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Finding joy in art, faith, life. RaSonya Pearce

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August 11, 2016 by RaSonya

Focusing on What’s Truly Important

I know it’s been a while since I’ve popped up in the cyber world.  You might have been wondering what’s going on and where I’ve been.  Why in the world did Art 365-16 come to a screeching halt on June 4 and where did I disappear to?

Well, that’s a long story.  So gather ’round the campfire, grab a s’more, get comfy and read on for the answers…

On June 5 we set off down south for a family trip.  I had my art-to-go bag all packed with goodies and was determined not to miss a day in my Art 365-16 resolution.  Ha, silly me.

Partway thru our drive, DH started talking about how a coworker had a scary health crisis and was now acting much differently after evaluating his life and priorities.  I nodded along, “Yea, that sounds just like us after the boys’ wreck.  Something like that can really change how you’re living.”  DH agreed, then he dropped the bomb….

“I wonder how long it will last?”

Oh. My. Gosh!!

 

Talk about suddenly being convicted!  What in the world was I doing?  Here I am on a trip to enjoy and spend time with my family and I’m dragging along my art stuff!!  To understand the irony of that, I need to give you a peek into my past.

In case you don’t know me or haven’t read my blog before, five years ago my two oldest sons were in a horrible wreck on the way home from a youth devo.  A speeding F-350 failed to stop and drove up and over their Civic with them inside.  R1 had what we thought to be a concussion, but later was much more.  R2, well R2 wasn’t expected to survive the night.

Thankfully, God hears prayer and still works miracles.

As you sit in the ICU praying for your child to survive, it’s amazing the things that come into your mind.  Our trip to Colorado the month before played over and over in my head.

That year I had also made a resolution to draw and post to my old blog every day.  I had packed my art bag and lugged it along in the trailer, determined not to miss a day.  On the first night of the trip, I was settled on my bed with all my goodies laid out to paint when the oddest thing happened.

R2 asked me to play cards.

 

Now, that’s weird because the whole family knows I really don’t like games.  They gave up a long time ago trying to get me to join in.  So it was strange for him to even ask.  Stranger still …

I said yes.

 

To this day I don’t know why.  It was so totally out of character.  Even odder, I actually had fun and played card games every night of the trip with the gang.  So much for my resolution to paint every day.

Sitting in the ICU I was incredibly grateful for three things:

  • R2 was a Christian and in God’s hands
  • I had walked the boys to the door that night and told them I loved them
  • I had put away my art and spent time with them playing games on vacation

Those three things along with God’s grace and the prayers of many faithful friends saw me through the worst time of my life.

Like DH’s coworker, after we got home from the hospital our lives and priorities were much different from before.  I spent a lot less time on the web or my computer, less time holed up at my art table and a lot more time with the family.  Unfortunately, as time went on we all got involved in our own interests and slowly fell back into our old habits.

I don’t have much time left with the kiddos.  This is our last summer with R1 at home.  He transfers to LMU in California and we will be lucky to see him once a year.  R2 and R3 are starting probably their last year in junior college before transferring away to finish college.  Plus, R4 is not far behind and will be starting juco soon.

Now you can appreciate the irony of my packing an art bag to squirrel myself away on a family vacation just to keep a New Year’s resolution to draw every day!!  And near the fifth anniversary of the wreck!

What was I thinking?  What had happened to my priorities, my values??

 

I had some serious soul-searching and praying to do.

But first, I put away my art gear and ENJOYED  my family and time with them on vacation.  When I got back home, I stayed away from my computer, the web, social networks and my daily art.  Instead, I’ve been investing time in what’s truly important- my faith, my family and my health.

Sure, I feel bad that I haven’t kept up Art 365-16.  I’ve tried to teach the kiddos to keep their promises and finish what they start.  I want to be a good role model.  But what is more important?  My pride in finishing a tough challenge or enjoying the last bit of time I have left with the kiddos?  Art will always be there, the kids won’t.

Like I said, it was a long story.  But that’s where I’ve been and where I’m heading.

When we see R1 off to LMU and the others are back in school, I’ll have more ‘me’ time to spend on art, blogging and social media.  Still, I won’t start Art 365 back up.  I want to focus more on my ‘real’ art and  my business instead.  Even then, the bulk of my attention is going to be on my main priorities – faith and family.  I’m going to take things one day at a time and have enlisted the family in keeping me accountable so I don’t slide back into old habits again.

I’m praying and am excited to see how things work out!!

Campfire Tale, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

(Sorry, my OCD brain said this post had to have an image to keep the blog looking consistent.)

Remember, faith works!

siggiewordpress

 

 

 

 

June 4, 2016 by RaSonya

Daisy Days, Art 365-16-155

I apologize for uploading so many posts at once.  I had some tech glitches to work through.  My iPad and Facebook are still not talking to each other, but I’m soldiering on, LOL.

Daisy Days, Art 365-16-155, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

I think daisies are one of the most cheerful flowers ever.  They always make me smile.  They’re like a giant happy face in flower form!!

