Art Work – Page 3 – Tru Original

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Finding my way through the Dark

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Dear Heart,

Finding my way through the dark these days…or should I say the incredibly bright, can’t even bare to look, light. Yes…let’s call it that… TBL…the blinding light!

TBL is amazing, warm, soothing and nourishes my thirsty soul. The problem is, I’ve become so unfamiliar with TBL that is feels like dark…and I’m scrambling around. What do I do with all this love? Now don’t get me wrong…no pity party here, I’m loving it. But as a wife and mom, as the servant God has called me to be ( us all to be) …How am I the one being served? I even tried to read a magazine on the back porch last week and noticed how uncomfortable it felt. Not to be doing something, just sitting there. This is not ok, this discomfort. This is not who God made me, any mothers and wife’s, to be.

God has been speaking a lot to my heart about rest…so many passages about rest and restoration of the soul but here is one that really moves me…

“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”

and then it goes on to say…
“But you were not willing.”

Isaiah 30:15

Ouch…it’s the “but you were not willing” part that stings. Oh Lord, I’m willing…might have to remind me how!! Of course it’s hard to rest right now with family in the background playing Aerosmith on 10! Feel like yelling out BE QUITE! Now the vacuum! Bad to complain about vacuuming, huh? Still feel like yelling!

This Mother’s Day…I hope you rest! I hope that every mom will find themselves resting in the arms of Jesus. Can you picture that? Sitting on the lap of our Jesus…resting. AWWWWWWWWW. Now that feels good! Bask in TBL!

Please stop over on Mother’s Day and visit Mixed Media May, where 30 international mixed media artist are offering interviews. My interview is scheduled for tomorrow…Mother’s Day! So very cool and it’s an honor to be part of this collaboration of talented artist.

Hey beautiful you…Happy Mother’s Day!!!

MIA…that’s me!

SOLD

What a long strange trip it’s been:) And what a year 2012 turned out to be. like the above painting i did and the one in the post below, i have felt so open and free to being FILLED up and completely surrendering to God’s will in my life. Along the way He reassured me as I closed many doors and gave up on a dream or two. God provided many opportunities to grow and yes He did stretch me a bit… well a lot. At times it hurt a little..well a lot, but looking back it was an awesome year and I continue to be in awe of God’s generosity.

i have many goals for 2013 and hope to connect here in this place more often. to continue to share my heart and creative spirit remains a hearts desire but i also hope to build bridges with people who share that calling.

To stay rooted in my goals and wishes for the new year my reminder word is GROUNDED. I want to continue to surrender and be grounded in God’s word and will for me. I spent so many years of my life soaring, exploring, and discovering myself. I get the picture of who i am and what i have to offer. i want to stay grounded and content in who that is and remain open to what God would like to do with me.

i am inspired by each of you and feel so much support! it is humbling as i see many of you struggle and grow with such grace and freedom. If you have a word that inspires and nurtures your 2013 journey…what is it? I would like to stop by and support you in that mission.

If you don’t have a mission for the new year…maybe it’s because God has you in a similar place that i found myself in 2012…open and growing, completely surrendered and totally wiped out. If so…be brave cause it is the beginning of a transformation. Be easy on yourself because it’s a first step on a long road. I would like to be there to encourage you. Remember, we don’t always have to soar…sometimes we need to land.

thanks for being a soft place for me to land:)

jill

Filled with Thee

Filled with Thee

20×16″ mixed media

stapled back canvas

Dear Heart….

You take me to this place of pure abundance…

filled to the rim with Blessings

given to me with love and encouragement by you.
Then one drop at a time, ever so gently, you pour me out.

Taking

until i’m empty, thirsting and hungry

for you.
It is only in THIS place, void of ME
That i can be truly and abundently
filled with THEE.

Amen.

Dear Heart…and Inked Tiles

Dear Heart….

I can’t believe my crazy life! God has me going and going and going and ~~at times~~ i feel just like the energizer bunny! I know that God has me in this place to help me grow and so that i rely on Him even more and I just LOVE it. It feels like I’m standing in the middle of the most beautiful storm, with arms wide open, completely unafraid.

Since starting this part time job with the Church, I do miss connections and friendships. Sitting over a glass of wine or a warm cup of coffee, pouring out my heart (to my sweet blog friends or to my dear friends here at home) But again, I have to say that it makes me depend on the friendship of the Lord even more. He is so dear and faithful to me and He truly fills me up. I have been called to give up many things that i love and it has not been easy. I do watch in awe as the Lord takes away and gives much more.

