A Funny Thing Happened at The Servo

For a couple of months now there has been a group of community members who have been cleaning up a local eyesore to make it into a place of inspiration and creativity. Last month another community artist and myself started painting some murals on one half of the servo walls.

However, a wonderful volunteer with a spray gun got very enthusiastic when they were asked to paint the other half of the servo and ended up painting over our started murals.

Oops!!!

My response is “That’s okay, I can do it again. There’s plenty more from where that came from”

And that has got me thinking. It doesn’t matter how many times my work gets painted over or lost as there is always an abundance of where it came from. I guess the world can attempt to white wash me or quieten me down, however it won’t work completely as while there is creativity there will always be something to express.

It then occurred to me that I am indeed a very rich and wealthy person as I have an abundance of ideas that makes me have an interesting life. I have to say that my results are not the most important part for me, as the act of creativity is what gets my buttons pushed to excitement.

I’ll finish with this little thought and by saying so I hope that I can inspire a would be artist to just get started and give it a  go!!!!

 I am a prolific artist and work with the premise that I do 90% rubbish to get to the 10% genius.

Revelation Jesus!!

 

This is an artistic interpretation that I painted of Jesus Christ featured in the book of Revelation. It’s an image that I had thought about for a long time and after much pondering and prayer I gave it a go. When I was doing my research into Revelation I was mightily blessed as it says in the word “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. – Rev 1:3”

I started with many preliminary sketches first, as it is a common artistic practice of mine to do. So therefore armed with sketches and scriptures I embarked upon my mission to paint Jesus in the sky. It was a joy to paint and a blessing to research.

Celebrating my 100th post!!!!

To make to my 100th post really makes me feel quite chuffed as it shows me that this blogging thing isn’t just a fad but now part of my regular doing of life.

I love the process of writing and always have. Years ago I was a part of a writer’s group where we met weekly, had homework, did  on the spot writing and had to read our words out to receive feedback. Although I don’t go to that writing group anymore, I feel through blogging it gives me that same type of satisfaction.

I love taking my journal to any cafe to commence with writing down my thoughts. I miss painting and it has been put on hold for a little bit so blogging has been very important part of my creative process. When I was describing to a fellow painter friend about my lack of painting production he very wisely answered with this “Tamar what is drawing or painting? it is an activity where you put a selection of lines together to create an image that is seen with the eye! now what is writing? An activity where you put a selection of lines together to create an image that is seen with the mind”

I thought his response was genius and I am always thinking about that statement whenever I’m being creative of some sort. It really doesn’t matter what medium you use to express your self, just as long as you do.

Celebrating Suburbia

Suburbia and it’s images evoke such deep emotions in me. I paint suburbia, take photo’s of it, for goodness sake I even blog about it. Has it to do with where I grew up? As I  walked out my front door and everywhere I went I was confronted with such scenes.

There is a certain nostalgia that creeps in that makes me think of my childhood that was well and truly marinated in most exciting decade ever, the 70’s. When I was a kid you played with the neighbourhood kids and came home when the street lights came on. I remember all us cousins in the back of my Aunty’s station wagon singing ABBA songs at the top of our lungs. and when I say back, I mean back- back without any seat belts on.

I then wonder, was life more simple then or when  nostalgia strikes does it block out the nasties? I ponder this a lot as I’m calving through my 30’s almost reaching 40. I don’t really care about getting old as I still feel quite young. I think that as a child, images stay with you in such a strong way that they are not easily shaken.

So rather than question it I’m just going with it. I will indulge this need to capture suburban images for as long as I so feel the need to do so. I will allow my childhood memories to fuel my creativity, which hopefully produces emotive works of art.

Technology driven by creativity!!

I haven’t picked up a paint brush for months and I kind of feel slightly guilty. Painting is my primary medium of expression and playing with paint has always given me joy. So, what has happened that I seem to have neglected my preferred medium, what activity has seduced me away from my traditional form of expression?? Never would I have imagined such a thing to captivate my attention like it has for the past couple of months.

I’m talking about technology!!! People, I’m in shock! I got an iphone and I haven’t looked back. I’ve been playing around with Instagram and can’t seem to stop. Back in 1991 I majored in photography and became very frustrated by it and in fact always felt that I should have chosen painting instead.

