Prayers Before Projects
Before starting my painting titled "Glory," I was facing a challenging period, grappling with various situations and decisions. During this time of uncertainty, I turned to my heavenly Father for guidance. Spending time with Him always brings me comfort. Despite feeling overwhelmed by a difficult project, I pushed myself to overcome the negative thoughts and decided to tackle it head-on. Planning to work on it over the weekend, I aimed to start fresh on Saturday with a cup of coffee, taking it slow and steady--even if it took the entire day! I embraced the idea of having Sunday as a backup if needed, aiming to complete the task by Monday. Seeking clarity and understanding, I asked God for help and expressed gratitude for His guidance. When my eldest son shared the song "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash, it provided me with the motivation I needed. Listening to it repeatedly, I held onto its positive message throughout the night, preparing myself for the challenges ahead. With renewed strength and faith, I approached the project slowly, reviewing the notes and relying on my instincts, trusting in God for wisdom and insight. After four hours of focused effort, I finally succeeded! It was a great relief to finish the demanding project with God's assistance, gaining a sense of accomplishment. His presence gave me peace and clarity throughout the process, instilling confidence that I can overcome other challenges with His help.
Once I completed the previous project, I shifted my focus to painting. This is when I began working on "Glory". I prayed asking the Lord to assist me in creating a beautiful blend of colors. Starting with cool blue, pink, naples yellow, brown, gray, and white, I followed a photo of the beach I had taken. Beginning with the land, I carefully planned the ocean line and sky placement. After an hour, I took a break and decided to finish the next day. The following Sunday, I focused on adding depth to the ground, shaping the hills, incorporating waves, and refining the ocean details. I painted the sky with various colors, and brightened the center of the sun for a radiant effect. I was so surprised by the outcome! Grateful for the Lord's assistance, I admired the finished painting.
The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron writes on page 117-118 “when a painter is painting, he or she may begin with a plan, but that plan is soon surrendered to the painting’s own plan. This is often expressed as “The brush takes the next stroke”. In dance, in composition, in sculpture, the experience is the same: we are more the conduit than the creator of what we express. And on page 119: “Learn to accept the possibility that the universe is helping you with what you are doing. Become willing to see the hand of God and accept it as a friend’s offer to help with what you are doing.”
When I paint, I always feel God's presence and often have real conversations with Him! Give it a try as well! Have faith in God and observe how He responds to your prayers in your creative endeavors. His faithfulness is unwavering!
Blessings! Rhonda