Jane Appleby Reflections RSS Feed

Demonstration

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:13:26 GMT

Painting infront of an audience should have been nerve racking and the noise at Cypress Lodge where I demonstrated this weekend was nothing like the quite of nature that I was use to when painting on location. However I wanted to paint snow and this perfect opportunity presented itself at the Lodge. The interesting thing was that once I started it was exactly as if I was on my own, the noise was not audible, I was relaxed and excited at the same time and was able to concentrate on mixing colour and using my big brush in the comfort of a warm and dry environment. I chatted with people and completed an impression of the ski hill covered with new snow. What more could be perfect. I thank God for this because it was an answered prayer. A realization that with him everything is possible. I am doing it again next weekend too. God is good... all the time! Jane

Artist at Work

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:32:30 GMT

Having an opportunity to watch an artist at work engages our senses and perhaps our soul. I found myself anticipating the artists next move as he worked but realized the purposeful action was best to develop from its initial source and the viewer to explore its completion. It seems that artists and art unites something beyond the form to creation itself, which we are all part of and that we can all enjoy. You can check out Chris Mackenzie's unique nature inspired pieces at www.chrismackenzie.com. May we contemplate creations around us daily and perhaps our own purposes in them while striving for Happy New Year. Jane

Happy Gift

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 04:40:51 GMT

Gifts...to us, from us, given, shared;
Those that are free are always there.
Christmas a reminder of a gift from God
A new life given with Mary's nod.
Joseph, the Shepherds and Wise Men too
All received with me and you.
This special blessing of love divine
...Is born a new from us to shine.

Merry Christmas to all. Jane

Solitude

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:11:25 GMT

We really are never alone but to be in solitude helps us appreciate that. Though we may go to a place of less noise, less clutter, less conversation, and less motion in our heads and otherwise we come to a place not so quiet after all but surprisingly peaceful. I believe this place is universally within us and is a gift from God. It may feel like it is very deep and far away yet is reachable by choice. It is the place where we hear the breathing of our soul being set free to live. May we listen to the sweat breath of life within us and give it birth.....like Mary did on Christmas Day. Jane

Opposing Colours

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 06:36:28 GMT

This Orange and Blue piece was about using opposing colours while mixing them to achieve neutrals. It brought to mind personalities that even though opposite not only compliment but bring about a whole new way of looking at things because of the infinite "greys" or possibilities that present themselves. While painting this exercise a conflict ensued between the two colours and both were shouting for equal attention. However, in the end Orange won over the subordinate Blue but the blue supported it with its presence. To me it was like a conversation that when both sides were heard and present a dynamic picture resulted. May we work together like two colours that strive for a good relationship and one that is harmonious because of the support that is offered by each individual. What colour do you represent? Jane

The Up Button

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:36:42 GMT

In my effort to escape the steep steps of my own desires I chose to make an imaginary oversized button in my art class that would express what I could immediately turn to when needing to be lifted up. By making this wearable wire button with the word: "UP" I hoped it would remind me that it is not so much what I do but the button I choose to press within myself. I could reach a higher place of peace, joy, and goodness if I remembered that I had an "UP BUTTON" - the one that is my relationship with God. May this become larger with time and may God bring you to your higher place of peace. Happy November. Jane

Being Little

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:32:09 GMT

The smallness and vulnerability of our new furry friend has reminded me how being little is special. He is dependant for many things while he grows; his purr an indication of his contentment. He looks for what he needs but gets more than that from those that care for him. Is this not what our Heavenly Father does for us? This little one has helped open my eyes to the joy of being held and reminds me of God's love. A friend told me that if a cat is purring it is in God's will and in a way glorifying and praising Him in the way he knows how. I believe Saint Francis expressed this in the Canticle of the Sun. May every creature great and small Praise in the way they can. As for me, I'll try remembering God's Love in creation and try to capture it with my art. Jane

Circle of Crosses

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 05:29:23 GMT

On the Feast Day of Holy Cross Church in Burnaby I was inspired to create a series of crosses in my Lithography class at Emily Carr. These all touch and line up as the church (us) do in unison in our sufferings. We all have them; small or large they are there, turning as the world does, from night to day, day in and day out. The crosses are always there. We are not contained by them however as they are a victory to those who accept and embrace them. May the Holy Cross be that which overcomes your darkness and brings a new dawn into your heart and a Blessing to you each day. Jane

Gordon Smith Talks

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:31:55 GMT

I had the occasion of meeting Gordon Smith, an acclaimed Vancouver artist, whose abstracts have inspired my expressive work, among other influential artists. The words of encouragement he mentioned, including that it is not necessary to have a formal art school training, was something I appreciated, as well as his closing words in the artists circle talk that "we all share creativity". With this I have come to believe it is important to spend time with God's Creation in the world as well as with the "creators" made in His image, us. For me that's "Art School". I believe God's beauty in nature is as inspiring as the human activity of expressing creativity, which includes a love to give something from the heart, mind and soul. This then becomes the artist's individual contribution and no matter what one actually portrays is something valid. May God continue to live in us and in our art as well as challenge us to look deeper into our shared creativity. To quote Smith: "Art is not just entertainment." Thank you Gordon for your contribution. Jane

Longing

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:31:43 GMT

I often find I long for the window of my heart to be opened all the time, to be able to love constantly, to be open to the gifts of the holy spirit, and to be able to create at will. Sometimes it is not so and I find it closed shut, waiting ... perhaps for someone to knock, to undo the latch, to repaint or rebuild intensions and remove the struggles that pile up against our own walls. So then I ask: May the Divine Artist bring to life what seems dead in me with a new outpouring of God's Spirit like a fresh coat of paint on the window of my heart.... so that I can wait with joy. Happy Summer! Jane