X is for X-Factor

An x-factor is defined as "a circumstance, quality, or person that has a strong but unpredictable influence," according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary on-line.  As I mentioned during my last post, last weekend my family and I were in New Orleans, Louisiana.  I believe that the combination of being surrounded by historical architecture, God's natural creations, and a loving family served as an x-factor for me.  The Cayun cuisine at the various restaurants we visited was delectable too!  Anyway, here are the results from my x-factor exposure, as well as a few photographs my daughter and I shot in NOLA during our stay.

Galatians 3:18
Hand Lettering & Pen Drawing With Collaged Ephemera, Flower Stamping, & Spray Ink
Piarom's Mix It Monthly - The Facial Profile
Art Journal Journey - Maculine/Feminine
The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #13 - A Year of Choices
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Don't Cut, Just Paste!
Moo-Mania - Numbers
Julie's Art Journal Everyday
Eva & Kristin's Paint Party Friday - Week 16 Year 5
Toto  - Our Rescued Dog
Hand Lettering & Pen Sketch (Click on the following link for Toto's Story)
Lynn's Paper, Paint, Pencils & Pens - Pets
Kim's Show Your Face
Eileen's Saturday's Critters #79
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Denise, Roger, & Leslie's ABC Wednesday - X is for Xenial (Friendly) Relationship

Breathe - Life is Good
Handcut Coffe Cup, Tim Holtz Goodies, and More (For descriptions of how I made it, click on the following 2 links.)
Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 - June
Carolyn's Tag Tuesday - Out of Our Comfort Zone
CropStop Linky Party #5
Congrats - Class of 2015
Hand Lettering & Doodling & Martha Stewart Border
Freshly Made Sketches - FMS#191
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Favorite Technique
Karen's Word Art Wednesday
NOLA's Home For The Weekend - Stained Glass Window
iPhone 4S Photograph
Sue's Image-in-ing
Bella's 52 Photos Project - {Elements}
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday
Swamp Tour in NOLA
iPhone 5S Photograph (Taken by my youngest daughter)
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday
Lisa & Me at Jackson Square, NOLA
iPhone 4S - Selfie
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk?  Wednesday #316
I am dedicating this posting in memory of the nine victims of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Charleston, South Carolina.  May their families find comfort in the love of our Creator, Savior and Redeemer.  Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.  I will reciprocate by visiting your blog and leaving a comment as well.  May the world find its x-factor in "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7).

Comments

Valerie-Jael said…
Thanks for this very thoughtful contribution to Art Journal Journey. The massacre of those 9 people was so awful, it makes me very sad to see the wickedness and brutality of so many people today. Valerie
Melissa Bove said…
Beautiful work, as always Arnoldo!! And beautiful photos too! Always a treat to see your creativity!!

Thank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

hugs...
Melissa
Valerie-Jael said…
....And thanks for linking to Moo Mania and More, sorry, missed it before! Valerie
eileeninmd said…
What a wonderful dedication and post. I love the sketches, Toto is cute! The tag is cute and creative. I am glad you had a wonderful trip! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
Jen Mitchell said…
Your work is always so inspiring and evocative. And this is especially moving in light of those recent events.
Tenia Nelson said…
Awesome creations!! You ROCK!!
Lovely creations and photos, TFS
Rosie said…
Absolutely gorgeous creations

Thank you so much for joining us at MOO MANIA & MORE
chrissie said…
Wonderful artwork. Always love to read your posts

Chrissie xx
Wonderful artwork Arnoldo - each single piece and also the photographs!
Brutality is so sad and brings so much tragedy to all the families!
We had an amok runner yesterday in Austria - crashed wild against people in Styria -- 3 people are dead, 34 injured people ----- unbelievable !
So horrifying!

Thank you so much for being with us again at Moo Mania & More and Art Journal Journey! You are totally IN time!
Thank you!
Happy Sunday!
Blessings!

