Ode to Racing

I have been taking forever to complete this painting for my son's room. I must admit that cars are not a subject that inspires me much. I was intimidated by the reflections in the car, and having everything look just right. I am used to more organic girly subject matter. I was determined that inspite of my lack interest with the car thing, I was going to finish this painting. I knew my son would be so excited to have this in his room. He is thrilled to have this on his wall. Now my next project is painting this wall baby blue.

The winner of the cards from A Splendid Adventure is Angels and Everlasting!

Featuring Mary Freeman

Mary has been a blogger friend of mine for the past three years. Check out her blog here. Our paths have crossed several times, but unfortunately we have not met each other in person. Hopefully that will change this week since we are planning to meet for coffee.




Most of Mary’s work comes from her processing internal issues and time spent in quiet reflection. Mary developed her style through trial and error and experimentation.

Mary began making cards and prints of her journal pages and paintings in 2010. She also leads visual journaling workshops at her church and to small groups in her home studio. Mary teaches several techniques for creating backgrounds, but her main focus is on what she calls heart work. Getting down on the page what's going on inside is her main focus. She is continually amazed to see how putting down paint and using various supplies can facilitate the "seeing". Mary has also led workshops in several retreat settings. She always has a journal prompt available to help begin the process.

Along with her painting Mary loves to read, decorate, and re-arrange furniture in her home and other friends’ homes. Mary was featured with her reflections of faith and thoughts in an online magazine called Sprout.

Mary is generously offering one of my readers three cards from her shop A Splendid Adventure. The winner can pick them. Just leave a comment for a chance to win. The winner will be announced next Monday.

Inside my sketchbook

Last year I shared with you before a book I read called "Praying in Color" it was written by author Sybil MacBeth. I also shared this with a few women how to pray in color at my local church.

I wanted to share a few pages from my sketchbook.

The book started when Sybil started to sketch on her porch. She was burdened by the needs of a family and church member who were very ill. She began writing down there names and praying for them while she sketched. She continued to do practice this during her quiet time. By sketching this help her to focus for a longer period time while praying.

Later she started to share this with other women at her local church. She decided to write a book on this special way to pray in a creative form. Sybil also shares this around the country at workshops.

This would be a great book to share with several friends at church or your home. Your children will love this as you try to develop their prayer life. This in no way replaces traditional prayer, but can be another form you can add to your day.

Inspirational Art Block

As a child I remember to reciting this verse at nursery school. It has been a comfort to me over the years in a time of uncertainty. My mom infact recites this verse when she is on a plane that is about to take off. When I created this painting, I didn't even think of this verse, but it fits perfectly with this image. When I start sketching an idea I try to add a little symbolism to my compostion to add greater meaning. I often have three trees in my paintings to symbolize the trinity in my work.

New Painting

Here is my latest painting that will be available in my shop soon. I will be adding a few of my smaller paintings in my shop from time to time. I'm not sure what the title will be yet, that is always my least favorite thing to do after I finish. Some names come easily, others are harder to think of the perfect name.

The winner of the birdie pillow AmberRose. Congratulations!