Ordinarily Extraordinary

Be Infectious

This is good. Really good. 

Eucharisteo Art

I mentioned in this update post about my One Word 2011 that I planned to paint an art piece with my word. Last week at art lessons I began. This is the final product. I'm not a great artist, but being able to paint and create is so good for my soul and spirit. I love how this turned out. It's a little messy, imperfect, layered and exactly how I wanted it to look. I let go of all my expectations when painting this. Sometimes I'm too uptight and it shows in my paintings, but when I relax and let go that's when I love what I have painted.

Are you doing anything artsy/crafty to keep your one word for the year in focus?

My Pawpaw's Violin: A Painting

A painting of my grandfather's violin with a glimpse of my piano. The worn spot in the bottom corner where he held his chin. I need to learn to play it.

You Are Creative

You are creative. Yes you. You reading this. You are.

I have friends who think I'm creative. Sometimes I think I'm just crafty. When my tendency to compare myself to any of my creative friends or to people like Ali Edwards shows up I don't feel so creative.

But comparison is fraught with danger.

My son sometimes struggles with his attitudes and feelings about his music lessons. Music comes fairly easily for him. I'm under no delusions he'll be some famous musician. My expectations are realistic. The visual arts come do come quite easily and naturally for him and he's quite confident in those artistic abilities.

But there are days with the music he will say in frustration "I want to quit." We don't push our son into activities. I realized long ago the important role the simple act of play is in his life. He needs it to process and quiet the many thoughts and ideas running through his mind.

But music is the one area I push and encourage. It is something I believe is important. I wouldn't push him if I didn't believe he could do it. Beneath his frustrations with his music, though, lies the comparison trap.

We are blessed to have a gifted music teacher for him. But Squirt can be a perfectionist (like his mom) and at times will begin comparing his abilities to the abilities of others. This time to his teacher's abilities.

I wish I had learned this one truth as a child or teen - don't compare yourself to others. As I've talked and encouraged Squirt and helped him refocus his perspective I began thinking. How often do I compare myself to others I consider more creative? Too often if I'm honest.

We are all creative beings. Yes we are. Don't argue.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 1:1

God created. And WE are created in his image.

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." - Genesis 1: 27

Notice how many times that is repeated. If we are created in his image then we ARE creative.

I am creative. You are creative. My Squirt is creative. Even my friends who think they are not creative really are creative in some way.

I wonder if it's our almost compulsive need to compare ourselves to others that stifles our creativity. God didn't create us all alike did he? We'd look like robots if he did. So why do we expect our creativity to look like the creativity of someone else?

If we think about the people considered most creative in history I believe they all have one thing in common: they didn't compare themselves to others. They weren't afraid to be who God created them to be and leave the thoughts of others behind.

So as I encourage my Squirt not to compare himself God is teaching me the same and that yes I am creative. In my own way I am.

And guess what?

So. Are. You.

Art by Squirt

Just wanted to share some of Squirt's latest art pieces.

This one is a charcoal sketch of our dog.

These last two are oil pastels he did of landscapes.

Latest Art Piece

Thanks for looking!

My Latest Painting

Art on the Lake at Children's Harbor

I love living in a town that emphasizes art. We have an art colony that I plan to feature in the Fall. The art colony also sponsors a kid's art camp during the summer which my son has enjoyed. Our local art show each Spring features everything from our local professional artists to hobbyists to children's art.

One of my favorite events of the year promotes art, but also helps a wonderful organization. It's called  Art on the Lake.

Art on the Lake brings the works of over 30 artists to Children's Harbor along the shore Lake Martin. There are activities for children as well as live music. Not only is fine art on display and for sale, but other art such as jewelry and many other things are also.

The great thing about Art on the Lake? The artists and vendors donate a percentage of their sales to Children's Harbor.

This year's Art on the Lake is Saturday, May 29, 2010 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Children's Chapel on the campus of Children's Harbor.

If you are near the area stop by and check it out.

What events in your area of Alabama promote the arts or combine arts with a great cause?

Project Life: May 10 - 16, 2010

If your new to my blog Project Life is my photo-a-day project. Visit Jessica Turner's blog for more links to other Project Life blogs each Tuesday.  

Monday, May 10, 2010 - I started a new painting. Just experimenting and I've already changed it up a bit since I painting this. Planning to work on it some more this week.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - Enjoyed a paint party with some friends where we painted this cross painting.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - Just a quick snapshot of my sweet Squirt before church.

Thursday, May 13, 2010 - I bought this Rock City birdhouse when we went to Chatanooga during Spring Break. It may be a bit kitchsy, but I couldn't resist. I finally bought a shepherd's hook to hang it on at the edge of the yard.

Friday, March 14, 2010 - The sun was so amazing shining behind the cloudy sky.

Saturday, May 15, 2010 - My summer reading stack.

Sunday, May 16, 2010 - Hanging the hummingbird feeders up. Looking forward to my little visitors.

Uncle Pink's Cabin

Do you remember this post about my great-great uncle?

Well, I went back through some photos I'd taken of his cabin right after he died and found one to paint. At first I couldn't decide if I would paint it or if Squirt would In the end my Squirt painted an oil pastel of it. We gave it to my mom for Mother's Day. He's already told her she has to get it framed and he has to borrow it back next year to enter in our local art show. I think this is one of the best ones he's ever done.