe a little easier, without the dust :). I’d ask for your prayers as well, I’m preaching this weekend - a joyous privilege, but also a weighty undertaking. God is so wonderful to get me such opportunities!

Until I can give a full update, enjoy another interpretation of a monochromatic color scheme.

Purple :: Confident vs Tired

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as in the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:23-25 NKJV

There has been much controversy surrounding the issue of faith vs. works, or better put--faith and works. Many Christians seem to be confused on this matter. Some take the position that one must work for their salvation. After all, doesn’t Paul insist in Philippians 2:12* NKJV that we are to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”? And so they exhaust themselves while attempting to become perfect before they believe God will accept them. Yet others cling stubbornly to another of Paul’s statements in Ephesians 2:8-9* NKJV where he proclaims that we have been “saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” They weary of hearing about works at all, but would rather sit back and snooze while trusting that God’s got everything under control and they need do nothing. Both groups can’t be right at the same time... or can they? If Paul were living today, I think he’d be a little disappointed in us for getting so hung up on what he calls an “elementary principle of Christ.”

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food... Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God. - Hebrews 5:12, 6:1 NKJV

Paul desired that we would have already thoroughly grasped this concept and have moved on to deeper things. Nevertheless, like a wise teacher, he retracts his steps and goes over the lesson again for the sake of his misguided students. Through his writings, and that of the other inspired writers, God wishes for us to get a firm understanding of the duality of faith and works. One cannot properly exist without the other. Consider...

Speak evil of no one, [but] be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. - Titus 3:2-8 NKJV (emphasis mine)

Here Paul makes it crystal clear that we are saved by God’s mercy, His grace--the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There’s no way we could save ourselves. For we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and “all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.” - Romans 3:23, Isaiah 64:6 NKJV However, even though our works don’t save us, they do expose our true heart condition and how much we actually believe in God’s gracious mercy, not just for us, but to share with everyone. James expounds upon this...

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the alter? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. - James 2:14-22, 26 NKJV (emphasis mine)

A superficial profession of faith that is backed only by empty words is not faith at all. Of this kind Paul warns that, “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” - Titus 1:15 NKJV Jesus, Himself, spoke of this principle in Matthew 7:17-20 saying, “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” True faith is lived out in our daily experiences and interactions with others. It’s following Christ’s example. He believed, therefore He lived. Peter reminds us of the impact of our actions upon unbelievers...

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. - 1 Peter 2:11-12 NKJV

Not only do we testify to God’s grace more powerfully by living by and sharing that gracious spirit with others, but we also are storing up heavenly treasures. Paul urges, “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” - 1 Timothy 6:18-19 NKJV He continues in Galatians 6:9-10 ISV, “Let us not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest--if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have the opportunity, let us practice doing good to everyone, especially to the family of faith.” When Christ returns He’s promised “to give everyone according to his work.” - Revelation 22:12 NKJV But lest one should feel tired and discouraged, that they could not do something nice for someone else simply because God did beyond the nicest thing for them, take heart. Be assured that if we believe with all our hearts, souls, and minds and follow with our hands and feet, God will provide the rest. Have faith and do the work...

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. - Philippians 1:6 NKJV

__________________

*The surrounding context to these extracted phrases clears up any confusion concerning the working faith duality.

Dreams Come True

2009-06-04T10:16:00.005-04:00

I am so incredibly thrilled! Finally all the filling out of paperwork, completing online applications, talking with counselors, and answering questions at interviews... it’s finally happened! God is sooo amazing when we are persistent!

A few days ago I received the much anticipated email:

“Dear Jacqueline,

Congratulations!

You have been selected to receive Honors Scholarship - Gerace Construction Scholarship...”

This means so much to me (and more to my parents who are helping me with my educational expenses! :) My wonderful sponsors will be paying for half of my tuition for both this coming fall and winter semesters. Again, God is so good when we trust Him and allow Him to take care of our needs!

