The Colors of Patriotism

Since Friday is the 4th, I decided we need to focus a little on patriotism and how we show our colors.

If you're anything like me, you're very patriotic. I love decorating the house in red, white and blue! Our next expense is going to be putting in a flag pole so that we can fly the flag while our son is gone to basic training.

But even before we afford that, we hang all the stuff we can find up. What about you? There is some that is tasteful, and there is stuff that is -- well, tacky. While I guess it could be said that tacky is still patriotic, I think it needs to be thought out a little.

I used to have a little flag for my car, but it broke. It was a cheap one! (grin) We have had the magnetic strips that clink to the car, but someone moved it off our truck and now it's gone. sigh. I guess it's time to find another one.

You know what is interesting? I discovered that there are rules regarding how the flag is to be displayed! I found this information on a site about the flag:

* The American Flag can't be draped over anything or used as a covering. It shouldn't touch anything beneath it. The only time the flag can be used as a covering is for a casket. This is common practice for the funerals of servicemen, veterans and government officials.
* Don't draw the flag into folds. It should always be able to fall free.
* Never use the flag or its image to advertise products or merchandise. The only instance where it may be used in advertisement is when the product advertised is an American Flag.
* The flag can be displayed behind a speaker, but it cannot be used to decorate a platform or stage.
* In a church or auditorium, if a flag is displayed on a staff, it should be located to the speaker's right as he/she faces the audience.
* Don't wear the flag as clothing or use it as bedding or drapery.
* A flag patch or pin may be worn by military personnel, policemen, firemen, and members of patriotic organizations. It should be placed near the heart.
* Do not use the flag or its image to wrap a gift or to carry anything.
* The flag shouldn't be marked with designs, drawings, letters, words or anything else.
* It is acceptable to add gold or yellow fringe around the border of a flag as long as nothing is added to the body.
* Representations of the flag shouldn't be printed or embroidered on paper products or anything else meant for temporary use and disposal.



Now I understand why it was such a big thing in the sixties and seventies when the protesters were wearing shirts of the flag...and I always thought it was just patriotic. Interesting.

The 4th of July always makes me think of food and fireworks. We usually have a big breakfast with family, watch the local parades, and then have a BBQ later before going to watch fireworks somewhere. We usually see them from our own neighborhood, as we live between two large shows. It amazes me how LONG the firework shows are now! Seems like they lasted a whole 10 minutes when we were kids, and now they go one forever...grin. Almost feels like they are too long.

My favorite part of the fireworks is the music that is played with it. For many years when we lived in Salt Lake, we were right by Sugarhouse park. They would have a big firework display sponsored by KISN radio and they would play music that you could get on the radio while the fireworks were going off. It was sooo inspiring. There is one song, I'm Proud to be an American, by Lee Greenwood that ALWAYS makes me cry. It is so touching and true.

So, despite what your traditions or favorite thing to do this holiday weekend, I hope you spend it with family and reaffirm your desire to live in this country of the free, land of the brave -- and support our soldiers who are out there fighting for that right.

I want to add the words to his song so that if you care, you can sing along with the song. I've changed my play list at the bottom of the page for this month, so you can also hear it.

If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
and it’s time to stand and say:

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

God Bless The U.S.A. Words and Music by Lee Greenwood

Also, there is a great song at the neighborhood jukebox. Have you checked it out yet? This song is an appropriate one for our nations birthday. Go listen to it and check out some of the others. I love the jukebox!

Have a safe and wonderful 4th!

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The Beauty Inside

In the world of an artist, things are not what most people would see.

Every moment I'm outside in my yard taking in the greens, the trees, the bushes, I'm captivated by all I see. The sound of birds constantly chirping, the breeze rustling through the pine and willow trees; it causes my soul to take a deep breath and for a moment I'm glad to be alive.

