Friday, October 21, 2011

Interested in Commissioned Artwork?

Ever wanted to own original artwork created by me specifically for you or a loved one? Well YOU CAN!

Artist’s Statement:

As a writer, artist, and perpetual dreamer, I find escape in creating worlds very different from my own life through both the written and the visual forms. Using these creative outlets, I strive to provide inspiring images and words, focusing on increasing self-esteem and promoting positive feelings in life, in oneself, and in the pursuit of dreams.

My journey into art began in 2005 with the deconstruction and reconstruction of old books into personal art journals. Art journaling involves using key words, phrases, or found poetry. I continue to explore this art form, which enables me to work through personal feelings, thoughts, and events on my art journal pages. Being unable to write for many years, the paint brush eventually brought me back to my writing pen. Most of the pages of my art journals are centered around overcoming personal issues and documenting important moments in my life. In 2007, I stumbled upon scrapbooking techniques, which I then incorporated into my art journals. Within the past two years, I started painting professionally, capturing images on canvas and paper to motivate myself and others in pursuit of dreams.

Generally, I work in my art journals and on different art pieces simultaneously. The most notable features within my artwork are texture elements. I utilize many tools to increase the textural feel of most of my artwork. In addition, my work centers around female images and includes positive inspirational wording. Building scenes through collage is a new practice that I am currently enjoying. A freelance, self-employed writer and artist, I work primarily in acrylics using collage, ephemera, scrapbooking, and mixed media techniques in fantasy and fairy art. Having received no formal art training, I am predominantly a self-taught artist on an enriching journey where my most invaluable lesson learned to date is how gesso can be an artist’s best friend.

I reside in my hometown of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. While having an on-again/off-again relationship with pursing my Bachelor's degree in English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, I strive to live the creative life through writing, creating mixed media art, and mentoring others in creativity. I can be found working intensely, though it may look a little like daydreaming, on stories or splashing paint around in my studio with loud music playing in the background. I enjoy getting swept away in a good book, avoiding reality television, trying foods from around the world, and traveling whenever I can.

I create many differing styles of artwork.








My paintings will look great in coordination to children's decor, for wedding, or birthday presents!

Pricing is simple:

2.5x3.5 $10
4x6 $25
5x7 $35
7x9 $65
8x10 $80
11x14 $155
12x16 $200

The artwork can come on stretched canvas*, canvas boards, watercolor paper, etc. (*Artwork on stretched canvas can be painted black on the sides and hung as is without needing to be framed.) It can be sealed in varnish or beeswax at no extra charge. (See me for resin pricing.)

I do have referral discounts. Earn discounts on artwork based on completed (paid) referrals to friends and family. Half of artwork price is due up front to begin the commission. Remaining half is due at completion of artwork. Shipping charges apply if applicable. Item will be shipped/provided once payment is received in full.

I'm only accepting a limited number of commissions during this holiday season, due to work, classes, and life in general. So now is the time to get your order in.

Let's discuss your commission, and let's make your painting a reality!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Ready to be Remade

Jeremiah 18:4 But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.

Jeremiah 18:6 "Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand..


Inspirational Song to Fit the Mood:

Jason Gray - I Am New Lyrics
Artist: Jason Gray
Album: Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue

Now I won't deny
The worst you could say about me
But I'm not defined
By mistakes that I've made
Because God says of me

I am not who I was
I am being remade
I am new
I am chosen and holy
And I'm dearly loved
I am new

Who I thought I was
And who I thought I had to be
I had to give them both up
Cause neither were willing
To ever believe

I am not who I was
I am being remade
I am new
I am chosen and holy
And I'm dearly loved
I am new

Too long I have lived
In the shadows of shame
Believing that there
Was no way I could change
But the one who is making everything new
Doesn't see me the way that I do
He doesn't see me the way that I do

I am not who I was
I am being remade
I am new
I am chosen and holy
And I'm dearly loved
I am new

I am not who I was
I am being remadeI am new
Dead to the old man,I'm coming alive
I am new

Forgiven beloved
Hidden in Christ
Made in the image of the Giver of Life
Righteous and holy
Reborn and remade
Accepted and worthy, this is our new name

This is who we are now...


Artwork:




Lessons:

After a week of fasting and prayer, I came undone. It seems like I've been crying since the moment I was saved. Bits and pieces of me are crumbling/flaking off a little more each day. What will remain of me, I wonder. While at the same time, I cannot wait to see what I become.

Like an onion being peeled back little by little, I remain, forever waiting, forever ready...to be remade.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Wear Love

What is love? And how exactly do you wear it? I wonder.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22 (NIV)

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 (NIV)

All of the ladies in my group inspire me so much, each and every day. It's a blessing to receive the opportunity to become a part of such a strong support system of wonderful ladies who love Him. I'm so blessed to know these gals and to be able to grow with them.

The artwork for this week was inspired by a scripture read by my lovely friend, Clovia. Her sweet voice reading this passage painted an amazing picture in my head that I couldn't wait to capture on paper:

"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." Colossians 3
The Message (MSG)





(This was also the day that I learned that the Bible has ??how many?? different translations? I'm currently reading my church's version and the King James Version. I tend to trip over the wording of King James but I like to see both views.)


The Lesson:

Its funny that the one thing I have been searching for my whole life eventually lead me right to Him.

I've been in love with the idea of love since I was 13. I began reading my mom's romance novels as soon as I was able to hold those big books up.

But relationships were never anything I was particularly good at. I always felt left out, damaged, unloved.

All of that changed for me one fine day in September of 2010, when I finally felt peace in my heart, when I realized that He loved me unconditionally, when I realized that what I had been searching for was there for me all along.

Now I'm falling in love with Him. Together, He and I are breaking apart the parts or qualities of me that are less than desirable, and rebuilding it all to the way He originally intended. (He's doing all the work; I'm just the one being too emotional). Its not easy looking your worst qualities in the face every day, but I refuse to give up. How can I when such an amazing God/man won't give up on me.

All this time that I felt unlovable, He was simply saving me for something so much better than I even know how to ask for....I can't wait to find it. Until then, I'm focusing on being the Mindy He wants me to be, and taking it one day at a time. And praying. And reading His word. And hoping that one day "someday" will be here.