Waiting… … … … … … …

pastel

7.5" by 7.5"

February 2015

"Wait"
Why?
"Wait!"
I don't want to.
"Wait."
I don't think i can.
"It's not ready. We need more time, for it's not ripe yet."

(silence. sigh)

ok

I'll try.

"For if you wait, you will experience all the delicious flavors that are meant to be eaten, consumed, and enjoyed.  You'll experience all the benefits of the fully ripe fruit.  I'm giving you what you want and are asking for, but you must be patient.  And wait."

*sigh*

Thank you.

*sigh* 

I trust you.
psalm 27:14  

John 15:1-17

4. Remain in me and I will remain in you. 

We will bear much fruit if we remain in Him, but waiting for that fruit to grow is sometimes more challenging to me than being pruned. I've been learning patience and perseverance, but man is that challenging. Character building and long suffering are not things I often look for in life. In fact I rather run from them.  Over and over there are stories of God's people waiting.  For like years and years, sometimes 20, 40, and hundreds.  We are still waiting for the return of Christ and that date is unknown.  I've learned that during these times of waiting we can either take things into our own hands (acting as if we are to solve them) or we can literally wait on God and let Him guide us step by step.  Human nature tends to take control over our situations, our problems, our life.  Meanwhile God is waiting for us too.  He is waiting for us to run to Him, cling to Him and seek Him.  These are not revolutionary ideas here.  They are simple.  He wants our love and He wants us to know we are loved by him.  For in those moments of being in His love we can find the ability to wait  until the fruit is ripe and at its full potential.  

Once the waiting is over and the fruit is ripe it will be more thrilling, sweet, and worth the wait for it will be ready and at its full potential.  And our trust in the Lord will only be strengthened.  

Lord, I trust you.  

It's about time...

As of lately, I've been overcoming my fear of making art (or attempting to).  It sounds silly, but it's a huge battle.  I see a talent inside me that can no longer be hidden, wasted and thrown out.  And without practicing and doing something that is exactly what will happen.  So this is my attempt to start again.  Day dreaming and criticizing other people's art is not enough, in fact it's cowardly.  It's time to make my own art, and it's terrifying.  Terrifying because I'll be exposed…

As of lately, I often forget the power and the purpose that lies within me.  I want great things to happen in my life, to go to far away places and accomplish great things that one usually finds on the pages of books.  But there is a disconnect in my heart and in my actions.  And between myself and my dreams.  I don't understand where and how to start, and how I (little ol' me?!) could do anything of value or substance.

I've come to realize it just takes one step, one measly step.  This is it.  This painting is not perfect, and it could still use a lot of fixing, but it's a step towards something.  The Lord of the universe has placed every star in the sky and He knows them by name (is that crazy or what?!).  Not only does He know the stars, but He knows me: my heart, my dreams, my desires.  He knows it all.  Its a little terrifying that He knows me so well, and yet so comforting.  With a puzzled face I continue to look towards the stars and towards our God who knows me so intimately, resting on Him to guide me and continue to keep me in His perfect plan.  I will continue to believe that is it His purpose and power that lies within me to accomplish great and wonderful things.

"But you know my name?"

acrylic

11" by 14"

Some time ago...

Awhile ago, like maybe sometime this summer Jackson Hole Art Association had an event that I participated in.  It was a silent auction where anyone and everyone could participate by creating art on a 5 in. by 5 in. canvas that they supplied.  The artist could build on it, paint it, do whatever they wanted, but the artist was to remain anonymous.  So until the person purchased your piece, they had no idea who created it.  A pretty fun idea!

I have no idea if it sold, i was unable to make it to the event, but I am really hoping that someday I will walk into someone's house and see it hanging on the wall.  And i will be tickled pink.  Here's was i created:

untitled

acrylic on canvas

5" by 5"

June 2013 (I think)

For this piece I thought of the line from John Mark McMillian's song, "If your grace is an ocean we'd all be sinking."  I could sit and dream about that for days. 

*Addition Aug 10, 2016* The best part of this story, is that I met a woman, in a yogurt shop that used to be in Jackson.  Said,

-Hi, My name is Alissa.

Hi, Alissaaaaaa, that sounds familiar.  What's your last name?

-Massey. 

Did you do a piece for Who Dunnit?

-Yes. 

I think i have your painting. 

-Get out!?!?! Really?! 

Ya, like a girl under water?

Ya!  Oh man!! How exciting!!  I always wondered if anyone got that painting! I love that painting.

            And the story continues...  What a trip.  She also mentioned that i was in the paper on the front page.  I had no idea.  We became friends and she later brought me that paper because she had saved it.  I love this story.  It is just so exciting because you just never know what happens when you put your self out there and share your talent with the world.  

Woodblock printing

This summer I had the opportunity to go to Africa with women from my church.  I am so thankful for that experience and all that took place there.  It was a powerful and awe-inspiring trip filled with the faithfulness of God.  So as a thank you to all who prayed and financially supported me I wanted to make something for them.  I chose a woodblock print because you can make a lot of the same thing and each one is still unique. 

This was my first time doing a woodblock print.  Therefore I had no idea if it would be good or not, but  I was pretty determined and had longed to do something like this for awhile.  Through these photos i can give you a general idea of how I went about such a process.  If you are looking to really do this I can either show you or I'm sure you can find a better demo on youtube.  ;)  But, if you know someone personally who has done this and are interested have them show you.  Its more fun that way.  

First step, draw it out in pencil.  I had to add white because those were actually the parts i would be cutting away.  Its backwards from just drawing on paper.  So i had to really control and think about what i was doing.  

Step 1: draw it out

Step 2: Begin cutting it away.  I used a couple different tools.  I would suggest wearing safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes.  

Step 3: Keep carving away.

Remember to make sure what you have carved away is deep enough so that it won't pick up any ink. 

Step 4:  Ink it!  Keep the ink even using a brayer.

ta da!

Step 5: Press it!!  Make sure your paper is on a hard even surface.  We put a felt cushion on the table to soften the blow.

And find a man of great strength if you do not have your own press.  I don't have enough weight to make a even or legible print.  So I had a man about 3 times my size help me out.  

Step 6: Keep pressing!  Make as many prints as you need/want.  And make sure to let them all dry and number, title and sign them.  

And here's a creepy pic of me super excited with the outcome.  

So back to the reason I did this....  as a thank you to all who supported me.  And my idea behind the piece is to remind us of Africa and our King as a lion.  My prayer for you is that your spirit will be awakened and you will "arise" to the calling He has on your life whatever that may be.  Enjoy and know how loved you truly are. 

"Arise"

Spet 2013

Oh God, Where art thou?

"Oh God, where art thou?"

pastel on paper

12" by 18"

detail

There are days where I am lost.  

Lost in myself.  

I can't look beyond; I can't feel Your presence.  Yet even when I can't feel You and am still in Your will, Your presence feels far from home.  However, You never leave my side, you never leave me at all.  You are always there shinning down on me, watching me, loving me.  I may be lost in the absence and nothingness, but where can I go from Your spirit oh Lord?

The one and only

I live in WY, enough said:

"The one and only"

pastel on paper

7" by 7"

Feb 2013

Smug

Smug

pastel on paper

7.5" by 7.5"

Feb 2013