Robert Duncan's Art

My dentist has several paintings in his dentist office, not in the reception/waiting area; but in the rooms. One of my favorites is this one at the top. I've often admired these paintings and wondered who the artist was. I love the way he uses light and color together. How he can imbue the painting with emotion and peace. They are wonderful.

Today a co-worker was showing me a little calendar she had purchased, and it was the paintings of this same artist, so I finally discovered his name. Robert Duncan. I was so excited that I finally knew who it was, I wrote down his name so I wouldn't forget it.

Now, I realize that I'm probably one of the few ignoramuses who didn't know who this man was, or how talented he is. I'm sorry! Grin. But, I'm repenting and determined to own some of his work as soon as I can afford it. Even if it's just a calendar.

This one of the boys in the orchard is another favorite from the doctor's office.


It makes me think of days gone by, when boys worked on farms during the summer, went fishing at nearby springs, and learned the values that are so important.

But what really grabs me is the ones he has painted of snow. You feel as if you are totally there in the picture, in the snow, feeling it coming down and enjoying the fun of play.

Obviously, I hadn't seem much of his work before today. I've only been privileged to see a handful of paintings, but they were enough to grab my attention and want to see more.

A good artist is able to do that. That's why people collect their work, hand their paintings, and sponsor them in galleries. When you come across something beautiful and inspiring, you always want to share it. Our joy in something grows in the added appreciation of others.

As we begin to see spring on the horizon, and winter edges out of our nights, these paintings help to bring those feelings into our hearts; make them real and bring back memories that are much the same as what is painted.


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I read in one article that Robert Duncan was elected into the Cowboy Artists of America and that he's received two silver medals in their annual exhibition. I would say he's captured the heart of the home, as well as the west and nature. He truly is an artist.

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Having a Moment here...

I feel some days like I'm living in a cartoon. One of those with a woman sitting at her desk, photos of her family around her, co-workers vying for her attention, and a dozen things hanging above her head.

She's on the phone and telling someone she simply can't take on another project...if she did she was afraid she'd upset the balance of her juggling act and things would fall apart.

While I'm not nearly as busy as that, this week has felt that way.

I have so many things going on at work, so many things going on at home, that I'm feeling deep down I'm missing something.

I hate that feeling. So...in addition to missing getting the scripture thought out yesterday, I've notice my readership has dropped off too.

I'm sorry if you're feeling bored or uninterested in what I'm saying...I know it's my fault, because if it were cute or interesting, you'd be reading. That's what I do...grin.

So, I am working on it. Hopefully things will get better soon.

See ya Friday...

Stained Glass

One thing that has always captured my interest and amazement is stained glass. I was somewhat taken back when I discovered my sister was creating her own works of stained glass. I thought it was a difficult and time consuming, let alone, um, dangerous, hobby. (Cut fingers, cut arms, missing fingers...grin)

When I went through the Draper Temple Open House, I was moved by the stained glass in the doors and windows. In looking up the information on the work, I came across this blurb:
"All of the art-glass windows created by Utah artist Tom Holdman for the Draper Utah Temple miraculously survived a fire that left only a portion of one window damaged, even though the art studio itself was so badly burned, it was condemned."
That tells me the Lord looks after the works of His house. I thought it would be nice to explore the other temples and some of the stained glass that we are given in them.

The Redlands Temple has some unique glass work around the edges of the windows. I tried to get a close up look at them, but this is as good as I could get. The contractor who had been in charge of the building of this temple (and a few others) used to live in our ward. When we helped them clean up (the youth of our ward), they offered to let us have some of the leftover glass pieces that made up this unusual design. I was able to have two (I had two sons helping) and gave one to my sister for her glass making. The other I'm trying to frame.

Here is a photo of the young man who designed the windows for the Rexburg, Idaho Temple at work. Amazingly enough, he didn't even know his designs had been accepted for the windows until he was already on his mission. He was able to work on them when he came home. His name is Josh Lewis. Below is the completed example of his windows.