The following is a “makeover” of a drawing that I did back in April of 2008, in my art BC days (before college :). I’ve learned literally a ton since last semester and still more during my Photoshop class this semester.

Along with the thank-you letter I decided to include this piece to illustrate how God has used them to help fulfill the desires of my heart. This little girl can smile all the more because...

Dreams Come True

A Spectrum of Color, A Plethora of Emotions

2009-05-26T09:30:00.005-04:00

Last fall I took psychology. It was a very enlightening and thought provoking class. It opened my eyes to see how much of the secular world views the mind and its functions. Towards the end of the semester we had to do a project - it could be anything as long as it had something to do with psych. So what did I decide to do? You guessed it - painting! :) Over the course of two or so months I labored intensely to crank out 12 one foot square depictions of color and emotion. I’d always wondered whether there was a correlation between the two, so this was my chance to research it and find out. The connection wasn’t as concrete as I would of expected, but it was still incredibly interesting.

The following (and more to come) are adaptations from that study. I’ve taken the basic emotions that were associated with that particular color (with a few liberties) and elaborating on the feeling. Perhaps some of you aren’t much into iconography (the symbols, meaning, and inspiration behind the work) - but it’s an incredibly important, fascinating, and necessary aspect to art for me.

Periodically I’ll be posting one of the individual colors/painting with its “voice” so you’ll get to see what it has to say. Eventually you’ll get to collect all twelve!

Violet :: Searching vs Despondent

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity ... - Jeremiah 29:13-14 NJKV

We’re all searching for something. Seeking purpose. Pursuing meaning. Hunting for fulfillment. You can see this longing deep in another’s eyes after they’ve had a moment of painful introspection, or perhaps, have felt it yourself during the darkest part of a sleepless night. There seems to be two opposing responses--a determination to attain this elusive “thing” or the temptation to fall into utter despondency because you’ve tried so hard before and still came up brokenhearted. How often we feel forsaken: By those we love and thought loved us. By ourselves, because what good am I anyway? And ultimately by God, if He even exists or cares about me at all. How often do these words reverberate in our minds, cutting deeper with each telling...

The LORD has forsaken me, and my LORD has forgotten me. The LORD has forsaken me, and my LORD has forgotten me. Forsaken me. Forgotten me. Forsaken. Forgotten...

But when do we ever take the time to listen to the soft echo that slips back?

Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. I will not forget you! I have not forgotten you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands... on the palms of My hands! - Isaiah 49:14-16 NKJV (emphasis & repetition mine)

Then why do we keep falling into despondency? Why do the arms of depression wrap around so tightly as to suffocate the very late breath of hope? Leaving us destitute of any assurance; that last glimpse of the “thing” fading in the shadows. Could it be that somehow we have missed something? That something is keeping us from fulfilling our search? Are we even looking in the right places?

For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Is [insert your name] a servant? Is [s/he] a homeborn slave? Why is [s/he] plundered? [Have we become slaves to our despondency? Continually going back to where we know we will find no true freedom, but mere momentarily relief?] ... Have you not brought this on yourself, in that you have forsaken the LORD your God when He led you in the way? [There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.*] ... Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing that you have forsaken the LORD your God, and the fear of Me is not in you,” says the Lord GOD of hosts. - Jeremiah 2:13-19, *Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

Doesn’t this seem to be the opposite of our problem? Here God flips the issue around and says we are not the forsaken ones, but He is! Thus, when we have forsaken Him, we reap the consequences of our “backslidings” which is basically separating ourselves from the Source of all life, joy, purpose, meaning, and fulfillment! No wonder we fall into despondency. We have clung to our “wickedness” as a scared-of-the-dark toddler to his security blank. Somehow we think that our own ways will bring us up out of our despair, but in reality, they are what’s keeping us from truly grasping onto that “elusive thing” or God’s gift of Himself to us each individually, personally, not just for our salvation, but our purpose. But does God just leave us to our own end? Does He ultimately forsake us because we have forsaken Him? No...

