Well, I'm no longer going to use this site for my blog. What I did is put my website and blog together at JeanSmithArtist.com.

So I hope you will find me and sign up for the blog through my website.

Thanks for viewing my art!

Jean

Greyson in Autumn

Greyson in Autumn, 17"x11" oil on canvas

Oh so happy to finish this last week. This was a little different for me... looser than my normal. Guess it was all that dancing dappled light.
Next on the easel is another piece for the Courage show. Deadline: February sometime. If you haven't heard about this traveling show check out the "Art With Purpose" blog. I'm very involved and had lots of great feedback on my pieces that are showing. This Wednesday the exhibit will move to Forsyth Medical Hospital here in Winston Salem.

Awhile back I got this word of encouragement from the Lord about being awkward... One definition is 'to lack ease or grace as in movement or expression.' When you(me) are feeling awkward it is often the result of a confidence crisis when you are unsure of yourself and of how you fit or what you have to contribute. But, I tell you truly that you fit perfectly in My kingdom and in My body, of which you are a vital member. Refuse to allow the enemy to cause you to feel awkward in places where you belong; his purpose in doing this is to derail you and cause you to be cut off and isolated. If you will trust Me in these awkward times, I will cause you to feel secure in Me and I will give you  the anointing of ease.
Aw... this really hit home for me then and even now as I share it with you. It reminded me not to compare myself with others which always makes me feel inferior and sucks the life out of me. The truth is there is no one like me or like you. Only I can do what I do and the same with you. So be confident and don't hold back. Live fully as you and I'll live fully as me.

Happy New Year!

This is what's on my easel today, January 2nd. It's my grandson, Greyson, sharing some autumn color from last season.
Some new resolutions are in order for 2012. Blog more. Life takes up so much more time than sitting down to blog. Blogging is so unnatural for me. I don't know if it's fear of exposing my deepest thoughts to the world or that I'm not a great communicator. Hmm. Whatever it is I'm getting a new revelation of why I need to share.

Cherry Blossoms

"Cherry Blossoms" 18"x24" oil on canvas.
I painted this at church 4-3-11. Someone suggested that it looked like cherry blossoms.... good, I was thinking of springtime! Newness, freshness... budding hopes, dreams, creativity... an end to the winter. Yay Spring!

Embracing Red

"Embracing Red" 11"x14" oil on canvas
This is my second entry in "Sound of Canvas" at the Gallery of the Arts in downtown Winston Salem. It was selected for an Honorable Mention by Juror Susan Harris. I love the lights! And I love painting musicians... such expression. Again the colors in this photo don't do it justice... much more brilliant in person. If you get a chance to go to downtown Winston, it's in the underground theater through May.

Vanquished

"Vanquished" 24"x30" oil on canvas
This is one of my entries for "Sound of Canvas" showing through April and into May in the underground theater at the Gallery of the Arts in downtown Winston Salem, NC. The photo just doesn't show the richness of the colors that are there. I loved the stage lights when I saw the photo in my sons facebook stash; he's the one on the right. The song they were playing was called Vanquished.

Prayer for Japan

"Prayer for Japan" 16"x20" oil on canvas
What tragic circumstances in Japan this past week... and as I add this post there is news of a nuclear reactor explosion. I painted this during worship this morning at Awake Church in Winston Salem, NC. I didn't know how much I was influenced by the events in Japan until I sat down and saw what I had painted. Mountain island, large waves, red... the little circular dots at the top represent prayers over the nation of Japan. Lets keep them in our prayers.