Together

We all know it's easier to carry a load with someone else...and I don't mean a heavy bag. So why is it so hard to allow ourselves the decadence of vulnerability- the kind it takes to ask for help? The truth is that when we do or when we pause long enough from our "to-do" list to see that a friend needs our support, the beauty of the shared moments or even sadness or burdens is that much more enjoyed...together.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:   If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up... Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Ecclesiastical 4:9-10, 12

Easter in Mamelodi

Have you ever seen such a good sale on something that you thought "how could I not buy it...it's too good a deal NOT to" ?

That's the way I felt about this moment I somehow managed to capture on camera.
There was so much joy in this woman and in the scene...it s too good NOT to paint.
I had to. Such joy is beauty.

Easter weekend at Power House Church in Mamelodi, South Africa.

THIS PIECE IS SOLD

South African Trees

I'm sure there ll be more to come but for today, here is a simple tree.

Only days away from arriving home from our trip to South Africa, I find myself with paintings drifting thru my brain from all I saw. So you ll have to excuse me as I take time to sort them all out and get a few on paper/canvas. In the meantime, here's a little h2o-aided (watercolor) sketch done while driving in the backseat of a bus going down a bumpy dirt road on our way from Hodge Podge Lodge to a nearby park to safari. It seems like where I return to in understanding somewhere new,... trees.

SOLD

Colors of the Mountains

Years ago when I first visited 'the desert' as my kids now call this land we live in, I witnessed many shades of brown.
Now my eyes see much more color.
Flat lands look amber, ochre, lemon, citrus or crimson.
Mtn. Peaks perceived as deep cobalts, aubergine purple or even violent salmon.
And the sky? It's as moody as anything showing off its warm blush in the rose sunset shrouded in a mystery of clouds or its wide open cool blues for as long as you can see.

Sandia Sunset

Acylic 11 x 14 

  $125

Sunny Sandia

Acrlylic 12 x 16

 $85

Layers of the Land

I'm struck often by how much depth the land tells of out here (NM). As far as the eye can see there s layers upon layers. Rolling hills, bountiful crests, shocking flat topped mesas, and then comes the many layers of multiple shaded mountains.  There s nothing shallow about this lady land.

And then there s the sky. It really does seem bigger to me out west then back east.  It s endlessness provokes dreams and possibilities just as the strong, immovable mountains draws out the peace within you.

I see God's face all around me.
Where do you see God today?