For the LORD has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused, says your God. For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you, says the LORD, your Redeemer. - Isaiah 54:6-8 NKJV

God has not given up His search for us, should we in turn then give up our search for Him? Wouldn’t it be better to surrender our wickedness, forsake our backslidings, turn from our evil, and plead to God with all our heart to for Him to work out His purpose in us, to give us His meaning, and to find true fulfillment in Him alone? Why not trade despondency’s dark shadows for the shadow of His wings...

Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer--it does not rise from deceitful lips. May my vindication come from You; may Your eyes see what is right. Though You probe my heart and examine me at night, though You test me, You will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. As for the deeds of men--by the word of Your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call on You, O God, for You will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who assail me ... And I--in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness. - Psalm 17 NIV

A Reminder of the Past

2009-05-20T15:35:00.004-04:00

The parking lot was only dimly lit by a few randomly dispersed street lamps. The chill of the evening air greeted my warm face as I exited the little school building. For a moment everything seemed still, and then suddenly nothing was stationary.

Looking around I spotted several shadowy figures quickly slinking away to out of sight regions. Another stealthily emerged from behind one of the three or so immobile vehicles a few yards distant. I started to wonder.

Determined to reach my transportation, I steadfastly tromped over the payment, navy pleated jumper flapping. To my left, in the grassy yard, stood a giant old maple, its leaves drooping in the autumn’s eve. They fluttered in the evening breeze. Then out of no where a figure raced out from a shady hedge, touched the tree, then flew back to the shadows, dragging another fellow with him.

I stopped short. What was going on?

Within moments I heard a sharp whistle, shattering the mystery, but only deepening my curiosity. Soon kids came scampering in from all directions. Those shadows concealed in the bushes boldly materialized, chattering loudly to the friends. They all gathered in the middle of the parking lot, between the cars and another building, the gym, where they always assembled for their club meetings. The director hushed down the excited babbling, made his closing remarks, and then sent everyone inside to gather their belonging and wait for their parents to arrive.

By now my mom had found me and we were headed for our car. But I still wanted to know what all the fuss was about. I wanted to be a part of the fun.

That was my first memory of Pathfinders, our church youth group for 5th - 12th graders. I was only an Adventurer (1st - 4th grade) at the time, and thus too young to partake in their festivities. But this did not quell the growing desire I had for fun and adventure. I couldn’t wait until I “graduated” to 5th grade and could join them on their action-packed backpacking trips, exploring the depths of caves, memorizing whole books of Scripture (Bible Bowl), earning numerous honors in anything one could imagine, marching, fair, camporee, and of course playing “prison base” on fun night.

Well, that must of been about twelve or more years ago, but the legacy of Pathfinders for me still lives on. Even though I’m not actively involved in a club anymore (I was for eight years, during which I finally received my Master Guide, the equivalent to an Eagle Scout), I still get multiple glimpses back to those joyous occasions through my beloved mother, the current director of our local club. She’s a gem and puts everything into the small group of kids, known as the “Mt. Pleasant Monarchs,” that meet together almost every Wednesday evening.

For the last several months she has been getting after me to make her a new banner for club. Fair was coming up soon where all the clubs in Michigan would gather together to play games, perform fancy marches, and share the work of their hard-earned honors in their booths. Mom’s booth was in great need of some aesthetic improvements and she had chucked the club's old, ruined banner in disgust.

The issue had been dropped due to busyness, but suddenly resurfaced the week before fair. Urgency started to set in. Tuesday night she and I purposefully meandered through the sewing department at Wal*Mart, trying to decipher which fabric would hold up for the project. To make a long story short (we left the store with nothing at first and then came back again as soon as we had reached our cars), we settled on a 3x5 foot canvas with the determination that I could paint a marvelous representation of her club in time for their departure at five o’clock Sunday morning.

How do I get myself into these sort of things?

Well, to squelch the suspense I’ll just say that after 30+ hours of quality time with my little brush friends, the following emerged.

