Melanie Stokes Art – Page 8 – Melanie Stokes Art

October 19, 2018

Walking Through Wildflowers

Are you old enough to remember the opening scene of the Little House on the Prairie television series? You know, the one where Laura and her sisters are running happily through the waving prairie grass and swaying wildflowers?

melaniestokesart.com — Walking Through Wildflowers
10×20 Oil
$150

Well, that’s the flashback I had when I was recently walking through wildflowers on a prairie near Waco, Texas. Two grandsons ran ahead, following the curving path their father had mowed. (I know Laura had to blaze the trail herself. It looks real picturesque on tv, but those grasses can cut and who knows what danger lies deep beneath them?) With the help of the pathway, we could enjoy the aesthetic, sensory experience in safety!

White flowers bloom for acres in August on the prairie. “Snow on the Prairie” is a fitting name. This day the storm clouds were beginning to bank themselves in the distance, providing a violet colored backdrop for the greens and white. The rain would be welcomed to give enough moisture for the next variety of flowers, waiting to spring forth from the cracked earth.

As we walked through the wildflowers, the boys ran ahead, delighting in finding trails that forked in two directions. The dog zig-zagged around in the tall grass, looking for whatever dogs look for. Our son and daughter-in-law walked and talked with us, as we explored and dreamed about the future. Eventually the boys came back around, the dog was called from his wanderings off the path, and all of us went back to the house to rest.

Walking through Wildflowers … if you lose your way, you simply follow the path toward home.

October 4, 2018

It’s A Dirty Job…

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“It’s a dirty job, but someone has got to do it.”

There is a lot of truth in that statement. Mike Rowe has proved that! I’m sure you can think of some dirty jobs you have had to do — like parenting, cleaning up after others, caring for your own house and family, packing to move! (don’t get me started.) Even if your vocation doesn’t involve dirt, there are times we all have to get our own hands dirty to get the job done.

We were at Bedford Greenhouses this past Wednesday, a place known for beautiful blooms and shafts of variegated green. And, there is a lot of dirt involved in a greenhouse setting! As I looked for something to paint, the yellow light at the end of the dirt alley caught my eye.

As I studied light and shadows, angles of rooflines and doors, I painted for a few hours. Several workers walked in and out of the greenhouses, carrying tools of a gardener, wearing gloves or not. As the day warmed, I noticed several wiping their faces of sweat. And I thought about the work that goes on behind the scenes to make those beautiful pots of flowers.

Isn’t that the way it is with anything that turns out beautiful, turns out finished, turns out worthwhile? A lot of hard work and sweat is behind any good project.

Think of recent successes in your life. How hard did you have to work to achieve it? Who were the people who got down to the nitty gritty of the project? Who were the ones who weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, the ones who put the sweat equity into it? It may be hard to notice people behind the scenes. But if we take our eyes off the glamour of the moment, the fancy Facebook photos, the instant Instagram pictures, we will notice this reality of Real Life — anything worth accomplishing takes dirty, hard work, and time.

And, finally, as the flowers burst into bloom after the work is done, our lives bloom with blessings and light after a job well done!

melaniestokesart.com

September 13, 2018September 27, 2018

Even In A Storm

This post is for me, but you may read over my shoulder if you want to…

The day began with a flurry and a storm of activity! I was vacuuming my floor at 7:30 a.m., anticipating prospective buyers to come through the house in the afternoon. (Getting a house ready for realtors and sellers is not on my top favorites list. But now the house was clean and orderly, to the point of me becoming obsessive about it. ) My husband was checking off items on the Honey-Do list I had given him. The Weather Channel was stirring up panic in the minds of America about a hurricane that was predicted to run in forty directions and cause evacuations in three or four states. I received a text inquiring if our house could be used for evacuation while we were gone, if needed. And we were discussing our 1000 mile road trip with a UHaul, coming up in two days.

I could feel the tension in my neck. (Or maybe it was the barometric pressure from the storms brewing.) But I knew for my sanity, and my husband’s sanity, that I needed to keep my Wednesday appointment to paint!

When I arrived at Sacred Heart Cultural Center in Augusta, the “Women on Paper” group I paint with, was already scattered around in places. And they were all looking up!? So I did, too.

