Wednesday, April 29, 2015

God’s Provision {Bible Art Journaling}

Ps 103-5 Bible Art Journaling

I like the translation of this verse that says, “He fills my life with good things…,” and I have journaled that passage previously. But, my KJV says specifically, “He satisfies my mouth with good things.” Well, sorry, but that just makes me think of cupcakes. Yep, my obsession. He knows I love cupcakes. It’s okay if I illustrate this verse with something my mouth loves (LOL, but really)!

Ps 103-5 Bible Art Journaling

And, today, especially, this verse reminds me of God’s provision. I finished this Bible art this morning just before taking my husband for his second cataract surgery. His first was a year ago. While that surgery is routine for many, it is not so much for him, as he has a condition involving an abnormally low number of corneal cells that makes it more risky. The first eye did regain normal vision after about a month, which is pretty amazing given the low number of cells in that cornea. The few remaining cells re-positioned themselves to the place on the cornea where they are needed for vision. How can anyone doubt Divine Creation! This eye seems to already be doing better than the other shortly after surgery, so we are hopeful.

On the way home from the surgery center, my car made a stop at The Cup, where I had no choice but to go inside and get cupcakes for us. After my hubby wakes up from his post-surgery rest, we will enjoy a cupcake (mine with ice cream, please), while thanking God for His provision in the big things (like vision) and the small (like cupcakes, that satisfy my mouth)!

04-29-2015 Cupcakes from The Cup

God is SO good!

Monday, April 27, 2015

Using Inks {Art Journal}

DLP 2015 April 25 Inks

This week’s challenge in Documented Life Project is to use inks. I decided to see what it would be like to use ALL inks, nothing else, for this art journal spread. After applying Tim Holtz tissue paper to the page, I colored everything with inks: acrylic inks, Distress Inks, Distress Stains, Archival Inks (with stamps and through stencils). This week’s Documented Faith word is HOPE.

Not real thrilled with the outcome—almost too much of a good thing (intense color), but it does cheer me, so that’s a good thing!

My favorite Scripture verse about HOPE is Jeremiah 29:11. I have already done a Documented Life spread and a Bible art page on that verse, so I just used the single word in this week’s project.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future.”

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Hope as an Anchor {Bible Art Journaling}

Hope an Anchor Bible Art Journaling Heb 6-19

What an assurance we are given in Hebrews 6:17-19a (ESV):

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,  where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf…

Hope an Anchor Bible Art Journaling Heb 6-19

(My Art Journaling Bible is KJV.)

The spiritual connotation of the word “hope” makes me think of the old hymn:

“My hope is built on nothing less,
than Jesus blood and righteousness…
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand!”

(On this page, I used sketching and watercolor.)

Friday, April 24, 2015

My Tears Become His {Bible Art Journaling}

BAJ Tears in a Bottle Ps 56-8

A few days ago I posted an art journal spread on this same passage, and I have been thinking about this verse so much that I wanted to do a Bible Art Journaling piece on the same passage. I shared my heart about this Scripture in that blog post; you can read it here.

For this illustration, I sketched with pencil and filled in the bottle with Inktense watercolor. Again, I don’t mind spilling over onto the text, as long as the color is transparent, as it is here.

You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?
Psalm 56:8 (ESV)

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Love Never Fails {Bible Art Journaling}

BAJ 1 Cor 13-8 Love Never Fails

One of the first passages of Scripture that I truly embraced as “mine” was 1 Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter. I was married at 18, and this is the passage we used for our "wedding ring photo," with our hands on top of this passage in Daddy's Bible (he was our pastor and performed our ceremony). We read that chapter for our devotions on our wedding night, and then every anniversary for many years. For two of those anniversaries, we were apart when reading the chapter (1967, USMC Officer Candidate Training; 1968, Viet Nam).

That passage is full of sermon material, but, for now, I am focusing on the first part of verse 8, “Love never fails.”

Even though faith and hope are lauded in the last verse of the chapter, the last part of that same verse says, “But the greatest of these is love.”

