“I have felt joy and witnessed so much beauty. I want to capture it all on canvas or in a journal, with paint, scissors or a pen. It doesn’t matter how. I want to bottle it up in imagery to save for later and to share it with others.” ~ Jeniffer Hutchins, from the artist’s journal. ~

From time to time I’d like to feature other artists or writers who spur us on, creatively. Today please meet Jeniffer Hutchins at JoyfulArts Studio . Even if you’ve never lifted a paint brush, her site - which oozes creativity - will stir something new in you:

Check out:
JoyfulArts Studio

Free Visual Journal Workshop by artist Jeniffer Hutchins:

“Write It Down” Visual Journal Workshop is a workshop designed to cover the basics of keeping a Visual Journal. It is broken down into two short sessions. Jeniffer shares:

“Through video presentations, photographs and printable workshop handouts, I will show you a variety of books and journals that I have worked from, simple materials you can use and a sample of completed journal pages. This will serve as a diving board so you can jump right in. After this tutorial you will be ready to start experimenting on your own, participate in upcoming journal prompts and sign up for future workshops which will focus on more in-depth techniques and themes.”

(The workshops are password protected pages but all you need to do is register - it’s free. Information is at the bottom of Jeniffer’s page ).

~ How to Create a Journal Page

~ Interview with Jeniffer Hutchins about Visual Journaling

Enjoy, and Happy September!

* When words fail me, I use my hands.
* The keyboard doesn’t own me.
* Sometimes all I make is a mess.
* Sometimes I make a thing of beauty.
* Saying no to certain requests allows me time to love on my family.
* To build a memory is worth the effort.

Hope you enjoy my cake photos:

What are you up to this week? Have the summer months inspired you or tired you?

I’m meeting a friend for coffee and smiles tomorrow, and expect good news this week after hubby’s follow-up appointment. Radiation treatments are done; we rest and wait.

Meanwhile, here’s a canvas my 8 year old granddaughter painted! Her first! As she dipped her brush in the pretty acrylics, I couldn’t help but notice the joy on her face. Creativity unleashes something soothing and therapeutic in us. It’s important not to neglect the gift.

“The work you are doing is more important than you may have realized because it’s not just about being an artist. It is not just about using talents God has given you. It is about discipline and perseverance, about setting aside a specific time and place for attending to the work.” ~ Janice Elsheimer, The Creative Call: An Artist’s Response to the Spirit

Stepping out in faith again, trusting God to inspire and bless. Expecting Him to unleash His gifts and reveal how He desires me to use them.

“In difficulties, I can drink freely of God’s power and experience his touch of refreshment and blessing — much like an invigorating early spring rain.” ~ Anabel Gillham

“Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air, and you.” ~ Langston Hughes

“The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

“To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything he has given us — and he has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of his love, every moment of excistence a gift of grace.” ~ Thomas Merton

“I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” ~ Philippians 4:12-13

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20

Is there something you want to write or do, but instead, you slide into doubt? Maybe you don’t feel creative. Maybe ideas sprout in your mind, but you’re not sure you can pull it off. You let them wilt. Be encouraged:

The Spirit moves in us, giving us the mind of Christ that feeds our creative life. This abundance is scary; it is deeper than we can imagine. What would we do if we were experiencing God continually, available in every minute to use our abilities fully for him? It is too much for our little selves to handle. So don’t handle it. Do the thing God has put in front of you. Start there and be fully available to the new thing he will accomplish as you do it.” ~ Alice Bass

Too often I’m focused on my lack instead of His provision. The thought of failing stops me from trying. Today I remember that God accomplishes through me when I’m willing to do the next thing, and simply trust.