When life's stresses fill your world so that things look gray and bleak, it's a time for reflection and gathering of the beauty around you. I've had a kind of bad week, so I've been on an emotional roller coaster. Today I sat with my son and we ate Popsicles together in the back yard, rocking gently on our big porch swing.

I glanced over the yard, the deck and the scene before me, thinking, "I could paint this." I would end up titling it 'my backyard' or something else equally bland, but it would be calming -- serene.

Have you ever seen a piece of art that struck you that way? I know I've talked about this before, but I can't help it -- that's what draws me to art. It's the power of the vision we have, the core of what brings joy to our lives, a gift from a loving and understanding Heavenly Father.

There are many people who collect certain pieces of art. Usually, it's something that is worth a lot of money, but then again, sometimes it's just because that person's work appeals to them; calls out to something deep inside of them and makes them happy, brings them joy. They have to have the painting or sculpture or whatever, simply because it brings something into their lives that is otherwise missing.

We can each bring something like that into our own homes. Be it a copy of a painting, print, original, or otherwise, even something painted by your own hand -- art can be in your home.

We've been told that our homes are like a haven -- a place of piece, a temple of our own that our families can feel at peace and love. Perhaps the artwork on the walls should reflect that. Pictures of the temples, photographs of family members, pictures of the Savior in all the varieties He's been painted. What brings a calming spirit to your home? What artwork is displayed there?

I have a wonderful painting in large postcard form done by Greg Olsen of Jesus Christ that sits on my desk. Any time I sit there to work on the computer, that picture is there with his calm loving visage gazing out over the distance, and I feel sure that He is watching over me.

Now, this doesn't always help with my writing, but I like to think it does. Since this is also the majority of where I do my painting, I feel he is watching over that too. Since all gifts come from Him anyway, I figure it's appropriate. I hope that His guidance will help me put into words something that will help someone else, or perhaps something I draw or paint will bring peace to someone's soul. One can only hope.

So, I'm thankful for the vision I have, and the life around me. I'm thankful everyday for the beauty of this world -- the amazing sunrises and sunsets, the plants and animals that are amazing creations of our loving Father in Heaven.

Where is the beauty in your life?

I hope before you leave you'll think about:

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Just when you thought it couldn't get worse...

Have you ever had a child (one in the midst of a trial so terrible they think there isn't anything worse) ask how could it get any worse?

We had that experience over the weekend. This child has made choices that has put them in the middle of a nightmare. There are many things that could be worse, but then again -- they could be lots better...

Then Sunday this same child called and decided to come clean...tell me all the things they had been trying to hide that they did wrong because they didn't feel good about lying about it anymore. Greeaaattt.... That makes me feel SO much better. NOT.

It's one of those moments where you know that they were probably mixed up in stuff that was going on, but were hoping with a mother's hope that they were smarter than that. Sigh. My hubby had suspected all along. My other children (the older ones) had suspected as well...but I had held onto the hope that my child wouldn't do something like that. The one that had lambasted the nonmember uncle when age 12 for smoking and didn't he know how terrible it was for you...yeah -- that one. (And no, this isn't just about smoking...;) )

I felt so naive, so -- stupid -- to have not seen it coming. My hubby told me that my hope was what made it bearable for him to try and have hope. While that was sweet of him, I still felt as if my feet had been knocked out from under me.

Yesterday I ended up pretty much doing nothing all day. My poor hubby didn't have that option, and tried studying his night school stuff while waiting to see if anyone needed him at a training meeting he was assigned to help. By the time dinner rolled around I was able to focus a little, and today is much better. I'm feeling a little back to normal, but I wonder if things will ever be the same. Our family will never be the same -- this will always be something in the back of our minds.

I think we need to go swimming and try and forget for a while. We just have to remember the sun block since a couple of them are still recovering from sun burns at the Young Adult trip last week. (Bear Lake is soooo known for that)

At least my wedding anniversary is tomorrow...a bright spot in the week.

