Brrrr....January.....I think I'll collage!

It has been a great day. Sunshiny, but too cold to go out. Perfect day for making stuff. Currently listening to: "The Best of Donny McClurkin" gospel. Awesome CD. A pot roast is simmering in the crock pot, and several projects are on the art table. Favorite candle burning in my studio: orangey, spicy and clovey. Is "clovey" a word? Oh well. I am trying a new technique for some paintings, that was shown in this month's issue of Cloth Paper Scissors and it is so fun! I also just got Traci Bautista's book Collage Unleashed, and have been doing lots of doodling in my large size sketchbook, as well as some mixed media postcards. I wanted to do some valentine postcards, and in looking around for some images, I found an old community activities guide. There were the neatest black and white photos of kids and adults doing activities together. I think this shows love in a great way that's not overly romanticized as most valentine cards portray. I want to celebrate that every day kind of practical REAL love that is all around us. Of course it all comes from God, but He is so creative in how He expresses His love for us, and also through us to others.

Ephesians 3:16-21

Blessings to you all. Here is a special piece for someone very dear to many. It is Ephesians 3:16-21 painted in acrylics and mixed media on a 14" X 11" canvas. The verse reads as follows.

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. (NIV)

This verse is so encouraging. It anchors our faith, reminding us that God Himself strengthens us, and it paints a picture of the magnitude, beauty and power of Jesus' love for us. And that great powerful love is expressed through us as individuals, but also through believers gathered together, yet another dimension of the expression of God's love and provision, strength and power to accomplish His will. Have a wonderful day!