Recently i have decided to change my view of this blog. I want to get back to the heart of why i write this blog and as much as i enjoy every comment and follower, that is not why I blog. I blog to share my heart, to remember my journey. I have to admit that at times I have lost my way and thought more about gaining followers and less about why i’m here. I’m going to try my best to remember not to do that and honor myself by beginning each post as DEAR HEART… so for any readers that I’m blessed by, just know that this is a real journey and you have an open invitation to ride along .

Whew… felt good to get that off my chest!!!

I love the workshops i have been doing. I love the women that take my workshops, I love teaching and I love the challenge! My town has been very supportive in marketing my workshops and providing me a great venue to teach mixed media. I can’t believe i have been doing these workshops for 3 years now and although it has been lots of work for little pay, I LOVE IT! I can’t believe that my town recently featured me as Fishers Artist of the Month. I have even been invited to join the Fishers Arts Council and feel like this is a great opportunity to tap into the beat of my large town and be part of the growth we are experiencing. I’m just so excited!!
My dream is to host a retreat here in my town and travel the country, dare i say world Lord?, giving these mixed media workshops…not sure what God has planned for me but He has surely Blessed me as He keeps sending people that want to explore their creative spirit. The more I put the Lord first, the more fruit He provides me. I have to continue to let Him lead and allow Him to carry me because it is ALL ABOUT HIM!
I work on the curriculum for my workshops a lot which is not my favorite, but i have seen first hand what happens if I don’t put my whole self into it. It’s hard because I have rarely given the same workshop twice. With over 50 workshops given i’m wondering how long i can maintain this… i’ll stop when it isn’t fun anymore i suppose.
I want to remember this workshop “Inked Tiles” in particular because it is FUN, EASY, and good for all levels. (plus I promised this to my awesome blog friends who have been VERY patient with me. I may be slow but i keep my promises and this promise has been nagging me for months!)

********************

Details-12 women participated and cost of workshop was $35 . Artists took home 3 tiles! I set up stations for each of the three techniques i demonstrated.

Supplies needed for TAPPING TILE technique…Can be found at most craft stores

Ceramic tiles found at most hardware stores

Ranger Alcohol inks

Ranger Blending Solution (blends, lightens, preps surface, and erases)

StazOn stamp pad

Water based sealer (Gloss Mod Podge is what I use) – picture shows gel medium but you need Mod Podge for this technique

Sponge brush for applying water base sealer

Blending tool (wood block with felt)

Assortment of rubber stamps and paper embellishment

* Always create Alcohol Inked Tiles in a well ventilated area.

-Prep your tile by squeezing a squirt of Blending Solution onto blending tool and rubbing over the entire tile surface

– Squeeze drops of ink onto the felt pad of the blending tool. Hold and squeeze 2 seconds for colors and 1 second for metallics.

– Tap onto the entire surface of tile. Add more ink or Blending Solution to the pad as desired for depth of color. Allow to dry.

-Once you have created the background of your Alcohol Inked Tile, you may rubber stamp any design using STAZ-ON rubber stamp ink. After you stamp in the top surface of tile, rub the ink pad around the sides to ‘Frame’ in black.

– After you have added stamp, seal the tile with your water base sealer. Remember that you will want to use a light hand while applying sealer and a one stroke motion is best. Kinda like painting our nailsJ Allow tile to dry completely.

-After the tile is completely dry you may glue, using the same water base sealer, any paper embellishments you have picked out. Dry again.

– If you would like you may add another coat of sealer.

– Display and enjoy!

Love that workshop!! It was inspiring for me to watch every artist take home these vibrant colored beauties!

******************

Lord,

I am yours

every inch

every action

every thought

they belong to you.

Thank you,

you have been there to lift me when I fall

and

guide me when I’m lost.

Keep me Lord

Your

Arms.

With You I can do all things.

For you are my way

you are my portion.

I love you.

Amen

Jill

Tease on Tiles and ‘doing what you love’

My very favorite thing about being an artist is just playing!! When i first began selling my art 4 years ago, I totally didn’t get that…to play. I was trying to create a product and forgot that i was suppose to put my heart in the work i was doing. It really showed in my art, the lack of passion, and I quickly had to let go and learn to play again. i was suppose to just be me and let the art create itself.

