Tag Archives: creativity

Could I Have a Do-Over?

Well, this New Year started off a wee bit off-kilter for me. I came down with a cough and a little congestion right before the clock struck twelve. Great timing. Since I filled myself with immune builders it could have been a lot worse. Instead, it dragged slowly on and I shared it with my husband. A mild depression set in because I hate being sick. What a baby I am.

A week and one day later I am feeling really good. It’s funny, but a phone call to a dear friend about a dream I had, boosted my spirit immensely. I even reached out to someone I would like to get to know – this may seem like an easy thing for some of you but for me, a temptation to be a recluse has a strong pull on me. But I would be a lousy recluse. I like people.

So today I got inspired. I painted. The beauty of painting is that when you use two canvasses and create some pretty ugly stuff, you can paint over them. So I did. I usually do not name my paintings because I want the eye of the beholder to name them what they feel or see. But this first one I had to call “A Glimpse of Heaven”.

The other is left to the interpreter. Orange – I love the colour of orange.

As you look may you be touched with Hope. That is all I ask for as I create anything. May Heaven come down with the Hope you are looking and asking for.

Enjoy!

Cate B

 

You Want Me To Do What?

It has been a while since I wrote on here. I started this new painting journey and it took me away for a bit. I am back and I am still painting. That has been both fun and scary.

I try to relax when I create, otherwise, it becomes drudgery instead of joy. I want joy. So, recently I took on a project that was foreign to me. A young man commissioned me to paint him some paintings for his apartment based on what I saw already on his walls as his theme. He gave me the freedom to paint as many as I thought I should. I appreciated that because it meant less pressure on me. Artists like freedom.

I like and I want to view my life as not wasted. I want to soak up everything I can from whatever journey I am on at the time. Horses. The guy like horses. The last time I painted/drew an animal, a mountain lion/cougar, it looked like it had down syndrome. No offence toward anyone, please. It was bad. But I decided to learn to draw horses and create two paintings for him. What was I thinking? Why do I always go in deep? Good grief.

Well, It took me a while and I struggled with my lack of ability and nearly quit several times. But I hate to quit! By golly, this old gal will break the horse and he will come out looking good!

What happened was, a lightbulb came on one day and I saw that these paintings were for him. A weight lifted off of me when I realized this. It was then that I was able to draw the horses and finish the commissioned work and saw his smile when he received them.

For me, I found that the extra pressure of creating what someone else wants is my choice. However, doing this one took me into another level of confidence in my creativity. Will I do horses again? Right now I say no. But maybe might be more truthful.

Here is a sneak peek at what is hanging on someone’s wall…

Enjoy Life

Cate B

 

 

A New Thing

As a child I was encouraged to be creative……sort of encouraged. My mom was a creative person, but her way of encouraging me was to have me watch John Gnagy, our version of Bob Ross. She bought pads and pencils and I was left to figure out if I was able to draw or not. That didn’t last long. I learned to sew and knit very basic. I learned to bake and cook and listen to music while singing my heart out in my room. No verbal encouragement came so I gave up very easily.

But you cannot throw away the creative juices that lie within you. They may lay dormant but they are always there waiting to spring forth when given just a hint of watering and sunlight.

So I have blossomed into a rather good crocheter and baker. But I get antsy. I recently couldn’t ignore the voice that kept gently bidding me to jump in deeper to the creativity. Then, through people I highly respect, I answered with a big YES.

Being a person who just loves my friendship with Father God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, I felt a strong tug to paint. But not paint precise images (thank God) but to paint colours.  I just love colours. I am drawn to colourful things and they speak to me and actually bring out feelings and senses that otherwise just stay hidden.

So now begins a new journey. I started painting in a freeform-type of artistry. Whatever happens with this journey will definitely be a learning experience. At first I absolutely hated what I produced. But I kept them and am moving forward. I figure I will be the first one to get anything out my art simply because I need to see it in a new perspective – as God sees it. I think He likes what I produce, therefore, I need to like it too.

I even show my pieces to people. That is a new thing for me. I often ask why I couldn’t just crochet and give it away (I still crochet and bake – try and stop me!) But I know that this is the medium I am to do now. So here ya go, Dear Readers, a glimpse of my new thing…….

 

Enjoy!

Cate B

Check This Out

Hello All,

I am honored to have become friends with a diverse group of bloggers that I would like you to meet.  We have been Skype-ing together weekly for a bit and creating a blog together.

Here is the “About” page and the link in the title so you can get an idea of who we are and what we are about:

About Church Set Free

“Church Set Free” is a community of Christian Bloggers and others, from various backgrounds and locations who are here to build up and encourage anyone and everyone in the greatest adventure imaginable…. We have considerable diversity of views, backgrounds and traditions, but we have one very important thing in common: We believe that in spite of our differing views and ideas, we can all work together to build the community of our Lord Jesus Christ, as a unified group of disciples in spite of any differences we may have. We all agree that love is more important than fighting among ourselves, that His purpose is greater than always doing the same old thing, and that seeing someone come to a new relationship with Christ is more important than having our own way.

So then, how is “Church” to be “Set Free”?