Oil Isn't Just What's in The Ground

In a world that looks at oil prices as something related to cars, I thought I'd start talking about oil Paint. (grin.) You see, oil isn't just for cars, what's in your skin, or what you use to cook.

Righhhhttt. I can just hear you... Oil paint is (in my opinion) the standard for art and paint. It's been the primary medium for centuries, and actually hasn't changed a great deal in all these years.

Many of the great masters from the 1500's used oil paints for their work, and it's proven itself to be a medium that lasts, with proper care, for ages. Rembrandt is probably one of the most famous, and I'm always amazed at how he was able to use oil to create depth and feeling in a flat canvas. His painting of the Musketeers (the one pictured above -- sorry it's so small) is one of my favorites.

I haven't talked much about oil painting, because it's a medium that is difficult for me. It's one that takes a lot of patience. If you've worked with paint at all, however, you know that oil paint is a texture all it's own. It has a smooth, creamy feel -- almost sensual. It's difficult to keep from smearing it all over your fingers and remembering what it was like as a kid when finger painting was the favorite pastime.

No wonder kids liked to do it...I even discovered there was an artist that actually painted that way for show -- interesting. But anyway, I digress. Oil painting is something that I think takes a lot of talent. It's also difficult when the painting takes a very long time to dry (think 3 days) and you have children that are curious and want to touch it!! That's one of the reasons I don't use it...

We are blessed to have some really wonderful artists that are members of the church who paint with oil. Many of the names will sound familiar: Arnold Friberg, Mark Gudmundsen (who does amazing paintings of Yosemite), Simon Dewey (who everyone will recognize from his paintings of Christ -- so beautiful!), and of course, Greg Olsen! Unfortunately the list goes on, but I can only talk about so many at a time.


What really gets me excited, is the creation of water soluble oil paint. When using traditional oil paint, you have to clean everything with turpentine, and things really smell. The oil paint itself smells, and it's very messy. Since I'm not into smells (since my studio is my home, and everyone else has to deal with it too) nor am I into hard to clean stuff, I stayed away from oils. (Did I mention it's also more expensive?)

But this last Christmas my hubby chanced on a beginner kit of water soluble oil paints. I was so excited, I could hardly contain myself. Finally! The option to use a historical medium with lower mess and smell. I had forgotten the time thing though...and yes, it still takes three days to dry. (Reference my blog on my mailbox -- that's what I painted with it.)

So...I guess if I'm really going to get into the oils, I'll have to invest in more paints and the additives that help the paint dry faster. Hmmm. I guess it will take some thought. But, in the meantime, I'll get to play around with it and see what I can do.

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Art in The City

Summer time is a great time to experience the arts. Not only are there many opportunities at the local fairs and festivals and farmers markets, but there is also the big daddy of them all, the Utah Arts Festival.

This has gotten very large over the years, from the small thing it was in the early 1980's to now. This year one of my fellow writers and talented artist is doing a demo there with her group of painters. Hazel Jensen will be demoing oil painting. She does great work, so you should go and check her out.

I am looking forward to the state fair, as usual. I love going through the exhibits and seeing all the different talents. Of course I spend most of my time in the fine arts building, but I've also gone through the other ones where they had the quilting (as I mentioned my friend had entered there) and the photography building. There is some amazing work out there.

The funnest one to go through is the craft section, the articles in there people make up is hilarious as well as enlightening. There are so many gifted and talented people in the world, it's simply amazing to see the abilities showcased in all the different exhibits.

If you don't feel up to the state fair, all the different counties have fairs as well. We like the county fair because it's free admission...grin. It also doesn't charge for submission of pieces to the fine arts.

They have a building that is filled by the senior citizens. It's so wonderful to see the work they do and the crafts they share and teach. I think if someone doesn't have a grandmother, they should contact one of these women to have them teach some of their skills -- lots of it is a lost art. Who teaches young women (or men) how to crochet? Knit? Cross stitch, needlepoint or tatting?

