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Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 5:42)
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ART MEMORIES - STORYTELLING
 BEFORE PHOTO EXPLORING (process of becoming): I started by using a recycled library index card as my substrate. I then machine-sewed the Kantha fabric that was gifted to me by Gae. I did some slow hand stitching using DMC white thread using satin stitches to bring out the essence of the softness of the bloom of the flower. I love using the fullness of 6 strands to fill space and create a "lifted" illusion of the stitch markings. It makes the light play nicely with the image of the print fabric and the threads sewn above the surface. I used a remnant of some print fabric pattern on velvet to create the bottom, soil section. I love the echoing quilt marks that flow throughout the piece. I believe I'm getting a flow to this series. The binding was done using quilt fabric.  Close-up of satin stitches and the Kantha fabric.   |
ENJOYING (spiritual wellness): What I've learned through today's creative exploration, and mark-making, inspired by the Word (Acts 5:42) is that my spiritual care and creative growth require my ability to share the truths of God in LOVE. Sharing love is a complicated and serious business. It requires agape love. You might ask, "what is agape love? One important aspect of agape love is that it extends beyond emotions. It's much more than a feeling or sentiment. Agape love is active. It demonstrates love through actions. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
My artwork is an extension of my person. The mark-making of drawing, sewing, cutting, pasting, etc... are expressions of my faith in action. My faith is what sustains me with the hope to wake up every day with the expectation that I serve a purpose. God created everyone with different gifts and talents. I was created to share my gifts for the visual arts with others. It is my love and passion to share my joy of creation - whether through my reupholstery services, my healing arts workshops, or the handmade items I create, my artwork. You might ask "But how do I know what I was created for?" Well, talk to God about it. Pray to God asking him to reveal to you, and make you aware of the gifts and talents he has provided you. Journaling and listing PROs and CONs of things you like to do is a good way to document what actions you have participated in. Reflect back on the marks God has guided you through. Perhaps your mark-making experiences were not through painting or drawing, maybe it was through gardening, cooking, cleaning your home, teaching your kids, or even taking a walk in your neighborhood. Every day we all make a mark with every action we choose. Now, are we aware of the marks we are making? Are we consciously thinking and praying to God for our marks to be rooted in him? Are we living to keep talking about Jesus? To share that agape love? I am honored to be a children's ministry teacher at my church and when we speak about agape love and talk about Jesus the best and simplest example I can give them is to SMILE. Speaking the truth in LOVE does require actions but the actions don't have to be supernatural (unless God provides it). Agape love means you smile at a stranger and keep smiling, even if the stranger does not smile back. My artwork is how I SMILE at the world. Agape love as an artist means I create beauty for beauty's sake. Because my artwork will not be understood or be found favorable by all people. Just because I don't become a wealthy, famous artist by the measurements of mainstream society does not mean that I am not an artist or that my artwork is not valuable. Whenever doubts come to my mind I think to myself "what is your motivation?". The Holy Spirit of God dwelling inside my heart speaks to me, and I listen, as it clearly states "to share the JOY OF CREATION". To create to keep talking about Jesus! I pray over everything I make because when I create I am participating in visual prayer. God and I work together in every masterpiece I create. That's the agape love that I choose to live in. To love God first and put him before anything else, so my mark-makings, my expressions of faith actions speak of his love. Loving others comes through our commitment to love God first. ~ Blessings, Sandra Reflect & Pray_________________________________ JOURNAL: If you’ve ever been told to stop talking about Jesus, what was your response? What are some ways you can tell others about Him? PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for the example of the apostles and others who were bold witnesses for You. Please give me the courage to follow their lead. _______(CHANGEMAKERS)_______ |
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