Falling inspirations

Just like the leaves on the trees, this last month has been full of beautiful changes - 

Here's some thoughts that have popped in my head as I'm on this artistic journey...

- Let go of negativity and step back from anything that causes me to doubt God or myself.

- I'm clearing out the mental clutter that gets in the way of creativity. 

- No more pleasing people, I'm sick of trying to make everyone happy. 

- As in layering my painting, I'm taking one step at a time not getting overwhelmed at all the different stuff in front of me. I'm just doing one thing until it's done and then I will move on.

- I am NOT focusing  on my weaknesses.  I used to think that if I saw my flaws, I wouldn't be surprised when someone else pointed it out.   

Life is too short and moving way to fast to focus on negative things of life.  This journey is a blessing and a gift!  

If you would like to see my latest commissions click here.  

Check out my updated website here!

Happy September!

New exciting things are happening!

- our kids are back in school.  All three this year! 4th, 2nd and Kindergarten.  I won't lie, I cried when I got home to the quiet house with my husband.  It took me a couple days to adjust but it's been good to have some creative time back! The kids love school and I'm loving my quiet time of prayer, coffee and painting.

- My website www.melanie-parker.com  is finally up!  Go check it out and share it!

-I am currently working on a commission.  You can see below that  I'm still in process with it:)

-  Prints of my work are now available on a site called Fine Art America.  You can go to the site and order any size prints, cards, canvas prints and more .  It's really easy and it ships right to you!  

Now, as far as the www.melanie-Parker.com site goes, it's a work in progress.  (Just like my art and everything else in life!).  There's a lot more that i want to do with it, but its better than it was- thanks to my brother in law, Shawn :). 

I've added my past work, there's a link to my blog and etsy page.  There will be posts on upcoming shows and workshops.

  I hope that creating this site gives you a better way to see my work and show your friends:). Thanks!

Spring has sprung!

Happy Spring!

Our baby girl turned five on the first day of Spring!  We can't believe how time is flying! She is such a tenacious little girl full of spunk, compassion and a heart to serve!  She is so excited to start school in August!

I'm good with it, seriously...I made a comitment to the Lord that I WILL rejoice with my children on the milestones in their lives.  I will thank God that He has allowed me to be their mommy another year in their life.  So, we invited our girl's closest friends for a "Fairy Tea Birthday Party".  Oh My!  The sweetest little fairies came all dressed up and ready to celebrate!

I LOVE this time of year.  Fresh rain and wet dirt smell so good!  God's mercies are new every morning and I especially see it when new life is sprouting and giving us hope!  I'm so grateful for my life and God's provision.  Right now, I'm watching a hummingbird dance around a salvia bush in my backyard.   So cool :)

God loves us so much.  I pray you know that, if not, message me on how I can pray for you.

 Stuff that's happening:

•  I've been working outside the home.  A friend of mine asked if I needed some extra money - Um, yes?! She asked if I could take on some projects around her house organizing, so God totally provided....not by sitting around waiting, but stepping it up and being ready.  God provides in different ways that we may not see if we're not seeking His word and praying.  Also, I'll be working at "The Gap" part time.  
•   I'm current working on two paintings for my wonderful clients :)  
•   We continue to pray for a venue to show my paintings. (would love your prayers and input!)

Thank you for stopping by!

new year!

Happy 2013!

I got all my hairs cut! It feels so much better:)

Are you ready for the new year?

I can honestly say I am anxious for what this new year is going to bring and not quite ready.  I'm holding onto God in full confidence that HE knows our future and it's all good!  Lot's of exciting news for our family!

We have a beautiful little newborn girl in our family, I am so proud to be an auntie again!   I love newborns, they are so little and perfect.  It's not always easy to see that as a new mom, but looking back, it is a special time for a woman :)  I love a newborn baby smell!  I cannot wait to hold her in my arms! She was born, yesterday and we are going to see her on Wednesday evening.  I'm so excited!!

So, the kids are back in school and the schedule is back to normal.  I miss them at home, but it feels good to catch my breath! Whew!

I've started a new painting and it's been very cool to stretch out on a bigger canvas! Pics to come ;)

I'm not really a fan of resolutions but I have goals for 2013 - maybe it's just symantics but the word "resolution" just doesn't help me....

This year as an artist, I hope to:

• have an art show
• start Kickstarter and get all of you involved in the process - I'm a little scared but it's a good scared, like getting ready to go on a roller-coaster!
• sell more prints and pendants (with my art inside of glass) on Etsy
• Lead more workshops
• get involved in Alamo Danville Artists 

Disneyland

I have the Disneyland hangover.  Yep, if you haven't gone, believe what they've said about Christmas in Disneyland being magical.  It's so true, it's like the merriest place on earth.  I want to go back right now and do it all over again.  Yet, I don't all at the same time and thus the topic of this post...

 After being on a magical high for five days, who wants to go back home?!   I got to spend time with my Dad and my nephew in the morning and talk with my sister, watch my niece play with my children, we loved seeing the joy on the kids faces and the christmas lights, snow and smells were magical. music playing happily all over the park, everything clean and picked up.  Coming back to the cleaned hotel room after we had a full day of fun.  The rides are so fun - especially in Fantasy Land!  Everything is just beautiful and fun! The focus is made on making  our visit a perfect one as if everyday is the last day we were there...

this is a beautiful illustration of holding onto material stuff that doesn't matter

My heart kept getting pulled back.  It wasn't like it was when I was younger.  There's such a focus on self that it started to really effect me.  I started getting frustrated at our lack of money and wanted to buy more.  Instead of feeling happy and carefree, I was becoming frustrated.

 i left feeling a loss of what we didn't have for the kids. i wanted to buy so many things for them that we couldn't afford.

now as we continue to move into Advent, I am distracted by material stuff.  I find myself praying for money for gifts,  that maybe someone will buy one of my paintings.  I want Christmas to be special.  when no one responds I find myself defeated and getting bitter.  pulling me even more away from God's word.

