JoDee Luna's Blog, page 17

Returning to Writing

I’m trying to find my way back to the reflective writer I once was.Funny thing is, she seems like another lifetime ago. I search for her in memories and imagine a woman who rose every morning to write. Yes, I sigh, she vaguely resembles someone I used to know but now aspire to become, once again.

Her tenacity tantalizes me. Her persistence pushes me. Her devotion delivers me.

So if the writer I once was had such an impact on me, then why did I leave her behind until her memory blurs like a woman in the mist?

Oh, I could blame several things for this distance between us; all justifiable tasks that crowded life spaces: adjustments to a new job, once-in-a-lifetime family events, the purchase and renovation of a home, a growing passion to paint.

Sure, I can still see these reasons clearly and argue as to why, most mornings, I put down my pen, but her truth still calls to me from the mist:

And even though the message returns, I’ve argued this point profusely, “Really, Lord, who cares what I pen?”

Then God sends encouragement my way through the wise words of a friend, TJ Patton:

“…you write and leave people thinking, it is what is in you, that a lot of us think about.”

And once again, truth melts away resistance until the original reasons I write return to mind:

For self-reflection
To process thoughts, feelings, and life decisions
To release the madness that mounts in my mind
To encourage others who go through similar experiences

Yes, I smile; I began to write because to not do so would have surely resulted in my undoing, and so I must continue to write as a form of self-health.

As I scribble thoughts onto paper, I remember the most important reason I write:

To waltz with the One who created the world with words.

Yes, writing forms a divine romance between the Eternal Spirit and my finite soul.

Writing leads me into realms of wisdom and understanding I could never venture into, let alone discover, alone.

Writing pours life direction through my pen.

The part of the world in which I work makes more sense when I write.

The part of myself I want to quarantine away from others becomes clearer when I write.

The part of my writing I want to share with others forms blog posts and manuscript pages when I write.

As I write my way back, I know I’ll encounter resistance. The seemingly urgent will threaten to fill my life spaces, and so I will have to work harder to carve out consistent writing time.

I wonder how many other writers are trying to return to their authentic writer’s self. Perhaps there are many that share my struggle to persist. So to you, my dear writer friends, I pass on a Ray Bradbury quote that my daughter, Elya (an aspiring novelist), posted on her Facebook page:

I say “persist!” Together we can do this!

 

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The Fighter: An Acrylic Painting Morphs

I wonder whether any other painters have had a project morph into something they did not intend.

I fully intended to paint Mary Magdalene and call her Forgiven, but as I got into this painting, her face determined to become determined.

Eventually, she became The Fighter.

And, as my friend Rhonda Curtis put it so perfectly, ”

The whole world is in those eyes!”

I find this morphing phenomenon in painting fascinating and often ask myself: How can something the artist imagines turn out so differently?

At first, the emergence of a new art form frustrates, but in time a unique beauty emanates from determination.

So if you’re in need of some strength today, you will appreciate The Fighter. 

 

Have you had a painting morph on you? I’d love to hear about your artistic experience, so please leave a comment.

 

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The Whisper

This acrylic painting is dedicated to women throughout the ages that have dared to listen for the whisper.

 

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Remember what it feels like to be loved…

Our home swells with grown children returned home, family gatherings, and a granddaughter who can wipe away your blues with a smile.

Bodies sleep peacefully on coaches, as I tiptoe to the kitchen to pour coffee.

I enter my art room and see my daughter’s canvases and paints piled upon the table. Her latest work in progress props up on my easel.

Easter weekend, I sigh, a time to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection and to enjoy our growing family, with all of the Easter egg hunting, story sharing, and belly laughing.

 

I sit in silence and reminisce the family gathering on Saturday. Where did the time go? I wonder. When did little boys grew up into men and little girls into women while my siblings I grew deeper laugh lines?

If I could freeze these moments I would, but I can’t. Jobs await and children must return to their worlds that exist apart from us parents. Isn’t it funny how fast the good times speed by while the sad ones settle so deeply in your soul?

The Easter Egg Hunt

So while bags get packed and good-bye hugs exchanged, I try to marble these moments into memories. Perhaps I can erect permanence, preserve what it’s like to live meaningfully, remember what it feels like to be loved.

 

 

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The Parting: Letting go of Your Artwork

Personal paintings become a part of the artist’s journey, and, like good friends, can be difficult to say good-bye to as you travel along your creative path.

Watercolor by Gina M. Wilson and JoDee Luna

This watercolor my sister and I created reminds us of those family camping trips we used to take with our kids. Whenever I look at this painting, I’m reminded to savor every moment I have with my children and grand-daughter because the years pass so quickly.

Recently, I’ve had some requests for my paintings. This is something I’ve always hoped would happen because it would mean that my art had inspired others. Yet the funny thing is, I’m discovering that I’m not quite ready to part with them. Maybe it’s because each one has a special meaning to me, so when I think about the parting, it feels kind of like saying good-bye to a close friend.

My husband’s photo shoot inspired this acrylic painting of a masquerade mask.  So when I look at the painting, wonderful memories flood my mind of our daughter, Andrea, and her friends.

JoDee, Emily, Andy, David, Phil

Wanting to hold onto my paintings could be the normal part of a newbie’s process, but I highly suspect that other artists also struggle with the parting to some degree.

I know my daughter, Elya, will sell just about anything she’s painted except for her beloved Paisley.

My sister tends to give her paintings to family members so she can visit them. She gave this landscape to my husband and I as a house-warming gift because I always drooled over it when I visited her.

This landscape is based on a demonstration called “Poppy Field” in Brush with Acrylics: Painting the Easy Way by Terry Harrison.

Yet the further along she is in her artistic journey, the more she lists for sale on her http://ginamariewilson.com/. Hmmm…..