Susi

sally said…
Lots of loveliness here Arnoldo!

Sally
Unknown said…
All your artwork is fantastic and is so diverse.Love all of it and really sad about the events at Charleston.
Great sketch of those 2 faces-perfect for masculine and feminine.
Christine said…
Cute little dog for Sunday Sketches Arnoldo! Happy Father's Day!
Meihsia Liu said…
Love all your beautiful art work. Great post! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)
As always love your inspiring posts! LOVE your tag take and all the drawings and photos!
NCSue said…
Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-other-worldly-insect-world.html
Wonderful, wonderful work, Arnoldo. I love the Toto especially. Great photos, too. Love getting a peek into your world each week. :)
Unknown said…
Beautiful art journal page, love the verse and your dedication to the victims in Charleston. Thank you very much for playing with us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.
PiaRom said…
Always loads of gorgeous work to look at on your posts, Arnoldo! Love the couple on your spread and all the interesting tags you have added to them!
♥ Conny Mix It Monthly
Reader Wil said…
I agree with all the bloggers above: Your artwork is inspiring and you are very thoughtful to dedicate this post to the victims of a young man,
who is so blinded by hatred that he wanted to start a racial war. May God give him his the true meaning of love of your fellow human beings.
Thank you for your visit and comment.
Wil, ABCW Team
Lisabella Russo said…
What a beautiful tribute post. Your artworks are lovely, I especially love Toto.
Leovi said…
Bonita y alegre selfie con Lisa en Jackson Square.
This is such a wonderful card! The images you've used are perfect for this weeks sketch! Thanks for joining us at FMS this week!
Sharon Madson said…
Wonderful post and tribute! I can't tell you how much I enjoy your posts. They are always compassionate, creative, open, uplifting, and inspiring. Thank you for linking to WOYWW, so I can come visit. It was fun to see the photos of your visit to N.O. We haven't been there for over 30 years! Brought back some great memories. I wish I could express myself as well as you do in words, in your art and about your faith. #41
Indrani said…
Very inspiring and creative work.
Excellent use of x factor.
Happy ABCW!
Donna B. said…
Great art journal page! Loving your x-factor inspiration. Thanks so much for joining us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.
Lisca said…
Thanks for an I spiring post. I love your Galatians 3 drawi g. And of course Toto is adorable. The stain glass window I assume is a photo. And beautiful it is too.
I didn't hear about the massacre in Charleston. ( we don't have tv) but terrible nontheless.
Thank you for visiting already,
Have a greT week,
Lisca
Shoshi said…
What a beautiful post, Arnoldo! And your tribute to those poor people is so touching. Thank you for your lovely comment and your very kind words which I don't feel I deserve at all!!! I am so glad you like what I have been doing. It's been a great project and I shall enjoy the next phase too. I am happy to report that today I am starting to feel a bit better and hope that I will be able to achieve something in the coming week, before my next treatment. The last one flattened me! I had some very good advice on the forum I am on, from someone who has been undergoing chemo for ages - not to compare the treatments with each other but just to take each one as it comes, as if it was a one-off, and deal with it. I am going to try to do this. I think I shall be having a total of 9 or 10 (depending on when they decide to stop) so after the next one I shall be a third of the way through! That IS encouraging! I am enjoying sharing my journey, warts and all, because if it helps somebody I shall have achieved something of value!

God bless you, brother,
Shoshi
you definitely have that x factor yourself!

ROG, ABCW
We were all very shocked here by what happened at Charleston. It's so sad that people can become so bitter and twisted with hate. The photo of you and your daughter is lovely and you look so happy.I am guessing the end of term will soon be here for you. Have a great week my friend and thanks for the visit to mine. Happy woyww, Angela xXx
Anonymous said…
Love your first drawing: neither Jew nor gentile...because of its meaning! Never doubt the influence you have with your blog posts:):)
Su-sieee! Mac said…
Peace and understanding come to my mind as I think of what I read and saw on your post today. :-)
The View from the Top of the Ladder
April said…
Love the Toto drawing. And the stained glass window is gorgeous. Glad you had a nice trip.
April #57
Artatag said…
A wonderful post again Arnoldo! Full of wonderful art and words.
Hugs
Gabriele
Nannie4 said…
Thank you for your visit and your very kind comment. Both are much appreciated
Kim Dellow said…
Lovely work, Love Toto :) I'm so glad you linked up to Show Your Face and thank you for the shout out too. It was so sad about those poor people. Kx
Ali H said…
Thanks for your visit earlier. Your blog is a real blend of joy & sadness this week. Enjoyed seeing your sketches. Ali #5
Unknown said…
The lettering on the congratulations card is so pretty to my eyes. Thank you so much for taking time to post your very creative art with us this week at Word Art Wednesday, on our 189th Challenge. We appreciate you very much.
Blessings, Carole
Photos by Stan said…
Beautiful art work, pics, couple and words. Looks like it had rained at Jackson Square [like the time we were there]. I especially like the book cover at the top!!! Your humanity always touches me....
~*~Patty S said…
Thank you for sharing your creativity along with so many blessings.
So much to enjoy and learn about here.
oxo
Faye said…
Your sketches are so beautiful, Arnoldo, but is your written words that have blessed me today. Keep up the inspiring messages.
denthe said…
Lovely work! I really love that first pen drawing, and the way you did the lettering. Gorgeous!
Giggles said…
What a heartfelt post!!Your art is gorgeous and a little different from the norm... A wonderful tribute in light of such a tragedy!! so much sadness! Wonderful photos, so glad you had a good time in Nola!! Enjoy your summer my friend!

Hugs Giggles
Linda Kunsman said…
thank you dear Arnoldo -for sharing not only the x factor, but also your beautiful collection of projects! I am particularly drawn to the first journal page and your sketch of Toto. Wishing you and yours a happy and blessed weekend!
bellefrogworks said…
Love that you got some time away with your lovely family. The photos are really good. I love all your work - but those pen and ink drawings are great! I live about an hour south of Charleston - and several folks in my church knew the pastor of that church. I also pray for God's comforting touch for all those families and for that church family. There is no safe place except in God's arms
GlorV1 said…
Hi Arnoldo. Hope you are doing good. Wonderful photo of you and your wife. You can see lots of love there. Love your art. You always do a great job. Great tribute to the people. It is very sad. Prayers to them all.
Indira said…
Inspiring and thoughtful collection of art. Yes, we must forever remember those victims of racial violence.
Michellem said…
Your sketch of Toto is adorable - we have a rescue dog too - such a great way to bring in a new member of the family.
Hi Arnoldo! I prayed for you and your family thus morning; asking for God to prove His loving kindness and goodness in your life through the art He calls you to create and share. Thanks for being such a blessing to our ministry at WAW, and please know how grateful I am for all you do to glorify Him through your Art. I praise God for you.
Blessings,
Karen
Word Art Wednesday
Lmkazmierczak said…
Stopping by from OYGIF...Glad to see you are enjoying summer♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/blaze/
Gloria j Zucaro said…
Hi Arnoldo, Thank you for stopping by my blog. I always enjoy your line drawings and collage. i will check your links for how they were done. My favorite today is "Toto". I makes me sad, "mans' inhumanity to man"!
Melanie said…
beautiful! Thanks for joining the mixed media monthly challenge blog!
Lynn K said…
Great art journal page! Love the hand lettering! Thanks for celebrating with us in this month's Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!
lynnkopas.blogspot.com
Beautiful art work and photos.

Love and hugs
Maarit
Fantastic creations! You are super talented and artistic! Glad you joined the challenge this week! Have a blessed day!

Charity - DT Member - Word Art Wednesday
http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
http://collectivecreativity.blogspot.com