As I watched the billowy September clouds circling around the spires of the building, I relaxed. I painted. I pondered. “Keep looking up.” The words seemed to form in my head. “Keep looking up, even when your world is unsettled with all the factors spinning this way and that.” “Keep looking up, even in a storm. God is so much bigger than you, your house, your life. He is your Peace.”

I found my mind moving from myself to all the friends who are in the predicted path of this Hurricane. I wondered who might need to evacuate to our house that would be empty while we were away. I listened to the angry sounds of busy traffic just on the outside of the hedge behind me. I noticed the individuals who walked past on the sidewalks, with backpacks, a cup of coffee, and hungry eyes. And I prayed. I prayed, not that my house would sell, but that people would be safe, be fed, know Christ’s Peace.

I finished painting and left the group of women. They had listened and responded with encouragement when I whisked into place with all my morning drama. Friendships are gifts. And now, with a renewed peace and attitude adjustment, I went about the rest of the day.

May I keep looking up, fixing my eyes on Him, who is steadfast and stable, my Strength in all storms.

July 14, 2018

Looking Toward Texas

This painting came about after a recent visit with my son’s family in Axtell (outside of Waco), Texas. I needed to paint it as confirmation that I could enjoy painting the landscapes there. For you see, we are looking toward moving to Texas. Yes, you read that right!

We are at the stage of life where one thinks about the future as one of the last chapters of one’s story (but hopefully a long chapter full of lots of action!). Both retired from our careers, we have been searching for where God would lead us next. So, without all the questions answered, we are remembering what Abraham did when God said, “Go.”

In the next months, we will be cleaning out, packing, selling, searching, settling and looking toward Texas. Yes, we will miss Georgia. Yes, we hate to say goodbye. But adventure beckons and you can still follow me on Facebook!

I hope to be involved quickly in the Waco arts community. There is a lot happening downtown with all the new energy created by Chip and Joanna Gaines, including new art galleries!

Steve, who always wanted to be a cowboy when he grew up, is looking forward to using all those woodworking tools he has collected for years, in a western setting. And we are both looking forward to being near Luke and his family, who have been Texans for over a decade.

If you need a painting from me before I leave Georgia, now would be the time! I would rather sell it to you than try to pack them all. Look on my webpage and give me a call.

Watch for updates as we look toward Texas!

May 21, 2018May 21, 2018

A Seat for Sunset

“I come down here every evening,” he told me. “I come with my drink and watch the sunset.”

I had been painting the swing and the tree en plein air, after a full day of learning at Plein Air South. As I painted, this gentleman took a seat on the swing. It didn’t seem to bother him that I was looking his way. I took a photo of him to use as a reference later.

The end result that day was disastrous. I was ready to wipe the oil paints off. But the artists with me encouraged me to leave it and look at it later. The gentleman came over to see if he was painted into the scene. He was not especially impressed…and neither was I.

The next afternoon I got busy painting sky and water and thought no more about the panel tucked into my wet canvas carrier in the car.

The third day, I sat in James Richards’ two hour session about Abstraction in Landscapes. I learned so much just watching him paint. As he started his painting with BIG shapes of dark and light values in random colors, he suggested that we simplify shapes by painting OVER too much detail and bringing it back to an abstracted form. I remembered the painting of the landscape with the swing and knew what I needed to do to fix it.

As soon as the session was over, I drove my car back to the waterfront. There was the empty swing, hanging from the curving tree. I spread red paint over the top portion and yellow on the bottom. I began defining the abstract shapes of lights and darks and masses were formed. Reminding myself to stay loose and abstract, the scene developed.

On cue, at 5 p.m., the man came back out with his cup in his hand. We talked of painting (he thought this one was looking better), of Georgia (he was from Moultrie), of mutual friends, of careers, of life choices, of faith, of retirement and old age. The time came for me to pack up to get to dinner on time. I planned to put the swing in later from the photo.

Back in my studio, I added the swing and since I had a photo reference, added my new friend, Mr. Lowery. It would not have been the same without him there. After all, it is “his” swing — his seat for sunset. May he enjoy many more of them! And I hope he sees this post!

