melaniestokesart.com – Page 3 – Melanie Stokes Art

February 19, 2019February 19, 2019

Dwelling

dwelling – (noun) a house, apartment, or other place of residence. a home, accommodation, lodging, abode.

(verb) to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside. to live or continue in a given condition or state: to dwell in happiness.

melaniestokesart.com — Dwelling
24×24 Oil

This Dwelling has become Home until further notice. It was offered as a place to stay until our new home in the country could be completed. All of our furniture, pots and pans, sheets and towels, books and pictures, are in boxes in a storage unit, waiting for the day they can be reopened and put to use. Meanwhile, we are “dwelling” in this furnished “dwelling” on 85 acres of rolling ranch land in Texas.

We have been here about three months now. That is long enough for me to realize I have come to a place of contentment, most days, about living here. It took me a while to get to this point.

It’s not that I’m ungrateful. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be here, the provision of a place to stay, and the friendship of the owner. But the challenges of being in a new place, upstairs/downstairs, not my things, no dishwasher, outside laundry room, unfamiliar noises, cows all over the place, and a cold prairie wind, all took a toll at first. There were no huge challenges, just the little things we like to whine about as we fall deeper into discontent.

There was also some fear involved, though I fought it with all my might… Fear of being in a new environment, fear of this Waco traffic, fear that a mouse could be lurking in the laundry room, fear of big cows staring at me and getting ready to attack, fear of the tin roof blowing off in a windstorm, fear of us not finding the right contractor for our building project, fear of our retirement budget not being enough, fear that I would never sell another painting… Fear becomes irrational and can spiral into frenzy.

This past Sunday, the pastor said one thing (well, maybe more than one thing) that spoke to me. “Fear is the contracting impulse of the soul.” – St. Thomas Aquinas

I thought about how fear keeps our soul from growing, from loving, from trusting, from experiencing contentment. I’ve known this for years in my aged wisdom! Yet, I realized that these last three months of dwelling in this dwelling have been somewhat of a laboratory for God to continue teaching me about being content with the present day, to continue trusting Him, and to let go of fear.

As I painted, I thought about all that brings contentment in this present time: a place to dwell for now, daily companionship with my husband, the provision of new friends in a new place, these acres to roam on daily walks, beautiful scenes and changing skies to paint every day, peace with God, new mercies and grace every morning, and Blue Bell ice cream in the freezer.(!)

As I was debating this move to Texas, I told some of you, “Trust is my mantra.” I’m exercising the Trust Factor. And, I’m still learning to dwell in the present and be content. This dwelling is helping to teach me.

“… and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 The Psalmist was learning contentment, also!

February 13, 2019February 13, 2019

Morning Refreshment

One of my favorite moments of the day is when I first look out of the windows to see what animals or birds might be strolling through the property as I drink my morning coffee. The sun rises over the pond and water fowl glide around. Ocasionally, deer may be grazing in the distance. And, more times than any, the black angus are already moving about.

This particular morning, the new calf was moving slower than the rest of the herd. So the mama was staying back to encourage it to get moving! As they walked past the clear point of the pond, the mama stepped into the water and drank — a long time. She lifted her head and looked refreshed, renewed, ready to walk further, and to try to be patient with this child as she prodded him along!

You know, things always look brighter in the morning. A good night’s sleep can help any burden. A night of rest can bring clarity to a plan of action. A glass of orange juice or a cup of coffee can wake your brain from sleep. A new day, a new light, a new outlook — “His mercies are new every morning!”

January 18, 2019January 20, 2019

Promises

“Broken promises are worse than rain clouds that don’t bring rain.” Proverbs 25:14 CEV

This painting, presently on my easel, came to my mind when I read these words from the Bible. The imagery of rain clouds just teasing dry land is understood in this environment. The painting seems to illustrate the verse.

I’ve been painting this scene from a photo I had taken of what will become our new back yard. The 29 acres are fifteen minutes from Waco TX, between Mart, Axtell, and Hallsburg…what I like to call “in the middle of nowhere.”

We bought this property because it is only six miles from our son and his family. While looking for about five acres, we ended up with twenty nine! But a lease to pasture cows came with it. We love having the open spaces, and the front yard has seven big oak trees!!

