Dark values

This semester I am taking an oil painting class and figure drawing class.  Our figure drawing teacher gave us an assignement to use either oils, acrylics or ink medium to paint a marble statue from a xerox copy.  I painted my figure on canvas using acrylic paints.  Very difficult to keep acrylics wet and smooth, but I like the effect it gave.  Unfortunately, it was not what my teacher was looking for and gave me a "B" for my work; she said the values were too dark and it looked too technical.  I love my teacher, so I could understand what she was looking for after comparing my work with other students paintings.  Mine did look too graphic artist, but I still like it. So, I decided to hang this picture in my guest bathroom. 

xerox copy of marble statue

11 x 14

acrylics on canvas

 April 26, 2011

Ken and Tina

Ken and Tina are one of many wonderful people we are blessed with in our lives; they are also artists.  Cal attended the Green Horse Art Walk on Friday, April 15, 2011.  Of course my husband never passes up on Ken and Tina's work and purchased a vase.  I of course love their work, but our house is starting to look like a museum, a "Ken and Tina" museum.  LOL

These fantastic artists created a piece called "Callalily".   Tina told my husband that she called this piece after us (Cal and Lilly). We are so honored!  Unfortunately, someone had placed the piece on hold and was purchasing it.  So, since we missed out on this beautiful piece we trekked back to the Green Horse Gallery and took pictures.

From the Start

I can only imagine the Lord saying these words to his beloved children.  God knows who we are with all our imperfections and zaniness.  His imagination of creating who we are is infinite.  Thank you, Father for calling and chosing me from the begining of time.  You knew before I came to this earth and loved me enough to help me come to the cross of Jesus and confess my shortcomings and major blunders.   Thank you for adoring us, and especially me.

 

 

Mindy Gledhill, "All About the Heart"

 

 



Sergio's Birthday

Today is Sergio's birthday, he would have been 25 years old.  When Sergio was a little boy I would sing "Shenandoah" with him before he went to bed; it was his life song.  Before Sergio died, he had shared that he would sing "Shenandoah" and that this song gave him great comfort and memories.  I know he is celebrating his birthday before the Creator of all.  I thank the Lord for giving me those moments where Sergio was revealed to us.  Happy Birthday Sergio!!!  We love and miss you, Dad, Mom and Nate.

A day at the Broadmoor

Nathaniel and I are home all week for Spring Break, although my teachers still had assignments for me to complete. One of my assingments is to write a paper on a figurative artists, there was no way I would drive to Denver, not with these gas prices.  So, my figure drawing teacher recommended the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs, but they are renovating for new works.  Then she recommended The Hayden-Hays Gallery at the Broadmoor.  So, Nathaniel and I packed our water bottles, notebook and camera and off we went to visit the Broadmoor.  Too bad I had not washed or vacuumed my van, but we drove up to the Broadmoor and again we were treated like royalty.  Nathaniel and I looked like throwbacks from the 80's; Nathaniel with his Pink Floyd sweatshirt and me with my old faded blue skirt and sandals.  Thank God we blended with the people in designer clothes, oh well.  The galleries at the Broadmoor are great.  The gallery directors were professional and very kind; they were helpful with my assignment and allowed us to take photos.  I will be doing my paper on "Drying Peppers" by Kim English.  The colors, lights and the figure on this piece caught my attention at first glance.

Kim English

"Drying Peppers"

20 x 30

Oil on Canvas

This painting by Gary Ernest Smith, "Cowboy at Sunset" was my second choice. 

Gary Ernest Smith

"Cowboy at Sunset"

40 x 30

Oil on Canvas

             The Broadmoor

This was the only picture I took as we were driving out of The Broadmoor. 

Nathaniel took all the other pictures.  He is a talented photographer.

 

Leaving Las Vegas

(The Broadmoor)

God looks at the heart

My son is a senior in high school this year, and he will graduate this May 2011.  He is your typical teenager with all the drama life has to offer.  I am very proud of him, he has endured so much in the last 7 years, and I am sure that he will be given much to endure thoughout his life; and God will always be with him.

When my son was a freshman in high school, he attended his first high school Homecoming Parade.  He did not participate in the parades and he regreted not riding on his class floats. He would always say that he would ride on his class float the following year, but he never did. This year my son planned to be with his fellow classmates and enjoy the parade riding ontop the Senior class float; he volunteered to help with the decorations for the float.  Saturday morning he met up with his classmates and was extremely excitedly about the Homecoming Parade.

