Star Light, Star Bright by Susan L.

  This is definitely not the image in mind I started out with. It just sort of evolved, guided by the way the paint was applied to the 18" x 24" board.
  Thanks go to a couple of artists. One of who painted a similar image at the Battle of the Brushes although in a style all their own. The other was in my art group. They painted a dot for a star then later added a small circular wash around it, daubed it with a cloth and voila, a glowing star.
  I am very pleased with it.
  I've also started doing the garden scene. This time on a canvas. I don't like canvas as much. The paint takes way longer to dry. I'm also not happy with the beginning. It may mean starting again with the seeds of yet another idea.
  Thank You, Lord, for Your inspiration.
  The painting is giving me a nice distraction for the pain in my back. Standing at the drafting table for a bit between paint drying rests is probably helping me not get too seized up. It's much better today, thanks to an easy day yesterday.
  And this is just about all the sitting I can handle.
  As an aside, it won't be much longer before I've no more walls to hang art from. These paintings represent an evolution in confidence and ability. There is a story behind them, a gratitude tale. It would be very difficult to sell them. The fact that I am sharing these initial images with the world...to God be the glory! He's the one who has guided and grown me to this wonderful place!
  "There is gold and a multitude of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel." Prov 20:15
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ouch! by Susan L.

  Nothing says "STOP!" like a wounded back. I could feel it growing tender while mowing the grass on Friday. Yesterday I spent some time installing a drop leaf extension to the shelf that serves as a painting work station. There is a need for more space for painting tools while working. The bending, leaning, pushing, and installing hardware did me in. So today, I am crippled with muscle pain and spasms. Even lifting my coffee cup causes a flowering of muscle pain bursts.
  I still managed to do the painting mentioned yesterday. Sitting isn't a problem. It ended up not being the garden scene envisioned yesterday but a smaller version of the one done for my friend. I am pleased with it but have a different idea bubbling to the surface. Working on it today just might be a much needed distraction.
  Or not. Bed sounds good too.
  Or both. A bit of painting, a rest, and repeat. A good way to spend a rainy Sunday.
  Pray for a rapid healing!
  "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me." Ps 138:7

Get Painting by Susan L.

  I have decided to do a painting similar to the one that was produced for the Battle of the Brushes; the one with the garden and rose trellis in the background. This one's for me. My mom gave me these beautiful three dimensional china flowers in frames a while back. They are a favorite family keepsake that have been around as long as I have. They would nicely compliment a garden picture.
  My plan is to take a bit more time with it and add some detail to the garden besides blots of colour. Don't get me wrong, I like blots and blots will be a huge part of the piece. I like the impressionistic look that is so quick and easy to achieve with sponges. It's just, well, to step it up a notch and stretch the creative muscles. If it doesn't work, it can always be painted over.
  I've spent the week doing visual research outside and on the internet. Flowers and colours, trellis ideas, patio stones...studying how the light affects the different surfaces, studying how the shadows fall in the trees and greenery of my own garden. It's all in the seeing and taking mental snapshots.
  And the old hymn, "In the Garden", is my inspiration.
  I've been doing some thinking about all of this. In the beginning of my walk with the Lord, He called me to the drafting table. Art has been fundamental to my recovery as I've shared before. Now I am wondering if it might be a way to support myself or at least supplement my income. The age has come where retirement isn't that far off and the thought of living on government old age security because I've no other pensions is a grim future.
  Hmmm...is that a goal?
  I offer it up to You, Lord. You know how scary goals are for me. If this is Your plan for my life, help me grow as an artist and a business person. Don't let production devour the creativity. In Jesus' Name, Amen!
  "Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." Ps 50:14-15
 
 

Mown Grass by Susan L.

  I spent several hours raking mown grass earlier this week. It was surprising how much the sweet fragrance triggered an emotional response. Memories of the hay field and the hard, hot and heavy work rose up unwanted. The anxiety and old worries swept over me. The echoes and rocking motion ghosts of the old hay baler...ka-thunk, ka-thunk...were as loud as if I was once again sitting on the old tractor.
  I look/felt a myriad of memories that was a bit like flicking though a bunch of old photos.
  Then the work retreat was at my co-workers house. Looking into the valley behind her place was like looking into the past. The farm where I used to live is in plain sight. The view was bittersweet.
  Lord, help me forgive what needs to be forgiven. In writing about it this time, I realize there's a lot of emotional trauma surrounding hay season.
  My ex was dangerous around the equipment. He took chances that could have gotten himself or somebody else killed. My warnings and cautions fell on deaf ears. Not surprising. My voice had been lost long before. Lord, You spared him. May he find his destiny in You. I choose to forgive him.
  Getting the equipment ready fell on my shoulders as did most of the farm work. Forgive me for being an enabler, for being so willing to look after the responsibilities of livestock and the grease gun.
  But most of all, Lord, help me forgive him for not being there the last year we did hay. Help me forgive him for setting his priorities on another while I shouldered the responsibility of running the farm, while I drove a truck that was held together with duck tape and a song. Help me forgive him for the huge amount of money he spent on his folly when the jeans I chose to wear were nothing but frayed rags. Forgive me for not feeling I deserved better.
  Help me, Lord, choose to forgive him for his deceptions.
  And that's enough of that for today. It's tough.
  Lord, fill me with Your grace and peace for the day. In Jesus' name I pray.
  "The Lord roars from Zion, and utters His voice from Jerusalem; The pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers." Amos 1:2
 
 

All About Work by Susan L.

