Today, like any other day, i had to force myself to slow down. Having a day that is quiet, all to myself is rare always, so of course my  crazy brain wants to fill it....laundry, cleaning, do!do!do!
I actually DID have to prepare a bit for the 4th grade  art class at the little elementary school here in Monserrath. I have painted with the 5th and 6th grades and 4th is next. Slowly I am trying to introduce the idea of slowing down and taking time to create, so if I can't do this, how can I teach it? So anyway, after a 30 minute prep time, i did pause...i started back on some unfinished oil paintings. I finished a painting in inks for a friend. And as I listened to classical music, i felt myself breathe..... and slow down. And hear and see and smell my day.
Art continues to reveal to me the great mystery of God...

   

He Leads me Beside Still Waters....for Reyna

             a new heart begun....

The 5th graders at Escuelita Monserrath! So happy that I was able to inspire them!

Ok, Apparently blogs aren't dead as my son recently chastised me for not keeping things up to date. Oh dear! So here goes....the last year or so in a few sentences:
We moved. To a land far, far away where the mangos fall on roofs and sometimes the earth sways....you get the pic. Nicaragua is now our official home, and Flowery Branch is a joyful memory of the past.

My hope is that the new family loves this place as much as we did!
In the meantime, I have been busy doing fun stuff....like burpees and tire pulls at the Suttons! And painting murals whenever I see a free wall that is silently begging me to cover it with paint. I did do a massive mural [75 feet by 7 feet] with friends in La Chuscada...

And I have set up a studio in the little barrio of Monserrath and paint here. Lately I am stuck on hearts. Not the cute Valentine card ones, but real anatomical hearts.....filled with the allegory of what is in the hearts of those I see around me[ it is odd how easy it is for people to change their clothes, and their facial expression, but their hearts...well they tend to be crystal clear to me]

So with out further ado, here are a few pieces I have from The Heart of the Matter series...if I watch you long enough, I will paint yours.

#1 Hope Springs in Me

#2 My Cold Heart Still Burns for You

#3 Unfurling, I grow

So thank you Robert Bland for encouraging me.... will try to be a better blogger. I had no idea that anyone was even reading these!

More to come....