The Rings

September 8, 1965

Bride and Groom

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

God SO loved us {Bible Art Journaling}

Bible Art Journaling John 3-16

For this illustration, I sketched and then colored with Inktense Watercolor Pencils. I like to use these pencils because they are permanent when dry (unlike other watercolors). I apply the wet paintbrush directly to the lead and then paint with it. I prep all my Bible art journaling pages with Art Basics Clear Gesso, applied with a foam brush, two thin coats per side of the page (dry between coats).

I struggle with the lettering on my Bible art pages. I am not skilled at special lettering. I have tried working on this skill with some classes and some books. I just can’t seem to “get there.” I always revert to my own style in the end.

Still, I think there is an advantage to using my own handwriting, as I did on this page. I know the few things I have with my grandmother’s handwriting are special to me. Seeing my dad’s handwriting in some of his books that I have also makes them more special.  I try to use some of my own handwriting in the journaling in each of my scrapbooks.

The same reasoning seems to apply here—I think maybe this will make the Bible more special for others in the years to come. So, I may not worry over how professional the lettering appears. After all, the art is just my own expression. Why shouldn’t the handwriting be as well? (Just thinking “out loud” here…)

This verse is an example of why I’m fine with using a King James Version Bible for my Bible Art Journaling (the only one I could find with journaling margins AND large enough print to read)…most of the Scripture memory I have done through the years has been from this version, so it’s comfortably familiar for me. I use other versions (primarily NIV and NASB) for study, but for selecting verses for art illustration, I enjoy using the KJV for the familiarity of previously-learned verses.

Bible Art Journaling John 3-16

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

By Grace Through Faith {Bible Art Journaling}

BAJC Week 16 By Grace through Faith

I have so many ideas rolling around in my head about verses I want to illustrate, it’s difficult for me to keep up with me!

Foundational to the Gospel is this verse from Ephesians. I just wanted to illustrate it with bright colors and pretty flowers, since it’s such a joyous and cheerful truth: the way to salvation is so simple that even a child can follow it—through FAITH, and only by the GRACE of God, does salvation come, and it comes as a free gift, not because of anything I could possibly do to earn it. Hallelujah for that! I know I am certainly not deserving.

But, then, that’s GRACE.

God’s grace.

Unmerited favor.

Undeserved wonderfulness.

For eternity.

Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!

BAJC Week 16 By Grace through Faith

Monday, April 20, 2015

Birds Do Not Worry {Bible Art Journaling}

Bible Art Journaling birds do not worry

I am a worrier. I have been working on that problem, but it’s a tough one for me. I am drawn to Scripture passages that remind me that it is not my job to worry. I love these verses in Matthew that point out that the birds do not worry. God takes care of them. Will He not so much more take care of me?

Matthew 6:25-34

Bible Art Journaling birds do not worry

Documented Life Project “Full Plate” {Art Journal}

DLP April 18 My Plate is Full

For this week, the Documented Life Project art challenge is to use the Gelli Plate (to make background monoprints). The prompt, “A lot on my plate,” made me think of this verse in Psalms, so I created a simple journal spread to illustrate this verse, another of my favorites.

DLP April 18 My Plate is Full

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Be Brave {Bible Art Journaling}

BAJC Week 1 Josh 1-9 Be Brave

I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks on this page, fun to use because, although bright in color, they are translucent so that the text of this passage is not obscured at all.

BAJC Week 1 Josh 1-9 Be Brave

Love all that this verse has to say, about how TO BE and
how NOT TO BE:

  • Be strong
  • Be brave
  • Be not afraid
  • Be not dismayed

Why? Because God is with you WHEREVER you go!!

What a promise!!

Friday, April 17, 2015

Mixed Media Tag {Scrapbooking}

Singing Bird TagToday I created a mixed media tag that I will use in my scrapbook. I used a Graphic 45 tag and paint, stamps and stencil from Dina Wakley.

