Art. Art. Art.

Between managing projects for the CLAY Festival, trying to promote our downtown art scene, and fulfilling my domestic duties, my painting time has taken a back seat.

It's sad.

Especially because it's one of those things that - once I'm engaged in it - I find peace and rest in.  It soothes me. It centers me. Why don't I pursue this more?!?

Day by day efforts, I guess.
That's what I need to do.

My hope is to add a touch of color to the above piece. I'd love to make it available as a print for my Etsy shop!  So there you have it. A new goal... :)

xoxo,

-jlt

Rubbish.

Came across this at UNR last week.

I have a habit of living in cycles.

I get caught up 

running around and around,

adding on obligations,

social events,

jobs,

spending too much time on the computer,

unnecessary tasks...

all the while,

I guilt myself into feeling like

I have to do all this.

Like saying "no" 

is never an option.

So then I burn out,

fall apart, 

and unplug

- hermit status -

die socially for a while...

only to start over.

and over.

You see,

I live in cycles.

The sad part is 

most of the things

I tangle myself with 

don't seem to matter.

It's all rubbish.

I'm trying to change this.

No.

Let me rephrase this.

I'm praying to God,

asking Him to change this.

To change me.

I need to figure out 

what to throw away

and what to keep.

I need to learn how to unplug

(both physically and electronically)

in a healthy way,

how to keep learning

and stimulating 

my thoughts

and aspirations 

until they can't help 

but come to fruition.

It's time to break the cycle.

Just like Dr. Oliphint said,

 "Like Christ, 

Christians must withdraw,

unplug.

It is time to make sure

that we are molding our plastic brains

in a way that they will be trained 

to think carefully,

to concentrate,

to work through difficulties,

to meditate on God's character,

to revel in His glory."

It starts here.

In my mind.
In my heart.

That's where the cycle ends

and rebirth happens.

Busting Out the Brushes

Hello!

Ever since we moved to New Mexico back in January, 

I have neglected my easel. 

And my brushes. 

And my canvas...

I've only worked on our house and furniture.

Well, thanks to my husband working a wacky swing shift schedule,

I've had a lot of nights to myself...

And so,

I busted out the brushes.

I'm making a new page at the top of this blog 

for my art.

Hopefully, as I finish house projects,

my time spent painting 
will pick up speed. 

:)

Here's to starting it up again!

What I made a few nights ago:

Untitled (for now)

Acrylics.

40"x30"

P.S. - photographing acrylics is challenging... 

I turned off my flash, but the sheen is still hard to deal with.

Any tips?

WOOT.

Hello friends!!!

So, I have

some updates:

1. We made another offer on a HOUSE!

It's a cute 3 bed, 2 bath pueblo style home!

2. Our offer was verbally accepted, 

so we're UNDER CONTRACT!!!

(Now we wait for an inspection to take place

as well as complete more paperwork)

3. Tanner & I began a fun workout plan 

to motivate (and reward!) ourselves :D

(Today, I have to ride my bike for about an hour)

4. I finished a home project - finally. 

(Pics will be in my next post!)

And last, but not least...

Source

 I finally beat Tanner in racquetball!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Score?

21-19.

It was definitely a long-awaited

super intense match of greatness!

(I might have danced a little.)

Yep, I've never beat Tanner at this game...

until now!

I'm feeling pretty good, not going to lie.

Source

So, that's life for now.

I can't wait to show you my first 

completed "home" project!

Also, I plan on showing you my sweet couch.

Let's just say it's from the 1960's

and that's very

VERY

evident.

You are neato.

The end.

Monday are Groovy.

You know it's a good day when your hair works, 

your acne is bearable, 

and you can wear your favorite cardigan.

My Monday began with meeting up with two of my amazing lady friends:  Drea & Meegs.  We had drinks at our favorite coffee lounge - Espresso - where I enjoyed a fantastic cappuccino and bagel.

And as usual, we caught up, talked about life, men, church, school... the works.

I love them.  And how they let me ramble on about ridiculous nonsense all the time.  

Sometimes I wonder - while I'm talking - if I'm ever going to shut up myself.

All I can say is thank you Jesus for patient friends.

Talking with them got me thinking:

I have some new life goals.  

Or at least, more articulated goals, now that I'm done with school, 
Young Life, and normal jobs.

Current Random Life Goals:

1.  Learn to rest 

(be it physically, emotionally, and mentally) *and not feel guilty.  How am I going to do this? Not sure.  Perhaps sit in my backyard more at dusk and let the wind wash over me.  Learn to embrace the silence again. Close my eyes more and listen.  Learn to say no every now and then and have a slow night.  Any suggestions? 

2.  Read more books! 

(Current reads:  Out of Africa; The Wounded Heart; Celebration of Discipline)  I used to be a book-hound (if that's a phrase?) and would read at every opportunity.  I'm thinking about picking random spots around Henderson (various parks, Espresso, my backyard) and reading more. Feel free to make suggestions!  

3.  Run. 

(and join a girls group on Saturdays!) I ran competitively all 4 years in high school, and did a couple of (non-competitive) half-marathons since then... and now I want to treat it more like a way to release and relax versus breaking any records.  Running used to be a way I connected with nature and Christ too - I prayed all the time while jogging in the morning... I would love to get back to that state of mind. 

4.  Write creatively 

 (blog, songs, journal, etc.)  I love thinking and expressing myself - I just want to be more consistent with this outlet.  

5.  Write more letters.   

I love getting letters - and love writing them even more.  My goal is to be endearing, encouraging, and sincere.  I want everyday to be a chance to remind my friends and loved ones of their impact in the world and of the simple joys in life. 

6.  Sing more 

(acoustic sets at Espresso, for example)  It's a weird form of growth, challenge, and inspiration for me to sing out and share music with others.  

7.  Finish recording my album 

before the end of November!!! (I have no excuse anymore!)  

8.  Discover new recipes. 

I cook for my family and want to truly challenge myself  in the kitchen... any recipes you feel like sharing???  

9.  Paint and Draw and Photograph like no tomorrow.  

I have a degree in this nonsense, plus I need to build a portfolio for grad school at some point.  Oh, and I love it :P  

10.  Grow in Christ. 

I'm getting married, getting older, and entering into a new period of my life that sometimes scares the shit out of me.  And some horrible part of me thinks  I can do it alone - but I can't.  

I'm not sure how I'm going to grow, but some ideas are: being in the Word daily, finding a new church possibly, meeting with gals for more prayer and fellowship, and making an effort to talk to God consistently.  

I can be really selfish, stubborn, and retarded sometimes - which is all the more reason for me to ask Christ for wisdom and to align myself with His teachings and will.

So there you have it.  Some random life goals.

Some of these could change my life... which would be great.

I feel like I have a lot of growing to do, especially in these next 4 months.

So pray for me, will ya?

And what about you?  Any life goals lately?