Fluorescent Zebra, Joy and Thankfulness

Fluorescent Zebra, Joy and Thankfulness

While working at an event airbrushing t-shirts, I saw a young man in a motorized wheel chair approaching quickly towards my table. He was smiling. As he came closer I could see that he had support for his head also to keep it in place. Wow, I thought…wondering why was he smiling?

He shared that he wanted a custom t-shirt for a raffle. He wanted to bring awareness to his cause, EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.) It’s a genetic, connective-tissue disorder that makes joints too loose and the spine. He gave me a business card which stated more about this condition. I asked, “Is this what you have?” He replied, “Yes.” Speechless as thoughts overwhelmed me and I held back tears.

So I painted the shirt and made it colorful. Just the way he wanted it. When he returned, it was so nice to see the joy across his face as he looked at the shirt.

As he was leaving, I felt the urge to pray for him. So I did and continue to do so.
Sometimes in this life, I feel like my problems are insurmountable. The weight of it sometimes will bring me to my knees. It seems it may be God's way of reminding me to pray.

However, after that moment, I felt that I don’t have any problems, well, none like his. It’s just a day to be thankful. As I am thankful every day for little and big things.

Cascade of Blessings by Margret Howard

As a little girl, I remember snuggling beside my mom on the couch. She would take a pen or pencil and sketch something beautiful on the paper. Like magic, something beautiful would appear on the paper. How did she do that? I would wonder. “Mom, sketch something for me. Please.” After a matter of minutes a rough sketch of a boat would appear gliding on water. Wow, I want this ‘magic’. 

Since then I have always chased the elusive “magic of art.” As I grew, I have found that it is more learning, practice, more practice and application through a period of time rather than magic. It became part of a disciplined life. This is my life; the life of an Artist.

You will make known to me the path of life. In Your Presence is fullness of joy. In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. ~ Psalms 16:11

When I seek God about my life, He shows me the path. When I choose to follow, a cascade of blessings begin to come. It usually doesn’t come all at once and sometimes it comes from unexpected places. This path can be rough and often hard at times. However, contentment, a peace that transcends all understanding, gratitude, joy, serving and sharing with others, blessings from others, are a small part of what comes. For this I am thankful.

When I asked my mom to translate the title “Cascade of Blessings” into Japanese kanji for my painting, she wrote “Fullness of God’s blessings”. She said, “Even with a flowers short life, God puts so much beauty into it.” 

May we all view life this way. No matter how short or how long to see the beauty in it.
 

Connections in Art

Many of us have an inborn quality to create. Often we get the most fulfillment in this life when we are able to create. When the arts intersect or combine, it can become the most satisfying to people in many ways.

For example, the literary arts combined with artwork can become a valuable tool in teaching the young and old alike. In the beginning stages of a child’s life, books with illustrations can open up their minds to a world of understanding and imagination. Even as adults, we can read instruction manuals for a better understanding on technology. Even on-line manuals have graphics and illustrations.

We were made to work together and create. Our Creator made it this way and, it can create a successful way of living. As an Artist, I often collaborate with other creative people to get the job done as well as seek God first in approaching a project.

Artists, writers, sculptors, engineers, musicians and many others in the fields of creativity have long intersected my path. I'm sure this happens world wide also. A team works best when working together to create from what they envision to become reality. 

With the Marvel Comics, there is Stan Lee who is a writer. He writes the stories that so many continue to enjoy through comics and movies. The artists, actors, and all the ones behind the scenes make things happen for our enjoyment. He doesn’t do this alone.

After I painted this painting of Stan Lee, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmzBP3rRSjw I wondered about this subject. I came to the realization that so many creative people are interconnected.

Sometimes we are meant to do artwork alone. Yet, I would venture to say what good is art if it’s not shared. If there are not eyes to see it, ears to hear it or hands to use it?

Observing Transformation

Each painting offers an opportunity for growth and change. Changes in life are not always welcomed. However, it's great when it's a good change. Without stepping out and making the effort to change, we can at best observe transformation in others who are willing to change.

With this painting, the fox is in the woods is observing transformation. He sees the infant stage of the butterfly. Through the passage of time he sees changes. Until one day seeing the effort of the butterfly to push past the infant stage to a full grown adult stage. Then ultimately seeing the beauty of the butterfly take flight! "Oh, if only I could....fly." he may have thought.

 

 

 How often have we observed transformation in others and have been to frightened to change or given up? Life is full of changes, from birth to death. Romans 12:2 (Living Bible) says:  ^"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you." A transformed or newness like this comes from our Creator Jesus. I realize that I need a power greater than myself to have a life consistently changed for the better. So I choose not only to "Observe Transformation", but also be transformed by the gift of the Holy Spirit to renew my heart daily.

