awaking to a beautiful sun set

Normally when I travel on a plane I never seem to sleep; but on this latest trip back to the UK for our Christmas holiday I slept for what seemed like an hour but may have been just 10 minutes.....when I awoke I looked out of the window and saw the most amazing sunset.

If I had, had my camera to hand I would of taken a picture.....but my picture is in my head. Let me paint it for you- The colour combination was striking. The deep darkness had shots of vibrant orange and yellow running through it, with sprinkles of white and blue.

I just love creation and how its a constant changing canvas where God is the artist.

This trip back to the UK will throw me into the path of many crafters and I am excited to see their work and hear their stories and experiences.

Colour continued......

I recently discovered a art and craft magazine tucked away on a shelf in a wonderful coffee shop. Thumbing its pages I came across a section given over to.....colour!! It was called "with one pallet" and three artist where invited to create a project each and choice their favourite colours to be used in it.

I was interested to see what reasons were behind their choice that they used in their beautiful creations.

For one artist she used a colour that she 'felt comfortable' with but challenged herself to use other ones 'outside her comfort zone'. Left over paint from a bedroom project was her inspiration with a striking accent colour of orange.



Another artist explained that for her the mention of a colour wheel sent her 'brain spinning'. Her thinking was do we really need a wheel to tell us about choosing colour??

For her she picked colours by 'how the colours made her feel'. She too started with a base colour and used the inspiration of vintage postcards and the colours that were on them to finish off her project.





From the third artist she spoke of choosing 4 colours that 'hit the high and low notes of the value spectrum'. Its hard to truly understand this explanation, not being a trained artist, but when she carries on that the colours she chooses 'reflects her mood', I being to understand more.

Having read and seen some of the pictures of art in this magazine, I can see the importance of colour and that it invokes emotion whether from the artist or the viewer.

It feels to me that colour is important when it comes to art. Colour choices can come from items used in a piece of art, something left over, used, new or old; can come from a feeling you want to portray or just what you fancy using at that moment in time. I guess sometimes just being bold and using different combinations can create unique pieces of art, one offs that will last for a life time.

I look forward to trying my hand at using different colours to create....and posting the results!!

The wonderful world of Colour

I have been interested to find out about colours and so I started to do a bit of research. Did you know that there is such a thing as 'colour theory' and it has its first appearance in the 18th century. Sir Isaac Newton is sited as the creator of a circular 'wheel' of colour, in 1666.

I love this creative picture that shows basically the 'colour wheel' design in action. Being a nursery nurse (child care worker) I have become very familiar with whats called primary colour- red, yellow and blue (hues) when it came to painting with children. These basic colours can be mixed to form other colours called secondary colours- green, orange and purple and when you mix both you get tertiary colours.

Colour theory is described by www.colourmatters as.... 'encompassing a multitude of definitions, concepts and design applications. All the information would fill several encyclopedias' ....................they add that 'since (Newtons creation) scientists and artists have studied and designed numerous variations of this concept. Differences of opinion about the validity of one format over another continue to provoke debate. In reality, any color circle or color wheel which presents a logically arranged sequence of pure hues has merit."

Wow, I never realised that there was so much involved when it comes to colour. I discovered websites that are given over to the physiology of colours and what they say about a persons personality.

I enjoyed finding sites that talk about design and the importance of look and harmony of colours. 'Colour me Happy' by Maria Killaman, an American designer, shares her passion for colours (www.mariakillam.com). Colours can effect you emotional so getting it right is big business.

My research will continue............

Art and Faith

I read an article recently from the Evangelical Alliance publication, 'Ideas' magazine . The article was entitled 'Art-Revealing God's presence in His world'. The author was writing about the link between art and faith. They wrote about how in times past individuals had to choice between their faith and being an artist.

I believe that, in present day, this has changed and I have many friends who would say that their faith and art is strongly linked and the two are one. Many of them would say that they couldn't do what they do with out God- He's their inspiration.

I often use to watch and listen to my Grandfather, Ted Burrnel who was an artist, share about his love for God, as he made brush strokes on his canvas and tell me 'all good gifts come from above'.

The author of the article said whether a 'poet, painter, writer, sculptor, musician or performer, the artist tends to see beyond the surface of things; to observe colour, texture, shape and form to be alert to sound, smell, emotion and movement.....they aim to contain what they see'.

I have seen some beautiful works of art that, to me, shout God's beauty and creation; works of art that reveal the artist's heart and expression.

I love how the author says that 'art invites mystery and possibility', that when faith and art collide then 'we bring expressions of the divine into everyday life'.

I believe we are an expression of God's handiwork and no matter what level of talent or giftings, we are ALL capable of creating; whether its a tasty meal, something for the home, a wonderful garden, building a shed...or a priceless piece of art...sometimes we just need to have a go and think of all the possibilities!!

First thoughts

It often seems hard to make that first step when it comes to new things. As any parent or child carer knows, babies first few walking steps seems huge and often they have their hands out ready to catch them if they fall.

For me this blog subject is new, its something huge in my life and I feel now is the time to explore and create. Last year I became very aware that things around me, like in nature, had patterns and shapes and seemed to be finely created.

While on a few days away in the country, with my Husband, last summer, I took a moment to take a walk, alone, along a countryside pathway, reflecting and everything I looked at screamed out at me that it had been 'beautifully crafted'.

I believe that I have been 'fearfully and wonderfully made' Psalm 139:14 and my desire is to develop in the area of creativity and explore this burning desire I feel and experience how you can create beautiful works of art that is an expression of ones self.

Using different textures, paints etc can be a wonderful tool and the outcome and final results is something very personal. I hope to learn about colour and textures and to 'have a go' at making things. Somethings may be what others have made but I hope that through this exploring I will be able to craft something that is uniquely ME.

I also hope to share what other people say about creativity and how it relates to their faith or work. Its an exciting opportunity for me and I hope you will enjoy reading and joining me on this journey.