Living By Faith

Hello!  ¡Hola!  I had a frightful weekend, as my brother called to tell me that Mother had trouble breathing, and was at emergency .  She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and hospitalized.  Praise be to God, it only took a couple of days for the medical staff to get her cleared, so she's now back home.

   

I'm staying with my Mom, but got some pages done before I came up.  I illustrated this rose by doing a simple pencil sketch first.  Then, I did some watercolor washes.  When it was dry, I used a marker to do the detailing.  I am submitting this page to The Crafting Challenge July, Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Anything Florals Goes, and Crafting Happiness Challenges - July.

This collage page is an exercise using negative space.  I began by covering my page with scraps of paper.  Then, I cut out the women's silhouette on the newsprint paper, and glued the negative portion over the harlequin print background.  I fussy-cut the butterflies from a butterfly print piece, and glued them on the background.  I composed the butterfly poem, and wrote it on a vintage tag from my stash.  Then, I glued it and the Chinese tile on the background.  I am submitting this page to July 2026 Art Nudge Challenge, Shopping Our Stash SOS579 - What's the Good Word? (BTW, thanks for choosing me as a Top 3 Kraft-astic), and What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 895/115.

For this page, I played around with a blend of collage and drawing.  I began by sketching out the fashion figure.  Then, using a scrap of cardstock I had stenciled, I cut out the bodice of her dress; with a scrap of a map print, to simulate lace, I cut out the flowing skirt pieces and the trim.  Finally, using a calligraphy pen, I lettered the initial L for Leonardo, which is my middle name.  I was trying to make it look like a fashion designer's logo - LOL!  Anyway, I am submitting this to Stencil Fun Challenge July 2026, Art Journal Journey - Fabric, Lace and trims... oh my!, and Friday Face Off 07/31/2026.

I travel with art supplies, so while I was in my Mom's hospital room, I illustrated this Kawaii fruit postcard.  I began by lightly sketching out the beach scene with a pencil.  Then, I colored the scene using Conté and Faber-Castel colored pencils.  I used a Sharpie, to outline the drawing and letter the title.  It was a great stress-relief exercise.  I am submitting this to Inspiration Station Challenge July 2026 - Photo #87, Inspired By... Summer #IB399 (Thanks for the Inspired by Hydrangea Win!), and Sunday Postcard Art - Fruit.

My Sunday Best #492

Saturday Critters #659 & Mosaic Monday No. 199

T Stands for Tuesday 07/28/2026

I took these last 3 pictures since my last post.  The first picture is of a Cenizo (Texas Sage) and a Firebush in a flowerbed in our front yard.  With all the recent rain we got, they are blooming beautifully.  The second picture is Sammy, my Siamese cat.  She's very smart, playful and loving, and likes to cuddle up with me whenever she can.  The last picture is of an iced tea I purchased at a gas station, to help me stay alert during my trip across the state to be with my Mom.

In closing, I want to leave you with an excerpt from my sermon, based on the readings for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost:

In these readings, we learn that God is always within and around us.  Jesus invites us to see the mustard seed as a metaphor for our own actions.  One tiny good deed, act of mercy, or moment of faith, will grow huge in many dimensions.  Pauls reminds us that nothing can separate believers from God's love, highlighting how the Spirit's intercession can help us, and confirm God's ultimate victory over trials.  This is the promise of our faith, so let us not lose hope.

Thanks for visiting!  ¡Gracias por visitarme!  Please leave a comment, and I'll be glad to reciprocate, so we can get to know each other.

Shalom,

Arnoldo+