At the Cross

 

John 11:25

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.

The one who believes in me will live, even though they die...

 

 

 

What an amazing gift He has given us!  He died for our sins, conquered hell and death, and rose again to be with Our Father.  He waits for us there...but until then, he has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us here on earth.  What an amazing God we serve!

 

Happy Easter!

 

God Bless-

Lara

Behind the Art - 5

This journal cover is a little busy.  I'm still not sure about it...but maybe once it has all of the journal pages and ephemera inside it will grow on me!

 

 

Started with a single layer of orange paint.

 

That layer grew very quickly...AND...almost too much!  I'm not exactly sure what happened!

 

At this point...I signed the back cover and doodled a bit...calling it done!

 

For the front, I added this doily and a piece of French dictionary...trying to tone it down.  Then, stamped and doodled a bit.

 

 

The finished cover.  Like I said...it's a little busy.  I am hoping it will grow on me!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 

Behind the Art - 4

Today I will be sharing another set of my journal covers.

 

 

Last week I shared that several of my projects start with a base layer of paint.  This is light blue paint in two different hues spread with a paint scraper both vertically and horizontally to add some texture and contrast.

 

I added red paint by using a vintage doily as a stencil.  Then, I added red paint along the edges...again just adding depth and contrast to the piece.

 

  I added my stamp and signature...along with a few doodles and it is finished.

 

 

The front cover started with a red base.  Then, I added light blue, using only the edge of a scraper.  Finally, I added some hand-stamped coffee filters along the edge.  This was the background of my cover.

 

I added a painted doily and some black text scrapbook paper. 

 

Then, I stamped and doodled to add more texture.  I also went around the black paper with oil pastel.  I love the way it highlights the piece.

 

Final journal covers!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 

Behind the Art - 3

I'm excited to show my entire process of four different journal covers that I have created!

 

Today's journal uses only primary colors!

 

I love how this piece turned out.  I LOVE color...most of the time...the brighter the better.  In most of the pieces I create...I use shades of turquoise, pink, orange, and green.  However, for this journal cover, I decided to use only primary colors...true red, blue, and yellow. 

 

 

Yes.  The journal covers all start out with cardboard.  Recycle or Re-purpose!

 

I did add a little light blue and white to the paint to give the color some variation.  This is one of Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's stencils!  I LOVE her work!  You can check it out here...if you, by chance, have never heard of her!  Lol!

 

I recently learned how to carve stamps.  I use a lot of stamps for added texture and depth in my pieces.  I LOVE the personal touch when the stamp is my original design.

 

Punchinella is one of my best friends!  You will see it in most of my pieces.  Punchinella is a fun, plastic ribbon that is left over after sequins are punched out, often called "sequin waste". 

 

Final front cover.  A few doodles were added to the sides.

 

Final back cover.

 

The journal covers are all ready to get the inside pages!  AND...that's another post!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

At the Cross

 

Psalm 36: 5-9

 

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.

 For with you is the fountain of life, in your light we see light.

 

Psalm 37: 3-7a

 

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:

 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him...

 

These two Psalms were a part of my devotional reading today.

 

This was part of the devotion:  "Because I am infinite in all My ways, you need not fear that I will run out of resources.  Abundance is at the very heart of who I AM.  Come to Me in joyful expectation of receiving all you need - and sometimes much more!  I delight in showering blessings on My beloved children.  Come to Me with open hands and heart, ready to receive all I have for you."

                                                                                                                 - Sarah Young

                                                                                                                   Jesus Calling

 

Have a blessed day!

 

xo-

Lara

Behind the Art - 2

All of my ART starts with a beautiful background...Part 2!
 

The beautiful background can often times start with just a single layer of paint.

Sometimes I use only a single color...just a base coat.  This is done with a scraper.  I want a bit of color...but a thick layer is not necessary.

 

Sometimes I want a single color...but I want a little variation in the hue.  This is one color...light blue...but I used two different shades to give the piece some depth.

 

I did the same thing here with two variations of orange.

 

This is a snapshot of a larger canvas...I wanted a lot of color...so I used several different shades of red and added a little blue in the center and around the edges.  Most of this paint will be covered in the final piece...but it makes a nice base for me to add to easily. 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

Behind the Art!

All of my ART starts with a beautiful background!

 

I've been busy laying down layers...trying to get several canvases ready...so I can just grab one and create! This week I'm going to show my process in pictures! 

 

Step ONE:  Load the canvas with all kinds of papers! 

 

 

When I am doing this, I choose my color scheme, and gather all of my scraps.  You can see from this pile, I have words from magazine pages, colored paper, tissue paper, painted deli sheets, sheet music...you name it!  If I have it lying around and it fits in my color scheme...it may end up on my canvas!

 

Here are a few examples:

 

 

This blue and red piece is made mostly of handmade painted and stamped deli papers.

 

This piece has a fun vintage ad on it from an old magazine I picked up at a flea market.

 

I LOVE the pink and black here.  You will see an old receipt, sheet music, painted and stamped coffee filters, and a few words from a magazine.

 

I love the old map and #39 in this piece.  Can you see the bird I cut out of paper in the upper left?  Most of the time, my pieces get put on in vertical and horizontal lines...but every now and then I throw in an odd shape OR cut out a shape and add it to the piece.  I may keep it...or it will be completely covered with paint and texture.

 

Another receipt...but mostly just printed paper scraps.

 

This piece started out with paint.  A lot of my canvases have a layer of paint under the ephemera. My daughter will sneak down to my studio and help me paint canvases every so often.  I wish she did it more...but I'll take the little "art time" I get with her...it is always so much fun! So in the center of this canvas you will see some florescent orange...she loves the brightest colors best!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 

At the Cross

 

Ephesians 2:10

 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

 

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Each of us has been gifted by God to further the Kingdom. 

 

What has God given you as a gift?  Are you using it to bless the people you encounter daily?

 

Do not wait until the right time...the right time is now!

 

What if the fish in the ocean refused to swim?  What if the birds of the sky refused to fly?  What if a frog refused to hop?  What if Michael Jordan never played basketball?  What if Carrie Underwood never tried out for American Idol?

 

There will never be another today!  Live it boldly!

 

Thanks for stopping by! 

 

Have a blessed week!

xo-

Lara

 

 

At the Cross

Use Your Gifts to Bless Others

 

 

I love this cross.  It reminds me that God has opened my eyes to a wonderful gift He has blessed me with...creating art...I need to use that gift daily to uplift, support, love, and encourage others.

 

What gift has God blessed you with?

 

Romans 12:6-8

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

 

Have a blessed day!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 

 

Art Girl - Birthday Surprise

My little girl turned 13 today! 

 

 

I took a picture of her this morning...and while she was at her Forensics tournament this evening...I created an Art Girl so we could remember the day!

 

 

My dear Cassie,

 

You have the kindest heart and the most generous love.  I love the way you cheer for the underdog and care for the weak.  You will have jewels galore in your crown one day!  Keep glorifying God.  He is so good.  Even when you don't understand...He is always working behind the scenes for your good! You are beautiful!  You are precious!  You are so dearly loved! You make my days brighter and you make this world a better place!

 

I love you-

Mommy

 



You can't see this message...but it was painted on the canvas before all of the collage.  A copy is tucked away on the back of the canvas...so she will always remember!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara