The Hidden World of the Undecided

 This is my sketchbook for Sketchbook Project 2013.

When you sign up there is a list of suggested topics or prompts that you can choose. When you get your book there is a barcode on the back with your name + the topic you picked. If you forgot or didnt choose one you get the barcode with UNDECIDED.

I meant to go back later + pick but then I couldnt find the list for inspiration so this became my inspiration!

It made me realize that as an artist I can be painfully undecided about a color or shape, should this go here or over there, and especially" Is it finished yet?"

A week of choices and changes finally produced a finished project.

I used a Gelli  plate for mono printing backgrounds + layers, oil pastel, collage elements, stamps + my hand painted papers.

 

Advent art 10 LOVE- He Gathers Us

made on my ipad

 Matt 2 1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”





God makes no distinction among us. He invited the Wise and wealthy as well as the poor and uneducated , people across the planet have been invited to gather and worship Him.

Advent Art 10 JOY- knowing that God is completely with us

made on my ipad

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-10

Advent Art 9-JOY: A never ending supply

ipad art

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation- Isaiah 12:2-6


We live in a culture that runs a hundred miles an hour toward finding pleasure and happiness. When at last we"get there" we usually find the party's moved on or it wasnt as satisfying as hoped.

Then we're left with fatigue, disappointment, depression or maybe just try a little harder next time. This Season especially brings up our discontentment as we watch everyone else living the "dream".

This is the Season for rejoicing but how can we do that if were not happy?
We cant.
Happiness is dependent on our circumstances, our mood and emotions.
Rejoicing isnt a mood but an action we choose.

How wonderful that there is a well that never runs out of the power to give us joy. Night and day, in good or bad moments, when happy or depressed the well of JOY is always overflowing for us to draw from.

Illustration Friday SNOW

Couldnt sleep last night so I " let it snow"

Advent Art 8- Joy: The Season of Restoration

1945 Nagasaki Japan photo, Allsketech +artstudio on my ipad

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations. - Isaiah 61:1-4

Throughout Our history destruction and devastation have walked alongside us and
long periods of peace seem elusive.
Even our hearts have felt ruin.

Not coincidental, one of the first things Jesus spoke about in synagogue was Isaiah 61 and how He fulfilled it.
He had come to restore.
He had come to bring Peace.
He would rebuild.
And He starts with the human heart.  

Advent Art 7- Joy: Even when Im on Overload

ipad art

This Season is so bright. The signs and trees and street decorations can be blinding. In fact I go on sensory overload for most of the holiday.

Then Isaiah reminds me that the world is overloaded-
 By misery, lack of water and dry and empty places in the soul.
The beauty of this promise for life in the vast wastelands of our hearts is as important and needed today as it was 2000 years ago

  " For the water shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert, the burning sands will pool and the thirsty ground springs of water"- Isaiah 35

Advent Art 6- JOY - Beauty while we wait

made on my ipad

 His coming will make all the dead and dreary places like deserts and wilderness fill with blooming flowers- Isaiah 35:1

This Season can be a time of family and fun but for many it brings emptiness, loss and longing.
What a comfort to know as we wait on Him for whatever it is we need- we wait surrounded by beauty.
Take some time this week to enjoy beauty.

Advent art 5- His Light - Our peace

ipad art

By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn will break upon us to give Light to those who sit in darkness + the shadow of death- to guide our feet into the way of peace. 
                                                                                                                  Luke1:76-79

His coming to us here on earth was a one time event but His light still dawns for those who seek peace with Him.

Advent Art 3- The Way is filled with Wonders

made on my ipad

Sometimes I have read or heard the same story so many times that I no longer listen. I think this is especially true at Christmas.

My meditation today was Isaiah 40:1-11 " In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord..." I know this verse by memory and have enjoyed the drama that Handel gave to it in The Messiah. But today I understood it.

Today I understood that Isaiah was declaring that all would become level- the valley would rise up + be made level with the mountains that would be made low. All the rough terrain would be flat like a plain. And then the Glory of the Lord would be revealed. He would come so all people could see Him together.

The Way was made straight so we could clearly hear Him, our eyes have a level plain of sight to see Him and there are no ruts or mountains to climb when we run to Him. All mankind has a straight unobstructed path to Him.

So what more do I need to do this Season than to follow the glow of His glory and enjoy the wonders He has placed along the way.

Advent Art 2- He made the Way straight

made on my ipad

Life is full of twists and turns
A road that leads to the left or the right
Choices to make both good and bad.
He came not only to make the crooked ways straight
But to be the Way.
As I prepare my heart over the next few weeks to fully enjoy the Season
I ask myself-
Have I left the way to my heart open for Him?

Advent Art 1- He began with Light

made on my ipad

I love the Christmas Season and each year my goal is to carve out some time daily to give to deeper thoughts on what all this really means besides checking off the long lists of decorating, gift-giving, cooking and fun.

I love to take the images in my head that relate to my daily wonderings  and give expression to them through art.

The people who walked in Darkness shall see a Great Light - Isaiah 9:1-7
He is our Light-bearer.