I was taught how to embroider and crochet by a grandmother, though she wasn't mine. I didn't even particularly like the lady, but I was grateful to learn how to embroider and crochet, both of which are art forms in and of themselves.

I have tried to teach my daughters and pass down these skills, and a couple of them enjoy them, but it's a hobby, nothing more. I remember when these skills used to be something that enriched a woman's life...a way to decorate an otherwise sparse home.

The art festival is the weekend of the 26th through the 29th, at the downtown library. The state fair is September 4th through 14, and the county fairs are at various times through out the summer. Searching through the internet will give you information and times on all of them. It's a good family outing, a good way to mingle with your neighbors (even those on yourldsneighborhood.com!) -- you'll never know who you'll run into, or what new thing you might try. The Neighborhood is fun to explore too. Have you taken a tour yet?

And...before you leave:
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Gardening...ugh

Okay, I know keeping a garden is a commandment, so to speak, but it is definitely part of the 'torment man' part. sigh.

We try every year to get a garden in, and then we have to fight deer, bugs and dryness to get it growing. This year it's a little sparce -- due to hubbies back, children being busy, etc., we didn't get the peas and beans in like we wanted. We have just tomatoes and peppers so far, though hubby still wants to put in corn. Right now there isn't anywhere prepared for it, but that's normal.

Anyway...I send kids out to water the rest of it last night because we didn't get it all watered in the morning. I go out this morning with the few, the sleepy and the grumpy, to finish weeding, and discover they missed the rows I'd asked them to water. So...I'm fixing that while they are weeding, one little tiny plant at a time. Have you ever watched teenage boys waste time?? It's an art. I think they should do a study on it.

We also discovered that one of the tomatoes that had a basket put around it had been chopped at the bottom because the bottom of it was out of the cage...glasses, they all need glasses!!!

Okay...and then I got a blister on my little finger, on the inside of my knuckle. How do you manage that??? I can't figure out how I was holding it to get one that way...my son suggested that when you hold a hoe, it rubs. Well, yeah...sigh. So, we still don't have a completely watered garden, the zuccini plant died...can you believe that?? We aren't going to have any this year unless we get another one in there quick. I wonder if I can just bug my neighbors... (I know...we are probably the only people in the neighborhood who WANT Zuccini! grin. We still have some frozen from last year though...so I guess we'll just make due.

They're Gone!

I'm not sure if I'm excited or not. My three oldest still at home, left this morning for a three day Single Young Adult camping trip up at Bear Lake. It's going to be REALLY quiet without them. I'm hoping they have loads of fun, make new friends, and don't get burned within an inch of their lives...sigh.

I didn't hover over them this time. I didn't pack a single thing. If they don't have it, it's their own doing. I have to remind myself that they are old enough to know what they need and what to do. right???

Anyway, so now it's just the three youngest and my hubby and me. I'm thinking it's going to be much simpler in some ways, more frustrating in others -- because those little boys LOVE playing with their older brother, especially the video games. I just aren't as good as he is...grin.

Hope everyone else is having a great month. I can't believe June is over half gone already...and no painting worth speaking of! ARGH. Okay...I'm going to knuckle down today and get some work done. I won't have as many distractions, right???...right.

Father's Day

Okay...remember my post about Mother's day and how my hubby was stressed out but the day went well anyway???

Sigh.

Let's contemplate Father's Day. I spent most of the afternoon telling my two oldest sons to stop arguing, as my dear hubby spent most of the afternoon getting the coals ready to cook dinner since we'd run out of gas for our grill and the burner had to be replaced (was his fathers day present from me...).

I was ready to shut them all in their own rooms and lock them in. We ended up eating outside on the lawn under the willow tree, and it was wonderful. The ribs turned out delicious, and the cobbler was tasty...so it ended well, but for a while there I was tempted to send him on his own little picnic so he could have some peace.

What is it about mother's and Father's day that brings out the worst in the children?? I just don't get it. They didn't even get up and make breakfast for him. My one daughter made it after we got home from church, but the other children wouldn't even help unless dragged.

