SOUND OF MELODY

SOUND  OF MELODY 

Several years ago, this poem came to me in a dream:

 



Let the Holy Spirit tune up each string
until
the SOUND OF MELODY
Springs Forth 

 I began looking up verses that might relate to melody and found Isaiah 51:3:

 

For the Lord will comfort Zion,

He will make her wilderness like Eden,

And her desert like the garden of the Lord;

Joy and gladness will be found in it,

Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

 Previously, I had an experience regarding "spring forth".  On May 16, 2002 I had an uneasy feeling and couldn't sleep.  I went upstairs to a spare bedroom. I fell asleep and was awakened by my dog, Koko, who was singing. I know that sounds crazy, but that's what woke me up. Then I felt a warmth that seemed to permeate me, and the room was very bright.  I saw Jesus standing at the foot of my bed. He was smiling and said "Spring Forth".  I've had dreams all my life, and just thought this was another dream.  I got up and went to the bathroom, thinking "Wow, that was a cool dream". When I came back Jesus was still in the room.  I wasn't sure if I heard him and asked, "Spring Forward, Fall Backward, what do you mean?" He just kept smiling and said again "Spring Forth". 

 

Behold, the former things have come to pass,

 And new things I declare;

 Before they spring forth I will tell you of them."

Isaiah 42:9

 

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall

spring forth;

shall you not know it?  I will even make a

way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

 

Then your light shall break forth like the morning,

Your healing shall spring forth speedily,

And your righteousness shall go before you;

The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard,

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

You shall cry, and He will say 'Here I am.'

Isaiah 58:8

 

 

 I believe God is telling me He is doing something new, and He will tell me in dreams and visions. He will be my rear guard, protecting me against attacks I don't see coming. Healing will come quickly. When Jesus died on the cross He took our affliction (Isaiah 53:4-5). When I feel lost, He will direct my path. When we go through difficult times, God promises "Whenever I call, He will be there" to comfort me.  If you seek the Lord, He will be found. He is our joy!

 

 

 

 



 

 



 

ARISE, SHINE

Arise, Shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is
risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth.
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
ISAIAH 60:1-3

Sometimes I have dreams where God gives me specific instructions for paintings, in this instance He directed me to these verses.  I procrastinated for a long time before I finally settled on how I might visually represent the meaning. He desires a relationship with us; sometimes the answers are easily forthcoming and other times I know He's laughing and saying: "well, let's see what she can do with this one!"

 

When we become Christians, God sends the Holy Spirit to live within us.  His light shines through us.  No matter how dark the circumstances, the light within us will become more and more bright. 

 

 In Ezekiel 36:26-27, the Lord says, “I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my ways.”

 

Paul Keith Davis says there are two groups of people on the Earth — people consumed by darkness and people consumed by light. One can put a thousand to flight, two can put ten-thousand to flight, and we've got these dynamics at work that can shift the nations.

You were ordained to live in this hour. A Spirit of illumination will awaken everything in you. You have the anointing to soar as an eagle whose wings have been spread to go above the cares of this world and see things from God’s point of view .http://www.elijahlist.com July 10, 2012

 

"For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth": 

  You see, God's plan is that here on earth, in us, the glory of the Lord will be revealed. The luminous, radiant light of His Presence, as it shone from Moses' face and flooded Solomon's temple at its dedication, as it radiated from Jesus and bathed His disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration—that light of God's Presence shall arise from within us at the end of the age! This same divine glory shall, in ever-increasing degrees of brightness, appear upon us in the years prior to the Lord's actual second coming.   

     In truth, this great work of grace has already begun. We are part of the Holy Spirit's expansive preparation. God is gathering together His people. We are learning to humble ourselves in repentance and prayer; we are finding friendship and unity with other Christians. Indeed, our reconciliation across denominational and ethnic barriers has an immeasurable reward attached to it. As valleys are "lifted up, and every mountain and hill... made low... then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together"   (Isaiah 40:4–5).

