Tag: grace

Loose & Quick

Impressionist Painter.

There will be more daily quick and loose works coming soon; I intend on making this a daily practice to improve my skills. Plein Aire season is starting so that will be a good motivator.

This weekend I will be painting live at Airdrie Alberta, Genesis Place Gymnasium with the Airdrie Arts Society for “ARTWARS” a friendly competition, people’s choice award. See the poster below.

Cheryl
This is painted from life, she sat for 2 hours with breaks.

Cherly Vogue 5 x 7

This was painted from a photo that I took (what a fun day) and the painting took an hour.

aRTWARS

This is the poster of what is happening for me this weekend.

Cheryl

Impressionist Painter.

Cheryl 16 x 20 oil on canvas

This young lady has my heart!

She is the youngest of all of my children and the only one left at home. She is now only a few short days away from graduation which will be the close of another chapter in her life and the beginning of a brand new phase…..*bittersweet sigh*

I remember when I was a young woman working in sales it was often told to me that whatever you want in life, associate yourself with people who are living it. It stands to reason that this can also work in the opposite direction, as humans we are affected by those that we spend the majority of our time with. Some studies promote the idea that the reason for this is that we have “mirroring neurons” in the brain which modify our thoughts, feelings and behaviour to mirror the people that we spend most of our time with. I couldn’t do it, I tried to be the ‘successful sales person’ that made millions but I didn’t have ‘it’ in me, it takes certain strategies and a certain mind set that I did not want to adopt and I could not put my physical desires first. At this point in my life I am happy that I took a different direction. Having a family, homeschooling and dedicating time to study and prayer, to be available for my family, my husband and others who needed a word a hug a prayer are some of the true gems that adorned the days of my life’s journey.

Cheryl is one of those gems, being the youngest she could have allowed herself to moulded by those around her, she could have followed the direction of her siblings, but she decided to not mirror others, she decided to be Cheryl and stand in her own space. She is a unique girl with a flare for her own style, she doesn’t follow the crowd, doesn’t know the popular songs; she’s eclectic and ‘indi’ 😉

she doesn’t dress or act like the majority of other teens her age;

she is a beautiful tapestry being woven

a diamond being formed

a pearl that is not yet finished

a unique work of art

a vessel that the Potter is shaping for honor.

Mirroring neurons are a part of our being yet we still have a choice and the proof is with this young lady (and others in this world)  she has often been faced with situations that were uncomfortable yet she took the straight path and did not compromise, I can say that my heart is truly touched by her and I am so thankful to have been granted the privilege of being her mom.

This painting was made being inspired by a photo that my son Jeremy took. To me the light coming in the window shining on her face speaks of the Light that is available to us all, ever shining, ever present, love, life and truth; quietly warming us, leading us so that we do not stumble; the Light that asks nothing in return just accept and BE made whole. Thank You \o/

For more information on paintings and commissions please contact Heather using the Contact Form.

Rise Above

Impressionist Painter.

Rise Above

Click image to view larger

16 x 20

oil on panel

available

My younger sister always used to say “water off a duck’s back” whenever anyone was faced with adversity. She would motion with her hand as if stroking the back of a duck…that movement looked like an airplane diving and then at the last second taking off up into the air…and it is a good saying and a good motion because both of them imply rising above the strife, rising above the toils, the troubles and pain of this life.

This painting ‘Rise Above’ is a little sparrow that has flown up high into the air and turns to look down at the place where s/he once was, to see that s/he is not trapped by the snares of this life, s/he sees that s/he has power, power to choose.

I am choosing to paint sparrows right now because they are considered to be a pest and are not given much significance. I have often felt that I was considered to be a pest, not very significant…a sad truth, but I repudiate that image that was placed on me.

I Rise Above the labels, the voices of the past, and even some voices of the present that do not agree with what I stand for. I Rise Above because I choose to live a life that is real, a life that is filled with truth and love and understanding. I choose to live a life that is aimed to do good, to help others, to love others freely in the best way that I know how. I Rise Above because I have decided to be the change that I want to see in this world…to love mercy, to do justly and to walk humbly with the Creator.