My oldest daughter was the only one that got him anything, and I was pretty much ready to disown them all.

Well...at least he knows I love him. sigh. I'm looking forward to our anniversary next week...it should be nice and quiet and wonderful....hmmmm

That is if we don't melt from the heat first.. sigh. Good old summer is officially here.

I Stand All Amazed

Sometimes the words of that song come to me for different things. Usually, when I come across something that is astounding, and obviously touched by the spirit. I thought as part of my blogging for your entertainment and information, I would look up the list of LDS Artists.

What I found simply amazed me. There were people I'd never heard of before -- and I felt bad that I hadn't known of them. Several of them are watercolor artists, and I wanted to highlight them today, since we've been talking about that medium.

Jodi Jensen's work reminds me a lot of Beatrice Potter. Apparently she likes rabbits and uses them in her paintings. Unlike most who try to do a lot of self promoting, I had a hard time finding much on Jodi -- I find her website. She is very talented, and her work is much in demand, so I guess she hasn't had to do much self promotion. I was glad to find information on her at least by the gallery that is showing her work online. You can also see that she has her own style of watercolor, and I think it's charming. The article at the Fit to Be Tiled website, said that she loved to garden, and that is where most of her inspiration comes from. Looking at her paintings, I can only imagine what a lovely garden she has. I love to sit in gardens, but imagining the work involved in them totally takes any fun out of it. (I'm just not a gardening person.)

Another watercolor artist that is perhaps even more well known, is Roland Lee. His website was an exploration in amazement as well. He uses the traditional clear painting method without black or white. I find it fascinating. His paintings touch the 'awe' button and I could gaze at them all day. Have you had an artist touch you that way? It's like I was saying a while ago, how we feel with spirit the things of beauty.

Another LDS artist I am unfamiliar with is Cloyd Bedke. His preferred medium is also watercolor, and he has done some fun stuff as well. His is a little more what I'm used to seeing as a style, and yet, he has some bold colors in his work. I love this one he's done of the San Diego temple. Something else amazing? He's the father of 10 children! How does he find time to paint with that? LOL. I'm sure his wife wonders...

It really astounds me the gifts and talents we have been given as a people. These are just a sprinkling, I'm sure, of what is out there in skill and dedication. I'm hoping that you'll get to know these artists and discover their abilities more closely as I'm going to.

And, again before you go...
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Sorry, But Just Any Old Brush Won't do...

Okay. I mentioned that I would discuss paint brushes today. How many of you have even looked at paint brushes? That's what I thought. I'm not talking about the cheap things you buy for your kids to do the little water paint pictures with, I'm talking quality brushes that are going to last for a long time.

I'm the queen of cheap, honest. It drives my hubby to distraction. He's told me several times in our marriage that one pair of expensive shoes will last three times longer than three pairs of cheap shoes. What he didn't understand is that I like more variety than that -- except when it comes to my painting supplies.

I discovered through bitter experience that cheap paint brushes are just that -- CHEAP. They can say that they are sable, or horsehair or whatever, but they still come off in the paint and on your canvas! So, the first thing you want to do is make sure to find quality brushes. There is a whole selection of them in any craft store worth their salt, and I can spend hours there, believe me. I LOVE the look and feel of brushes and have to remind myself not to touch the bristles...sigh. That's right, the more you touch the bristles, the more oil comes off your skin onto them and make them dirty. Anyway...

Right now we are going to continue with the watercolor theme. In order to paint with watercolors, you need a couple of items. Either a board that isn't too heavy but large enough to hold whatever size paper you want to tape to it, or a pre-glued waterpaper pad or block that acts as if it's taped. Personally, I like the blocks -- much easier to deal with. If you're really into watercolor the way it's supposed to be, you'll probably want the board, unless you like to be portable.

