"Belle Maison"

6" X 6" Oil on Raymar Canvas Panel

SOLD

When I first laid eyes on the reference photo for this painting taken by my friend, Anne Heinrich on a recent trip to South of France, I was so drawn to the house’s façade.  I just wanted to be there in person.  Its approachable, warm, inviting, colorful, interesting, and gentle presence emanates a “welcome” - almost as if its arms are open wide, ready to affectionately embrace anyone wanting to enter.  It’s perfectly imperfect.   

I do wonder what it’s like to live there.  Surely everything is always clean and orderly, the kitchen always stocked with their favorite foods, and there are as many TV’s and remotes as the number of people that reside in it!   Of course, I think it’s decorated exactly like I would do it, and that all who live there are happy, content, and at peace - all the time!

Shall we go in?   Let’s see what it’s really like, and if we actually had the opportunity, would we really want to stay?  Is it as you imagined?  How would you describe it?

Stiff and formal?  (Are you afraid to move for fear you’ll do the wrong  thing?)

Too fancy?  (Could you ever measure up to the expectations?)

High maintenance?  (Is your mind already thinking of the upkeep?)           

Cluttered with “stuff”?  (Do you want to run to your “safe place”?)

Empty and cold?  (Do you feel unwanted, edged out?)

Or, can you hardly hold yourself back from enveloping yourself in the  billowed, overstuffed chair and a half, adorned with soft, fluffy, down pillows and ottoman in your favorite colors – a place of rest and refreshment? 

Hmmmmmmm.....

Thought for the Day

If an inanimate object can create just enough curb appeal by warming our hearts enough to make us want to enter, I have to wonder what message we, as humans, present to others with our appearance?  (We sure do spend a lot of time and effort on it!)   And more importantly, what do they encounter once they’ve entered our “space”?

“For we are the temple of the living God.  As God has said:

“I will live with them and walk among them,

and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
                                                                                2 Cor. 6:16

"The Door"

6" X 6" Oil on Raymar Canvas Panel

SOLD

We watched as Lane slowly and methodically got out of the Rescue Mission (homeless shelter) van.  Like a well-oiled machine, he began navigating his way up the long sidewalk to the church doors.  With each step, his crutches propelled his body forward as he drug both legs behind.   Our emotions surged with compassion and wonderment.  I thought of the numerous times that it just wasn’t all that “convenient” to go to church - the weather was bad, or I was too tired, or I needed to sleep in, or I didn’t have anything to wear, or my back hurt .....  Until now, I had thought our “greeting” job wasn’t really very important.  
Once inside, Lane stopped to re-cupe right behind my door.  I asked him if he needed some help and he promptly told me that he had it covered and the “GPS on his crutches would tell him where he needed to go.”

I decided that personally welcoming him took precedence over the proper manning of my door.  (Besides, my husband was still working his post.) 
       I said, "So, have you been here before?"
       He said,  “No, I don't go to church.  But for the past two years, it’s just basically been me
             and God."
       I said, “It sounds like you know Him pretty well.”  
       He said . “Yeah, I've been through a lot, but I can’t quote chapter/verse.”
       I said,  “That’s okay - that's not what it’s all about anyway.”   

This man had a history with God.  As we continued to talk, I learned more about him, and his situation.  He came into our building with needs that evening.  I wish I could tell you this story ends with,  “So, I took him over to the side – we sat down on the bench, and I prayed with him – for a job, for housing, for God’s love and blessing, for healing …..”

But, I didn’t.  I told him I would pray for him - which I did - and still do.  Wish I had a do-over.

Lane essentially knocked on the door of our church that day.  I, like you, wonder if his life changed that evening – by the message he heard, a song that was sung, a person he sat next to, or maybe he even met someone who helped him find a job, or was healed from his bitterness.   I wonder, too, if I had been obedient, how it may have changed my life.  

Opening a “door” for someone may change their world. 
Walking through that door with them may also change yours. 

(South of France reference photo compliments of Anne Heinrich.)

"An Angel"

6" X 6" Oil on Raymar Canvas Panel

NFS

The bible tells us that angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14).  So it’s easy to see how “angel” transitions into our every day language.  Who are the people that have truly blessed you in your life – who have been there for you in a time of need, who have anonymously acted in love, who have adorned you with unsolicited encouragement?