Light Overcomes Darkness

At the Christian Arts Guild meeting, it was discussed that we could paint our testimony. Paint my testimony, what is my testimony? Different things came to my mind. When did this all start? It was something I would have to take further thought in and pray about.

Art has always been a part of my life. God was not. As a kid, even though I wondered about Him and prayed...He seemed so distant though. Wanting some control in my life, I embraced darkness as a teenager. Anything that had power and knowing I could attain it, that is what I pursued. A growing library filled my room of the 'dark arts'. Little did I know my lifestyle coupled with this was leading me down a very dark and dangerous path.

As a rebellious teen, my friend told me of her conversion to Christ. Her life changed for the better. She no longer feared death. I thought it interesting and decided to do the same. After all, what did I have to lose if it didn't work?

What happened next was truly a miracle. I looked at life so differently. It was like an illuminating light bulb clicked on in my mind and life. Life was looked at differently. Peace filled my heart! Since then it has never left. Fear and darkness, no longer rule my life. Being thankful for what I've been given and continuing in His grace fills my days. He is the 'lifter of my head.' Life can be very hard at times, so I'm grateful to my Creator who guides and helps me.

Light always overcomes darkness. We may not be able to see it at times, however that doesn't mean it's not true. Light illuminates our path but it is our choice to go towards it or not. I have chosen to walk towards it. I pray it's your choice as well.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)

Why Do We Need Art?

For the average person who is not an artist, this may be a question that may be in the back of your mind. People also question the validity of art in the school system when budgets are sorely lacking. I've seen where budgets have cut art to such a degree that it places little value on it. The general public are rarely outraged. Teaching handwriting to students are being bypassed. Handwriting...where individuality can be seen and help in motor skills for children. As an airbrush artist, this is my most popular script that people ask for time and again....which may not be taught in schools anymore.

We are first introduced to books as children, they are not merely words inside. Illustrations and photos help us to learn. Visualization is a powerful tool in learning. It continues to be a powerful tool as we grow through film, photos and artwork. When we travel, signs are everywhere directing us where to go. Imagine a world without it, and we may quickly get lost.

 

One of my first recollections of art was a carousel merry go round. Going around on a brightly colored horse with other kids waving to our parents. Smiles were plenty to go around. In Kindergarten, my art teacher encouraged me to continue as well as my high school teacher. After much prayer, hours of sketching and painting are still continued to this day.

Art is still a form of communication. Art needs eyes to see it. Hands to create it and interaction with people to make it successful or to accomplish it's intent. Art is also for sheer beauty which this world so desperately needs.

We were created by our Creator to create. When was the last time you seen a child draw something and it made you smile? Sometimes even children can teach us if we are open to it.



~ Margret Howard
www.Hispainter.com

Golgotha 1999

It was April 1999. My mother and I traveled with a group of people going to Israel for an unforgettable trip. We had planned this trip for 3 yrs. It was an educational trip but it turned out to be much, much more. We had a guide named Dikko who was a walking encyclopedia of historical information. He lived in Israel as well as our bus driver.

Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea and Tel Aviv were few of the places we went to during this trip. We had hoped for my father to go along, however he died of cancer the previous year. Ruby Gregory was our travel agent who came along for her 3rd or 4th trip there. She was great and told us everything we needed to know about going.

Before we boarded the El Al airline filled with over 500 passengers, we were told to come 3 hrs. early for pre-flight check. We were 'grilled' by the Israeli plane security officers. They asked us numerous questions before boarding the flight. They opened all our bags and looked through each one of them at least 3 times. They did this for each of the over 500 people boarding the plane. This all happened before 9/11. Their security makes the U.S. airports look very lax in comparison even today. I gladly complied to everything and felt so safe.

Golgotha was very memorable to me and the group. The Garden Tomb where Jesus was supposedly buried is well taken care of by the British. British volunteers work there. It was free to visit the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem as well as Golgotha. Golgotha is called "the place of the skull". Our guide told us that Jesus supposedly was crucified at Golgotha. The Romans would crucify people there at the base of the mount, instead of the top of the hill. Because the Romans liked to instill fear among the people. At the time of the crucifixion, he said it was historically a busy marketplace. All of this made me realize that Jesus was crucified naked in a busy public area where the people passing by would be eye level to him as they walked by!

As we went inside the Garden Tomb, we saw a plaque on the wall saying: 'He Is Not Here For He Is Risen'. After that we sat at a table overlooking Golgotha and had communion there. There was not one dry eye in our group....

Few places have affected me as deeply as the Garden Tomb and Golgotha. It solidified our faith after spending time there in prayer.

As I painted this stylized backdrop of Golgotha for the Good Friday Play, I was reminded of the place where I visited and not to take so lightly the heavy price that was paid by Him. Yes, Friday is good because He is Risen!