Broken Wings Fly Free: My Painting for a Friend

a dear sweet talented and beautiful friend of mine is celebrating another year of life this month. she has been and continues to be an amazing inspiration to me of love and joy and beauty and strength and hope arising out of pain and brokenness. i couldn't think of a better gift to give my friend...than a part of myself...so my birthday gift to her was to paint live at her birthday party...creating a a very unique painting just for her...as her friends and family gathered around to celebrate in her life and love on her as she has so loved on us.

here she is...she is so beautiful!!!!

local Boise musicians (Naomi Psalm, Matt Gambrell, and Rebecca Scott) showed up and played at the house party and kept the festive atmosphere shining througout the night.

to start the painting...i had each of the guests sign the canvas for her so that their words of love would be a part of the creation.

i then added color and images and words in layers that symbolized and meant deep things to my friend...

it was a joy to paint such love all over a canvas to celebrate such an amazing life. and as i painted to the music it was so fun to interact with the friends and family who had come to love on her...they too engaged with the painting and felt a part of such a act of love.

my heart was lifted as i handed the painting to her...and saw that smile on her face...it's a smile that lights up the room...and has lit up our lives. Here's to you Abby. I love you my friend. Keep flying free.

icons in transformation

i am a big believer that the thematic use of art in sanctuary spaces can inspire the heart and uplift the soul and become a window to Heaven. recently i experienced such an experience myself. while in Seattle i attended a service at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral and found a delightful surprise awaiting me...an international traveling art exhibit that was displayed throughout the sanctuary and side chapel. "icons in transformation" by artist Ludmila Pawlowska was an absolute inspiration to interact with in such a beautiful setting. i was personally encouraged and inspired through the art and found myself wiping away tears as i connected with many of the pieces.

Ludmila's expression of the ancient artform of iconography, through mixed media abstract paintings and sculptures, gives the modern worshipper a fresh perspective to connect with the Divine through contemplative prayer and art. I LOVE IT!!! These are just a few of the pieces that were displayed in the exhibit. The exhibit runs through October at St. Mark's. You can go to Ludmila Pawlowska's website to see more of her art, along with this exhibit and others like it. http://www.ludmilapawlowska.se/