  Work had its staff retreat yesterday. It was a combination work/socializing opportunity. We spent most of the morning working on job descriptions then shared what we had written. It was a great way to learn what others did. The Krasman Centre has a large umbrella with various positions outside of the centre itself and people working in the role of peer support worker.
  There is a Peer Navigator at the Newmarket hospital whose role is to connect with people who come to the ER with mental health challenges. They can act as an advocate if requested. It's a big role that involves working with hospital staff and families. They also visit in-patients and do follow up with people once they leave the hospital. It's an important role as well. I know from first hand experience what it is to be discharged and forgotten. Studies have shown that Peer Navigators save money for the health care system but more importantly, they save lives. Most suicides take place two weeks after discharge. Simply having someone call to see how you are doing is a blessing.
  Another external role is the WRAP Hub Co-ordinator. Their job is to organize WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) and FWRAP (WRAP for families) locations and fill them with participants throughout the greater Toronto area. Which goes as far north as us. They have a number of facilitators to draw from depending on the location of the group.
  There's a family support worker in Richmond Hill. It is for family members who are impacted by a loved one's challenges. There is a peer group for them as well as the opportunity for personal support. This staff also works the drop-in.
 When I hear all what the organization I work for does in the community, it makes me glad I am a small part of it.
  Our Executive Director shared her role as did others who are more involved with the administrative end of the business. As for drop-in workers, our role covers everything from housekeeping and maintenance to running groups to making sure the centre is a safe and respectful environment. My speciality is facilitating creative workshops.
  It's wonderful working in a place that is a strength based and growth encouraging environment.
  "But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the thins which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you." Acts 26:16
 
 
 

Mini Vacation by Susan L.

  H and I went for a drive yesterday then came back here for a barbeque supper. As I made potato salad for today's staff retreat, we chatted about our upcoming camping trip to Algonquin Park. It stirred up a lot of excitement... I can't wait!
  An all day staff retreat is being held at my co-worker's house. It's the one near where I used to live and did housekeeping for. Thankfully, the day looks like it's going to be absolutely lovely. We're going to spend some time putting together official job descriptions as part of the process to receive accreditation. The rest of the day will be spent just hanging around. Which is nice. We don't often get the opportunity to spend social time with the staff from the Richmond Hill Krasman centre.
  Tonight is my Bible study supper. I'm taking desert. Fresh fruit and, in keeping with my own love of sweets, an optional chocolate sauce for dipping. Mmmmm.
  By the end of the day, it'll feel like I've been on holiday for two days.
  As an aside, my artist's eye is on overdrive right now. I find myself spending time looking at light; how the sun looks when it touches trees and grass, and flowers. It's amazing how many colours are in a single clump of leaves. I just might take a small sketchbook today. It never hurts and I've another painting simmering in the works. In all skills, there's always room for growth. Not only that, there's something calming about taking the time to stop and smell the roses.
  "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Ps 84:11
 
 
 
 

Thundery Rumbly by Susan L.

  The sky has just turned dark as dusk. The rain is falling in a solid curtain. I guess it's a tattered remnant of the storms that blew through starting yesterday evening. The heavens were lit up as flash after flash of lightening pierced the sky. The thunder snarled and crackled throughout most of the night. It startled me awake up a couple of times when it was really loud and close.
    Pumpkin hid under the bed. There were a couple of thunder booms that made me feel like I should have joined him! I don't like thunderstorms either.
  The power occasionally flickered but thankfully didn't go out for any length of time. Standing in the pouring rain in the middle of the night while lightening snaps and flashes just to get my generator hooked up to my sump pump isn't my idea of fun. And I'd have to do it, the water rushing into the pump pit downstairs sounds like Niagara Falls! There would only be minutes before the water begins to creep over the basement floor. It makes me glad I got the generator out last weekend and ran it for a while to make sure it was still operational.
  Which reminds me, I should check out the back up pump to make sure it's working, too.
  I also need to fiddle around with the shed door. It blew open despite being locked. I think it's too far from the frame so the latch doesn't sit deep enough in its little hole. Easy enough fixed. It only needs a thin piece of something to hold the metal catch plate away from the frame and closer to the door. I figure the wood has shrunk a bit because this wasn't a problem when it was installed.
  Thank You, Lord, that I have shelter from the storms. Thank You, I have the skills and tools to look after life's little repairs. Thank You, because this gratitude extends far beyond open doors and running waters. Amen to that!
  "The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet." Nah 1:3