   God is qualifying us to receive His splendor! Nations shall come to His light and kings to the brightness of His rising!
Francis Frangipane, The Days of His Presence

There isn't anything we can't do when we're in Christ. There isn't any darkness we can't invade with His light; there's nothing too dark, there's nothing too evil, there's nothing too strong for the Lord of Breakthrough who lives within you. It's what you're made for! Patricia King, Know the God of Breakthrough 

 

If you are having dreams and visions, write them down in a notebook. Keep the notebook next to your bed to record your dreams, and write down as much detail as you can remember about the location, any symbols, colors, how you felt in the dream. It's amazing how quickly we will forget even the most memorable dreams, if we don't record them.  The following ministries have resources and training available for dream interpretation:

 

 http://www.streamsministries.com

 

http://www.barbiebreathitt.com/

 

http://www.stirthewater.com/

 

WALK at LIBERTY

     God knows I am basically lazy about reading his Word and He gives me assignments so I will seek Him. On 3/27/07 I had a dream where God instructed me to paint a picture of an Eagle, with a “Vav” in the upper left hand side of the picture, and put it on a brown t-shirt.

      I began researching the meanings of the symbols in the dream, looked for verses with a “Vav”, and asked the Holy Spirit what he wanted me to learn from the dream.

     I pondered over the verse in Isaiah 22:23 “I will fasten him as a peg (Vav)  in a secure place and he will become a glorious throne to his father's house.” According to the DAKE Reference Bible it was the custom to build certain pegs into the house, to hang things on, unlike temporary nails in plastered walls which can fall out in time, these were very permanent. On such pegs trophies, shields, swords, gold and silver vessels, changes of raiment, and other valuable things were hung.

     Although I knew this verse was somehow relevant, I also understood God wanted me to dig deeper. I came upon Psalm 119 which is acrostic in nature, each of its 221 sections begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This Psalm is all about the Almighty’s law and the blessings that flow from obedience. Verses 41 through 48 are under “Vav”, the 6^th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

So shall I keep Your law continually,

forever and ever, and

I WILL WALK at LIBERTY

for I seek Your precepts.

I will speak of Your testimonies

also before kings,

And will not be ashamed.

Psalm 119:44-46

A precept is a rule of moral conduct. God wants us to act morally, in holiness, and with love and truth. God's word is the perfect Law of Liberty.

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25

“ The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Psalm 19:8

“Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes, execute My precepts, and keep all My commandments to walk in them, then I will fulfill to you My promises which I made to David your father.” 1 Kings 6:12

However, we have personal responsibility as seen in Deuteronomy 28:8-9:

The Lord will command the blessings on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways.“Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34

Proverbs 16:10-15 The Message (MSG):

10 A good leader motivates,
    doesn’t mislead, doesn’t exploit.

11 God cares about honesty in the workplace;
    your business is his business.

12 Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds;
    sound leadership has a moral foundation.

13 Good leaders cultivate honest speech;
    they love advisors who tell them the truth.

14 An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives;
    you’re smart to stay clear of someone like that.

15 Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives;
    they’re like spring rain and sunshine.

Several weeks ago I heard God say in my spirit “I will give you power to tread on serpents.” Shortly thereafter I was cleaning our pond with a net. I scooped it up and as I turned the net over I put my hand on the bottom of the net, realizing quickly that I also was holding a copperhead snake.

Thank goodness my husband, Mark, was there. I didn't get hurt, but I didn't stop screaming for 15 minutes. God never said our walk would be void of danger, but he would be with us. He wants us to know we have authority over the enemy who comes to kill, steal and destroy us. 

As I consider the upcoming election my heart is heavy for our nation. America was founded on Christian values. Our forefathers knew the proven truth that only a society following God's precepts can be truly blessed. In George Washington's Inaugural address of 1789 he said:

    "Since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained..."

Following is a prophecy from Bob Jones entitled “VOTE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, August 2012."

Recently Bob audibly heard the Father say, “The church determines which way this nation is going. If the church does nothing, we do nothing. But if the church does something; we do everything!”

Bob believes that if the church doesn’t wake up and vote then the Lord will do nothing. The church will go to sleep and some may never wake up. The Lord has given the church all authority. If the church doesn’t begin to exercise its authority then its power becomes invalid and the enemy will have his way instead of the church.

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19

Our free will is involved in this matter and it determines which way this nation is going. The dedicated Christians must get up and vote! Christians have the say and the Lord will agree with them because He has given them all authority.

You will make your prayer to Him, and He will hear you, and you will pay your vows. You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God’s favor] shall shine upon your ways. (Job 22:27-28)

If we don’t speak out against unrighteousness then injustice will reign. By doing nothing, we actually vote for unrighteousness. We need to do something! We need to exercise our constitutional rights and vote in this election. Clearly the choice is ours!

