The Rose Blossoming in the Father’s Love

Artist and writer, Diane Bailey, posted a painting on Instagram of a woman with angel’s wings, holding a red rose. The descriptor read: “The Soul of a Woman - and when she believed she was loved, she began to bloom.” When I read this, I instantly remembered a promise the Lord had given me when …

A Divided Heart

I’m a creative with a divided heart, I love writing as much as I love art! “What must it be like,” I muse, “to be single eyed toward one focus? It must be wonderful to concentrate fully on one discipline."  I marvel over other's Instagram profiles filled with a solitary love. My page is checkered with …

Sometimes Life is Like a Game of Chess

Sometimes life is like a game of chess. Watch the animated video: https://youtube.com/shorts/10MYBAVNq6o You don’t know the next move.  Your mind strategizes any inkling of direction, but all you hear is silence. So, you pray for wisdom, insight into the unseen, and imagine all the possible outcomes. But direction is shrouded with confusion, lack of clarity, …

Fresh Starts Await!

There are times when your life’s canvas gets wiped clean.   You find yourself faced with a fresh start, a new beginning, a chance to do things differently. Maybe you’ve graduated from college, gotten married or divorced, lost your job, or changed jobs. Perhaps a loved one died, or an unexpected turn of events left you …

Overcoming the Obstacle of Self-Doubt

Self-doubt is an obstacle that plagues even the most successful creatives. Feelings of uncertainty about your abilities, purposes, and plans are quite common. So, if you’re called to be a creative, get ready to battle this enemy of artistic ambitions. Inspiration comes in waves with periods of calm when ideas recede. During these down times, self-doubt …

Enjoy Life’s Simple Pleasures!

I opened the door to see this adorable, little pig-tailed girl smiling at me, backpack on her back and arms folded.  We spent the day at Peltzer Winery’s Pumpkin Farm in Temecula. No, I didn’t get any social media posts done. No, I didn’t work on my painting. No, I didn’t edit my manuscript or …

Cocoon yourself to Create

Sometimes life circumstances set us aside, and we find ourselves holed up at home: Caring for the sick Helping family Battling illness Managing home-improvement projects ________ (insert your reason here) Our normal running around turns into staying put. I’ve been thinking a lot about how what cocoons us also creates opportunities for art.  "Chrysalis" by …

The Feral Cat of Inspiration

Inspiration is like a feral cat.It stalks around in the shadows.You never know when it will grace you with its presence. When you're trying to catch it,inspiration slithers away. But when you give up the chase,inspiration comes and finds youwhen you least expect it to. It's a waiting game.An idea starts to form in the …

Planting Seeds of Hope

Hope grows in the most unlikely of places, searching out souls huddled in darkened corners of despair. I know, I’ve been there, and hope found me.  So, I want to plant seeds of hope: Hope made possible by the gift of God’s grace. The surety of His trustworthy nature. His promise to never leave or …