(All photos of the Rexburg, Idaho Temple are from this website)
Last, but certainly not least, is the Palmyra Temple. The windows there were made unique by following the foliage from the surrounding countryside. They were designed to match the Aspen trees that made up a great deal of the forestry, and I think they're gorgeous.

I would have added more if I could locate good photos of them, but that's hard to come by unless you have access to the open house brochures...grin.
So, hopefully, that's enough to wet your taste buds and make you want to see all of them in person. Thinking about the idea that there are over 140 temples around the world, the idea that you could visit each one of them is remote. (though there was a time you could have done so...)
I hope you take the time to visit the ones closest to you and enjoy the spirit and beauty that you'll find there.

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The Manner of Happiness

Sunday was a very interesting day for our Sunday School class. There were several scriptures that I thought I'd like to highlight, but then I forgot them between then and now because I try not to write on Sunday. I should have done it anyway -- this is a spiritual thought, right? grin. Anyway --

The scripture that caught my eye last night is 2 Nephi 5:27
"And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness."

I thought that kind of went along with the thought I'd had a week or so ago about how we, of all people should feel at peace about our world, despite what is going on -- because we know the end.

So, even though we feel as if we might loose our jobs anyday, or the bills might be too much, or our savings isn't what we had hoped, or the children aren't following our example as close as we would like, or have even strayed -- there is always hope.

We can always live in the manner of happiness if we focus on what is right with our world. If we count our blessings.

Someone commented that it's amazing how much food there is in our country, compared to others. I thank the Lord every night that we have a home to live in, electricity and warmth -- cars that run, food to eat.

They may seem like simple things, but they bring me a measure of happiness. There may be large problems with our country right now, but it's still the best one on the planet. We still have freedom, we still have rights, and we still have the gospel.

Have a wonderful day.

The Art of Temples

This week I had the privilege of touring the Draper Temple. What an amazing building to add to our wonderful list of temples. I was astounded to realize that we have either built or are building 148 temples around the world! And to think that there will be 12 in Utah alone? What excuse do we have now to do our temple work? None!!

The insides are simple gorgeous. I know each temple has it's own 'theme', and this one appears to be the Sego Lily. It's all along the ceiling and in the carpets. The windows and doors are gorgeous, but my favorite room was the bride room. The chandelier and wall sconces were made of a metalic product and shaped into flower petal type design, it was so beautiful! This shot is of the ceiling in the Celestial room.



My autistic son kept walking into everyone in front of him because he was just so thrilled with it and the beauty he was seeing -- especially in the chandeliers. He is quite obsessed with them...grin.

I was able to find a LDS Jordan River site with photos of the inside, and I wanted to share some of them -- they just glow.



My son loved the idea that the Baptismal font was the same in this temple as in the Bountiful one. I loved the open feeling, and the wood work. I really loved the windows. The stained glass work, the height and tone of them...I wished I could have them in my home.



Since the church is dealing with the Big Love controversy right now, I felt this was an appropriate place to include the video the church has put out to help those who are unfamiliar with our temples and the work that goes on inside. Here is the video that explains things quite simply and clearly. I hope that anyone who needs to know or is curious will have the chance to see it somewhere.



Unfortunately, I think any openings left to see the open house are taken, and the chance to see the inside before it's dedicated is probably gone. I hope these photos give a taste of the beauty and peace that is found inside. I sincerely hope that you'll have the chance to see the insides for yourself someday.

YourLDSneighborhood has added exciting new things to its website. Please drop by and take a look, browse around, check out our vendors, our radio station, our authors, our musicians and more. Check out the Neighborhood.

And while you're there, subscribe to the yourLDSneighborhood Newsletter. In addition to being able to shop in the new virtual neighborhood, the newsletter brings you articles, products, services, resources and interviews from around the world-all with an LDS focus. Look for issues delivered to your email inbox every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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We Already Know the End

Instead of a scripture today, I wanted to share something from this past weekend. I'm sorry for the delay -- I fully intended to post this on Tuesday, but we were busy going to the Draper Temple open house...grin.

In Stake Conference this weekend, we had an amazing adult meeting. In that meeting, one of the speakers talked about how we know the ending of the world. We know how things are going to come to a head, and that Christ will come and save us all.