Gina Wilson’s original landscape painting

Because I struggle with the parting, I’ve looked into some alternatives for selling my paintings. I’ve come across some websites through tracing my Pinterest favorites back to their original websites. My next goal is to have my husband take some high-resolution photos so I can still share my artwork with others. Through this website, people could buy a card, poster, or canvas of the image. I’ll let you know when my artwork is uploaded to this website and available in other formats.

I’d love to hear from other painters out there. How do you reconcile the parting?

 

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Tears in a Bottle Mixed Media

Tears in a Bottle is a mixed media project inspired by Psalm 56:8, You have collected all my tears in your bottle…recorded each one in your book.

This scripture comforts with the reminder that God never forgets our sorrows.

I used Golden Regular Gel (Matte) for the paper collaging. The eye is painted with acrylics.

The rose symbolizes the blossoming of a woman’s life, which is often watered with her tears. I ended up painting over the original rose.

After finishing the eye and bottle, I collaged more paper for accenting the amethyst bottle color.

The last touches added were the feather, hand, and scripture. I used parchment paper for the lettering and painted it with yellow ochre and a pale pink. “Micron” fine line pens are wonderful for lettering. The edging color is raw umber.

I enjoyed combining acrylic painting with mixed media collage for this project. You can see more “How To” art projects by selecting the “Creative Projects” tab.

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Warrior Princess Acrylic Painting

I’ve finally finished the feathers of “Warrior Princess,” an acrylic painting project that I had set aside for months.

It’s ironic that I got so far and then lost all motivation to finish a few feathers, but sometimes art projects are just like that. I can’t explain it but sure do experience it quite often.

Here’s the link that shows how the painting developed, Warrior Princess, New Mask Painting in Process.

Finishing this painting has stirred the desire to start another painting. So for all of you procrastinating painters out there with unfinished projects, here’s to pushing through!

 

 

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When a Writer Grows Restless

I’ve noticed an interesting dynamic that occurs in my writing life. When a message begins to form, it often masks as a mild depression, a sense that all is not well in my soul. Sometimes the struggle to figure out the reason for my malaise lasts for days.

And what befuddles me the most is that the very cure for what ails is the very thing I avoid—more alone time to ponder, to process, to pen.

I want to run away from reflection because to think deeply feels like scratching days on a prison cell wall.

Yet if I persist, clarity eventually rises from the mist of confusion—like morning sunshine breaking through coastal fog.

I’ve talked to other writers who’ve expressed similar experiences, so I know…

a writer’s restlessness is a pretty good sign that a message is on its way. A truth tucked in God’s pocket floats down to where you wait…in silence, in stillness, in desperation.

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A Wedding Celebration

My heart bursts with joy over the recent marriage of my son, Josiah, to his exquisite fiancé, Monique.

A wedding is one of those monumental events that provide an opportunity to exit the rush of living so you can celebrate life.

A wedding is a chance to gather with friends and family so you can relish in those priceless moments that time together gives you.

The beauty of life events, like weddings, is that everyone has the freedom to choose how he or she wants to celebrate.

Josiah and Monique chose a destination wedding because travel is such a significant part of who they are.

They wanted the wedding place to be Boracay, Philippines, because they had visited this tropical paradise during the year they worked and traveled around the world and the island left a significant impression on them.

What a joy it was to see them having such a great time with their friends.

I must admit, I was quite anxious before this trip. I’ve been to the Philippines many times and not all of my experiences were positive. So it was hard to rustle myself to venture outside of my American comfort zone. However, once there, I enjoyed the sights and sounds, even the local seafood market.

I enjoyed reuniting with our daughters whom I hadn’t seen for almost a year.

The blessing of the wedding far exceeded the gorgeous island surroundings. I also gained two more wonderful daughters, Monique and her sister, Steffi.

One of the highlights was spending time with the other parents.

Since returning home, all I want to do is pour over pictures and reminisce this amazing week we spent on Boracay Island in the Philippines.

This week away changed my perspective. No longer is rushing about so important. I want to create more life pauses so I can enjoy family and friends. I desire to get to know my children better.

I want to enjoy times spent away on vacation with my husband.

The words of a song,  “I’m in a Hurry,” by Alabama come to mind:

I’m in a hurry to get things done

Oh I rush and rush until life’s no fun

All I really gotta do is live and die

But I’m in a hurry and don’t know why

Seriously, what could be more important than pausing to watch a sunset…

Boracay Sunset by Chad Moline

or taking the time to enjoy people who are priceless to you.

Why not stop to contemplate the beauty around you and then plan the next vacation.

*A special thanks to Monique, Josiah, Steffi, and Brian for making this week so special. Also, thanks to my husband, Justin, for sharing his photos for this post.

 

 

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Some Fresh Inspiration

New Years are about new beginnings, so I set out to find fresh inspiration.Here are a few of my recent finds:

The featured photo was taken by my sister-in-law, Carolyn Luna. The composition and lighting enchanted me, so I asked if I could post her pic. Carolyn is a creative eclectic who enjoys many forms of creativity, which include, but are not limited to, making her own jewelry, designing florals, and exploring photography.
The second treasure I discovered was Taking Diction: Collected Prayers and Reflections by Dianne Polome, one of my online friends. Diane’s writings have inspired me for years, so I know that her new book will as well. Unfinished Work.
 I found this link on my son’s Facebook page:  A 9 Year Old Girl Quietly Takes The Stage. What She Did Next Gave Me Chills I’ll Never Forget. This little girl will amaze you with her grown-up voice. I listened to both songs and cried.WOW!

So as you tie up those loose ends for 2013, remember to be on the look out for some fresh inspiration for 2014.

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