March 4, 2009
And it’s prettier, more useful, and fun!
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February 10, 2009
Last weekend, I was at a family’s home and one of their girls, Ravin, came to show me her latest creations in her portfolio. At not even 10 years old yet, she’s always impressed me with her creativity, but one of her paintings stood out to me:
What’s so great about this particular painting is how she created it. She laid down a quarter to mask the area where the sun was going to be, and splattered paint around it. I asked her how she did the splatters of color, and she gave me a big smile and said “with a toothbrush!” Her reply almost had a “silly girl, what else would I use?” tone to it, but I’m pretty sure it was my own artistic convictions coloring my reaction.
You see, I used to paint with toothbrushes. I painted with leaves, string, my fingers, and a host of other non-conventional tools. My paintings didn’t always stay on the paper, and they were rarely centered. When did I stop thinking that this was an acceptable way to paint?
Ravin’s painting was a kind reminder that we artistic types should never lose the wonder of getting a little messy.
~ Here’s to painting outside of the box from time to time. Thanks Ravin! ~
January 28, 2009
It’s intrigued me ever since I was a little girl… how an artist can take hot melted glass, put it on a stick, and turn it into something remarkable and useful. The swirls of color, the specks of detail… How do they do it?
On our honeymoon, my husband and I passed a unique little shop that had big, beautiful blown glass pieces. We walked over to them and Nate commented on their stunning colors, and I said how great it would be to learn how to do that someday. Little did I know that my sneaky, creative husband had already arranged for a private lesson from a master the very next day.
We arrived at Keila Glassworks, and a big, dreadlocked man greeted us with a smile. He bore a striking resemblance to one of my fellow art students at Union University, or for you, perhaps the “typical” art student. But he handled hot glass with perfection, and somehow managed to not catch his massive amount of hair on fire. For about 2 hours, Nate and I learned the basics of glassblowing and made three pieces with some assistance: two tumblers and a vase. Did you know that it actually takes two people to blow glass? One to blow into the pipe and one to keep the pipe moving.
It was so much fun, and one of my dreams came true. (Thanks Nate!)
What is something you’ve always wanted to do? Why not make it happen in 2009? Email or comment with your dreams. I want to know!
January 9, 2009
Occasionally, I get an idea for a painting that I know is not from me – it is inspired by God and it usually takes hold of me until I complete it. “Redeemed” and “Unblemished” are two such paintings. My latest piece is another one.
Please click here to see it larger.
This painting symbolizes Jesus’ resurrection. The empty cocoon represents the empty tomb, and the butterfly represents Jesus’ risen body, and our resulting freedom from sin. The red and white in the butterfly symbolizes Jesus’ blood and the complete purity that we have now that we have been forgiven. The falling piece of paper claims “It is finished.” These were some of Jesus’ last words on the cross, and they are so powerful. They express triumph rather than defeat. Because of the truth of these words, we have life.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very heart of Christianity. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul reasoned, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” In the same chapter he says “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins… If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” But then Paul triumphantly declares, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead!”
On Easter morning some women and apostles went to Jesus’ tomb, expecting to find his body. But the tomb was empty, and the angel at the tomb told them, “He is not here; he has risen!” Later they saw Jesus face to face. I have not seen Jesus’ face, but I know that I will someday. His resurrection means that we all can.
Please contact me if you have any questions about this painting or about Christ’s death or resurrection.
Click here to purchase a limited edition print for a special January price of $95.00!
Help me title this painting!
January 2, 2009
“Have you always wanted to be an artist?”
This is the most common question I get at art shows or when people see my work for the first time. It’s funny, because one would think that I had dreamed about this career from childhood. It’s simply not the case.
You see, I had never met a successful artist. I grew up with the assumption that creating art was fun, and it was just something to do in your spare time, or after retirement… seriously. It didn’t stop me from loving the creative process, however. I colored with the best of them. I made art supplies out of the most random items, and it was always pure joy.
In middle and high school, I turned a great deal of my attention to the kitchen. I would come home, change into comfortable clothes, and go help Mom with whatever she was preparing. I didn’t care what we were making, but I wanted to be in the middle of it. Soon I began believing that I wanted to be a bread and pastry chef for a living, and my parents and I began touring culinary institutes.. I was all set! Now, just to graduate..
I’ve heard that God shuts doors and opens windows. I’ve always thought that was a pretty cheesy concept, but my senior year I got to experience it first-hand. It turns out that they don’t allow 17-year olds into culinary school. It’s something about sharp knives and hot ovens I’m sure… I got this jolt of reality as I neared graduation. It seemed clear that I would have to put off becoming a chef at least for a time. Not to be discouraged, I began looking for a way to amuse myself for a year, and decided on attending “regular” college. A school I wasn’t even interested in attending offered me a full scholarship. This scared me into trying for a full scholarship where I actually wanted to attend (Union University). I had only a week to get the ACT score I needed to even be considered for a full scholarship there, and it turns out they had a final residual test I could take ASAP.
Through a string of events and circumstances I can only attribute to God’s direction on my life, I ended up receiving one of the few full scholarships Union offered that year. (I’m happy to share the full story if you ask).
