April 11, 2014

Paint & Make Art - Five Minute Friday




Ironic... that for the first time in a LONG time, I knew I would have to skip out early on the Twitter Party (#fmfparty) on Thursday night... and the reason was because, for the first time in a long time, I had work to do. As in: paid, commissioned work - that just so happened to involve our One Word Prompt. So I cut the party short in order to finish up a couple of projects and even though I missed all the chatter, I felt His Presence as I painted.

Oh but - first - the fine print: if you don't know what FMF is!  Five Minute Fridays are hosted by Lisa Jo Baker.  It is open to anyone, so to learn more about it - and to jump in yourself (the more the merrier!) or just to find a linky to see what everyone is writing about today - click HERE!  The idea is to simply write... for Five Minutes flat... no editing, no deep thinking - or at least REthinking, no spell check - just write! Let it flow! We all write using a prompt that Lisa posts at 10pm Thursday night (EST.)  I'm loving the community of amazing bloggers and the creativity that flows from these magical Five Minutes!

So - here goes: Five Minute Friday - The Word Prompt is: PAINT

{GO}

Yeah... it says it right there on my business cards. Writer (which I wrote about last week!) Photographer. Artist.

Still... even after forcing myself to S-L-O-W-L-Y read through Emily Freemans' A Million Little Ways, I still have a hard time stepping up fully into the title of Artist.  

Oh - I know that I am.  I know that we are created by the Creator and we make Art with our lives everyday, from putting together an outfit, cooking a meal, telling a joke, loving well... all of it is glorious art.

Now Writer... as I said last week, I stand tall in that!  I paint pictures with words that I pray are pretty or funny and before you know it, they sink soul deep and settle in.  

But a paintbrush in hand... with confidence... silencing Self-Doubt (it is still the Lenten season, right?)... I paint because He gives me pictures and tells me to pour my heart and prayers into and onto each piece and it is prophetic and I believe it holds within it the power to impart... yeah, that. 

So - I paint on... I learn as I go.  In the beginning I would be so frustrated because what I would 'see' in my minds eye would be a picture, a photograph, a real life snapshot.  But I am not trained or skilled in knowing how to paint like that.  So what would come out would look different, but the message was all Him.  He would still speak through whatever attempt I made with acrylic and canvas.  

Yeah - that.  He is not limited to my skill set.  He desires to work with us - right where we are... so whether you are painting a picture with words or brushes, with ingredients or stories, with laughter or love... it is grace that flows through and brings beauty in the art that you make.


So I have learned...

Pray.  Worship.  Wait.

Seek His thoughts and His words and what He wants to impart... and then obey (and pray some more... and worship... and wait...)

The above sneak peak is the commissioned piece I was working on yesterday that just needed a few finishing touches.  The piece below is what overflowed...

{STOP}

I am learning to give myself Grace... I am reminding myself time and time again that it is a process and with everything, the more you practice and just do it - the better you get!

So, can I encourage you today to go make art!  Whatever form of 'paint' you choose to use: pray, worship, wait... listen for Him to give you words and pictures and make art with your life.  Invite Him in to paint a picture









Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click here to read what others have to say about "PAINT"  

Simply because - well... simply because:


How do you make art? What do YOU use to paint with?







24 comments :

  1. Anonymous9:29 AM

    Oh how I love these words. You are inspiring me this morning. I love to paint but the funny thing is I haven't painted in ages. My mother-in-law gave me an easel for Christmas... I finally put it together last month... I still have not painted anything on it. As a child I painted and drew constantly. I had a painting selected as a part of a gallery in the Virginia Museum of Commonwealth. And I never paint anymore. I'm working up my courage to start again, maybe your post was the kick I needed today.

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    1. Oh Casey - I pray it is! Just do it... I can't wait to hear what all it stirs up in you!

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  2. I love your art! (both the painted and the written ;) ). And I love the process of "Pray. Worship. Wait". I've been reading Emily's book as well. I'm learning to be the poem ;).

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    1. Amen Anita! Isn't that book amazing? I love it! I am learning that too!