I was the first one who saw the promise of a house in the steel barn on the property. Maybe it was because I had binge-watched “Fixer Upper” in preparation for moving to Waco! Maybe it was because I am a creative person and can see how to make things out of leftovers. We bought this place with the idea that it would be pretty simple to expand the 720 square foot apartment into about 2000 square feet of living space under the metal roof. Things are never as simple as they seem.

My “can do anything” husband drew up some house plans. For over a month we have researched, contacted and met with contractors to obtain bids for the project. Steve is presently doing demolition on the existing structure to get it ready to build into our vision.

I know there is a promise of a house here. (There is light at the end of this barn!) But, it seems like it is taking too long to see it fulfilled. Yet, I am grateful for a comfortable place to stay in the meantime (30 minutes away), which has wonderful scenes to paint, and trying to be patient about not having “my stuff” that is all stored away.

How many times do we find ourselves in the middle of a journey, only to feel that things are taking too long, going too slow, coming to dead ends? And then, we remind ourselves that if we are on this journey with God, we have His promise that He will never leave us, or forsake us, or break promises.

“With all my heart, I am waiting, Lord, for you! I trust your promises.” Psalm 130: 5

There is so much for which to be grateful! But that will be another blog entry.

October 19, 2018

Walking Through Wildflowers

Are you old enough to remember the opening scene of the Little House on the Prairie television series? You know, the one where Laura and her sisters are running happily through the waving prairie grass and swaying wildflowers?

Well, that’s the flashback I had when I was recently walking through wildflowers on a prairie near Waco, Texas. Two grandsons ran ahead, following the curving path their father had mowed. (I know Laura had to blaze the trail herself. It looks real picturesque on tv, but those grasses can cut and who knows what danger lies deep beneath them?) With the help of the pathway, we could enjoy the aesthetic, sensory experience in safety!

White flowers bloom for acres in August on the prairie. “Snow on the Prairie” is a fitting name. This day the storm clouds were beginning to bank themselves in the distance, providing a violet colored backdrop for the greens and white. The rain would be welcomed to give enough moisture for the next variety of flowers, waiting to spring forth from the cracked earth.

As we walked through the wildflowers, the boys ran ahead, delighting in finding trails that forked in two directions. The dog zig-zagged around in the tall grass, looking for whatever dogs look for. Our son and daughter-in-law walked and talked with us, as we explored and dreamed about the future. Eventually the boys came back around, the dog was called from his wanderings off the path, and all of us went back to the house to rest.

Walking through Wildflowers … if you lose your way, you simply follow the path toward home.

August 16, 2018

Daily Provision

I know hummingbirds don’t eat bread! But, when I see them each morning outside the window, fluttering around as if they are afraid there will not be enough to eat, this phrase of a prayer pops in my head: “Give Us This Day…”

My husband feeds these hummingbirds every day. They have been showing up every summer for about ten years. And each year they bring their friends to the buffet! This year the count is up to about forty at a time! (give or take a few blurs as you count) They found the provision in these feeders yesterday, and they expect to find it again.

“Give us this day, our daily bread…” This is the prayer Jesus taught his followers. Day by day, God provides what we need. (Note to self – I said, what we need, as opposed to what we can store up in our homes and then have to clean out when it is time to move!) God sent daily “manna” from heaven to His People in the wilderness. Remember how it rotted when they tried to store it and save it? God promised to send just enough for each day. Day after day, we go back to the One whom we know will provide… and we bring our friends!

June 30, 2018June 30, 2018

From the Heart

Most days I paint from life,

Many days I paint from photos,

Some days I paint from memory,

But, today, I painted from the heart!

Recently, I was in a discussion about “skill vs. talent.” As an art educator, I’m all for training and acquiring skill! We need to work at our skills to make them better. Even talented people need to understand why they innately make art a certain way and how they can use that knowledge. But talent is more about the way you are bent, the amazing things you do just because you are you. While developing skill to make art is important, if there is no passion or emotion involved, skill doesn’t always speak. And Art needs to speak!

You have heard musicians who are highly skilled. They never miss a note, but their rhythm is so steady and notes so exact that it sounds like a robot is playing the piano! But when you listen to a musician who slows down, or speeds up, or gets louder, or gets so quiet that you can hardly breathe… you could be moved to tears and whisper, “Now, that is talent!”

Maybe “talent” and “skill” are not the words you use to describe this phenomena. Maybe it is the “art evokes emotion” theory. However you describe it, I agree that if art does not elicit a response from others, it is in need of improvement. (Notice I didn’t say to throw it away. You can always learn how to improve!)

Painting from the heart happens best when there is no pressure to perform. This “Painting from the Heart” began on a landscape that had been sitting in the corner of my studio. It had made the gallery rounds and was a peaceful landscape, but did not really say anything. No one was moved to tears. So, to keep from wasting a perfectly good 24×30 canvas, I turned it vertical and spread Gesso over the middle. Suddenly a vase of hydrangeas began forming in my head. I got excited. This was a day, after several days, when I needed to paint something to process my emotions.

And as I painted, these words formed:

Most days I paint from life,

Many days I paint from photos,

Some days I paint from memory,

But, today, I painted from the heart!

This painting has served its expressive purpose for me as I painted. Now, I would love to hear the reactions it may bring from you!

June 15, 2018June 15, 2018

Stop and Smell the Gardenias!

Some days you just need to “stop and smell” the gardenias!!

I know, I know, I’m supposed to be focused on readying for ten kids in Art Camp on Monday. My studio shows evidence of that. I know, this painting hasn’t been commissioned and maybe no one will want to buy it. So, what?

Some days you just need to “stop and smell”… “be quiet and listen”…”be still and know.”

Every time I walk past the gardenia bush, I find myself slowing down, inhaling deep, and studying the soft petals. I ponder what color is really in that white…how dark are the shadows?…are they tinted warm or cool? And I thank the Creator God for his marvelous creation of gardenias. And I feel happy and loved. So today, I needed to paint that, as I spent a few hours in the quietness of worship in my studio.

Perhaps your avenue of “stopping and smelling” is not with paint. It might be in playing with a child, reading a book, writing your thoughts, petting a cat, watching birds, going for a walk, sewing or baking, maybe even taking a nap… As it says in Ephesians, “in all things, give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus to God.” We do.

February 11, 2018

Strength in Times of Darkness

I showed this to my husband and asked, “Who does this look like?”

He answered with a question, “Us?”

(Good answer, but not who I thought he would recognize.) The models are his brother and sister-in-law. But it could well be “us” with the sentiment behind it. We are strong together, even in dark times.

As I painted, I was impacted by the play of light against dark, the blinding strength of the sun, and the deepest cold darkness of the side away from the light. I could feel the wind of that fall morning on the beach and the warm comfort of an arm around my shoulders.

My Protector, My Strength, My Constant… all words that I use when I think about God and his relationship with his people. But these words also come to mind when I describe my husband! (yes, really)

It does not offend my worth as a woman for him to be the strongest, for him to be the bravest, for him to even be the tallest. I know he loves me and is my best friend. Almost forty years of marriage hold many stories of facing darkness and many blessings in the light. The faith and principles we base our marriage on have held us together. And in times of darkness the light always seems the brightest! (ok, not immediately, but in hindsight…)

This brother and sister-in-law have seen some recent dark times with health. They have come through on the other side, ready for the morning walk, ready to soak up the warmth of the sun, ready to see light and all that it will illuminate day by day.

Celebrating love, life and light!

December 20, 2017December 20, 2017

Pure Joy!

When a customer first sent me photos of her grandson on a horse and asked if I could paint it for Christmas, I whined. I really did. I stressed over it and wondered if I could make it happen. Horse legs seem very complicated! I learned that these two are involved in a horse therapy program. The more I worked with the subject, the more I became drawn to this determined rider and this kind horse and how I could best express the emotion of their relationship.

I painted it this way. I love the results. But the best part of this painting experience was the message I received from the grandmother:

“He keeps coming back and picking up the painting and says ‘Mimi, it is beautiful.’ Thank you again for bringing love through your paintings.”

This is pure joy to an artist when someone as special as he sees beauty in the artwork and feels love from it. This affirms why I paint. This challenges me to do more to express love and peace through my art. This reminds me that it is a gift from God. May I always glorify Him. May I always be grateful for every opportunity.

September 13, 2017

Day 13 of 30 paintings: Once Upon A Time…

Once Upon A Time… (you complete the rest.) Don’t you just love a Once Upon A Time story? I used a photo from a trip in Mississippi to paint this. There is just something surreal-looking about the landscape. As I painted, I remembered being there on that summer day, breathing fresh air and feeling the warmth of the sun. But now that it is finished, I can imagine the rest of the story… Once Upon A Time…