Sketchbook

A sketch from a not-so-interesting class.

Mint Crush

When I was freshman in college, I was asked to the Junior/Senior banquet by a senior. The dress I chose to wear was a beautiful, handmade, mint green color. I've long outgrown the dress and was bummed for the past few years that mint green was in short supply. Imagine my excitement when mint green/seafoam began popping up all over as a popular color for spring! I can't get enough of it.

1. Lodekka | 2. Lonkoosh | 3. OliveMama | 4. BialaKura
5. Ets Place | 6. Soul Sister Soaps | 7. Kates Cottage

Recent Etsy Finds

I have a confession to make.

I am obsessed with Etsy.

The first step in overcoming a problem is admitting that you have a problem, right? :)

After scouring stores for a "statement" pearl necklace, I finally found this one. It's exactly what I was looking for, and it coordinates with so many of my pieces. It adds the extra pizzazz that "makes" an outfit. Plus, pearls are classy and dress up just about any outfit.

I LOVE the ribbon, especially when I wear my hair up so that the bow is visible.

From BazineDezine

Every girl needs a flowery dress for spring! I fell in love with this dress at first sight. I was a bit hesitant about buying clothing (especially handmade clothing) online, but it fits great and is of very good quality. It's still a bit "summery" for me to wear now, but I can't wait to showcase it for the first time in public. :)

From Lovely Melody Clothing

Have you had any awesome finds lately? :)

Sunday Afternoon Painting

The sun is shining, windows are open, and I'm wearing my favorite tank top. Spring is here and I couldn't think of a better way to spend the afternoon than painting in my sunlit studio. :)

Before photo:

After photo:

There's just something about the sunshine that makes me motivated to be creative. :) What does a sunny day typically motivate you to do?

Joy in the Mundane

"Hi, how are you?"

"Good. How are you?"

"I'm having a great time, thanks for asking."

The postal worker replied with such enthusiasm that I couldn't resist retracing my steps to the seminary's post office window. A small campus has its arbitrary "how are you" greeting, but this exuberant response? Especially from the UPS man?

The man explained that he tried to enjoy his job, even when he woke up in the morning and monotonously delivering packages was the last thing on his wish list. "See, you can either go through life complaining about all the things you dislike, or you can find happiness in even the mundane. Life is what you make of it."

Since then, I've seen the UPS man delivering packages down my street on two more occasions. He smiles and waves, and I'm convinced that the joy he has is genuine.

I have to suppress the urge to cheer him on as he places boxes on my neighbor's door. His joy is contagious.

I have great difficulty in finding joy in the "mundane." I'm currently taking two different Hebrew language classes, and the overexposure to textual criticism has been enough to pull my hair out. I work as a student office assistant and am incessantly given mountains of papers to file, none of which will ever be referred back to. I'm often tempted to dump them in the trash, where they won't be missed. I am joyless. I am not joyful enough to exult in monotony. "But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony," G.K. Chesterton writes. Children say "do it again," but we adults grow weary. He continues:

"It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be absolute necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we."

(Orthodoxy, 1943).

I want to learn how to approach life with the same kind of hopeful expectation that God can bring joy from the mundane.

Be filled with joy to the point of overflowing, so that every person you encounter has to retrace their steps to hear more.

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This post has been adapted from my theology blog. To read similar posts, visit: http://crucifiedcondios.blogspot.com

Creativity

These past two months I've been an artistic rut. Everytime I've sat down to create something, it turned into a disaster. I have probably about 4 canvases that need to be painted over so I can try again. Needless to say, it's been frustrating.

This video from TED spoke to me today. What a very unique way to think about the creative process! I would emphatically say, though, that the "genius" that Gilbert talks about is God. It blows me away to think that I can somehow connect with the Creator when I make art. My artistic endeavors are just feeble attempts at mimicking what God has already created.

With this fresh perspective on creativity, I finally sat down an finished a painting I am proud of. :)

What do you do when you are in a creative rut?

Spring Color Swatches

Spring has been on my mind. I've been experimenting with a bunch of different fresh color tones in my artwork, a few of which will hopefully be making their debut here soon. Here's some of my inspiration.

All images are from Design Seeds.

Finding Joy

Little things this week that brought me a little joy. :)

New shoes. I rarely rarely buy anything that is full price (I'm a clearance/thrift store girl) but these instantly won my affections. It's nice to "splurge" every once in a while.

Hebrew has been taking over my life! I have vocabulary flashcards ALL over the house. I memorize about 250 words/week (!). Yesterday, I even found a flashcard in my shoe. :)

And finally, an art journal I've been carrying around with me. It was super handy for the intensive class I had last weekend.

Catching Up...

An intensive class covering Hebrew grammar has left me playing "catch up." I have all of these creative ideas in my head, but feel way to swamped to take the time to paint them out on canvas, let alone experiment with some new styles. Here are a few quick pieces that did give me a breather from the stresses of schoolwork this past month:

"The Great Summer Escape"

"Lexington"

"Longing for a Friend"

All of these are available for sale in my Etsy shop.

Portrait Painting

A friend requested a custom portrait as a surprise for his wife. What a creative anniversary gift!

I couldn't have asked for a better composition to paint from. :)