Finding myself

When I was a little child, I was told to try my best in everything I did. Yes, I do tell my children the same thing, in fact I tell then that what ever they do , do it as if you were doing for Jesus.

Well, one thing that sometimes as parents we forget to stress is that our best is not always even close to be perfect and that is perfectly fine.*grin*

I was a ballerina and all I heard was : "You are doing great now you can get better".

The question " when (things) will be good enough" only came to me after I had all my children and after I started to draw and paint with watercolors.

My main purpose painting a flower , for ex, when I painted with oil paints was to make as "perfect" as possible. I wanted to full one's eyes and to make it as realistic as possible and please what I am saying here does not mean that if you work that way , I think is wrong.... not at all, I am just sharing some conflicts and some answers that worked for ME and perhaps you too have gone through the same ... or maybe not.*grin*

I have never been truly happy with my art work ( mostly paintings) and had no idea why. Then I start drawing..... my drawings were somehow funny lines trying to imitate perfection ...all in vain.

Ohhhh it was not working. I didn't spent time drawing and all my oil paintings would first get a sketch with my brush only and the shapes would come to life as I painted so I had no "real" practice with drawing.... but a desire to paint with water color was growing stronger in my heart.

I figure it was a matter of practice so like in all I have been told- Make it perfect.

What is perfection? Does the bible tells me?

I begin to pray about this .....mmm ....about 4/5 years ago, I think. I also was "searching " in God's words for answer.

It was with much excitement that I found out that there was not such thing as 'perfect' and the only perfection in life is the Lord- The Trinity.

This truly became real to me and in so many aspect... my life changed....my art changed.*grin*

Tasting freedom...

I began to experiment some sort of freedom that I did not know and has affected me tremendously.

I also start to look through a window that was new to me.... other artists like Tasha Tudor, Lisbeth Zwerger, Renee Graef even my "favorite illustrator " Beatrix Potter... just to name few.

I saw a freedom when they illustrated that did not call for a ruler, a perfect line ,or even perfect watercolor combination.... and yet a lovely , most amazing illustrations that combined not only a beautiful finished piece but some imperfection that brought so much charm and , if I may say, realism to the illustration. Realism I say , because life is not perfect.*smiles*

I have been dedicating my self to drawing a lot these past 2 years . One can see me drawing just about everyday.
I sketched this little girl and her dolly today.... this is not perfect ... but I like it!*grin*

My new cozy kitchen!!!:-)

((( You may double click on each picture , if you would like to see enlarged)))

After 3 months of renovations, we finally finished our kitchen.

When we first moved to our farm almost 9 years ago, our kitchen, living room ,and dinning room was way too small for a family of 9 plus all sorts of others that are always here *grin*. Since then , we have added a wonderful addition that is now our living room in which allowed us to expand our kitchen with the dinning room, however, I was *dreaming* to make the increase even larger so we could have more space not only for ourselves but also have friends and church family over more often.

Yesterday , I was able to lit my stove and heat up water for hot chocolate. The entire kitchen was so very warm and cozy, grin! Praise be to God , whom all blessing are from!

Our large table is 9ft long. It is about 120 years old.It is simple but sturdy.

These are the stoves that I cook everyday. they are both from 1920's. The left is a wood stove and the right is a gas stove.

Since we first moved here, I dreamt about having a window that faces my barn and the pond . Yes, I had this large doors that brings light but a window over the sink is something that I love deeply... don't know why...grin

I collect tin cans as you can see,grin, the green cabinet has its original stamp and is marked 1889. I keep my cups there.

Can you see my barn???*smiles*

I left for last to show you one of my pets that I just adore..... please meet **Loro**... my companion Amazon bird. He is so sweet and his favorite thing in this world is to be with me. He loves the children but he does not like Mark. Well, I think he IS a LOT like Mark in many ways!!!*grin*

I will leave you with a page from my sketch book. I did this ths morning at church . I already have the idea in my head of what the next illustration will be , but I still need to work on the children's faces after all, faces are very important.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

Rough Sketches

I started a big and long project. I am overly excited about doing this and I can't tell you yet what it is,grin,, however I will be sharing some character sketches!*grin*

This little boy is not as sweet as you may think... he is doing a naughty thing....

Simple Pleasures

Simple things in life makes my heart and soul happy!

I want to post in respond of my previous post. I have decided to cover my head *only* during worship and prayer. I have done some deep research and truly believe that the head covering is not for all the time ...why? well, this is what I think:

The text in Scriptures ( I Cor . 11) ....

"4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved. "

...talks about both man and woman having their heads covered and uncovered. Well, one of the arguments that I read a lot about the women having their head covered all the time, was that the bible commends us to pray without ceasing therefore the woman should have the head covered at all times. However , the same passage is instructing man to have their heads uncovered, opposite of woman. THAT made me think - this MUST have been a commend for a specific time of prayer and teaching other wise men would NOT have been called to uncover thier heads.( Should he too have head head uncovered at ALL times??) We know that men , including Christian men, through out history has worn cloth, hats and other forms during different time in their everyday lives, so instead of focusing on the women , I looked at the instruction for the men in that passage and came to the conclusion that this was NOT a command for all times but rather like the word of God said - during prayer or prophesies .

I don't mean to impose my thoughts and conviction on anyone but rather , if you are too looking for these answers or never read this passage of the scripture, to have a second view.

Thank you you for visiting me and reading my post.

Beautiful light!

God's Word, like a lamp, illuminates. It helps us discern spiritual danger so we can avoid it, and it points us in the right direction to take our lives. It lights the path we take through life
~Psalm 119:105


I have decided to try different paper in order to find the one that I love the most and it is most suitable for water colors. Right now I feel a little *lost* and I think is because I am learning something new. Yes, I have always painted but water color is a new medium to me and the freedom is not something that I feel comfortable yet.
When one uses oil paints a lot of *control* is given . I have never painted with oils that did not take a long time. layers and layers is what gives an oil paint its beauty....
Layers is also used on WC however in a much softer way and the colors must run and find its way.... so different.
I am trying to *let go*of the control thoughts and training that I am used to from the oils and let the colors from WC find its on life.
I think it will take time for me to improve but I am truly loving to spend the time with this new medium.
I have a new sketch and I am growing in love for it... grin... I know... sounds silly but is true.
The sketch is an image of an older child trying to give a little sister some medicine( or food) I am not sure yet...
Drawing objects is also not easy for me.... I never did before... it has always been people , animals , flowers , woods... never a ..... table!
I am using my own rooms as models and incorporating into my drawings ... I am looking forward to spring when my flower beds will start to bloom and I can then sit and sketch from there.
Well.... I will close with these pictures that I thought *more than once* in sharing or not, I really dislike my looks but I figure you would appreciate , like I do, to see what a beautiful lighting that comes from the window where I sit and although I have many other places to call *studio* , my favorite ones are this one and my rocking chair next to my warm 1920 Majestic Stove. *grin*