Hope does not disappoint me, because you, God have poured out Your love into my heart by the Holy Spirit, whom you have given me. (Rom 5:5)

 I need him every minute, not just the thought of him but his holy, living word that gives me peace and allows me to see the bigger picture.  not just gifts and temporary stuff but eternal stuff that matters.  Walk in his beauty in what he has made in nature.

My husband said it perfectly when he shared this with me: 

I am learning that when I recieve God as He is and take time to quietly spend time in Him so His peace  will  overflow, I rarely OVERFLOWI guess because I am putting an agenda on Him.Like I am going to the throne looking for energy to carry out my plan.Not asking Him what His plan is.
I guess it's about coming to Him, and repenting of what I am carrying.But I usually come, asking Him to help me with something I wasn't supposed to be doing in the first place.And so I corner Him and make Him into something He isn't.I treat Him as though He is there to serve me.
And then I wonder what the problem is.
So when I come to Him as something I wasn't supposed to be; I make Him into something He isn't.Instead of allowing Him to change me, I want Him to fix everything around me.
Instead of changing me.

I need to come with whatever I have, and ask Him to help me drop them at His feet.
And then recognize His presence, and the grace and mercy that is received in the fact that God is with us!

When I do this, it is only then that I am able to paint and find inspiration!

"There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"  -Rom. 5:5

Believe Painting - CRI Fundraiser

I am kicking myself. I didn't get a better picture of my recent painting that was auctioned off for a fundraising event for a pre and post-release program for inmates serving in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. AKA California Reentry Institute (CRI) This amazing program works with men to make their transition from incarceration a successful entry back into society. "Believe" 14" wide x 22" tallAcrylic, Charcoal on stretched artist canvas 14" wide x 22" tallAcrylic, Charcoal on stretched artist canvas Inspiration:

This original painting came from what becomes of a seedling as it grows.  When a plant finally sprouts through the surface, there are things that have already taken place before what occurs above ground.  

The sprout keeps moving and growing regardless of what is happening around it.  

Our life spiritually is the same way.  God calls us to move in His sunlight and HE provides living water.  The light of his only son, Jesus Christ and the living water by His Holy Spirit within us as his children.  We must believe that through Christ we can do anything God calls us to.  

That is especially true for those going through transition after prison.  Seeking God's strength and admitting that one cannot do it on one's own efforts is key to allowing God to provide his power within the individual.  

The three circles in the painting represent God, our Heavenly Father; Jesus Christ and the Spirit of Holiness.   

The painting has many layers of paint just as our lives have many layers.  

Materials:  

Charcoal
Liquitex Phalo Blue
Americana Marigold
Polycrylic clear-gloss protective finish which provides UV protection as well has protection from water and common household cleaners.  This sealer provides protection from damage from abrasion or chipping.

A New Beginning

We have books all over our house, we love books.  Especially now that the kids are reading they're in every room of the house...kids books, Bibles, coloring books, paperback, hardback, some with words i have no idea what they mean....and I'm okay with that because they're my husband's books...but this morning I found a treasure!

In the book The Only Nessary Thing - Living a Prayerful Life,  Henri Nouwen (a Dutch priest and author) saw himself as "vulnerable but beloved child of God, who in communion with the Beloved, knew transformation and salvation."  I want to share with you what I read (pages 85-86).  This seriously, was like, better than my mug of Peets Espresso Forte!

I think this is especially appropriate as we've just gone through the 2012 Elections. I don't know about you, but I found myself anxious and biting my nails.  Why?! That doesn't help anyone (except maybe my kids - they get scratched by my nails when they're longer. I remember one time I was helping my oldest get her pjs on when she was about two years old and I poked her in the eye, I felt so bad!)

I'm excited to see what God does with this new term for our President and while we all have different political views - I hope we can all agree that we serve a bigger God - One that calls us to Him and calls us to pray for our leaders.

Listen.

We must learn to live each day, each hour, yes each minute as a new beginning, as a unique opportunity to make everything new.  Imagine that we could live each moment as a moment pregnant with new life.  imagine that we could live each day as a day full of promises.  imagine that we could walk through the new year always, listening to a voice saying to us:  

"I have a gift for you and cant wait for you to see it!"

Imagine.

Is it possible that our imagination can lead us to the truth of our lives?  Yes, it can!  The problem is that we allow our past, which becomes longer and longer each year to say to us:  "you know all; you have seen it all, be realistic; the future will just another repeat of the past.  try to survive it as best you can."  there are many cunning foxes jumping on our shoulders and whispering in our ears the great lie:  "There is nothing new under the sun...don't let yourself be fooled..."

So what are we to do?  First, we must send the foxes back to where they belong:  in their foxholes.  And then we must open our minds and our hearts to the voice that resound through the valleys and hills of our life saying:  "let me show you where I live among my people.  My name is 'God-with-you.'  I will wipe away all the tears form you eyes: there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness.  the world of the past has gone" (see Revelation 21:2-5)

We must choose to listen to that voice, and every choice will open us a little more to discover the new life hidden in the moment, waiting eagerly to be born.  

-Here and Now

Henri Nouwen