A mesmerizing spirit plagued this nation during the last election and many people fell prey to it. This same spirit rested on Hitler and enabled him to control Germany, which led to its demise. That same mesmerizing spirit remains active this day in America controlling the mainline media along with many eligible voters. Many people in this nation are still spellbound by this charismatic lying spirit that prevents them from hearing the truth even though their lives have been crippled by its effects.

Christians have the Spirit of God living within them. It’s time they step up to the ballot box and exercise their authority to make a change in this nation. It’s our God given right and protected by the constitution, which is now in danger of being eliminated.

It’s time that the redeemed of the Lord say so! (Psalm 107:2) It’s time that the church awakens from her slumber and voids the plan of the enemy. Our nation is in a state of moral decay and only the church can make a difference by standing up for God righteousness. This nation is at a critical turning point and the righteous must express their kingdom authority.

Righteous women are now rising up to put their heel on the head of the serpent that’s trying to destroy the family. They are women with family values that will make a difference in this election. These women are like Jael that drove the tent peg into the head of Sisera.(Judges 4:21) I believe women are tired of their children being fed the filth of the world and lured by the lies of enemy. Family values and morality have been blown to the wind and these women are moving to the forefront and taking a righteous stand.

The Lord announces the word,and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng (Psalm 68:11 NIV)

We as Americans must come into agreement with God and desire His will. I believe Proverbs 6:16-19 describes God’s heart for this nation.

These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood, (abortion)
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.

God has given the church all authority and the pattern to follow. Let us turn from wickedness and do good. http://www.bobjones.org/Docs/Words%20of%202012/2012-08_VoteForRighteousness.htm 

Patricia King recently called the church to come together and pray for our country, “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

The people of America cannot put their trust in a politician or a political party. We must pray for God's intervention for it is “in God we Trust”...The Lord will reveal to you how to cast your vote. Cast it in faith. There are moral issues on the political table. There are issues concerning alliances with Israel that need careful consideration. God's values are clear. Stand with His values.

I believe the interrpretaion of the dream is as follows:
 

The eagle represents the prophetic ministry.  God is speaking to us through dreams and visions. 

The Vav, which is the hook between Heaven and Earth, represents Jesus who is interceding for us in Heaven.  I also believe God is calling women to take a righteous stand for our families and nation (tent peg "Vav") which was used by Jael to kill the enemy. We are to put our foot on the enemy's head.

Brown is symbolic of compassion, the earth, and is a pastorial color. God's messengers are speaking the law of truth and turning many away from iniquity. (Malachi 2:6-7)
 

God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause Your face to shine upon America, that Your way may be known on earth, and Your salvation among all nations. http://www.chavdaministries.org/ 40 DAYS TO SAVE AMERICA

PARROT, Oil Pastel

On my journey to create art every day,  I ran into several technology glitches. For some reason my saved posts disappeared before I could publish them.  I have noticed the previous generation intuitively knows how to use all of this wonderful technology. All I can say is that I am thankful  for  youtube videos.  They have changed the way we learn.  Never give up!

Inspiration can come from many sources. I found a picture of this parrot in a FOSTERS & SMITH  supply catalog.  This series of oil pastels are done in a 3.5 x 5" Stratmore Mixed-Media Visual Journal which can be bought at http://www.jerrysartarama.com for $3.27.  I cut black construction paper and glued to each sheet and used CRAY-PAS and SENNELIER Oil Pastels. They are studies of things I enjoy.  If I like the way they turn out I may do a larger version in Oil Pastel, Acrylic or Oil.  Once I have all of the colors established, recreating a larger piece is much simpler. 

Even if there isn't a light source in your reference photo include one in your artwork. Notice the warm colors on the upper left hand side and also spilling over onto the lower right side of the bird.  I used complementary colors to make the bird more vivid.  If you look at a color wheel the parrot is Blue-Green, and it's complement is 

Red- Orange which is directly opposite  on the wheel. I also used the colors on either side of the Red-Orange, Orange and Red which are the split Complementary colors of Blue-Green.

 

A good exercise to learn more about using your color wheel is to pull an advertisement from  a magazine.  Match the colors on the color wheel.  Did they use complementary colors?  Keep learning and practicing, it will make you a better artist.

