Even In A Storm

This post is for me, but you may read over my shoulder if you want to…

The day began with a flurry and a storm of activity!  I was vacuuming my floor at 7:30 a.m., anticipating prospective buyers to come through the house in the afternoon.  (Getting a house ready for realtors and sellers is not on my top favorites list.   But now the house was clean and orderly, to the point of me becoming obsessive about it. ) My husband was checking off items on the Honey-Do list I had given him.   The Weather Channel was stirring up panic in the minds of America about a hurricane that was predicted to run in forty directions and cause evacuations in three or four states.  I received a text inquiring if our house could be used for evacuation while we were gone, if needed.  And we were discussing our 1000 mile road trip with a UHaul, coming up in two days.

I could feel the tension in my neck. (Or maybe it was the barometric pressure from the storms brewing.)  But I knew for my sanity, and my husband’s sanity, that I needed to keep my Wednesday appointment to paint!

      

When I arrived at Sacred Heart Cultural Center in Augusta, the “Women on Paper” group I paint with, was already scattered around in places. And they were all looking up!?  So I did, too.

As I watched the billowy September clouds circling around the spires of the building, I relaxed.  I painted.  I pondered.  “Keep looking up.”  The words seemed to form in my head.  “Keep looking up, even when your world is unsettled with all the factors spinning this way and that.”  “Keep looking up, even in a storm.  God is so much bigger than you, your house, your life.  He is your Peace.”

   I found my mind moving from myself to all the friends who are in the predicted path of this Hurricane.  I wondered who might need to evacuate to our house that would be empty while we were away.  I listened to the angry sounds of busy traffic just on the outside of the hedge behind me.  I noticed the individuals who walked past on the sidewalks, with backpacks, a cup of coffee, and hungry eyes.  And I prayed.  I prayed, not that my house would sell, but that people would be safe, be fed, know Christ’s Peace.

I finished painting and left the group of women.  They had listened and responded with encouragement when I whisked into place with all my morning drama.  Friendships are gifts.  And now, with a renewed peace and attitude adjustment, I went about the rest of the day.

May I keep looking up, fixing my eyes on Him, who is steadfast and stable, my Strength in all storms.

melaniestokesart.com
Keep Looking Up
8×8 Oil

 

 

Summer Art Camps

Summer Art Camps?  I’m glad you asked… This summer I’m focusing on

 9 to 12 year olds ONLY!  

Two choices for ONE week camps to serve more children with a lower student/teacher ratio.

Sign up now to reserve your space – May 20 – early registration deadline

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Is November 9 on your calendar?

melaniestokesart.com

melaniestokesart.com

November 9 is circled on my calendar!  I’m finishing up some new paintings by day and thinking over show details by night!  I am still not over the excitement that Sacred Heart Cultural Center is hosting an Exhibition of my paintings, beginning November 9 with an Opening Reception from 5 pm to 7 pm.  Pictured here is the invitation to be sent to 1100 people in the Augusta Area!  The Exhibit will be open during their business hours through December 22.  If you can’t make it to the reception, I  hope you can drop in to see while in Augusta, GA.

The theme, “Back Roads…Back Yards…Back Home” is one I’ve used previously.   Many of the new paintings are still leaning toward the rural, nature setting, and ‘homes of the past’ images that I’ve been developing.  There will be some Back Home-Christmas Nostalgia images added for the season, also.

melaniestokesart.com

If you’ve not been to Sacred Heart at 1301 Greene Street, enter through the back gate, by the sign that says Gift Shop (Ellis and 13th Street Gate).  The paintings will be hanging in the back halls, which weave around under the cathedral, making me think of the Catacombs of the early Christians.  It’s a wonderful setting for an art show!

Hope to see you November 9!   5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  And as always, everything is for sale!

Updated Website

New Website Look!

Same domain name –  different hosting – learning curve for me!

How do you like it?  Click around and give me your feedback on the new website construction.  Anything missing?  Something you wonder about?  Help me trouble-shoot by trying it out.  Check out the Portfolio of current work, too.

You will notice I don’t have the Archives of Sold Paintings.  Maybe I will add those later, as I know several of you have shared your purchases with friends that way.    And, the old blog posts are gone!  (I saved them, but don’t plan to post them all again.)  So, this is the first of many new blog posts to come.

Recent Highlights:

May – Solo show at Averitt Center for the Arts, Statesboro, GA
– spent a week of fun learning at Plein Air South, Apalachicola, FL

June – teaching adult painting classes at MAC on Main Art Gallery, Thomson,
– working on commissions and daily paintings
– preparing for the next solo show in November! (stay tuned)