FInding the Positive Words of my heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Finding the Positive

Still entering new members on CFAI.co.  Am feeling pretty drained and we have about 75 more members to go to add today.  Yesterday Terry kidnapped me for two hours and we went out to eat at Pete's in Mt Pleasant. We had pizza. We rarely eat such things...but we did. I ate one whole piece and truly loved it.  Pete's rocks.  Visit them on facebook.

 At Pete's the band playing tonight was setting up and practicing for New Years Eve. We were there at four in the afternoon...so it was the band and Terry and I with salad and home made pizza. The ride home was even better...gorgeous colors reflecting more fall than winter and sixty degree weather. Finding the positive was really easy after eight hours on the computer from early morning.


I am blogging on my laptop.  Another feat as everything on the Big Mac is signed into CFAI.co in every direction.  Too messy to sign into google from one account to the other, easier to use the laptop. Less at my finger tips.

 We did the drawing yesterday... and their were close to fifty entries for this little painting.  My mom did the pull out of the name for this one and it is a fellow Texas many miles from me. C. Kelley is one of my collectors so I was thrilled  to see this special little painting go where it will be loved.

I promise to send it out next week.  I hope to be back blogging on my big mac too early next week.

Meanwhile... my best wishes of God's blessings in the New Year. Stay safe and count your blessings.... one by one.

Words of my Heart.
Laurie

““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” John 16:33 NIV

Determined, Stubborn or Stupid? Words of my heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Determined, Stubborn or Stupid?

The past two days Diane Whitehead, Debbie Lincoln and I have been adding members into the new www.cfai.co site.  We are moving Contemporary Fine Art International to its awesome new site designed by Nick Hempsey, www.studio412design.com .  Nick is still working night and day on this site fine tuning it to be the professional site we ask for. (BTW, the man is incredible if you need a new website.)

Again Determined, Stubborn or Stupid?

Finding the Right Footing

We have over 500 juried in members on www.cfai.co being added slowly from the www.contemporaryfineartinternational.com site.
It is a professional site with professional artists.

Finding the right footing as you design a site this size when our five member board all had ideas was a bit easier than we thought, but as Nick was hired, he gave us a reality check. We thought we were firmly in place with what we wanted.


We thought the site could be built in six weeks. Yeah, if you do computers and websites you are laughing.

Here we are four months into it and we are just now loading our members...our PATIENT members. They have stuck with us knowing the vision is a good one.  Art does tell the story. Yes artists are determined, stubborn and sometimes stupid... usually we work and work and seek the inner composition and possibilities in things that normal people do not even notice.  So I guess it does not do any good for an artist to be firmly planted in something...other than God.  He is my life support. I could not make the day with out Him.

Funny thing was something I googled on the Internet implied that stubbornness was linked with resisting change. From some views I might agree, but for an artist I cannot. They are usually stubborn to a fault while creating...but they are expecting and wanting change.  Steady with change.. rolling with the painting as it develops, but stubborn not to give up or stop.  I have not overworked anything in years. I have learned where to stop...but I always continue to explore and find balance in my work.

Is that what the Father does?  We have no idea from day to day where we travel or go. As we climb we always believe we are on firm footing.... and we tend to fall and waver... but you know what... HE IS THERE!  Climb with confidence. Stay focused on Him and He will guide your path and light the way.

Stop by www.cfai.co over the next few weeks on and off as all the fabulous artists put their best works that are available up for you to see and hopefully buy.

Words from my heart and very very tired fingers.... (and scrambled brain) I love you Debbie and Diane. We can do this!

Laurie

“[Jesus Comforts His Disciples] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3 NIV

Simplity in Soup and Salad Words from my heart, A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Simplicity in Soup and Salad

Well I got on the scale. I was really scared after the food we inhaled over the holidays. I did not eat that much more, but I tasted more sweet things that I have had in the past year. I need to wean back off the sweets.

Terry asked me to go out for specialty pizza and I jumped on the scale and jumped off and said, Not until I am back down the three pounds I had obviously gained.

Soup and Salad. Keep it simple sweetie. 

Oh how I wish I could keep my life that simple right now. Tax time to close out accounts and gather receipts. 

The gathering word crops up again.  We seem to be good at gathering STUFF. We are good at gathering belongings. We are good at gathering too much food at the table. We are good at gathering to much responsibility. We are good at gathering problems. We are good at gathering in general. 

Time to FORGET all of that gathering.  Gather in prayer with the Lord. Gather in prayer with your friends. Gathering in circles of love to pray for others. Gather in work that serves others, not serving yourself.  How hard is it to put self last? Last from belongings. Last from tv. Last from food. Last from more responsibilities. Last from self?

Put Him first and NOTHING else has to be...just wait upon the Lord.  He will provide direction. He will provide for your needs. Keep your life simple... and He will provide simple abundance.

Words of my heart,
Laurie

“Of David. Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—” Psalm 103:1-2 NIV

Blowing out the Candles does not Extinquish the Light, Words of my heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Blowing out the Candles Does not Extinguish the Light.

Christmas Day after the advent wreath burning and the reading of scriptures and the singing of Christmas hymns, Lady L was ready to blow out the candles.

She was so excited this year to celebrate advent and Jesus' birthday.  She will be reminded through out the year by the lighting of candles during prayer time of this advent wreath and the 'light' that burns for all of us...HIS LIGHT.

Words of the heart,
Laurie

“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”” Luke 2:28-32 NIV

Sharing the Light, Words of my heart, by a Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Sharing the Light of Christmas 

A sharing of light and love from our hearts to yours on this Beautiful Week of Christmas.

May you keep this beauty alive in your heart, soul and mind.

Words from my Heart,
Laurie

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Christmas Joy and God's Blessings on You and Your Family, Words from my heart, by A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

Christmas Joy and Gods Blessings on you and your family.

Our Advent Wreath    5 x 7 inches Oil on Canvas

I am taking a small break from blogging today and tomorrow... meanwhile here is a small painting I did this week while traveling. It is from our advent wreath and it is a give away painting on my art blog.  Just email me HERE and say
you are wanting this small Advent Wreath painting and I will put your name in the drawing. Winner will be announced in a few days.

Spend this day in Gathering close at heart the Love of God for mankind in bringing to us His only Son, who gave His life for us and for our sins.

This video is from 2009 Christmas and is the reading of the Christmas Story from Luke... Old house, old studio but it is from my heart to yours.  Next year I will get back in the saddle (yeah pardon that pun too...) and I will be original and ready!

Words from my heart,
Laurie

Excited Angels, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Excited Angels Around Us.

At this time of year you can often just look around and visible see those little Angels. These two caught my eye and I took a series of images as their faces changed with the cold wind blowing them about on the float they were in for the Mount Vernon Christmas Parade.

Can you even begin to imagine how the real Angels were twittering about in joyful love and expectation waiting as Mary and Joseph rode into Bethlehem? 

They knew what was ahead and coming. They were at God's side and waited as He laid it out before them. Their excitement could hardly be hidden or contained... GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST.

Compare it to the little ones in your life and their expectation and excitement of Santa Claus arriving.

Gee what would it take for them to feel that same level of joyful anticipation over the spiritual celebration of Christmas?


Words of my heart, Laurie

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,  and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 
Luke 2: 6-14