I was one of many spectators enjoying the Homecoming Parade, every class went by and when the Senior's float was approaching I was waiting with my camera on the ready.  I searched for my son on the float, but I could not find him.  All the Seniors were waving to their family and friends, but I did not see my son.  As the float passed me I saw my son walking behind, inhaling the fumes from the tractor truck that was pulling the Senior float.  My heart sank.  I was so heartbroken for him because he did not get to participate with the rest of the Seniors on the float that he helped decorate.  He was walking with one of his fellow classmates.  You see, this classmate is in a wheelchair.

When I met up with my son I was hurting for him, and I was crying.  When I asked him what happened he told me that his friend was not able to go on the float so a volunteer asked him if he would walk with her behind the float; the volunteer had asked other students and they refused.  I asked him if that bothered him, and he said, "No mom, she is my friend."  I was so proud of him.  He lived out what Jesus asks us to do for those can't.  My son had a wonderful time at the parade, and he didn't mind giving up the glory of riding on a float in a parade.  He was the most distinguished high school Senior for me that day; what a beautiful soul.

I am not writing to brag on my son, he can be a stinker at times, but the memory of my son's loving sacrifice will stay with me for as long as I live.  I cry everytime I think about my son's offering for a friend.  I thank the Lord everyday for the son He gave me, and for the heart God gave him to serve. 

Abudant Blessings to my son. May the Lord give you favor and continue to use you.  Amen.

Valentine's Day with a side of Beef

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day. I know sometimes I think it can be a overrated holiday. So much expectation of a great restaurant, flowers, candy and romance, it could be a bit too much.  Romance on steroids.  No, I am not a sourpuss when it comes to Valentine's Day, I enjoy it very much. As a matter of fact my husband brought me flowers and a sweet card.

WHAT?! No chocolates?!

I made dinner for my family. We don't go out on this day of LOVE; restaurants are extremely busy. So, I went and bought some steaks (my husband's favorite. Ok mine too). I made pico de gallo, guacamole, veggies, tortillas and a chocolate brownie torte.

****************************************************************************
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We tend to eat a lot of chicken.  This definitely was a treat.

These flowers are so beautiful. 

Dinner was extremely satisfying. 

 (I paid for a week, if you know what I mean)

Brownies for dessert. 

Definitely next year for Valentine's I will eat lighter and go dancing . . .

Pampered Chef Birthday

My dear friend, Nydia had a birthday on Monday, 2/7/11, she is a Pampered Chef Consultant and she threw herself a Pampered Chef Birthday Party on Saturday, 2/5/11.  On Saturday she made pizza, and was it very tasty!  We also had cake and ice cream, then we talked about the evils of not fitting into our clothes.  Como es la vida (such is life); one day I will say that in French. 

Nydia, the Birthday
Girl Beautiful Woman

THE PIZZA, MMMMMMM!!

Nydia's Birthday Cake

We enjoyed ourselves.

We laughed a lot and ate a lot.

  What a wonderful combination.

Blessings to Nydia, my friend and sister in Christ.

Friday is here at last

Have a Super Weekend!

Heatwave

It is 0 degrees outside.  My house feels a little warm, mainly because our large window in the dining room draws heat from the sun.  I was able to do some housework this morning.  Need to vacuum after I complete this post.  I worked from home the last two nights.  What a blessing.  Did I forget to tell you that I am working again.  Yep, I am working part time and have the luxury of either working from home or going into the office.  Now, tell me God does not meet the desires of our hearts!  Money can be a little tight right now, but we just cut a bit and save for our outings; what a concept . . . save.  Anyways, back to this heatwave we are having; by tomorrow it should be up in the 30's and on Friday in the 40's.  Colorado wheather can be a bit tricky.  We have been known to have snow in June.  What am I a meterologists?  Well, I hope you all stay warm, especially those living on the other half of the U.S.  I pray that they get a break soon. 

(Picture taken this morning from our front porch)

Almost 11 pm

It is so quiet in the house right now.  My family went upstairs about ten minutes ago for bed.  I really should be going up myself.  I have a lot to do on Monday.  I rather enjoyed my weekend, even though I was sick.  I feel a little better tonight.  Unfortunately, we did not go to church or drive to Denver to visit a friend; all because of my cold.  We watched several movies today, it was just one of those days. We saw "Meet the Robinson's"  The new Hallmark movie and then we watched Scrooge.  For dinner I made tuna fish with a side salad and pork n beans; easy Sunday meal.  All in all it was a productive day.  I did go through some papers, did laundry and organized some other things that I will be getting rid of.  I really like these kind of days, where nothing is really planned, but things get done.  Well I will be signing off for now.  I am beginning to feel sleepy.  I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and I pray that your week will be blessed.
Good night.

(This picture was taken from our last snow storm)