That is why i love mixed media so much…it allows me to express myself in ways i can’t find using just one medium or technique. That’s pretty much how i am in life…gotta have 10 balls in the air, 6 lines and the water, and 4 pots on the stove. I’m just crazy like that:)

So i love this new technique i have been working with using alcohol inks and ceramic tiles.

I simply couldn’t take a picture that would do these tiles justice! The colors and shine are just stunning. If you have worked with alcohol inks you know how rich and vibrant the colors are, that’s why i love using them!

These tiles were so much fun and they very much had a life of there own. I’m offering a workshop on this process next Thursday (you can find more information in my workshop page). Friday, the 23rd i’m gonna come back and share the tutorial on how you can make these at home. Sorry to be such a tease but

I’d love you to stop back by and experience this super duper fun process with me.

Until then…

I’m excited to share “my walk” on a truly inspiring blog called Do What you Love for Life hosted by Beth Nicholls. Here is her facebook page too. Beth has a way of supporting women in who they are while inspiring others through her own walk.

Here’s a little sample …
“In 2007 I was happy. But not the kind of happy that fills you up. I was satisfied but still hungry. I think that was the first step for me in doing what I love, realizing I wasn’t filled up and feeling like I did deserved to be filled up.”

Please stop over and visit Beth and read more on the journey’s of people who are doing what they love for life!

Renewed by TRUST & Collaborating ART

Feeling so much better these last few weeks as I’ve taken time to really fill up again. Crazy how quickly life can take a toll on our spirit. I really just needed to get out of myself for a bit and focus on my Blessings. God has me in some challenging places right now and I have to lean on Him and TRUST. Like i’ve said before, this is a process for me and trust doesn’t come easy. It’s hard work emotionally and spiritually. But it’s good work and it’s good for me to be tired from it:) The Lord continues to humble me and put me in places where I have to trust Him. I need you Lord and i thank you for your faithfulness.

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A few weeks back I held a workshop called “Pass Me the Canvas”. I had this on my schedule for 6 months and had been anxiously awaiting the nights that 7 brave artist would spend two evenings playing the artistic version of musical chairs. This creative exercise allowed each artist to tap into the deepest part of their creative spirit and challenge themselves to just TRUST the artist within.

I began the workshop with a relaxing meditation, full of positive affirmations, that would help to free us from any strongholds and lies we may listen to.

Here is part of the meditation…

“When we pull back the layers of our TRUE SELF and bring LIGHT into DARK, hidden places inside us, then we will begin to know who we really are inside.

Expose the gentle child inside yourself…the trusting, vulnerable child.

Share her tonight with us.”

After the meditation i had artist choose a pattern, color palette, and inspirational word to guide the collaboration of each artist. I also had artist write out nouns that they thought would inspire the progression of their artwork. Of course I chose nouns like bird, circles, flower, and nature. I chose my inspirational word by closing my eyes and TRUSTING God to pick for me…He picked the word Beauty .

Next, i asked each artist to write out their fear about coming to the workshop and this took an additional dose of humility.

Then we began the music and spent the first evening building our background by using mixed media supplies and lots of TRUST. We passed the canvas every 35 minutes for a total of 3 rotations.

Here is some of the amazing backgrounds creating the first night…

The next night we passed the canvas for three,15 minute rotations to complete the circle of artist. This allowed each artist to work on every canvas.

The backgrounds were complete and each canvas had a ton of depth and color.

For the final hour of the workshop the artwork found it’s way home to it’s inspiration and true owner. Artist then added the final touches to their collaborated art. I assisted artist in their final hour so i haven’t finished my piece yet but will post it as soon as it is done.

Here are some of of the finished pieces…

I think we were all surprised and pleased with the final outcome of our artwork. It was a journey as we stepped out of our comfort zone; it took a lot of TRUST. I was inspired by the strength of the other artist who attended the workshop. Thank you BRAVE GIRLS!!

We all experienced humility, creativity, and TRUST and the workshop turned out to be more than i could have ever dreamed.

Gotta be a lesson for me somewhere in that!

Repuposed ART

My very favorite thing about art and being an artist is the transformation of things. It is in the creating!
It can be the clump of clay that gets made into a beautiful piece of pottery, the blank canvas that is transformed into a classic masterpiece or a million pieces or tiny glass blown in to a colorful vase.

It truly is the gift of art that inspires growth and change in so many ways.

