Janie

Kooky Girl

New painting using a palette knife. This one seemed a little oddball to me. :) I do love her though. I have a video for this one, hope you enjoy!

Also, I have new prints available in my Shop!

Meditation

Meditation
16 x 20 on Cradled Wood Panel

I read a post over on Journal Girl's blog about her chronic illness. It's a good summary of what life is like for those of us with invisible, chronic illnesses and a very accurate description for myself. Mine is fibromyalgia and I was officially diagnosed in 2006.

When I was diagnosed with fibro, my life changed so drastically that it's difficult to remember or even believe that I had such an active life at one time. At this point, I'm still able to work outside the home full time, but that and the doctor's office are about the only places I go. I can't even make it to church regularly and it's right across the street. My husband does all the grocery shopping. I can't make plans because I almost always have to cancel because I'm sick. I'm pretty good at faking it outwardly. "I'm fine how are you?" (said with a big smile)

I've lost so much because if it and sometimes I wonder if I will always be bouncing around that whole grieving cycle. I guess I could spend tons of  time listing off all of the negative, but, you know, I've gained some things because of it too. My relationships have deepened. I don't have the time or patience for superficial. I go straight for the heart... we get right to the good stuff because there's just not time for anything else. I see people in a completely different light. Their struggles and hopes and dreams.

Art.... ART!!!!! I've discovered art! Had I been out being busy, I never would have taken the time for this. The thing with art is that when I am painting, the whole world around me melts away. All of my energy and concentration is poured into it. My grief and pain is poured into it. For that brief time when I am creating... I don't feel it... I don't feel the pain. Art has brought healing and relief.

My walk with God. That has changed and deepened. Sometimes I have felt abandoned and alone... but the truth is I never have been. He's given me new eyes to see things I never noticed before. Eyes to see the suffering around me... so that I can pray... so that I can reach out... open my heart. (Well, that heart opening thing is a whole other story for another day.) Within the confines of this illness, he has given me wings... I'm just still figuring out how to use them.

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Dancing Queen Series

This series came about after I made Dancing Queen. Every time I look at her, that song gets stuck in my head and it was there as soon as I finished her face as well. After I finished, I realized I wanted to spend more time with her, so I decided to make a series for the first time. I have really, really enjoyed this and may try it with a couple of my other paintings. There is a video below of me creating the final painting.

These make faces 8 - 12 for me for the 29 Faces Challenge. I'm quite behind and hopeful that I can complete this! You can learn more about the 29 Faces Challenge HERE. You can find the list of other participants to visit HERE.

**Please check out my giveaway!

Dancing Queen Original	Dancing Queen 2, Face #8
Dancing Queen 3, Face #9	Dancing Queen 4, Face #10
Dancing Queen 6, Face #12	Dancing Queen 5, Face #11

29 Faces Day 7

Face #6

Here are a couple more faces, I am definitely going to have to try to work ahead on the weekends... Not enough time on work nights. :) These will eventually be made into magnets. They are approximately 3 1/2 inches in diameter and still need to be painted.

Face #7

You can learn more about the 29 Faces Challenge HERE. You can find the list of other participants to visit HERE.

29 Faces Day 3

29 Faces #4

Day 3 and I am ahead... I'm sure that won't last long though. #4 had an awesome background that I intended to keep in the face, but got carried away... I tend to do that. I like how she turned out though. I may do something more to the background and the hair... not quite sure yet. 16 x 20 inches on canvas.

I probably will do a little more to #5. I think she's still "in progress". I am planning to keep the background showing through in her face though. 16 x 20 inches on cradled wood panel.

You can learn more about the 29 Faces Challenge HERE. You can find the list of other participants to visit HERE.

29 Faces #5

29 Faces Day 2

29 Faces #3

Here's another little 4 x 4 inch girl for 29 Faces. She is acrylic with a little Pitt pen on top.

You can learn more about the 29 Faces Challenge HERE. You can find the list of other participants to visit HERE.

29 Faces - Day 1

29 Faces #1

Hi Everyone! This month, I am participating in a challenge called 29 Faces put on by Martha at Ayala Art. The challenge was originally held in February 2012 during the Leap Year. The goal was to create a face each day. It went over so well, that this is the 4th time the challenge is running! Since there's only 28 days this month, I'm posting two for the first day.

I hope to play with some other mediums in the faces I make this month. I'm looking forward to visiting the blogs of other participants to see what they are using. Here, I've used acrylics and Pitt Pens in my normal way. They are on 4 x 4 inch cradled wood panels. I'll be posting videos of these soon.

29 Faces #2

You can learn more about the 29 Faces Challenge HERE. You can find the list of other participants to visit HERE.