I am currently experimenting with a new “style” of scrapbooking. Having been a die-hard Creative Memories scrapper for 11 years, I was disappointed a year or so ago when CM went out of business. They are now back, and I am working with their new 12x12 pocket pages, combining them with the 4x6 multi-pocket 12x12 pages. For now, I am inserting some of my “artwork” into some of the 4x6 pockets, like this, for example:

Scrapbook Page

I was happy to learn that the Graphic 45 tags fit perfectly into the 4x6 pocket of the multi-pocket Creative Memories pages.

God’s Perfect Love {Bible Art Journaling}

BAJC Week 7 Perfect Love

I am enjoying art journaling in my Note Taker’s Bible. Every now and then I like to venture away from so much filling the page with color and artwork. In fact, I am finding that perhaps I PREFER the clean and simple. But I will continue to use variety, because I know my tendency is to have everything sort of look the same, after awhile.

So, this is my clean and simple illustration of "Perfect Love Casts Out Fear." The only "perfect love" is that of God the Father, whose son's death on the cross is the ultimate picture of just that--His Perfect Love. As if that weren't enough to think about, there is the promise here that perfect love brings this blessing: it casts out fear. Yay!! So, what should I do when I am afraid? Rely on the fact that God loves me, and His love can defeat all fear!

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Bold as a Lion {Bible Art Journaling}

BAJC Week 3 Prov 28-1 Bold as a Lion (2)

Sometimes I feel like such a wimp. I want to be like this lion, righteous and bold. I do not want to be like the wicked fraidy-cat who runs away when there is not even any danger!

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but, the righteous are bold as a lion.” – Proverbs 28:1 (KJV)

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

God’s Got This {Bible Art Journaling}

Bible Art Journaling Week 14 Jer 29-11

Working in my Note Taker’s Bible, today’s verse is a favorite of many, including me!

I often amaze myself at how I can worry so about the future, when, truth be told (and it IS told, in God’s Word), God’s got this. He has my future. He has a plan for me, and the plan He has is so much better than any I could devise (and I DO a lot of planning, as evidenced by a planner and several journals ongoing at all times). How dare I doubt that HE has it ALL covered. His part is to plan, my part is to FOLLOW HIM.

Now, note that I DO have a part…He has things he wants ME to do…that’s my part—to do what He says—to follow His direction, to seek His will, to have faith in Him, NOT to worry…those are the things that should be on my TO DO list!

Bible Art Journaling Week 14 Jer 29-11

Monday, April 13, 2015

Tears in a Bottle {Art Journal}

DLP April 11 Tears in a Bottle

Have you ever thought about the hopeless feeling that accompanies crying deep, deep tears of sadness, when there is no one who really knows you are crying, or seems to care about your tears?

The first time I remember thinking about this was while my husband was in Viet Nam (1968-1969). We had been married almost three years when he was deployed (we didn’t call it that back then—I think we said “shipped out”). While he was gone (13 months), I finished my college degree, away from close family. During those months, I cried many tears, and I remember thinking that when my husband was with me, if I cried, he was there to comfort me (he hated it when I cried). But with his absence, there was the realization of the depth of sadness that accompanies crying, when there is no one there to comfort me or make me feel better.

So, I really love the verse that assures me that there is actually always Someone who truly cares about my tears. In fact, Psalm 56:8  says that God not only cares about my tears, but he collects them in a bottle. That says to me that He takes them. My tears become His, and I never again need to think that no one cares about my tears.

This project is my response to the Documented Life Project challenge for April 11. The art challenge is to use acrylic paints, and the prompt is “Cry Me a River.”

DLP April 11 Tears in a Bottle

You have collected all my tears in your bottle. - Psalm 56:8 (NLT)

Saturday, April 11, 2015

New Creation {Bible Art Journaling}

Bible Art Journaling 2 Cor 5-17

A simple illustration on the page of one of my favorite verses, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

I used Pan Pastels applied through a stencil. That’s it. Fancy.

Love everything this verse says:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)

Thursday, April 9, 2015

{Bible Art Journaling}-two passages

Bible Art Journaling Prov 31-25

My favorite chapter is Proverbs 31, and verse 25 is one of my favorites. To illustrate the verse, rather than concentrating on “strength and dignity” in the art, I was thinking about being “clothed” in the spirit of carefree child-likeness I see in the phrase “laughs at the days to come.”