As a prolific painter when I gave birth to my Son it became difficult to paint so I went back to TAFE and indeed redid my Major. However since finishing that and then My Mum passed away painting was put on hold for a little while. I have done the odd painting here and there but my creative need has been expressed through journaling and blogs. When I sorted my Mum’s ashes out I went to one of my favorite cafe’s and began to journal and I’ve been writing consistently since then.

A couple of months ago My husband made me up grade to an iphone and wow I can’t leave it alone!!!! My artistic endeavor’s are driving me to become what looks like a tech head. Don’t be fooled I am not technical but with the iphone photography apps and blogging I feel like I’m on fire. I’ve decided not to feel guilty from a lack of painting activity as I’m sure I will come back to it and when I do it will have to freshness of what I’m doing now.

I’ve also realised that my painting background is certainly informing my iphone photography causing me to make what I consider,  exciting images. I then am able to use my photo’s integrating in a blog and the creative process just keeps on going.

So this is where I’m at, at the moment. I may not be painting right now but I’m still arty farty and that part will never change!!!

The Lion of the tribe of Judah….ROARS!!!!!

The story of this painting is very interesting and a testimony of how God can use you with out you even realising it. Going back now a few years ago a former Pastor had a dream of me painting as he was preaching. At the time I didn’t really receive that as my life had recently seen a lot of turmoil and doing a churchy thing seemed out of the question!

I can say at the time I was very disillusioned and felt incredibly unloved, so why would I adventure to bare my soul painting in this kind of environment? So I did what any normal disappointed with the church person would do, I refused to do it.  Other reasons for me at the time for not participating were, concern for my Son who would run a muck in church and secondly I felt that my next spiritual painting was to be “The Lion of the tribe of Judah!!!

I could not for the life of me see myself doing this painting challenge . I wasn’t shy as I’d done this kind of thing before and I knew my capabilities as an artist. No, it just wasn’t the right time. Six months later I started to feel a challenge from the Lord that it was time to take up what was asked of me, so I did.

I did attempt to paint the Lion at home but it wasn’t working so we decided that I should paint it for the church service. I knew something powerful was happening to me as I was painting. I felt  from this experience that God was going to set me free of a lot of things. I painted with enjoyment and really didn’t think about the viewer’s or the preaching.

So the moment passed and I enjoyed myself and received a lot of encouragement from the congregation and I was given an offering of money and the pastor received the painting. It didn’t really bother me at the time that the painting wasn’t in my possession. I am a prolific painter and for me it was just another painting.

Time passed and the Church had a shake up, things weren’t right with the top leadership and they stepped down. It was a good and healthy thing to happen and as a result The Authority of Jesus Christ was reestablished. The Word of God was once again made the focus of our preaching and true worship of the Lord was made right.

So what has this painting have to do with anything? One of our church ladies had a word for me. What she said to me was  that when I painted the Lion it was prophetic for my life and for the church. You see the Lion of the tribe of Judah is about the Authority of Jesus Christ. In the book of  revelation it says  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+5&version=NKJV

The way I interpret this situation along with scripture is, that no man can take the place of Jesus.  If you are going to stand up and proclaim Jesus Christ then don’t misrepresent him. I see it as a warning to my life, as I am far from perfect and it encourages me to keep short account’s with God.

It’s a powerful reminder to not become a hypocrite and mess with people’s minds and vulnerability. To never take for granted the position of authority that The Lord has given me. To be a difference in this world for the goodness and glory  of God.

It was then to my delight that the painting made its return to my possession. Since getting it back I’ve been able to share it with other’s and be encouraged by their response. It amazes me that something so simple can affect people on a level beyond words.   I am truly blessed and I hope that this blog makes sense to you and blesses your heart too? I also pray that it gives you hope for the future.

My design!!

When I was pregnant I painted this wardrobe for my little one, who I knew was a baby boy. This wardrobe was mine and I can remember my mum painting it when I was a youngster, she painted it white and lime green. So now it was my turn to pass and paint the wardrobe to my offspring in which I throughly enjoyed doing.

My thoughts about this project was that it would be an ongoing art work that changed with my son’s growth. Zach’s 5 now and I’m thinking perhaps soon I’ll have to revamp the drobe!!! I haven’t really got any ideas at this stage, but I’ll have to come up with something soon. My Son can’t possibly have “dream clouds” on his wardrobe forever.

When I do come up with something I’ll execute the idea and post a blog about it. I love this process of creativity and sharing.