Watercolor Journals - Autumn Crisp

I'm looking forward to the crisp mornings, and clear skies of Autumn, as the trees put on their finest colors, and the school year begins.  Parents and kids are already lining up at Walmart to buy school supplies, and even though the summer fun is coming to an end there is an air of expectation and fresh starts.  This painting will be a gift for a special teacher.  I was reminded of the coming fall colors, limited though they may be in Southern California, AND the wonderful teachers that go above and beyond, to teach our little ones.   Proverbs says, "A wise teacher makes learning a joy."  I am glad to have a part in celebrating Mrs. M's contribution to two little boys who truly enjoyed being in her class.  Thank you Teachers, and "Happy Autumn" everyone...Onward!

Watercolor Journals - The Beach

When you visit the beach in Southern California, it  can be hard to find a place to park, both car AND beach towel.  Painting this Monogram for a bride and groom who both love the beach, brought back some great memories for me personally.  For many years our family enjoyed Leo Carillo State Beach, and because it was a bit of a drive and was therefore less crowded. It had something for everyone in our group, including tide pools, big rocks for exploring, surfing, and great sand for sand castles, of course. The nearby campground hosted many fun vacations for us.  I remember one very dark night, while camping, Gary took us over to the beach to lay on the sand and watch a "meteor shower".  The part that makes me smile, was the bus full of teenagers, playing Capture the Flag in the dark, that nearly tripped on us.  Guess it wasn't so uncrowded after all.

As I worked, I began wishing that the future Mr. and Mrs. Pratt would find many happy memories at "their" beach as well.

Watercolor Journals - Spring

This Cherry Blossom Monogram is an intended birthday gift from one friend to another.  These pink flowers just say SPRING to me.  They always have.  The birds outside our window were "going crazy" while I was working on it.  This morning when I flung open the curtains, I surprised a robin with a mouthful of twigs.  I thought she would drop the bundle and flee, but she just looked at me and kept on towards her target, somewhere under our eve.  The "nesting instinct" overrode the "element of surprise.

Colors

32 years ago Gary and I created this stained glass window for our kitchen.  It was a very fun project that led to a cottage industry, designing and crafting custom stained glass for 12 years.  So much has happened since then. To quote Karen Carpenter, “We’d only just begun…” Recently, I’ve been able to get “artsy” again, with watercolor illustrations.  I call them “Colors By Laurie.”  I have been mulling over the idea that my life is colorful too, not unlike a stained glass window.  

I have experienced the light and bright joys, as well as the “dark” events that everyone dreads.  My greatest earthly happiness is my husband.  He and I have partnered together to face life and that has made for some wonderful memories.  The fun of watching a thunderstorm from our bedroom with the girls with the French doors wide open, “batting practice” at Lake Powell, the Murder Mystery Parties, transitioning our daughters into the hands of the men they said “Yes” to, of course all the grandkiddos, and the endless practical jokes and movie quotes.  All of these have been peppered with hard times as well, and now, in the last decade I’ve had a bout with Stage 3 Breast Cancer, and a few years ago, Gary was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease.  We have the privilege of walking together through the “for worse” part just like the “for better” part, and though no one knows the future, I have a pretty good idea of what’s likely. 

Our world could be monochromatic, but it’s NOT!  I’m thankful for the variety of colors, darks, lights, textures, mass, shapes, and lines.  I’m not meaning to sound like an art class, (nod to Mr. DeGrassi) but it’s true!  Look around.  Our world is FULL of visual variety.  That’s what makes it interesting, from the clear, aqua waters of Florida, to the vivid orange sunsets over the rugged, massive Rocky Mts.  Why did God make the world that way?  Artist’s prerogative.  He does whatever He pleases, and it pleased Him to make the world beautiful, and then, give us minds that appreciate it!

Look too long at any element, without stepping back to see the whole, and you’ll not see the story the artist intends.  For optimal viewing, wait until completed.  God made the universe very quickly, but we are in process.  One day, we will be as He plans, Gary will have a renewed mind, able to comprehend his Creator perfectly.  I will no longer be distracted by the ups and downs of life, and completely joyful and at peace forever.  “Behold I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5  For this reason, I refuse to give in to self-pity or sorrow.  I don’t deny that emotions are very real, but there are far reaching benefits to the dark times and I choose glean what I can from them. 

If a stained glass window is all one color, it can be a nice geometric design, and that’s great, but it won’t tell a story.  It needs shapes that mean something to the viewer, line so the eye can cruise around the entire composition, texture for interest, and those dark areas of contrast that make the colors stand out beautifully.   People are creative, because they are created in the image of God.  God is creating a beautiful thing in the lives of His people. “Look among the nations!  Observe!  Be astonished!  Wonder!  Because I am doing something in your days—You would not believe if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5

For a blast from the past...Here's a Keith Green song I love on the same topic.  Jon, this one's for you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNoYNlvpcek&feature=related