One of Those Days…

Today was one of those days… you know, when you have a “to do” list that needs doing, you are supposed to be somewhere to meet someone, the weather is finally looking springy and you want to be outside, and then you realize you can’t decide where to begin.  SO you just go in the studio and get lost in paint.

As I was sorting through projects, I came upon a canvas I had painted over  already. There were hydrangeas on the first layer, an abstract I had started on top of that, and today I just picked a few  colors and pulled paint over the already bumpy texture.  As I was doing this, mindlessly, and waiting for inspiration to hit, I noticed a landscape hanging in my line of vision that had the same dimensions as this canvas.  What if I followed the lines of the landscape, but made this one more abstract and used these cool blues and greens instead of the yellows and oranges in the first one?

melaniestokesart.com
Another Day 11×14 acrylic $125

Hours later, a painting emerged that I like.  And my mind began to draw conclusions. There are days when it feels like things don’t fall into place.  There are days when life overwhelms us.  There are days when we just have to give God the tired self that we are and see what He can do with it.  We might just come out “repurposed,” “recycled,” and “renewed!”   And ready to tackle more of the “to do” list tomorrow.  I’m hoping so.

Around the Curve

melaniestokesart.com
Around the Curve
18×24 Oil
$275

My husband loves to walk in unknown territory.  Take a walk in a park with him and he is sure to leave the path.  Land uncharted, thick woods without paths, hills to climb and overlooks to view… now, that is his type of hiking!  Even when we have a path, he is the one to say, “let’s see just around that curve!” and the hike continues a little longer.  Are you getting the picture?

There is something about the possibility of seeing just around a curve that brings hope.  You don’t know what is ahead, but you can always hope.  Maybe the view will be better.  Maybe there is light around the corner. Maybe there is a clean restroom!

In this life, we are reminded to hold on to hope.  “I hope you get well.”   “I hope things work out for you.”  ” I hope the world doesn’t fall apart.”   Hopes and dreams can be shallow.  Yet, hope is what causes us to push ahead,  to get out of bed and see the sun rise, to keep living on this earth, until we have our hope of heaven with God.

Just Around the Curve — keep hoping!  and praying, and serving, and loving.