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

John 15:9-12

“Church” is set free when we love each other as Christ loved us. We hope to build Church Set Free into a safe place where Christians of all viewpoints can discuss, explore and grow, where there is no “wrong” question, and where mutual love and respect are the only “rules”, and this is why all are welcome here.

If you are not a Christian, but are curious, there’s a place here for you too, to ask questions, read several points of view and see what our community is like. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a place here with us.

We are glad you have decided to visit our blog today, and we hope that you feel welcome. Please feel free to have a look around, to ask questions, and leave comments; we would love to hear your thoughts!

Check it out if it interests you and feel free to follow, like, pass on the link.

Enjoy!

cate b

Back to Reality

A new adventure coming up in two weeks.  Stay tuned.

In the meantime…….a snippet of a great vacation……….. and now back to reality.

…………
washed up jellyfish
where SpongeBob gets the jelly for the Crabby Patties
card making during a hurricane
remember……
tada!
seriously
boys will be boys
Celebrate USA!
sunset on the Delaware Bay
I missed this…….

Enjoy!

cate b

Responding/Commenting/Liking

You CAN Do It!

You CAN Do It!

I am not very savvy on the etiquette of blogging, tweeting, FaceBooking, or whatever social media is out there.  I do know my way around my computer and can do a fair amount of techie stuff – for my age group.  But in reality, I am of the generation that was brought up to always send a thank you card for a gift of any size. To always respond to a compliment with a thank you, spoken loud enough to hear and politely.

Do I do those things I just mentioned?  Not always.  I think part of that is because I HAD to as a child.  When I expected my own children to follow suit and was met with feet dragging, I lightened up on them.  Changed my ways a little.  Became my own person as a parent.

But now I blog.  I’ve read some more experienced blogger’s posts about how to increase your following.  Well, I followed others and some followed back.  I hit that like button often because I want to encourage them to keep blogging.  

About that Like Button – younger folks tell me that I hit that like button A LOT on Facebook.  It’s not necessary to do that.  Wait.  I know that when I get Likes on my posts on Facebook it makes me feel good.  It tells me I was heard.  That is a good feeling.  Don’t we all want that encouragement?

On my blog I LOVE to get Likes and I’ll tell you why.  I am an artist.  I create through words.  I have things to say and I want to encourage others with my words.  If no one ever hit the Like button then how will I know that someone is benefitting from me?  Us creative people need all the encouragement we can get!

And Comments?!  I LOVE comments.  I like to comment to people on their posts.  I’m not the greatest with my words of encouragement but I try to cheer them on, even if all I say is, “Great Pic!”

I don’t have the answer to this type of socializing.  I just know what I like and what helps me to keep doing this.  So, I say – Be yourself!  Make your own rules for blogging.  Encourage each other often and cheer each other on.  There is no competition here.  We are all different artists just trying to be seen and heard.

With that, I wish you all the best in your creations.  Speak highly of one another and remember to encourage each other and I guarantee that it will come right back on you.

Enjoy!

cate b

To Tattoo or Not To Tattoo

To tattoo or not to tattoo…….  Too late!  No question there for me.  I now have two tattoos and think often of my third and what it should be.  Fortunately, I haven’t decided yet and am very glad I didn’t go with every thought I had – I would be covered.

In 2005 we lost our daughter – you can read about that in my Loss/Grief Section on the menu bar.  While our son was traveling home from China to attend his sister’s funeral he designed a couple of tattoos in remembrance of her.  I overheard him talking to his brothers about them and I wanted in on it.  So did my husband.  So about eight of us made appointments at Rebel Image Tattoo – http://www.rebelimagetattoo.com/ – in our home county and here is the one most of the girls got:

tattoo1

vanessachestcopy (2)

Our daughter’s name, Vanessa, means butterfly.  I have this one on my left forearm so I can always see it.  If you look closely and artistically, you can see her initials – V J B in the wings and the body.  I’m so proud of our son for designing this.  Most of the guys got a Celtic butterfly with a heart in the middle sorry, I don’t have access to the pic of that one.

After getting to know Mike, who owns the tattoo parlor, I was totally taken with the whole business.  http://www.rebelimagetattoo.com/person/mike-siderio/#tabs-2Such artistic talent goes into tattoos.  And when you get one specially made for you that has a deep, heart-felt meaning, it just increases my love for them.  You hear me young people?  I just love your tattoos!  Well, most of them.

I have one on my left leg – it represents me (the butterfly in the middle) and my three sons and my daughter (the blue one).  I had a dream and that is where this one came from, also designed by my son after I told him the dream.

tattoo2

I love the whole art thing with tattoos.  Yes, they are pretty much permanent, so I recommend that it is something you really want and has a close meaning to you.  Some of the ones I’ve seen are incredible.  Entire arms, etc. totally tattooed in such detailed work.  It is an amazing aspect of the art world.

So, yes, this grandma loves tattoos.

Enjoy!

cate b

The Sky is Our Ocean

When I moved to the Mid-West I left my ocean behind.  I had to find a new view to contemplate and draw ideas from.

The sky in the Mid-West is endless.  It changes everyday and sometimes by the minute.  Storms fascinate me here and the fear I had of lightning has subsided.  Although, I do fear tornadoes, and fortunately have not seen one and only spent time in the basement once in five years.

A Small Town, Missouri

A Small Town, Missouri

Enjoy!

cate b