You will also want an easel. I didn't have one for the first 20 years of our marriage, and I did just fine -- but once I got one for Christmas, it's been heaven. There are all sorts, but I like the solid thing I don't have to worry about knocking over should I bump it. (I'm rather clumsy)

You need a box to keep your paint and brushes in. I've used several different sizes and kinds, but a simple little plastic box, like a small tool or fishing tackle box will work. Just make sure it's long enough to hold all your brushes.

You need a pallet or paint tray. When I took watercolor in college, he had us make our own trays. This was basically a shallow 8 x 10 baking tray that we pounded little rounded dents into and he spray painted white. I still have my tray, and it's got lots of years ahead of it. You can usually find similar things in craft stores, and they aren't very expensive.

Paper. There are LOADS of different types of watercolor paper. Thick, (or weight), large sheets that you buy individually, blocks or tear off pads. Unless I have a specific subject in mind and want to paint something huge, I stick with the pre-stuck pads. I don't like messing with tape, and it's simpler for me to carry around. There are lots of different brand names, as well, but I seem to stick with the least expensive brand...grin.

What is really amazing is the amount of information available to those who want to look it up on the internet. There are sites that offer free instruction, sites that sell videos and DVD's, even local artists that hold classes that aren't too expensive. So if your urge to create drives you to search it out in depth, go online. Here are some sites that I found most helpful:

A class at this site:Derek Hegsted
http://www.fountainstudio.com/watercolor_tips.html -- all sorts of stuff here.

Enjoy, and look around -- you'll find lots of ways to improve. Next week we move onto other mediums.

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NEW CONTEST!

Okay...This is the best one ever. Want to win a free book??? Of course you do!! Well, I mentioned how I get to preview J. Scott Savage's new book? I also get to give one away!

Here goes with the contest rules. They couldn't be easier. And EVERYONE with a blog can join in.

1) Add a link to this blog on your blog, with some nice blurb about the contest.

2) Post a comment on here so I can visit your blog and see your entry.

That's it! The contest will run until the July 5th, with a reminder at the top of my blog most days. The winner will be drawn at random from the comments. Your prize will come direct from the publisher, Deseret Book's Shadow Mountain.

I read his book, and it's amazing! It's one of the best of it's kind I've read in a LONG time. You'll find it riveting, fascinating and definitely a page turner. What's even better is your kids will really like it too!

Come on...enter. You know you want one! ;)

It's Amaz-za-zing -- A Little Water, A Little Color...

I'm terrible when it comes to names. Ask my children. (Grin) It's even worse when it's the name of something, such as a paint color.

When I first started painting, I had no idea there were so many shades of red: Carmine, Grumbacher Red, Vermillion, Indian Red, Rose Madder and my favorite, (the tube is almost gone) Alizarin Crimson. You'll notice none of them were just plain red. And that's just what I use, I know there's lots more available.

In my ignorance, I figured they were all shades of the same color.

Take green, for instance. There is Chrome Green, Viridian and Lime Green. Apparently Chrome Green and Viridian are the most popular shades, because that's what I've got the most of.

What I discovered, is that it's important to know the tint as well, because if I want to paint something with warm tones, and it has too much blue in it, that messes the whole thing up.

It is also somewhat limiting. When buying beginner kits, they usually come with five to six, sometimes twelve, colors. Sometimes these will be basic colors, that they presume all artists are going to use, and sometimes they are a variety, to give you an idea of what colors are available. If the kit contains shades like Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine, Phthalo Green (pronounce that one!) -- blue shade, Yellow Ochre and Titanium White, then you are limited in what can be produced with those particular shades in that pigment. Who came up with these names anyway? It reminds me of the names they come up with for plants and insects. I think someone has way too much time on their hands.

