Merry Christmas

It's my privilege to write, my privilege to blog. Sometimes I really enjoy it, sometimes it's a pain. This week it's crazy, next week is insane, but that's life and you roll with it.

The world of art is a large and many varied thing -- many colors, many moods, many views. I'm sure I only cover a small percentage of what is out there and called art, but I do my best. I hope you enjoy my thoughts and reflections on the subject.

Today's blog is going to be read on Christmas day (that's if anyone goes online and reads blogs on Christmas day...there's so many other things to do) and so I felt that it was time to reflect and to send my wishes out over the internet across the computers of the world. (That's to the whole 5 who consistently read my blog...grin)

There's a lovely song out called My Grown up Christmas Wish. Since I don't really remember writing Santa or having Christmas wishes when I was a child, I figure it's okay for me to have them as an adult. The song's lyrics are much more altruistic than my thoughts -- but bear with me.

My first wish is that there was enough money for everyone. Enough money so I could finish remodeling my house and be out of debt -- for all my family, neighbors and friends to be out of debt. For there to be no homeless -- no one loosing their homes...

My second wish would be that there could be peace. Peace between family members, neighbors, opposite political views, nations and countries. We all inhabit this planet and all depend on it's resources -- you'd think we could stop being spoiled and greedy and get along. But then, I don't think most of us are mature enough. Grin.

My third wish would be that we could all celebrate Christmas in a wonderful magical way. Sometimes Christmas is an exciting time, full of magic and lights and joy. Sometimes it's cluttered with lists and responsibilities and obligations that sap the joy out. I would wish for you to have the Christmas you dream of.

For me, that would be my house is clean and decorated, my children are healthy and home, we have just the right amount of presents for everyone, and they all LIKE them. We have loads of food, (I cook it all the day before or spread out during the day) what everyone likes, and enough to share. And I would have guests...people who want to come to my house to share in our joy and love. sigh.

That would be my perfect Christmas.

And the highlight of our Christmas, is the reading of the birth of our Savior. The chapters in Mark and Luke that give us the information of how wonderful our Lord was to come to earth for us in such humble circumstances. The willingness of his young mother to go through this experience.

I share my testimony with you this day -- I know my Savior lives. I know He was born and lived and died for me and for you. I know He loves me with an eternal, all encompassing love that never changes, doesn't depend on my actions, and is long suffering for all my sins. He shows me this every day of my life.

Thank you for sharing your day with me. I wish you the best and most wonderful Christmas ever.



Hark the Herald Angels Sing....Glory to the newborn KING.


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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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