Evansville Museum Juried Exhibition

"Elegance"

10" X 10" Framed

Available thru the Arts Council

It is a privilege to announce that two of my paintings, Emergence and Elegance, have been accepted in the Working Together Exhibition.  They will be hanging in the Evansville Museum from July 30 to September 18th.  I hope you get a chance to visit the exhibit and view all of the works!

White Daisy

"To Be"

6" X 6" Oil on Raymar

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Flowers are.  Their purpose in life is "to be".  

By their mere existence, they bring beauty to an open field or an area alongside a road, or character and curb appeal to the residential landscape.  With perfect positioning, they add color to the patio, interest to the home decor, ambiance to the wedding, and accessories to the prom attire.  When given as a gift, they communicate love to a spouse or friend, sympathy to the family of the deceased, wishes of recovery to the sick, hope to the downtrodden, and joy to many celebrations.

People do.  Their purpose in life is often to accomplish. 

Our mere existence, or idleness, is generally not accepted in our culture.  Don't we all have a "To Do" list - if not on paper, at least in our heads?  We do our chores, do our homework, do errands, do church, do taxes, do yard work, do school activities, do our exercises, do work assignments, do whatever it takes to get ahead......need I say more?

At a recent Africa Reflections meeting (recap of the mission trip), Allen Mounts, team leader, opened his presentation by stating their main purpose for this trip was "to just be" with the Maasai tribe, not necessarily "to do",...... although, of course, they did.  Honestly, being a queen-doer, I was a little disappointed to hear that.  I felt my spirit drop just a bit because selfishly, I was hoping to be moved by all the things they did - after all, I had a lot of prayer time invested in this trip!!

Well, that was until I heard, and saw, how the "to be" went down!  I love Allen's phrase "to be", but from my perspective, it looked a little more like "walking along side of".  You see, they ate with them, and talked with them, and played with them, and worked with them, and learned with them, and prayed with them, and worshipped God with them.  They shared special moments with them when no words need to be spoken.  They made a huge impact on each other, as evidenced by the visible emotion and audible passion in each of the team members that spoke that evening.  I wish you had been there - it was a powerful evening!

So, what does my flower painting have to do with any of this?  Since "flowers are", yet they "do" so much, I hope it reminds you "to just be", because sometimes that is exactly what a situation calls for!  For whom do you need "to be"?

"Be still and know that I am God." 

Psalm 46:10

"The View"

"The View"

6" X 6" Oil on Raymar Panel

Available at Basketkases Gift Shoppe

2009 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714

(812) 491-9799

As Nancy packed the bright pink plastic bins with her homemade chocolate chip cookies and Katie’s favorite pretzels, she desperately missed her daughter.  Shipping packages to Katie, a 29 year old single neo-natal nurse, had been difficult due to her remote location as a missionary in Africa.  A team from Crossroads Church had offered to transport this “care package” to Katie on their short-term mission trip, along with their own personal belongings.

Meanwhile, half way around the globe, Katie, an Evansville native, had committed 3 years of her young life to the physical and spiritual care and development of the Massai tribe in Narok, Kenya.  Unable to visit home, she was alone, missing her family, and anxiously awaiting the team’s arrival.

As they came in to view, she noticed that everyone was toting two blue storage bins, except for one “macho-looking young man” (in Katie's words, and, yep, that would be my son) who was carrying two pink bins with his name on them.  (Somehow, John had been assigned to the care of these ‘girly’ bins – maybe because he was the youngest?…….or because they drew straws?)  And, oh, how she appreciated that little act of kindness!   While her family hadn't been able to visit, her church family was the next best thing, and just eyeing those tubs from her mother felt like a bear hug to her!

As John saw it (and I'm pretty sure that he didn't know about the chocolate chip cookies!) - the view from his window was just a little slit in the blinds.  The gesture was such a small thing – something anyone could do…. and would do.  It didn’t take any special skill, or a lot of money – and it really didn't even inconvenience him.  (Well, maybe he did have to shrug off a few smirks from onlookers every now and then.)

However, the view from Katie’s window had a much broader expanse:

 Her view was beautiful, sunny, warm, and fragrant – 

and it smelled like home!

She saw the hands and feet of Jesus in these missionaries as they, too, answered God’s call to serve. 

What act of kindness can you perform today to change "The View"  from someone's window?

Or, if you've been a recipient, please encourage us all by sharing how you've been blessed in the Comment area below!

"Oh, Is It Raining?"

"Oh, Is it Raining?"

6" X 6" Oil on Raymar Panel

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My mind's eye captured this little princess one rainy afternoon in Brooklyn.   Rick and I found shelter in a quaint Italian restaurant with a glassed storefront on Court Street, perfect for people watching.  The sidewalks were crowded with aptly attired residents clearly used to braving the elements, and this little girl was no exception.  But she was different........

She was pink.....and purple, and teal, and navy...... in her own little world, moving at her own little pace, wearing just what she wanted, and pleased to be doing it.   I LOVE that about her!!  Is she anyone you know?  She reminds me of my granddaughter who wanted to wear a dress to her soccer game, and one of my sons who insisted on wearing cowboy boots every day for at least 2 years of his life!  Or maybe she reminds you of you? 

She is unique.  Unique.....as we all are in our own special ways.  Pick a day to just be content with yourself, accepting the gifts God gave you - no comparisons, no masks, no expectations......no make-up!!!  (Well, that might be takin' it a little too far for some of us :)))

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you......" 

 Proverbs 4:25