Daisy Days, Art 365-16-155, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

Remember, faith works!

siggiewordpress

June 4, 2016 by RaSonya

Dandelions, Art 365-16-154

When you think of joy most people don’t picture dandelions.

Dandelions, Art 365-16-154, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

I do because I remember all the times the kiddos ran up to me with fists stuffed full of dandelions.  They loved picking ‘pretty flowers’ and giving them to me.  And you know what?  I loved getting them.  We’d always find a special little vase and proudly display their bouquets.

Dandelions, Art 365-16-154, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

Remember, faith works!!

siggiewordpress

June 4, 2016 by RaSonya

Snow Cone, Art 365-16-153

For joy during a hot Midwestern summer, there’s nothing like a snow cone!!

Snow Cone, Art 365-16-153, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

Wellll, maybe there is.  My fave icy treat is homemade shaved ice topped with pure maple syrup.  Yummm!!  It reminds me of the snow ice cream we made growing up.  We always looked forward to snowstorms and our rare snowy treat.

Snow Cone, Art 365-16-153, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

Remember, faith works!!

siggiewordpress

 

June 1, 2016 by RaSonya

Give Joy, Art 365-16-152

For today’s art 365, here’s my fun take on a Picasso drawing:

Give Joy, Art 365-16-152, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

I’m not really big on themes, but for some reason I’m feeling drawn to the idea of joy lately.  My devotionals for this month are on joy and I like the idea of reflecting that in this months Art 365.  Sooo, my focus (not theme, LOL) for this month is …… Tada!  Joy in June!!

Give Joy, Art 365-16-152, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

Time for some happy art!!

Remember, faith works!

siggiewordpress

May 31, 2016 by RaSonya

Brush with Color, Art 365-16-151

I used my Art 365 to have some splashy watercolor fun and test out an idea for a larger scale painting…

Brush with Color, Art 365-16-151, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

I think it’s very promising.  Especially as the bleeds and runs are much easier to tempt and tease into place on a larger piece.  And with a larger piece it would be properly stretched and stapled flat to prevent the puddling and drying issue in the smaller one that I did today.  I can’t wait to get started, excuse me while I go prep and stretch some paper, LOL!!

Brush with Color, Art 365-16-151, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

Remember, faith works!

siggiewordpress

May 30, 2016 by RaSonya

Mark 10:8, Art 365-16-150

For Sunday’s Bible journaling, I decided to use the same image that I painted in my sketchbook over again.  The joined wedding rings were too perfect for Mark 10:8 to pass up.  Recreating an image at the tiny size of my Bible Margin was an interesting challenge.  The small size gives less of a canvas for colors to move and blend…

Mark 10:8, Art 365-16-150, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

Remember, faith works!

siggiewordpress

 

May 28, 2016 by RaSonya

Anniversary, Art 365-16-149

Today’s our anniversary, so this is just a quickie post. This is my version of a copyright free image that I really liked.  It reminds me of an infinity symbol.  Perfect for a wedding anniversary.

Anniversary, Art 365-16-149 RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

May 28, 2016 by RaSonya

Pastel Mouse, Art 365-16-148

Another mousie!

Pastel Mouse, Art 365-16-148, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

Who says mice have to be drab grey or brown?  How about having a little fun with a pastel mouse?  That’s what is so great about the little cartoon critters.  You can let your imagination run wild!  Play, experiment, have fun!!!  After all it’s just a sheet of paper.  If you hate it, toss it.  On the other hand, you might discover a new favorite color combo.

Pastel Mouse, Art 365-16-148, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

Remember, faith works!

siggiewordpress

May 27, 2016 by RaSonya

Test Mouse, Art 365-16-147

Well, this little guy may not be a lab rat, but he is a test mouse!

Test Mouse, Art 365-16-147, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

I wanted to give my new glass pen a trial spin and try out a sample of Waterman’s Havana Brown ink. So this little Priscilla Hauser style mousie got to be the subject of my inky experiment!

I really like the Havana ink.  It’s a beautiful brown and makes a pretty wash.  I could see getting more of it for my fountain pens.

Now the pen….  It is so lovely and delicate that I’m almost afraid to use it.  It has the most amazing capillary action!  With just the barest touch, it sucked up a great deal of ink.  That is both good and bad.  Pro- it can write for a long time before redipping.  I redipped once for this at the very end of the sketch.  Con-  with so much ink in the nib it starts off writing very wet and very broad. However, if you are working on a larger scale or bolder this wouldn’t be a problem.  I wasted a lot of ink scribbling on scrap paper until the flow had slowed and the line could be drawn finer.  It does make a great sampling pen for the Goulet test vials.  It fits in the vials easily and is quick to clean.

Test Mouse, Art 365-16-147, RaSonya Pearce, www.FaithworksArtStudio.com

Remember, faith works!

siggiewordpress

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Hi there! I’m RaSonya!

Christian. Wife. Mother. Artist.
Joyfully exploring God's world through the eyes of an artist. Read More…

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