The Magic, Miracles and Joy of an Artist

Sunday, January 4, 2015

The Three Kings

"...Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy Perfect Light."...

Saturday, January 3, 2015

IDENTITY: An Artists' Invitational Show

Last night was the Opening Reception for the theme show IDENTITY at THE MARKET GALLERY in downtown Roanoke. The show ~ a variety of media and techniques on cradled 9" x 12" panels, this exhibit reveals 100 different artists' conceptions of the very idea of identity. The show will hang through February 28, 2015.

I am thrilled to be one of the artists represented in this show. My collage piece, above, is titled "More Than A Number".

Friday, January 2, 2015

Orchid Beauty

Isn't this a pretty sight in the dead of winter? My orchid is blooming again. Ever since I moved 2 of them to the shelf above the bathroom tub, they keep blooming ~ they must love the humidity in there. A beautiful New Year surprise!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

January 1

Today we honor Mary as Mother of God. Not only is Mary the Mother of God, but she is our Spiritual Mother. Because she loves her Son so very much, she loves all of us as members of His Mystical Body.

So on this New Year's Day, let us rejoice not only the prospect of exciting new things to come, let us REJOICE because we are loved by the Mother of God.

Hail Mary, full of grace!!

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2015

I wish my family and friends a Blessed New Year and I pray that you will have good health and happiness throughout 2015.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Will !!

No excuses. You must celebrate the birth of my cousin. And on what better night than New Year's Eve? The entire world will be celebrating!! I wish you happiness and good health, Will, today and throughout the New Year.

♥

Fire in the Sky

Outside my window last evening ~ the sunset looked like fire in the sky!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Cemetery Visit

Casey and I went to the cemetery to visit Mom last week.

We stopped at this beautiful statue of Christ to say a prayer.

This deer we came upon, while leaving the cemetery, wanted no part of our visit and ran off as quick as he could.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Winter Sky

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Photo by Audrey

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

My Parish Church this Christmas.

Beautiful live tree.

The Nativity.

Many beautiful poinsettia plants.

VERY Large Crucifix hanging at front center.

Angels above choir loft.

Mother Teresa.

This window is front center up at the ceiling.

~ ~ ~

These are just a few of the many beautiful stained glass windows in the church. They add such a warm feeling and the pictures cause the viewer to reflect on the topic they depict. The church always has a special glow during the Christmas season.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Christmas Decor Around the Neighborhood

Biggest ornament I've ever seen.

Pretty good size, too.

Our City Tree.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Our 2014 Christmas Tree

For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come!

I AM A "SEARCHER"

"I am one of the searchers. There are, I believe, millions of us. We are not unhappy, but neither are we really content. We continue to explore life, hoping to uncover its ultimate secret. We continue to explore ourselves, hoping to understand. We like to walk along the beach, we are drawn by the ocean, taken by its power, its unceasing motion, its mystery and unspeakable beauty. We like forests and mountains, deserts and hidden rivers, and the lonely cities as well. Our sadness is as much a part of our lives as is our laughter. To share our sadness with one we love is perhaps as great a joy as we can know - unless it be to share our laughter. We searchers are ambitious only for life itself, for everything beautiful it can provide. Most of all we love and want to be loved. We want to live in a relationship that will not impede our wandering, nor prevent our search, nor lock us in prison walls; that will take us for what little we have to give. We do not want to prove ourselves to another or compete for love.

For wanderers, dreamers, and lovers, for lonely men and women who dare to ask of life everything good and beautiful. It is for those who are too gentle to live among wolves."

~ James Kavanaugh

I am THE LOVERS Tarot Card

Motive, power, and action, arising from Inspiration and Impulse. THE LOVERS represents intuition and inspiration. Very often a choice needs to be made. Originally, this card was just called LOVE. And that's acually more apt than "LOVERS." Love follows in this sequence of growth and maturity. And, coming after the Emperor, who is about control, it is a radical change in perspective. LOVE is a force that makes you choose and decide for reasons you often can't understand; it makes you surrender control to a higher power. And that is what this card is all about. Finding something or someone who is so much a part of yourself, so perfectly attuned to you and you to them, that you cannot, dare not resist. This card indicates that you have or will come across a person, a career, challenge, or thing that you will fall in love with. You will know instinctively that you must have this, even if it means diverging from your chosen path. No matter the difficulties, without it you will never be complete.