May142020

Pursuing Peace with the Power of the Pause

It has been said of the time we are in, and I agree, that we are all in the same storm, but not in the same boat. It is a storm none of us have faced before. Our polarization only adds to the problems, causing the divide to widen. Fear and faith struggle for control, and we choose. Our experiences are different and are expressed in different ways. The right answer may be different for different people in different places and at different times. What to do?

May92020

Drawing Daily Calendar Inspiration

As I was making my monthly calendar page, I was reminded how each day and how we live it is still important.

In our Living Your Word of the Year facebook group, Bernice put out a challenge that seems just right for this month. As usual, I’m adjusting it to my own liking, and am finding comfort in the simplicity and the daily exercise of looking back on the day, and responding with a simple symbol, drawing or words.

Apr122020

He is Risen Indeed! Living in the power of His love

Today as I took some time to consider the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, I picked up a book that reminded me of the treasure it holds inside: Celtic Daily Prayer, Prayers & Readings from the Northumbria Community. The words through the Spirit infused sweet words into my soul, which is much needed right now. We have a house full during this quarantine, and being an introvert and needing quiet time to go deep has been hard to find and I feel frayed around the edges.

Apr82020

Quarantine – A different Passover and Good Friday

What on Earth is going on?

Here we are, currently in worldwide quarantine during this Holy week. It seems like there are too many things happening together to be just coincidence. What does it all mean? I’ve been wondering…

This year Jewish Passover is different. It involves a quarantine of people staying in their homes for safety. I haven’t heard of that happening since the original Passover 3000 years ago, when the Angel of the Lord passed over the homes of those who had applied the blood of a lamb over their doorway as God commanded, so death would pass by, and their first born children would be spared. This marked the beginning of the first Passover, the deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, which ended 8 days later in the crossing of the Red Sea.

… How am I to respond?
Here are some things I’m doing this week…

Mar272020

Having Peace & Purposeful Perception

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee,
because he trusted in Thee.”
~ Isaiah 26:3 KJV

That verse hangs on the wall directly across from my bed. The picture (not shown due to copyright) is an original illumination, given to us as a wedding gift over 40 years ago. At the most difficult of times, I would look and say that verse over and over until it sunk into my heart.

The amplified classic version gives more insight into what that means: Isaiah 26:3, saying of God:
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind
[both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You,
because he commits himself to You, leans on You,
and hopes confidently in You.

Mar202020

Our Words Carry Power ~ Acrostic Poem

The people I’ve talked with and stories I’m reading on social media are encouraging and empowering. There are also the opposite harsh messages. In art terms, they provide contrast, but also brings sadness. I’m not denying or minimizing the difficulties we are facing in the world, but I believe we have power and what we say actually can create good or ill in the spirit realm. Making Art with meaning is important to me, and art reflects life. Make an acrostic poem with meaning.

Mar152020

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in these strange times

The story of St. Patrick, Celtic Christianity and the hymn ‘Be Thou my Vision’ have captivated me and sparked my imagination to create this online course showing easy ways to draw Celtic knots and illumination while going on a spiritual journey through the hymn ‘Be Thou my Vision.” Celebrate with an online retreat ‘Keys to Drawing Celtic Knots & illumination.’ Early bird special price through St. Patrick’s Day (March 17, 2020) Also link to Free Book of Kells course.

Mar132020

The Story & Relevancy of Keys to Celtic Knots E-Course

Obviously I planned the Keys to drawing Celtic Knots & Illumination course to be offered as we Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. What I didn’t expect is for it to coincide with the pandemic of the corona virus, limiting our in-person interactions and activities. An online course makes sense and can give some personal interaction around some common ground. If you’re like me, it helps the stress level to do something creative and rhythmic with my hands, and the spiritual encouragement helps keep my thinking positive and fosters emotional well-being.

Feb142020

Adding Visual Design to a Word of the Year

One of the ways to focus on and contemplate my word of the year is through visually designing the word itself. If you aren’t interested in doing that, you can always look for a font on your computer and print out your word in the font, adding color, definitions, quotes, symbols etc.

Each year I dedicate a page to this in the journal used for everyday things, but you can also post it where you can see it each day.

Jan312020

Living with Intention that leads to action

Merriam-Webster defines intention as:
“a determination to act in a certain way, of Import, significance.” 

How can I be intentional in how I choose to live my life?
One way is to make intentions based on a Word focus for the year.

