Proverbs 31:30

Although I enjoy Facebook as a way to keep in touch with friends and family members, I believe along with other media, it can easily lead our youth to vanity.  With digital and phone cameras so easily accessible, you often find them taking pictures of themselves to post on Facebook.  For example, one of my daughters asked if she could have a new dress, because she already had pictures of herself with all of her different dresses on Facebook.  We had a talk, and she did not get a new dress.

This week's theme in Collage Obsession is Reflection, and its multiple meanings such as mirror image and contemplation.  Amongst the suggested pictures they offered, was a library of congress vintage image of a lady looking at her reflection.  The first thing I thought of was vanity and what the bible tells us about it in Proverbs 31:30 - "Charm is deceptive, beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  (Please note that although it is not expressed in this particular verse, I believe this reflection applies to both men and women.)  With this in mind, I set myself to work on a new entry for my art journal.

I started my collage on one of the vintage ledger print pages in my art journal.  I glued a couple of distressed scraps of vintage style papers and adhered the lady's image with gold photo corners and K&Company tape on them.  Then, I arranged different symbolic elements around the image.  The weathered feather stands for its charm, the clock for the fleeting time, the rose for beauty, the hand mirror for vanity, and the bearded man in the stamp for the wisdom of the Proverb.  I wrote the Proverb with a Sakura black micron pen on a slip from a K&Company Smash pad.  I also used a letter B from a C-Thru Art-C elements pad, which I colored with Bienfang watercolor brush pens and Prismacolor pencils.

I am submitting this project to my friends in Christ at Word Art Wednesday, for Challenge #26.  They are featuring Nahum 1:7, "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble: and he knoweth them that trust in him."  I believe the Bible verse I chose complements theirs.  In addition, they accept any Biblical entries.  I am also submitting it to the Stampendous April Challenge which is asking that readers use recycled, reused or re-purposed items.  I used paper scraps, the rose cut out from a greeting card I received a couple of years ago, and a feather found in my backyard.  I've already entered 2 other projects in this challenge, but as they say, third is a charm.  LOL!  Finally, since my art journal has a shabby chic and distressed feeling, I am also submitting it to The Stamp Man "Shabby Chic or Distressed" challenge.

This was a very meaningful project to me, because I am always trying to instill Christian values in my daughters.  Therefore, I plan to give them each a print of this page.  I hope it's as meaningful to you, and feel led to leave a comment.  As usual, you are cordially invited to follow my blog, so don't be shy.  If you haven't done so, I ask that you please visit the current Paperie Designs Studio Fascinating Fridays, where Noor Nahdi is featuring an interview conducted by Tania Nelson of me.  I would love to hear your comments there as well.  Blessings!