We know that if we are righteous, we will be there -- either dead and resurrected or alive and raised up to meet him. Beginning of the millennial reign...the end.

Have you ever been one to read the end of a book before the beginning? I'm not usually that kind of person. The only time I read the end of the book is if the beginning is getting scary and I wonder if there is a happy ending to look forward to. If there is, I'll keep reading because I know somehow the author is going to fix everything.

Well, Heavenly Father has fixed everything already. We already know, because he's told us.

It hit me as we were sitting there in stake conference and the stake president was talking about how we know what is coming.

I thought, "He's right. We know the ending." Of all the people on earth, we should be happy and have no fear. We can try to be prepared, we can do all we know we're supposed to do, and then be at peace.

We know how this is all going to end. The Savior will come in His glory, and right will win out.

I hope you have a peaceful day.

Well...this is sort of me...

I saw this on Tristi's blog, and figured I'd give it a try. It actually is pretty close.

You Are Deep and Insightful

When You Are Comfortable: You are very perceptive. You can see things from all sides. You don't allow your life or mind to be cluttered. People see you as spiritual and charismatic. You have interesting and unexpected insights. You advice is highly valued. When You Are At Your Best: You are quite quirky, and you enjoy doing things your own way. You are optimistic, and you've always got a good idea brewing. People find you to be positive and uplifting. You make people feel good about themselves. When You Are in a Social Setting: You are very unique and talented. You solve problems well, and you have a creative approach to life. People see you as straightforward and level headed. You can see opportunities when others only see troubles.

What Do Your Initials Say About You?

Brandon McConnell

Writing a blog sometimes takes all I've got. Coming up with new subjects for your interest is a time consuming and sometimes frustrating job. I want to present things that capture your imagination, but I don't find such things very often. Sometimes I come up with something interesting, like the Indian jewelry and sand art, which I found fascinating -- and then sometimes I find things by pure serendipity. (Although, I don't believe in coincidence.)

A friend emailed me a video of a spray painter and his one minute painting. She knew I was an artist and she thought I would find it interesting. I was grateful, because though I've seen it before, it gave me something new and different to present to you. Brandon McConnell has been able to take a medium that most of us don't understand or use for anything other than mundane tasks and turn it into an amazing art form. I've always thought that spray paint had potential, anyone who's seen the art work on the side of trains, or the second Santa Clause knows how it can be used. But Brandon's work is a whole new level.

This is the first painting I had seen. I didn't really even know his name -- an now you do.



This is the second one I came across, and I was amazed at how he produced it.



And just when you think there can't be anything more, he shows how he has developed his craft into using other items with the spray paint. Regular items that I would use in painting, and items I would use in painting my home...Kind of reminds me of Bob Ross in how he presents and makes it easy for the watcher to learn.

Some of his stuff is a little to strange for my taste, but I thought you would enjoy seeing him work and the amazing stuff he comes up with. Amazing what people can do.

YourLDSneighborhood has added exciting new things to its website. Please drop by and take a look, browse around, check out our vendors, our radio station, our authors, our musicians and more. Check out the Neighborhood.

And while you're there, subscribe to the yourLDSneighborhood Newsletter. In addition to being able to shop in the new virtual neighborhood, the newsletter brings you articles, products, services, resources and interviews from around the world-all with an LDS focus. Look for issues delivered to your email inbox every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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A Wonderful Message...

A friend of mine pointed out this video on YouTube...I knew all of you should be reminded of it again. It's a message that I hope sinks down into the heart.

Religious websites

It drives me nuts when you type something up, publish it, and then the computer wazes out so it doesn't do anywhere...
I had a post all written up and now I have to do it again. Sigh. Anyway -- due to my usual procrastination, I am running late on posting something related to the scriptures today. Fortunately, one of my visitors gave me an idea. She mentioned that they have a website that promotes getting familiar with the gospel on simple terms. I thought I'd link it here for you so you can check it out. I think it's kind of fun -- hope you like it.

Mormon Made Simple

Looks like everyone is doing their part. Have a good one!