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  3. Anonymous9:38 AM

    I'm with Casey, you rocked this post. And this! "He is not limited to my skill set. He desires to work with us - right where we are... so whether you are painting a picture with words or brushes, with ingredients or stories, with laughter or love... it is grace that flows through and brings beauty in the art that you make." = POWERFUL! All of it, "yeah - that" :-) I must share!

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    1. Oh Phyllis - how you bless! It's true... we make art with our lives (thank you Emily Freeman for reminding us!) Thanks so much for stopping by, and oh my stars - for sharing!

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  4. beautiful ~ i love how you pointed out that life is art - in big ways and in little ways. lovely piece this friday!

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    1. Thanks so much Richelle! Yes - I think we can all forget this from time to time! It's always nice to be reminded!

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  5. Beautiful as always Karrliee!! Love seeing your face at FMF. :) You encourage me!

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    1. Rebecca... and now, we get to connect on Instagram too! I love this community and how it blesses! You encourage me right back!

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  6. This is beautiful! You paint with words and with paintbrushes! Love this - "it is grace that flows through and brings beauty in the art that you make."

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    1. Thanks so much Rachel... it really comes down to Grace - doesn't it always? Thankful you stopped by today - and that you joined in too! Have a great weekend!

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  7. Karrilee, I have been on a bit of an online break this week, but I missed you and had to come visit. Girl, I am so proud of you for the way you are releasing fears and letting the colorful heart that is Jesus in you come rushing out. You paint beauty with your life. I love you, and I wanna learn to paint freely on canvas, too...it's been one of my dreams for years! I think it's coming. :) Much love, friend!

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    1. Oh my friend... I foresee a SUPER FUN weekend ahead!!! Art, Poetry, Coffee, Jesus... gah - add some great food and chocolate and it doesn't get much better than that! Now... to actually check my calendar and make a plan...

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  8. Anonymous8:40 PM

    Why can I not live next door to you ??? If I did then you could teach me to paint both with words and paint because you do both so beautifully.

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    1. Oh Amy... how amazing would that be? To live next door and be able to share coffee and painting and writing and praying all together? #swoon You are too sweet!

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  9. LOVE this! I remember the day I heard the Lord clearly tell me to put down the paint brush. I struggled so much getting what I would see in my mind out on canvass. I have no art training, zilch! But He made a way for me to create painted art using my fingers! I love how I feel him in the colors I use and through the worship I feel. It's been an interesting journey. I am loving Emily's book. YOU create beautiful art, in word, in paint, in ALL that you do!

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    1. Barbie... I love that... I love how creative He is and I remember you saying this - so I use my hands to paint a lot more now and it's so fun! At the very least, but all my backgrounds... it's very freeing! I will finally finished Emily's book today... just half of the last chapter to go! (See? I was forced to read it SLOW... I started before Allume!) I love you, friend, and I can say the same thing about you: YOU create beautiful art, in word, in paint, in ALL that you do!

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  10. This is really beautiful...both your words and your art. What a gift you have...thank you for sharing it with us here, my friend. :) Hugs and happy week to you!

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    1. Mel - Happy Palm Sunday, my friend! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  11. Karrilee what a joy to walk this creative road with you. Declaring and supporting each other as we proclaim His work in us. Girl you have many gifts and share them so freely. Bless you as live your calling. Happy Sunday!

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    1. Lisha - I am so thankful that we are walking this creative road together! Everything you said - well, right back at ya, my friend! Love you so!

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  12. "Yeah - that. He is not limited to my skill set. He desires to work with us - right where we are... so whether you are painting a picture with words or brushes, with ingredients or stories, with laughter or love... it is grace that flows through and brings beauty in the art that you make."

    I so needed this. My skill set seems lacking in so many areas. I am thankful that he can use me just as I am. I am reminded of this chorus.


    You make beautiful things
    You make beautiful things out of the dust
    You make beautiful things
    You make beautiful things out of us

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    1. Jo Rose... Isn't it so hard, some times - to not compare or give in to Self Doubt? I am so thankful that He uses my skills - or even lack thereof - and if I offer it all to Him - He really DOES make Beautiful things... (One of my FAVORITE songs too, btw!)

      Singing it with you, this morning!
      ~K~

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Thanks so much for stopping by! I always love to hear your thoughts! Remember to: Speak Life - Be Love - Shine On!
~Karrilee~

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