May 10, 2018

Thinking About Geraniums

If my Mama could come back as a flower, I think it would be a geranium! (Now before you think I’ve finally gone off the deep end, hear me out.)

This morning, after seeing the inevitable Mothers’ Day posts on Facebook, I went out to the studio to work. I meant to finish up some things and clean up some things and pack some things for an upcoming trip. But the geraniums were beckoning me – calling out to me – luring me into the yard to paint them! So I did.

As I painted, I began to think about how like a geranium my own mother was: bright and cheerful, even in rain or hot sun; strong enough to stand, yet flexible enough to bend when necessary; commanding my attention when it needed to be focused; growing best in groups, she brought joy to those around! (Being from a really large family may have added to her gregarious nature.)

The shape, or non-shape, of a geranium bloom reminds me of Sarah Miller’s creative, spur of the moment, non-conformist spirit. The organic, curved lines are almost musical as they show up “here, there and yonder” like the songs that would erupt from Mama throughout the day. Just like a geranium, ready to burst with blooms, Mama was always ready to share a song!

Yes, I can see my Mama in the bright colors and fun shapes of a geranium. Oh, and the red is obvious to anyone who knew her – the red hair of the Fallin Family!

Happy Mothers’ Day!

April 18, 2018April 18, 2018

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?

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.

April 10, 2018

Summer Art Camps

Summer Art Camps? I’m glad you asked… This summer I’m focusing on

9 to 12 year olds ONLY!

Two choices for ONE week camps to serve more children with a lower student/teacher ratio.

Share with those who need to know!

March 16, 2018March 16, 2018

Painting From The Inside

Several painter friends and I met inside the Sacred Heart Cultural Center, in Augusta, and searched for something to paint for a couple of hours on a cold, March day. The Sacred Heart Building, a former Catholic Church, was in disrepair for years when Pete Knox decided to restore and reopen the beautiful building. Today it is used for weddings, concerts, parties, and a variety of art events. Yet, the architecture, the stained glass, the sculptures and ornamental details are still rich with Christian history.

In the quiet, hollow cathedral, I walked around looking at light and shadow, colors and lines, repetition of shapes and tried to find a focus . . . and then I saw it . . . the face of Jesus carrying his cross. It was on one of the “Stations of the Cross” relief sculptures that line both sides of the building. I saw what I needed and pulled out paint to begin.

As I painted, a hymn tune began to play in my head:

“Man of sorrows what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!”

(and the song kept going over and over for another hour while I painted, know what I mean?)

Yet, as I painted the face of Christ, I saw pain, sorrow, rejection and exhaustion. melaniestokesart.com And I hummed to myself, “man of sorrows, what a name for the Son of God who came…”

I remembered his love and marveled at his endurance. I noticed the figures around him in the sculpture, some helping him carry the heavy cross, some mocking him and some perhaps begging him for one last miracle.

I worshipped through paint as I studied the face of Jesus and sang in my soul, “Hallelujah, what a Savior!”

This Lenten season is a good time to look on the face of Jesus, listen to His Spirit and remember.

February 11, 2018

Strength in Times of Darkness

I showed this to my husband and asked, “Who does this look like?”

He answered with a question, “Us?”

(Good answer, but not who I thought he would recognize.) The models are his brother and sister-in-law. But it could well be “us” with the sentiment behind it. We are strong together, even in dark times.

As I painted, I was impacted by the play of light against dark, the blinding strength of the sun, and the deepest cold darkness of the side away from the light. I could feel the wind of that fall morning on the beach and the warm comfort of an arm around my shoulders.

My Protector, My Strength, My Constant… all words that I use when I think about God and his relationship with his people. But these words also come to mind when I describe my husband! (yes, really)

It does not offend my worth as a woman for him to be the strongest, for him to be the bravest, for him to even be the tallest. I know he loves me and is my best friend. Almost forty years of marriage hold many stories of facing darkness and many blessings in the light. The faith and principles we base our marriage on have held us together. And in times of darkness the light always seems the brightest! (ok, not immediately, but in hindsight…)

This brother and sister-in-law have seen some recent dark times with health. They have come through on the other side, ready for the morning walk, ready to soak up the warmth of the sun, ready to see light and all that it will illuminate day by day.

Celebrating love, life and light!