Recently, I attended the funeral prayer service of a friend’s mother – Bev.  I didn’t know her well personally, but certainly knew her through my friend and her sister.  When I would see her, she always preceded her words with her warm, genuine smile, and somehow wasted no time in making me feel comfortable, even if that meant her being uncomfortable.  What I remember most about her, though, is how she always made me feel special.  In her presence, surely I wore a tiara.

When it came time for family members and friends to share their thoughts at the prayer service, I listened as, one by one, each person related their favorite things about Bev – from funny stories to sentimental moments.  It wasn’t long before I realized the common thread amongst those whose lives she touched.  She made each one of us feel special in her own way – because we were special to her.  (And I thought it was just me!)

I think that is a gift – God’s gift to her that she then extended to many others.  What a testimony to her life.  The service was a beautiful celebration of a devoted wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother, (add the many other roles she played), who is greatly missed. 

An Angel.

This painting is in honor of Beverly Schapker.

RED HOUSE GALLERY

Presents"

AWARENESS

Paintings by Deborah Murray

& Select Artwork of Patrick Murray

 Wine & Cheese Reception, Saturday, November 19, 4-8 P.M.

New Harmony Art and Antiques Stroll

RED HOUSE GALLERY

618 Main Street

New Harmony, Indiana

"Meet Me at 7?"

12" X 12" Oil on Raymar Panel, Framed

Sold

Available at Basketkases Gift Shoppe

2009 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714

(812) 491-9799

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
Helen Keller

                                                                                             

Red House Gallery Exhibit

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Historic New Harmony (Indiana) is hosting a Kunstfest this Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 AM - 6 PM, and Sunday, Sept. 18th, from 10 AM - 4 PM!  I have the privilege of exhibiting a collection of my paintings at the Red House Gallery on Main Street.  Also in the display will be the art of gallery owner, Patrick Murray.

There will be entertainment and german food, as well as pottery, black smithing, spinning, and weaving demonstrations, wagon rides and wine tasting!  All the antique shops, gifts shops, and art galleries will be open as well!

It looks like it will be a beautiful weekend - come on out and enjoy!!

P.S.  Also a reminder that the two paintings I have on display at the Evansville Museum will remain in the exhibit until the end of next week.

"Talk of the Town"

"Talk of the Town"

6" X 6" Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

Nestled on the corner of Edgar and Louisiana Streets in the near downtown area of Evansville, Indiana, is our favorite Friday night dining establishment – Talk of the Town Pizza Bar.  Patronized consistently by neighborhood residents, people from all areas of town also flood its intimate interior for lunch and dinner, and to visit with Suzanne and R.J., the bar’s owners and operators.

Suzanne and R.J. opened Talk of the Town in 2003, and continue to reside in the upstairs apartment.  Sporting an always clean and tidy appearance, the bar’s décor is classically nostalgic:  dark green and white checked linoleum floor, black and white tiled ceiling, neon signs, and photos and posters of yore on the walls, with nary an open spot. There’s a total of a whopping four booths, one of which is considered “the family room”!  The bar accommodates 12 customers on padded bar stools, 2 of which are in ……”the family room”.

R.J. can routinely be seen in his chef’s hat, lost in his blues music as he diligently performs his accomplished art of making delectable pizzas, sandwiches, and the best salads on earth!  And then there’s R.J.’s counterpart, Suzanne, who, no matter how busy, with boundless energy frequently single-handedly services the entire restaurant, serving as hostess, bartender, waitress, bus girl, cleaning lady, dishwasher, phone operator, sous chef, etc., all with an admirable work ethic and cheerful countenance.

As we enter, oftentimes, R.J. begins making our salad “our way”, and Suzanne pours our drinks without needing to take our order. If we call in a carryout order, she wants to know why we’re not coming in.  If we don’t show up for several weeks, she lets us know we were missed. 

We don’t know their last name; they don’t know our first names.  (I’m the “Friday night redhead!)  Nevertheless, we exchange some type of personal information almost each and every time we visit – i.e., kids, vacations, births, deaths, illness, relationship issues, and even church.  They are our friends, and friends to many who enter.  Talk of the Town is more than a pizza bar that serves food that rivals none!  I guess you could say that it’s just a place that satisfies – in a lot of ways.

How did we find this cozy little joint that some have coined as “Evansville’s best kept secret”?  Well, after all, it IS the “Talk of the Town”!