My word SPIRIT is quite broad. Putting my intentions in a journal helps me integrate my word into my day to day life. The process of making an intentions page reminds me of what is important about my Word for this year, and in living life.

Jan242020

Dare to Dream with Courageous Action

After I realized fear of failing was keeping me from hearing God clearly and taking positive action, I found the inspiration and motivation I needed. This post shares what I found. I am already stepping out with more confidence and intentional action.

Jan172020

How to Make a Mind Map

Only a week into the new year and decade and I was feeling overwhelmed. Not good. Numerous ‘opportunities’ were coming my way in addition to the already scheduled commitments and events on my calendar. As I wondered what to do, and not do, confusion started swirling in my head. My thoughts were not linear so I decided to do a mind map. This post shows the process I went through and three easy steps to make your own mind map.

Jan102020

How to do a Word Study

Whether you are researching your Word of the year or any word, these online research steps can help you grow in understanding of your word. In this post there is listed step-by-step process to explore the meaning of a word and find Scripture and quotes to add to the meaning. Examples of visually expressing words are also given.

Jan22020

NEW Celtic Stencils & 4 videos to jumpstart your creativity

Introducing four new Celtic stencils inspired by Celtic illuminated manuscripts. Spark your creativity with four videos and inspiring examples.See what you can do to make a bullet journal come alive with using stenciled letters that don’t look like stencils, and beautiful Spiral and tile patterns. Use a Gel Press to print shimmery papers with metallic Pan Pastels and acrylic paints.

Dec252019

A Gift of Peace ~ Shalom Prayer

The beautiful guiding prayer of The Maranatha Community has been read and heard by millions worldwide. It has helped transform my thinking and used to bring about inner healing. In this post I’ve use the sound-track from the original Shalom CD (with permission) to overlay it onto my original artwork to create this video rendition.

Oct232019

Vision – Valor – Victory ~ V in A-Z Word of the Year Challenge

V in the A-Z Word of the Year Challenge I was almost asleep one night recently when a phrase floated across my mind and I knew it spoke truth and asked to be written down. So I pulled myself out of bed and went to my journal to write: “Vision with Valor lead to Victory.” This got me thinking of what this means to me personally. I went to the first A-Z journal I did with Bernice Hopper’s challenge back in 2013. Here is my V for Vision for that: Vision is a key word for me right now, and… Read More

Oct142019

Open Studio Tour & 2020 Studio Workshops!

Once again I’m participating in this studio tour in Oregon’s Washington County. It is a great community event, FUN, FREE, & INSPIRATIONAL! This weekend October 19-20, 2019 between 11am – 5 pm. Stenciling Demos and introducing new Studio Workshops for 2020! I hope to see you in the studio. Cheers!

Oct32019

How to Paint Birds, Eggs, Feathers & Nest E-Course

There is something special about birds – full of wonder, flight, freedom… An egg is a symbol of hope and possibility. Feathers speak of spirituality, and nests of the nurturing comfort of home. There is also something special about being able to paint these as symbols of our personal story.

Do you want to improve your painting skill while celebrating the wonder of birds? In this course you can! There are 7 step-by-step video lessons with bird themes of eggs, birds, feathers, and nests. Have fun and learn how to paint realistically and expressively with acrylics on a variety of surfaces and backgrounds: watercolor sheet/journal, wood board or canvas, sheet music (thin paper.)

Sep262019

Growth & Change – It’s a Good Thing

It’s been nearly nine years since I began blogging and six years since teaching my first online course. So much has happened since then. First I want to thank you for participating with me on the journey. If you are reading this, you either took the time to open an email or visit my blog, and I appreciate that. I hope to continue to offer inspirational content and hear from you too. It’s time for new ideas and new teaching and learning.

In fact, if you would respond to a few questions I would love to know what you think and what inspires you. You can respond to this in the comment section of my blog or if you are receiving the blog updates you can respond to the email.

What would you like me to address on my blog?
What would you like to learn from me in an online course?
What in-person workshop would you enjoy taking?
In general, what inspires your creativity?
Is there any other thoughts you would like to share?

Sep232019

Living Time Now – T in A-Z Challenge

“We live in the past of the future,” I heard Jonathan Cahn say. So I am choosing to make today count like a time traveler! It’s like I am actually able to go back in time and change the trajectory of my future. If I were looking back from tomorrow or next year, that is exactly what coming back to this moment would be like.

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