I like watercolors. Watercolors are far cheaper than other mediums, and last much longer. When it comes to watercolor, there are several colors that have ended up being my basics, and that I always have on hand. Black, (although, the tube says Ivory Black -- isn't that a oxymoron?) Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, (which are both a type of brown) Lemon Yellow, Cobalt Blue, Alizarin Crimson (favorite red) and Viridian (a bluish green). I also keep white on hand because I like to lighten colors sometimes, and I never did get the hang of blocking watercolor paper to create the white spaces...(like I said, my style is different) While these are my basics, I do have other colors that I like to mix in and play with. Especially the latest one I found, Violet Purple. (sigh)

One would have thought the art class I took in college would have reviewed color, explained the color wheel and mixing colors. I don't even remember having that explained in any of my high school classes. Is that something considered so basic that it isn't covered any more? I don't know, but I finally got myself a color wheel. The only problem is, I don't have the corresponding paints in my box. If it's not one thing, it's another.


This picture is my favorite. I painted it a couple of years ago, and while it didn't win anything at the State Fair, and it came in 5th at the county, it's still the one I like the most. Why? Because of how the ducks came out. I had never painted them before, and they were little wooden ducks my father-in-law had carved a long time ago. I also liked how the jar with the flowers turned out. While I know it's far from perfect, and there are many things I would change, I really like it. This is the reason I do still life more than any other subject.

I'm told that anyone can paint with watercolor. Considering how different my style is from my art instructor in college, I would have to agree. (grin) Anyone who wants to try out painting, should start with watercolors. It's the most forgiving, quickest drying, and least expensive.

I would recommend picking a basic kit and starting with the basic (gee, another oxymoron) colors so you won't have to wonder what in the world is going to come out of that tube. Play with them, get familiar with how it feels on your brush.

Next week I'm going to cover a little bit about the other basics you'll need, like brushes. That's a whole new world...

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Art and Beauty With Spiritual Eyes

I was gazing out at my back yard which is decked out in green to celebrate the onset of summer, when it occurred to me -- A lot of what we view as art is sometimes a spiritual thing.

We've all heard the phrase that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think it goes even deeper than that. How many times have you been listening to a classical, instrumental or vocal piece of music and been moved to tears?

It's not a visual thing. It's not something that has to be held in your hands. It's in the spirit.

It always amazes me when a person who is known for having terrible morals can come up with a beautiful piece of art, be it music, painting, or otherwise. It makes me wonder how the spirit gets through the garbage to give them the inspiration for what they do. I find myself having to fight from being judgmental and accept the beauty they are able to create.

There were and are many troubled painters in our world. Some of them were considered masters -- of course after they took their own life. Van Gogh's work is hailed as the pioneer of expressionism. I find only a few of his paintings likable -- Starry Night, and Couples in the Park. I find it sad that so many of these tortured souls found no success in their lifetimes.

George-Pierre Seurat and Paul Signac introduced a whole new style, pointilist. I find this style fascinating, and tedious at the same time. I had a friend in high school that did a full upper body portrait of Bruce Lee in this style -- pen and ink. It took him almost the whole school year.

Perhaps that is part of what we have to ponder as we gaze at the pieces of art they create for us. Sometimes these canvases have more than brush strokes -- sometimes they hold blood and tears, sweat and pain, frustration and illusion.

Being an artist myself, I know that at times I can act spoiled. Fortunately, I have a wonderful husband who takes it in stride and reminds me of what is important in life. My art is only part of me -- and usually only a seasonal thing. It takes a lot for me to paint or draw -- it takes all my concentration. If there was only the worldly view of things, I guess I could easily have become someone who was paranoid and afraid of the dark.

But we have the gospel. We have balance, and I don't live for painting alone. I live with the idea that eternity waits, and so does my talent. I am gifted with a family that loves me, supports me and makes it somewhat easy to balance my talents with every day life. I thank The Lord daily for them.



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LDS Fiction: Summer Book Trek 2008

http://ldspaz.blogspot.com/2008/06/im-reading-dont-bug-me.html

I'm READING -- don't bug me

Well, I'm signing up for the Summer Reading trek. I don't usually sign up for these things because I don't have time during the school year when I'm working to read as much as I'd like. I figure I hope to have more time now, but that could be wrong -- I guess we'll see.

