PAINTING AND BEYOND

Although I love to paint, there is another “craft” that I thoroughly enjoy and that is scrap booking. Of course, like anyone else, I did have photo albums of children and other family members with descriptive phrases to identify each photo. However, even before the scrap booking “craze” started I was journaling and adding embellishments to my photo albums. I discovered it was something I really enjoyed doing. Not only was I leaving a pictorial legacy for my children, I was leaving them family history. Some drawbacks to scrap booking is that it does take a lot of time, it makes a mess, and it is never finished. I know these will be enjoyed by family in later years. Even now, my grandchildren (10 and 6) enjoy looking through them.

A painting can take a lot of time, it can make a mess, but it does come to completion. Even though you may start anew, each painting is a project that you can bring to completion.

Here are first two photo pages out of my “Ohana” (family) scrapbook.





You may notice that the photo of my son and his wife on the first page is a photo of a painting that I did of them.

Remember Them!!

I was so moved by the "story" (I perceived) behind the photo and its composition that I just had to sketch it. HAPPY 4TH. Most importantly REMEMBER ALL OF THEM.



Thank you for them Lord.

Outside My Comfort Zone

Yes...this was totally out of my comfort zone. My son commissioned me to do a painting for his upcoming contemporary country music album "It's All About The Money." He told me what he envisioned and I put it down on canvas. It is multi-media and was, without doubt, a most challenging piece. It measures 12x12 - a size that does not lend easily to detail work. Anyway, I took on the challenge and this is the end result.

The whole concept is how one "who makes it" burns their money on the luxuries of life: mansions; bling, bling and more bling; race cars; race horses; etc.; etc. I must say that although a challenge, I enjoyed doing it - very surrealistic.

Shine Through Worship Art Festival

Last weekend we opened on our Annual Art Festival. The theme this year was "Shine Through Worship." Opening day was so much better than we anticipated. In fact, the turnout of viewers for the first day was much, much better than last year....and that was with the threat of severe thunder storms and potential for tornadoes. The Lord kept the severe weather at bay and near the close of the show, I stepped outside and there in all its glory was a full rainbow arching over the church's sanctuary. I know God blessed the show, after all it was all about praising and glorifying Him.

Here I am with the painting I had just finished and created for the show. It was just for display and was entitled "Fishers of Men."


Here is a closer look at the painting.

First Place in Photography category, Professional Division and "Best of Show."


First Place in Pencil Category, Professional Division - "The Power of Prayer." The same artist also took first place in the Pastel Category - shown hanging just below.


First Place, Painting Category, Professional Division


"Hands-on" art for the children, which was a huge success.


And artists who did demonstrations throughout the show...all of the artists were students. They did a wonderful job.

All in all, the show was enjoyed by all who came.

Another Diversion

http://www.reverbnation.com/cashcreek?eid=A1428970_8095925_34132250

Yes, as I said in my last posting...my granddaughter is one of my diversions. Here's another..."Cash Creek." The dad of that beautiful little girl is my son Kimo Forrest (to your far right) who leads this contemporary country band. Other than just recently being commissioned to design an album cover, my involvement is to sit anxiously on the "end of my seat" waiting for his album to grab hold and take off. So, go hear Cash Creek, just click the above link, read about him and the band, then listen to the tunes. I'm sure it will get your foot tapping.

As a footnote; I did a painting for him last Christmas of him on the road in performance, see it here.

One of My Diversions

I am so sorry my blog readers, hope you haven't given up on me. I just realized that it has been a while since I posted anything on this blog. I think it has been since late January and here it is mid-March. I could make all kinds of excuses and I do have a few, all legitimate and believable.

For instance; here's one:

My sweet little princess granddaughter. She had just bought a new "princess" dress and rushed over to show it to me. (Notice her very chic boots and tights.) Of course I had to take a picture. She has been the subject of a few of my paintings and after taking her picture in her new dress, she said that maybe this would make a good painting. She is precious. Her mother tries to write down all of the cute things she says and just recently posted on Facebook. "Ellie put on her new dress and I told her she looked like a princess to which she replied, I know and you are the queen and God is the King of Kings.'" She is 5-1/2 years old.


This is a painting I was commissioned to do of her for her uncle from a snapshot taken about 2-1/2 years ago. She knew she was a princess then also.

I do have a painting sitting on my easel in an unfinished state, but coming along very well; however I must admit that it has been in progress for longer than usual. Between making my grandchildren priority whenever they want to visit or have "art class," keeping up with my Bible studies, writing the newsletter for my "more mature" adult group, and preparing to teach my Sunday School Class...my painting has taken a back seat. I'm telling myself right now that when I'm done with this posting I will paint (fingers crossed).

More on Herb Kane's Pu'ukohola

Continuing with the art of Herb Kane. I previously posted on the painting of the Heiau Pu'ukohola here.

This depicts a ceremony happening at the Pu'ukohola heiau.



Keoua, paramount chief of the southern provinces of Hawai’i Island, disheartened by the loss of a third of his army in a volcanic explosion, accepted Kamehameha’s invitation to talk peace. But as his canoe fleet arrived below Pu‘ukohola Heiau, tempers flared; someone threw a spear and in the ensuing fight Keoua and the others in his canoe were killed. Their remains were taken to the heiau as offerings to the god of war, Kukailimoku.

This may not be of interest to all; however, to artists...you can appreciate the artwork and time and tediousness of doing a piece such as this. For those who enjoy tales of old Hawaii...interesting.



"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16 KJV)