When one can Rise Above and overcome, then one can truly listen enabling others to be heard, to be free, to Rise Above.

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

Flight

Impressionist Painter.

Flight

 

Click image to view larger.

 

Why is it so hard to let go, to relinquish control? The old saying goes, if you love someone let them go…? Well anyway, being a ‘mum’ is one of the most painful, yet rewarding experiences a person can have in my opinion. Oh how I remember the longing to have a baby, how sweet. I remember saying…”let’s have a baby” ❤ oh my…it was such a joyous time, it was a time of bliss, to have this tiny human growing inside, bringing that life into this world and nurturing them. Oh how lovely to watch them learn and grow into this beautiful young adult. Even with all of the pain of heartaches and struggles along life’s path, I can honestly say it was worth it. But the time comes when that life, that was once so dependent on me, needs to spread their wings and fly…oh what a bitter-sweet experience. I long to hold on, but I know I can’t…it would be a detriment if I did…so to love is to let go, to love is to set aside ones own desires in order to allow the other to be free, to make their own way. It has been an investment of time, tears, prayers and yes…love.

“The more you invest in anything, the more you get out of it. That’s true in any area of life. David Leffel

Leah

Impressionist Painter., Portrait Painting

Leah

 

Over the past years I have come to the realization that a painting is not just something captured on a board or canvas to look at. It is the experience that the artist has encountered, it is time which the artist has captured and held still onto the surface in order to be revisited over and over again. A painting to inspire, or stir up one’s emotions or speak out against tyranny…or simply is beautiful to behold are all meaningful and historical pieces ensuring perpetual discourse to as many souls as possible.

A painting or any other art work is antiquity, fleeting moments that are stilled and preserved for years to come.

This is a piece of the artist, drawing snippets and morsels from their life experiences that has brought them (me) to that particular point in time. What value can we place on that?

This is a session that I had with a beautiful young lady named Leah. She is a nurse who works for Pure North S’ynergy Foundation http://www.purenorth.ca/ she works so hard, most often at the homeless shelter http://www.theseed.ca/ starting in the wee hours of the morning in order to help the vulnerable before they head out the door for the day.

Leah is also co-founder of an orphanage called  Darja Foundation here is the link. https://www.facebook.com/darajafoundationinc?pnref=story  http://www.daraja.ca/

Daraja means bridge in Swahili, isn’t that lovely? Isn’t that what life is all about bridging relationships between fellow, flesh and blood human beings?  🙂

I met Leah at Pure North (which is another story for another time but please read about them, the founder of this program is a very generous and caring man Allan Markin) and have had the pleasure of spending time with her creating our artwork.

Leah lost all of her art supplies (among other things) in the Calgary flood that happened in 2013 and that is why she comes to paint with me at my studio. She paints her artwork while I paint her. We spend our time working and listening to music while we get to connect and share our experiences in life.

This thing called art has brought me in touch with a lovely young lady who has blessed my life.

Thank you Leah and thank you to all of you who stop by and take the precious time to read and comment.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Dawn-Fine-Art/1015450641815718?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

http://homestudio1.com/

 

Yellow Roses and Shadow

Impressionist Painter.

Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.

Vincent Van Gogh

 

Love is truth …if there is someone in my life that I have not forgiven it will constantly be there…nagging at me (and you) like a shadow. If that someone that I withheld grace from is me, then there is the possibility that the shadow of unforgiveness becomes larger and larger until it will overtake any rays of peace and light. Forgiveness is a key to love, to happiness, to peace and harmony. Today and everyday, I choose to live in forgiveness.

Yellow Roses and Shadow

Yellow Roses signify Friendship, Joy, Get Well

Throughout history, yellow has been closely associated with the sun, making these roses excellent for cheering people up. Yellow roses send a message of appreciation and platonic love without the romantic subtext of other colors. The color represents feelings of joy and delight.