I love taking something that may be discarded and giving it new life. I get this from my mom, also an artist, who used to make me hunt with her for flattened pop cans so she could paint different faces or animals on them. She would get inspired by the shape the old, rusty, flattened tin can would make and transform them into little pieces of art. It was very cool and a very 70’s kind of thing to do.

For a few years now i have been painting on cabinet door fronts.

I really love taking the door and turning it into art! I also enjoy working on the versatile hard wood surface. I can paint acrylics directly on the door front, like what you see above, or i can use mixed media layers. I can even pound nails into the piece if i want. Sometimes you just wanna hit something:)

Recently I held a workshop on repurposed assemblage art working on a cabinet door front. The idea was to take personal items from home and assemble them onto the door using mixed media techniques. It was awesome to see old cabinet doors turn into these amazing pieces of art…

This artist created a tribute to Grandma and Grandpa

This artist gave healing to a broken heart

this piece was made for a first grandbaby

Commemorating Grandma, this artist used her Grandmother’s earring collection!

This artist used lot’s of color and texture, awesome

Who wouldn’t want this in a beach themed room or vacation home?

An old broken doll from childhhood gives this artist her inspiration

All the doors were unique and inspiring as these women opened themselves up to the world of assemblage and repurposed art for the very first time. Two sweet artist had never even done mixed media, they totally blew us all away with thei work!

As women i think we all enjoy making things new and fresh. It’s just in us to make things pretty! We redecorate, cook and bake, sew, we even spend time making ourselves pretty.

What do you REPURPOSE? I would love to know!

guess and get give-away

Thanks for playing along on my give-away! I have never done a give-away before and it is fun!! It’s a little tricky for me to pick out the picture clues…wanna make them easier as we go along but not completely give away the location. That wouldn’t be any fun!

Here’s what you can win…

8×10″ original mixed media art that was inspired by my kids and Psalm 17:8 …

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wing”

Here are the picture clues…

Here deary, deary, deary.

Apparently, wild dear are super friendly here!

One of the many beautiful views.

Think you know where we went for summer vacation??
Take a guess in the comment section and the first one that guesses the location, wins! Yeah! I am having way too much fun with this:)

xo, Jill

Guess and Give Away

8×10″ mixed media

Super excited (and kinda nervous) to give away this TRUoriginal!

This original piece of artwork was inspired by my kids and Psalms 17:8,
“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of the wings”

Followers, all you have to do to win is take a look at the photos and try and guess where my family and I went for our summer vacation. I will post 2 photos per post till we have a winner:)

Just out and about.

These were in bloom.

Have fun and thanks for playin:) Linking up up with Jennifer at STUDIO JRU….http://studiojru.com/blog/.

Outside My Comfort Zone

Ok, Ok….I know the last post was hard to take.

Who do i think I am anyway??

Trust me…

I’m nobody and certainly didn’t earn that day in any way.

BUT>>>>>>

It was awesome!

And I savoured every moment of it!!

So back to the day to day….

One of the goals I want to accomplish this year is to get back to the basics. In my art, my home, my health, my family. Try to live more simply and I guess more according to God’s biblical plan for us all. I’m enjoying this and find it easier to do in some areas and harder in others.

My art is one of the hard areas.

Being a mixed media artist is so amazing to me because you’re like a kid in a candy store holding a $100 bill. So many flavors, so much money. It’s kinda like that in mixed media, so many supplies and techniques and your mind just goes to a happy place as you think of all the possibilities. Through my workshops I have discovered that this is not the case for all, and many artist find this to be a scattered, undisciplined medium that leaves them just plain frustrated. Funny, art truly is an extension of who we are.

With God knowing the direction I wanted to move in my life this year, He has so faithfully offered His guidance and has been sending all the right people. Faithful Sweet LORD!

One of my sweetest BFF’s invited me this week to a figurative art class. I have not done figurative drawings in 20 years!! I was excited to be moving outside my comfort zone and get back to the basics of paper, charcoal and sketching the human form. We would be drawing 2, 1 minute poses; 2, 3 minute poses; and 2, 5 minute poses, with time after for painting. Really I thought it would be like riding a bike and I would pick up from where I left off 20 years ago.

uhh…NO!!!

Go ahead…laugh:)

They are funny!

BTW… the model is a beautiful, 25 year old girl that weighs about 100 lbs!

SHE IS NOT MRS. BUTTERSWORTH!!

It’s good to be humbled!

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