As the son of an Episcopal Bishop, I grew up in an ecclesiastical world. My rearing revolved around church life, and therefore became an integral part of whom I've become. That's why ecclesiastical themes often emerge through my art and writings. The Church is also the foundation upon which my marriage, parenthood, and professional work have been built upon. I have even considered going into the ministry at a couple of points throughout my lifetime. This doesn't mean I've lead a perfectly righteous life, but God's grace and guidance have helped me through. Life brings trials and tribulations, but God is good all the time!
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| Isaiah 52:7 Greeting Card Word Art Wednesday #196 Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Food &/or Drink Tag You're It! Challenge #27 Kristin & Eva's Paint Party Friday - Week 23 Year 5 |
Anyway, as a guest designer at Word Art Wednesday for the month of August, I decided to design a card this week. I began by printing the free scripture art from Isaiah 52:7, on a piece of DCWV Garden Party (GP) cardstock print. I tacked it with a Uhu Stic onto a DCWV blank card; pierced a line of holes on the upper and bottom borders using a piercing tool, pad and a Tim Holtz ruler; and did some hand stitching. Next, I created a border using another GP print with a Fiskars AdvantEdge system and the Ivy League Punch cartridge. I trimmed the left border with it, along with some Tim Holtz tissue tape. As a focal point, I created a miniature tag using one of the GP embellishments, Tim Holtz tape, ribbon, and the Fresh Brewed Designs' Study Time Bible digital stamp. I illuminated the latter with Prismacolor watercolor pencils and outlined it with a micron pen. I also highlighted the mug with Ranger's Crackle Accents and the Bible with Frayed Burlap Stickles. I attached it with some scrapbooking foam tape.
So, what else is on my work desk this Wednesday? Some Gelli prints I made over the weekend, as well as a quick mixed media sketch in charcoal, Gelatos, Cray-Pas oil pastels, and gold Sharpie in my 14"x11" Mead Académie art journal. I did the sketch over one of the pages that I used to roll the excess paint off of my brayer when I was working on the prints. (I'll share more about my prints in a later post.) It's an original take on an icon of Saint Elisabeth of Hungary. I learned that she was a princess in the early 1200's, who gave up her riches to become an early member of the Third Order of St. Francis. Amongst other things, she is considered the patron saint of bakers, countesses, charities, tertiaries, widows, and young brides, and her symbols include flowers and bread. She is quoted as saying, "How could I bear a crown of gold, when the Lord bears a crown of thorns and bears it for me!"
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| Sunflower in NOLA iPhone 4s Shot Sue's Image-in-ing Bella's 52 Photos Project - Gallery 15 {Yellow} Leslie and Roger's ABC Wednesday - E is for Exquisite Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #323 Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #155 Ramona's Inspire Me Monday #189 |
Last, but not least, I have a photograph I took during my trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. It's a giant sunflower that was growing on a patch of grass at a corner along a strip of shops. Its beauty and strength reminded me of the passage in Luke 12:27-28 and Mathew 6:28-30, where Jesus said, "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you?" Yes, God is good all the time, we just need to have faith in him and not waste time worrying. Yes, there will be trials and tribulations, but I feel we must stay strong and just believe. He is in charge, even though we may not always understand the mysterious ways in which He works.
I apologize for the lengthiness of my post this week. Thank you for your visit and for taking the time to leave a comment. Blessings!
Comments
Myself born into a family wich was against 'god' in all its ways... i later on found God (or got found-ed by Him) and eversince He is part of my life in all i do and don't.
Through very tough pfases and good ones, He was (and is) there. Like you i had some moments in life in wich i want to become a preacher.... started with the studie aswel but never ended it.
I strongly believe that each and everyone of us has to find his way with goods and bads.. of wich we have to learn... but with Him at our side.. it all will be good at some point.
Before my answer gets to long... i stop ;-) with wishing you the guidance of his blessing hands.
Thank you for participating and hopefully you will keep on doin so.
Melody (abc-w)
Thank you for sharing, and thanks for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/08/say-yes-to-neigh.html
Ann
Thank you for joining us at a Tag You're It...
Have a great week.
-K #42
Leslie
abcw team
Wishing you a great week, thanks for the visit to mine and happy woyww, Angela x 24 xXx
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #37
Love your card! All the little details!
Lilian
The Leaf Studio
Hugs,
Annie x #23
ROG, ABCW
Hugs Giggles
Your artwork is divine too.
My sis-in=law makes the most beautiful hand crafted greetings cards and I always look forward to receiving one from her on a special occasion.
Thank you for sharing your faith with us, I find it uplifting too.
Blessings to you dear Arnoldo,
Di.
ABCW team.
I really like your St Elizabeth piece. I think it's wonderful you chose to celebrate the feminine.
I do like the stitching on the word art card, and the mug and bible, and it's beautifully presented and photographed. Your Saint Elizabeth painting is so complex and thanks for her story, very interesting.
Hope you have a great week ahead.
Your work so tell of your life of faith. Love this, and thanks for sharing.
Have a good week.
Hugs!
Gayatri
Under The Tea Tree
Blessings!
Susi
Very nice post and artwork.
Your Saint Elisabeth is really wonderful.
Brightest of Blessings always
oxo
-Rachel
rwkrafts.com