Jane Appleby Reflections RSS Feed

Captured

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 05:52:25 GMT

Time and time again we get caught up in all sorts of entanglements that perhaps we did not intend but nevertheless bring us down. What if we allow our hearts to be captured by the one who took all of our crosses upon Himself and bore them for us, letting His Sacred Heart capture ours...for Himself and for those that we care for. This painting brings to mind the many crosses of our lives that can build the net that brings us closer to the Lord. It is as if He captures our hearts for His good purpose. For it is the many crosses in our lives that help build our faith and ultimately make us strong. May we Trust in God's providence and the abundance that only He can bring, as when Jesus called the fishermen to cast out into the deep (Luke 5). Where do we cast our nets? Jane

Waves

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:40:43 GMT

Waves of doubt, insecurities, sadness, and fear are transformed, with the brush, by expressive painting into joy, acceptance, confidence and a willingness to venture into the unknown. The creative process can actually use these difficult emotions and burn them away like fuel. The paintbrush is a timeless tool that allows such a journey to unfold before ones eyes, making it a reality. Like waves on the ocean that rhythmically collide against a shore, the brush pushes at the canvas with all the colours of the emotional change and growth that begin the turning points that are necessary in our lives. May the finished painting be a reminder of what actually moves us and may our spirit be open to the possibilities that lie ahead. You'll never know unless you pick up your "brush"... whatever that may be. Jane

It's in the Start

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 05:09:15 GMT

Celebrate the start. The start of something is often the hardest. Taking on a new painting for example can be as challenging as initiating any practice in our lives. Easter reminds us that there is a new start to life and one that is built on forgiveness. Our efforts are not perfect; at first they are just little purposeful marks and clumpsy attempts that don't seem to be going anywhere. However, great masterpieces have been known to result from these trials. But even if unfinished, may we not miss the transformations that occur along the way. Therefore, let us not be afraid to start, to be good, to share, to love, and to believe that our efforts, even the smallest ones, are meaningful to the whole. May this Easter bring you abundant Joys...even at the start. Jane

Weeknesses

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 05:12:45 GMT

Lent is a time of revealing our weaknesses and realizing that because of Easter a resurrection from them can be expected. What does it mean that we are Easter People? For me it means Transformations by the power of the Holy Spirit. A continual renewal occurs within us as we are strengthened by Grace, regardless of our circumstances, because of what the Resurrected Lord pours out from Heaven. His death brought new life for us and conquered more than we know. Our "death" to relying on our own will allows us to be open to God's Gifts including acceptance of ourselves and Transformations that put in motion Spiritual and Temporal change. This painting called "In Motion" was accepted into the "Transitions" Show next month at the Federation of Canadian Artists. May it be a symbol for us to "Transition" towards what is Good. Jane

To Your Room

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 06:51:04 GMT

Clearing the mind for creativity is important while in the "inner room" of our hearts. "Shutting the door" there allows us to remain in it for the necessary time. If we leave behind our closed thoughts, negative ones and troubles we are opening the window for the spirit to move within. In Matthew 6 Jesus tells us ..." go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." If painting becomes a prayer may you also do it in secret, unaware of what your right hand is doing and being rewarded for your openness to the gift. Whether we create within a group, outside or in our studio may it be in the room of our hearts where God dwells. Perhaps we need to invite him into that intimate space. Blessings to you during Lent. Jane

Show Opening for POP

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 07:01:21 GMT

The Passionate Outdoor Painters (POP) is a group of artist friends that I encouraged to be part of a show of paintings done on location. Our first show opened this month at Place Des Arts in Coquitlam with a record number of people attending. The show is a collaboration of our best work and favourite spots; some of which are familiar. We all participated in hanging the display and used our varied talents to make it come together. If you haven't had a chance to see the show we hope you may come out before it closes Feb. 23, 2013. We are (as pictured L-R): Sahar McCullough, Randy Green, Sue Cowan, Jane Appleby, Sally Turton and Alison White. The smiles on our faces represent what friendships can accomplish: more than an art show, or the art itself, but increased appreciation for each other and our gifts. Jane

Let it Snow

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 21:31:41 GMT

When it snows all becomes white, as if made new like a primed canvas awaiting the first brush stroke. Our hearts too are like this awaiting what God will draw on them as we renew ourselves in His Will. This may be unknown and mysterious or feel like being on top of the world in His Grace. Yet it is peaceful, beautiful and joyful when we trust in the gifts He will give us. To me the snow is a reminder of Peace on Earth that continues to come down, day in and day out, and like on the top of a mountain in winter: always there. Merry Christmas to all! Jane

Feelings

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:18:43 GMT

Like a self portrait that can be painted a thousand ways, our hearts can be painted with a multitude of emotions. Though we cannot help how we feel sometimes, our feelings do not need to own us and we do not need to act on them. Rather we can appreciate them for what they are: a way we responded with our hearts temporarily. We can choose to disregard them when they bring trouble and embrace them when they lift us up. And like another layer of colour in a painting, feelings add to the vibrancy of our lives. Feelings seem to come like waves made by the wind and can cause all sorts of storms in our hearts. However we can calm them by opening our internal windows to the light of Faith and offer up the not so good and look to something greater to come. In time we learn to filter feelings and not take them too seriously. Soon they make us smile and then our hearts dance again. May our feelings help us love. Jane

Chit Chat

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 06:27:38 GMT

On November 20th I will be presenting abstract expressionism at a chit chat night called Pecka Kucha. Presenting slides of my work and other abstract art I hope to present the importance of the expressive qualities in painting. This is proving to be more difficult than painting a portrait, as there is nothing and everything to go by when it comes to abstraction: nothing matters and everything is possible. I do know that this extension of my soul which I call creativity is very much fostered by the limitless possibility of expressive painting. The courage to respond to a mysterious part within ourselves can be enlightening and with the skills we bring to our work something profound can be communicated even if it doesn't make sense at first. If God said we were "very good" when He made us I would think that what we create can also be good for us to some degree. I believe the more we foster individual expression in art the more creativity and problem solving will flourish within ourselves. Surrendering our will to the canvas is a beginning to surrendering it to God and maybe even the same thing. Realizing the manifestation of creativity is art and we can all benefit from that even if we don't fully understand it or even like it. Let us be open to the Creativity we all share. Jane

Meeting Robert Bateman

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:41:25 GMT

When you meet an established painter like Robert Bateman you can not help admire the dedication he has taken to his work and want to hear what he has to say. During his artist talk at Salt Spring Island he mentioned abstract paintings inspired his work which I could relate to. I agreed that abstraction is important to compositions. When I had the opportunity to show him my sketch book as I got an autograph, he particularity was impressed by a little abstract of the ocean and mentioned this. It made my day. These few words of encouragement meant so much. What I learned was that our sincere words are truly gifts to people. This brought me to think about what words we speak to others. Are we pointing out in our best view what we find good? Words that build up are always a blessing and I hope that we continue to do this with those we meet, even if briefly. May we also be thankful to those that encourage us. Jane