I chose to major in art and LOVED IT. During an assignment in Drawing II, I had to draw 40 faces in a week. This is what sparked my now decade-long art career. People came through the studio and saw what I was doing, and asked if I would draw their kid or themselves or whoever, because after all, I had to draw people anyway – why draw strangers from magazines? I realized I was alright at drawing. The following summer, my Dad encouraged me to start a business, and I did. I started my drawings out at $50 apiece in those days, and upon graduation I launched my full-time career.
Looking back, it was never about food. It was about creating. I realize that now, and had I known that a young person could be a successful artist, I might have dreamed of it as a child. My parents saw the love I had for it at age four. I was 18 before my eyes were opened.
I love open windows. Do you?
December 19, 2008
Nate may think I’m crazy when he comes home tonight 
I just made a run of some antique stores near our home and picked up a really random assortment of old buttons, pins, wood, hinges, and other rusty things. I’m as giddy as I got the time we were cleaning my grandparents’ attic and I discovered a forgotten calligraphy set, complete with pens, ink, and paper. My parents’ first inclination was to throw it out, but for me, it became a 9-year old’s new favorite hobby. It’s funny how some things never change… my desire to create something beautiful out of raw materials will always be with me. Sometimes my raw materials come in tubes, or are shiny and white like new canvases. For this endeavor, they are old items that beg for resurrection.
What brought on this itch? Last night, my dear friend Caroleann and I went to an Andrew Peterson concert. His songs told the story of Jesus’ birth and life much like a fairy tale would be told. During intermission, we discovered a table covered with artwork that corresponded to the message of the songs… artwork that mesmerized me. This artist, whose name is Evie (and who disappointingly does not have much of a web presence), had taken old wood and discarded items, pairing them with her own original watercolor and ink paintings. The result was beautiful, intricate works of art that beckoned for further review.
Throughout the rest of the concert, I let the music and my own wandering thoughts give me inspiration for my own take on this “found object” type of work. Be on the lookout for these pieces. I already believe that they will be hard to part with. I always know I’m on to something great when I can’t think of anything else, and neccesary things like showering and phone calls start seeming like a nuisance. See you soon – this artist has work to do.
December 16, 2008
I recently had the pleasure of painting Andy Andrews’ little boys. If you are unfamiliar with Andy, please check out his website! He’s an incredible speaker and a New York Times best-selling author, and a wildly funny and inspirational guy. Last month, he asked me to create a painting from an adorable photograph of his two boys as a gift to his wife Polly. Nate and I delivered it last weekend to their home in Orange Beach, AL and spent the weekend with the family. It was a great time, and when the oldest boy saw it, he exclaimed: “Wow! You made our butts so lifelike!” Ha! How’s that for a quote? That one may have to make its way over to my Testimonials page.
Below is the painting:
And here is a photo of Nate and I with the Adam and Austin (who are a bit older now):
December 5, 2008
Many of you are familiar with my painting entitled “Unblemished,” which depicts an old gentleman holding a little lamb. Some of you have even read my account of how the painting came to be. What you don’t know yet is that he’s still doing his Santa gig during the holidays, and my husband and I ran into him at Gaylord Opryland’s Hall of Trees, where my artwork is being auctioned this month!
Nate and I were in Jackson, TN for another art show the weekend before Thanksgiving, so we had hired someone to set up our tree and art display at Opryland’s Hall of Trees this year. When we arrived the next week to see the exhibit, we were surprised with much more! (more…)
November 30, 2008
I just returned last weekend from a big art show that I participate in each year, the Holiday Mart in Jackson, TN. An eight year old named Connor came through with his mom. He was quite taken with the work that I had displayed, and he asked me lots of questions. He reminded me of myself when I was little. I was always enamored with artists that we ran across at fairs, amusement parks, and on vacations.
I asked Connor which piece of artwork he liked best (this is always a fun question to ask young art connoisseurs). He said that it was “Eternal Song,” my painting of the old master playing the violin. This is an unusual favorite for a kid, but it turns out that he’s a little mini-master himself! He’s been playing for four years. So we chatted about him and eventually he and his mom had to leave. On a whim, I decided to give him one of my matted prints of “Eternal Song.” He beamed and was so excited. His mom was grateful. Somehow they tracked down my mailing address, and I received this tear-jerker of a note from my new little friend yesterday:
His mother appended to the letter, pretty much sealing the deal that I would need to re-apply my eye makeup. Who knew that such a small gesture could mean so much? I will now look for opportunities to make these “WOW” moments at future shows. It was my favorite part of the weekend. See the pastel drawing that Connor drew for the front of the card below:
November 27, 2008
Nate and I are settling in nicely to married life. I look forward to each new day with him! He was so worth the wait. We just returned from an art show that I do each year in Jackson, TN, and tomorrow both of our families are going to enjoy Thanksgiving together. How fun! His huge family with my 4 member family all eating cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. (Yes, I’m still a vegetarian, but if there’s ever a day to cheat, it would be tomorrow. Don’t tell anyone!) 
At any rate, the point of this post was to point anyone interested to our wedding photos that are now online. Here’s the link:
http://thebaileywedding.shutterfly.com/
Just in case, here are a few “teasers.”
Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving!!
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