It’s not where I want to be with my painting skills, but I sure had a lot of fun in the learning process. Stay tuned for more artist adventures. :)

A Sort of Beginning

2009-05-13T15:47:00.002-04:00

Hunger pangs finally convinced me I’d had enough of reading short stories for English and that it was high time to go in search of edibles. Generally when I’m assuming to be at school all day I bring a lunch with me, but today did not follow the ordinary.

I’d gotten home a bit earlier than expected last night, since my teacher let us out of class prematurely. Rather than going inside to a stifling stuffy-aired kitchen to prepare something for the morrow’s devouring, I opted to investigate the activities of my parents out by the barn. They happened to be hauling composted manure for our soon-to-be garden, but even so, the freshness of the warm spring evening was still to be desired compared to a stale atmosphere of the indoors. I soon busied myself with de-cluttering the cover-it structure that we have plans of transforming into a greenhouse. Soon it was too late to think of starting a cooking venture, and I decided to value sleep over substance. Things weren’t rushed this morning, since my first class only starts at 9 instead of 8 am, yet I didn’t find enough time to squeeze in making a meal from scratch with which I could take for my second nourishment.

So I found myself wondering how I could fill my growling stomach. For a second I considered foraging for greens in the college's grounds, but quickly decided that would only supplement a nonexistent main course. (I have always been intrigued by wild edibles and have recently taken up the study of such in our backyard. More on that later.)

Suddenly I found myself typing in google maps with a quest to discover where the nearest Taco Bell lay. Since coming to Delta College last summer I have had a bit of exploring to do. Not being familiar with this side of Michigan did not deter me from seeking out the nearest Wal*Mart, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and other such useful establishments. Yet, for some odd reason, I had not yet sought for the one of very few fast food “restaurants” I’d still indulge in. Fortunately, for me, about four or five were located within a 15 minute radius. I chose the one that was only 3 minutes away, not counting the lights and a bit of construction that continually plagues this flat state.

To my surprise, I stumbled upon a little town bursting with various greasy spoons and coffee shops just waiting to give you quick service with a smile. I quickly spotted the KFC/Taco Bell between gas stations and made a beeline for the drive-thru as soon as the light turned.

“Wow,” I thought to myself, “I haven’t been here in ages... what should I order?” Heeding my grumbling stomach, I decided to go with something I remembered well - 2 grilled stuffed burritos, fresco-style, no meat (more beans) and no cheese or sour cream of course. Oh, and just for good measure I added in a pintos and cheese without the cheese. Strange you might think, well... that’s just me. :)

Upon obtaining my order I pulled over to the side to inspect its contents to ensure its purity. Relieved that I wouldn’t have to go back and request a replacement for some missed error, I pulled my hungry car into the nearest gas station to fill up.

Back at school, I’m contently sitting in the lounge room typing away, while randomly listening to a few students shuffle in and out after procuring a carbonated caffeinated beverage. My Photoshop class starts in 24 minutes and I can’t wait to see what we will do today! With each new art class, I cannot help but get excited. This Spring Semester runs from two days ago until the end of June, during which I am enrolled in 6 credits of English and Digital Design. I’m not so sure about the English, although it has inspired me to write more poetically once again, but I know the Photoshop course will more that compensate for any grief suffered in the former.

Currently, for those of you with whom I have not spoken with in a long time, I am still living at home with my folks - cooking all the meals, cleaning house with my brother, learning new things about gardening and canning and the like, and of course conjuring up new art projects faster than I could even think of producing. We’re in the middle of our “Living With Hope” series at church and I have been getting more and more involved with various responsibilities in that area as well. Highly rewarding, socially enriching, and continually spiritually challenging. :) I can truly say that I’m enjoying life and life is enjoying me, especially now that the leaves have decided to peak out from their wintry hiding places and the flowers are thinking the same.

From time to time I plan on posting updates about my latest artwork (or things I haven’t been able to share yet) and various chronicles of my adventures. Stay tuned... there’s more to come.