Because I am clothed in the strength and dignity of the Lord, I don’t have to worry about the future, much like a little girl doesn’t think about grown-up worries, even while pretending to be all grown up!

Bible Art Journaling Rom 12-2

The butterfly represents transformation. We are not to conform to the world, but we are to be transformed, by the renewing of our minds.

Both of these projects use Inktense Watercolor pencils. They can be used like watercolor, but when dry, they are permanent. The butterflies are colored with Pitt Big Brush Markers and coated with Stickles.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Sail Away {Art Journal}

Sail Away DLP April 4

A real challenge for me, this week’s Documented Life Project specifies watercolor for the technique, and the prompt is “Water under the bridge.”

Although I dabble in watercolor, I do not prefer watercolor in my mixed media art journals. It is absolutely and totally different from acrylic, my medium of choice for art journaling. Since I was trying to follow the suggestions, I painted the background and some book text (to use for the stamped letters) with watercolors, used water soluble pencils a lot, brought in one of my previous watercolor sketch-and-paint projects (the teacup sailboat).

I have decided I don’t have to be thrilled with each week (52 weeks of prompts could get to be burdensome if I apply my usual desire for perfection). That wouldn’t be good for me, right? That’s what I thought. So, there you have it, my rationale for these Documented Life Projects being crazy and messy, not great, but fun!

Sail Away DLP April 4

Sail Away DLP April 4

Monday, April 6, 2015

Large-Eyed Thoughtfulness {Art Journal}

Thoughtful Big Eyes

I keep working at these little child-like girls, in the Permission to Play class with Mindy Lacefield. They are very tough for me, but I must want to do it, because I keep at it. The idea of this class is just to play, as you did as a child. Maybe that’s why I’m having trouble. I don’t remember that much “free play” as a child. I do remember my childhood, remarkably well, actually. But, as the oldest of five, I was often “on task” (self-directed).

The other thing is, too much free play results in art that does not seem pretty to me. So, I guess I’ll keep struggling. I do like her expression, and it was fun building up the many layers on this page, starting with vintage papers adhered to the page, followed by lots of acrylic paint and pencil marks.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Become Like Children {Bible Art Journaling}

Become Like Children BAJ Week 9

Introspection reveals that I am “partial”to Bible verses about children. There could be any number of reasons: The oldest of five children, I have a strong maternal instinct. Or maybe it’s because I am a teacher. Or maybe it’s because I’m a mom and a grandmother. Maybe it’s all those things combined, but whatever the reason, it’s true.

I am working in my new journaling Bible, from Local Church Bible Publishers. Mine is the 400 Mid Size Note Takers Bible (black), KJV.

A few years ago, I made a minibook about my elementary years (and my husband’s, though we did not know each other at the time). You can see the album here. For that book, I purchased some neat stamps, etc., from Graphic 45’s abc primer collection. I had not used the stamps since then.

So, when I wanted to illustrate these verses from Matthew 18:3-5 in the margin of my Journaling Bible, little Dick and Jane type images came to mind. Rather than attempting to sketch them, I pulled out the stamps. Love them.

I put down a coat of Art Basics Clear Gesso (very smooth, not gritty like most clear gesso products), and that allowed me to use stamp ink and then paint with watercolor without bleed-through on the back side of the page. My favorite watercolor to use with stamped images is NeoColor II watercolor crayons.

Sometimes one of the most difficult things to do is to “become like children,” but it is child-like humility and faith that God requires.

Matthew 18:3-5 (KJV)

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Happy Easter! {Bible Art Journaling}

He is Risen Bible Journaling

I am working in my new wide-margin Bible, and this is only my second page created in this Bible. I am working from an original design by one of my facebook artist friends.

I put down clear gesso on the margin area, used a Pitt pen and then NeoColor II watercolor crayons. Because of the gesso, there is no bleed-through on the back side of this page.

This verse is a simple statement of why we celebrate Easter.

He is risen indeed!