 

EGGPLANT by Linda Tilden, Oil Pastel

I love doing these 3" x 5" studies for several reasons. I love learning new things and exploring different techniques. I was learning so many new things I felt scattered, and wasn't doing anything well. I was never satisfied, always making changes, and ended up with tired, lifeless paintings. That's when I put away my paint for awhile and started these small pastel works.

I wanted to enjoy the process again, and it was important to finish something. My husband has been reading a wonderful little book called "I Dare You!" by William H. Danforth.  It was originally self-published and now is in its 28th edition.  I opened it up and read one paragraph:

I assume that you are above the average person.  I am daring you to know at least one thing well. What is it? Make your decision and then determine to know that one thing well, better than anyone else...This is going to take time and hard work, but the joy you will discover in knowing one thing well will more than repay you.

Mr. Danforth was the founder and former Chairman of the Board for Ralston Purina Company. (http://www.nestlepurina.com/Danforth.aspx)  I am going to start at the beginning and read the book. Mark Mobley, a former teacher once said: "I love reading books by dead men...if the books are still being read after they're dead then they must be good."

So the one thing I want to do better than anyone else is paint like a Colorist. Until recently I didn't know there was such a term but many of the artists' works I enjoy use this principal of making color the key feature in their paintings.  I love beautiful colors, and am drawn to artists like Matisse, van Gogh, Seurat, Cezanne and Hawthorne. 

   HENRY MATISSE PINK TABLECLOTH

"If the trees look yellow to the artist then painted a bright yellow they must be."

APPLE by Linda Tilden, Oil Pastel

APPLE by Linda Tilden, Oil Pastel

We all are influenced by others.  I love looking at other artist's work,  reading about their lives, and going to museums. It's one thing to see a painting in a book, but quite another to actually stand in front of a work by Cezanne or Matisse.  When I saw Leonardo da Vinci's work at the High Museum I was overwhelmed with emotion. 

When I finished the apple drawing, it reminded me of works done by Paul Cezanne.  He liked using brush strokes of pure color.

"Cézanne created a sense of immediacy through using vibrant colors."

I was also influenced by two incredible artists:  Bobby Austin and Carly Hardy.

 Bobby made me cry, but she taught me valuable lessons. I had worked on a portrait of a little boy for several months. During one lesson,  Bobby took a brush full of green paint and painted over my painting.  She said no painting was precious, and that I thought I couldn't paint it again. After drying my tears, I set out again to paint my little boy from India. Yes, I could do it again. But I must say the painting did become precious to me.  When I look at that portrait I see things that I would do differently now, but it's a reminder of how far I've come.  I watched that little boy come to life. So I learned I could do it again, and I vowed to never make my students cry!

Carly taught me to see color and light.  She would tell me to squint my eyes, see if the color was warm or cool, darker or lighter than the color next to it.  I just couldn't see it and she would pick up a brush and show me.  I never minded her painting on my work; it was magical watching her dance with the colors. I learned by watching her paint.

Look at paintings, find one you like and duplicate it.  It will force you to look at the painting more closely and see the changes in colors and lines, and the lights and shadows.  Eventually your style will evolve,  and it will be as unique as your handwriting. 


Have fun, do something creative today!


“A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.” ― Paul Cezanne


  

Do something creative every day

AVOCADO Oil Pastel  

There are so many things that demand our time; our family, church, friends, etc. but I have an emptiness inside if I am not creative. Waiting for the perfect time, or perfect studio only heightens my frustration.  So, start where you are and use what you have.  To that end, I have an art table in the kitchen and have a goal to work on something every day.  I'm not insisting that I finish a project each day, but I will work on something everyday.


I have wonderful little drawings everywhere, in notebooks, on the back of grocery lists, receipts or envelopes.Unfortunately, a lot of these nice drawings get lost. I decided to start working in a 3 1/2" x 5" Mixed Media Journal by Strathmore.  I cut black construction paper to fit the pages and use Cray-Pas or Sennelier Oil Pastels. Cray-Pas Pastels are inexpensive and have nice colors. If you find you like working with oil pastels,  Sennelier pastels are wonderfully creamy and have very good coverage.


I wanted to take everyday things and show their beauty. One of my favorite artists is Charles Hawthorne.

Anything under the sun is beautiful if you have the vision - it is the seeing of the thing that makes it so...people are subconsciously interested in the expression of beauty, something that helps them through the humdrum day...makes them believe in the beauty and the glory of human existence.  Hawthorne On Painting.

If you want to become a better artist, practice, always be a student, always searching and looking for the unexpected.