So...my list for reading this summer...

The 13th Reality -- James Dashner
Far World, Water Keep -- Scott Savage (ARC -- Blog tour! -- more to come, grin)
Fool me Twice -- Stephanie Black

I don't have the list handy, so I'll be adding to it later. I'm excited...

Oh, What do You do in the Summertime?

Well -- today is the first day (well, school calendar wise) of summer. I informed my 12 year old son that it wasn't official until the 21st, and he gave me this confused look. I love making them confused -- at least I do it often enough that I must enjoy it...

He's the one holding his nose in the photo above -- we were at one of the smelly pots at Yellowstone that year. That's a trip we probably won't be making soon, gas prices being what they are.

Every year from the time I discovered there was a world outside of diapers and bottles and had children in school, I have had a project for them to do during the summer. One year it was painting. We went to the neighbors yard and painted the sunflowers that grew in large stalks along her fence. She loved the company, and they actually liked doing it.

One year I had them write a story in a notebook. I only had one that really took off with it, although most of them still like to write. I guess we'll see.

Last year it was weeding in the garden to earn Nintendo time... I know, the standards have sure shifted.

I haven't come up with anything yet this year, and my hubby asked me last night if I had a list of things for the kids to do or if I was just going to wing it. Right. As if I wanted to contemplate the looming summer months any sooner than I had to? He's somewhat jealous, you see, although it's more a mix between jealousy and relief. He's jealous that my job has me off in the summer (though we'd LOVE to find something that paid all summer long...) while he has to work, and relief that it's me getting to deal with the kids all day and not him.

Don't get me wrong -- he loves our children, he's the one that worries about them when we go on dates or short weekends and leave them at home. It's a very endearing quality. But he knows what summer gets like. There have been times in the past that I've called and begged him to come home early before I strung them all up by their toes, confined them all to their rooms for the rest of the summer, committed Hari Kari or something like it.

This summer is going to be a change, and it's going to be hard. Our oldest son goes to boot camp, and won't be around at all. Our next oldest son is working at the local amusement park so he'll be gone most of the time, and our two daughters that are still home will be working and going to school part time.

That leaves my youngest two sons with the benefit of having mom be on their cases all day and trying to encourage thoughtful behavior. sigh. It's usually a struggle to get them doing chores and some kind of homework so their brains don't atrophy during the summer months.

My 14 year old is autistic. What this means to the average person, is that he's not real good in social circles. He'd rather do what he wants to do, regardless of what anyone else wants to do. He is also very artistic. He can copy things that amaze you. His favorite thing is enlarging maps from books. He loves maps.

I'm thinking this year perhaps I could get him to enter something in the fair. He might be willing, he might not. I guess I'll have to see. I know he has it in him.

My 12 year old, doesn't really care about art, though he has done some great work in school. I'm thinking my project this summer will be for them to create something that they can both enter in the county fair. It will give them time to do more than one thing, if they aren't happy with their first creation.

This way I can get them to experiment with all the different types of medium -- this could really be fun! I can just see Randy with acrylics...well, maybe not. This will definitely be something we'll be doing OUTSIDE. We'll have to hook up the cd players so that we have nice inspirational music playing and both of them wearing large OLD shirts that can be tossed when they're done.

Speaking of music...have you visited the neighborhood juke box? This is soo cool! I was excited when I found it, because I love music, and listening to it while I write or paint is just an extension of heaven...grin. Anyway, I love the choices they have, and that not only can you listen to music on the computer, but if you are a musician, you can get your music to the site! Talk about promotion!

My favorite section is the instrumental, and today I'm listening to Fireflies. Hmmmm... Check it out -- It's great stuff.

Anyway, back to summer and art and fairs. I'll let you know how the project goes -- and I'll post pictures so you can see them. It should prove interesting. I'm hoping I can convince Randy to paint something other than a map...

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