14 September 2015

weekend sketches & an art supply blessing


We went to Austin on Saturday to tour one of several area micro-breweries. While the others were sampling the various beers, I sketched a bit and Bill played Uno with two of our grandchildren. I tried drawing directly in ink and all my barrels were wonky!


Then a few notes in church on Sunday, followed by a contour drawing (never lifting the pen from paper) of my hand holding my iPod which holds my Bibles I use in church. The contour drawing was helped by a very loose, rough layout in pencil first, which was erased after the ink dried.

On the way back to our kids' home, we were driving on Interstate 35 when daughter-in-law Misty suggested stopping at Jerry's Artarama; she knew I had been needing paper to bind more journals. I said yes, then Bill said no, we don't need to (he was teasing). So I said no, I don't need to --- Misty said I did and she was driving. While there, she helped me find Fabriano Artistico paper and some new cover papers, then told me about the customer appreciation card that reduced the price to about half. So I am well stocked now -- thank you, Misty!

Recently I have had some doubts as to whether sketching these journals and posting them was of any value. Is this really what God wants me to use this drawing ability for? Or am I wasting my time? Recently I received a message on Facebook from someone who mentioned my journals made her want to return to church; the odd thing is that she was not a contact and did not belong to any of the same groups as I did. So how did she even find me?

God reaching out to her through my simple journals, followed by such low prices for journal binding materials seems like the Lord telling me that yes, I am supposed to be doing this. However He chooses to use these sketches & words, I give it to Him.

12 comments:

  1. It's interesting to hear from God in unusual ways. I do enjoy reading your blog and ohhing and ahhing over your sketches. Thanks for posting them.

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    1. Thank you for commenting, Marcey! God is amazing, using the most unusual and unexpected things to bless people.

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  2. Glad to read you plan to continue. I know we all get less traffic these days in our blogs. That's nice feedback you received. Sure sounds like God has a plan. Is Fabriano Artistico your go-to paper? Also, good work on the lead-free sketch! I know that's out of your comfort zone. Wonky = character.

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    1. Hi, John! I have never had alot of traffic here, not at all the numbers I saw on Flickr. But I don't really care about numbers; when something I post somehow blesses another person -- that is amazing!
      What discourages me at times is more my own family, some of whom think my drawing is meaningless, a waste of time. And my own inner critic tends to be more about worth than ability. I know I can draw . . . but am I using this ability for a good purpose?
      I try many kinds of paper in my journals but yes, Fabriano Artistico is the one I always return to when I can find a source without being forced to buy 10 sheets at a time.

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    2. Vicky, I can so relate to your reply that your inner critic tends to be more about worth than ability. I grew up with a lot of devaluing messages such as, "if it doesn't make money, it's not worth doing." In my head, I can tell myself that art-making is always worth doing, but getting the rest of myself to believe it...that's a lot harder.

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    3. That "if it doesn't make money, it's not worth doing" quote sure sounds familiar. Right alongside "you aren't worth anything if you don't go to college" (I married one week after high school graduation instead). It's sad when family members who should be encouraging us say such hurtful things, not realizing those words still affect us decades later.

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  3. Hi, Vicky. Though I am fairly new to your blog and have only commented a couple of times, I subscribe and always enjoy seeing your posts pop up in my Inbox. Thank you for sharing these thoughts. It's so easy to get caught up in results, and this is a timely reminder for me to leave such things as outcomes and uses to God.

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    1. Susan, your comment brightens my day -- thank you! I also check out many blogs but don't take time to comment; there just isn't time to comment on all the great stuff out there!
      I should remember my own byline in this blog's header: it's a journey, not a result!

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  4. Hi, Vicky! I think that posting your journal pages is a kind of evangelisation. It definitely is. As for me, I am encouraged by reading your thoughts and your witness of faith. God bless you for your sharing! I am surprised, that in your country there are so many believers - as I read Flickr comments, I can see very often, that God speaks to common people... I need to see it, read it and your witness is very special to me, very close... I Thank God for the gift He gave me when I find you... !

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    1. Thank you, Jana, for your sweet words of encouragement. They are so appreciated!

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  5. Be encouraged. You are using your gift in a God given way. It's a blessing to read your posts.

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    1. Thank you, Melaleuca! Your comment means a lot to me. Be blessed!

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