Jane Appleby Reflections RSS Feed

Rising Sun

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:42:19 GMT

From darkness into light the sun increased in its splendor as it rose portraying a multitude of possible paintings that I tried to capture with my lens. Watching the rising sun reminded me of how Faith can increase from the shimmer of the grey morning to a sunburst over our land like that of our soul. It is also like a song of the morning that is sung to us daily sometimes with a full orchestra of colours while other times with a subtle glow that increases through the fog and then lifts it. May our Minds and Hearts be lifted up to God as the sun does over the horizon till it is no longer visible but encompasses the whole day and the whole being. Jane

A Purpose

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 06:54:06 GMT

I read today an insight that Saint Maximilian Kolbe wrote: " In fact to love ones work is also a divine act that resembles God's." This is what I am striving for in my art and at the new Gallery Space that I share with Joyful Noise Books and Gifts where books written by saints are sold and where my works hang to honour creation and hopefully give glory to God. Let us all strive to be saints - it is our calling. Jane

Open for Business

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:12:53 GMT

There is an uneasy feeling of opening a retail Gallery space: That of exposing my heart (which is in my work) to whoever passes by. But I have to reflect that our lord gave Himself as he passed by and I trust that He is with me still in this new venture and in this "work" that in itself is a way to Holiness. Yes it is not only the store front in Coquitlam that is open for Business but also my heart. May it be directed towards good. May you also receive an outpouring of blessings into your heart. Jane

Shoreline

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:58:22 GMT

In Cambria while painting on location, the vast ocean before me, I realized the way the waves wash over the shoreline bring a pristine sparkle like that of forgiveness to a soul. When we forgive the debris is taken away from our heart like that off the shore. Though a memory may be like an imprint in the sand it can be left for the vastness of God's Mercy to smooth over it and left to be swept away for good. This intimate time with the California Coast brought a surge of inspired paintings my way, some of which were accepted to be shown at Gallery 88 in Vancouver and for a new gallery space I will be opening in July. The ocean seemed to have brought an abundance to my shore. May God's love continue to wash over you also. Happy Summer, Jane

Fire For All

Tue, 18 May 2010 06:39:39 GMT

Fire is hot, it melts things and completely consumes what fuels it. Like the Holy Spirit that consumes our hearts, melting stubbornness and fear, blazing through rotten souls and consuming dead wood of selfishness, a fertile soil is born so to speak where new seeds of fruitfulness can grow - if we but allow it. The sparks of light that dance away into the air are like a song of joy, knowing God can do great things by sending the Fire of His Spirit to us. May it be a spiritually great one beyond our expectations. Jane.

New Beginnings

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 04:39:24 GMT

How after the death of a project, a relationship, a life do we go on. How after dying to desire does an artist start another painting. What process does it take. I believe it is not so much a process as a disposition of the heart: to believe in the fullness of oneself and that it is possible. Let this inspiration even catch you by surprise like those that came across the Lord on the way to Emmause and then returned. Like the day of the Lord's Resurrection on the first Easter which for those that witnessed it was scary and amazing I believe we can go to a new "canvas", though scary, confident in the graces of the Risen Christ to help us not only to overcome weaknesses but to bring us to a new level of love. May this Easter be a resurrection of forgiveness, love and rebirth in YOU! Happy Easter. Here is a new spiritual painting called "Looking Inside" that will be on display at the Burnaby Arts Council in May. From Jane

Details

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:39:30 GMT

I work from large to small and do not necessarily concern myself about minute details till the end; the last brush stroke hopefully not provoking another interruption to the whole. This in a way is looking at the big picture of life and what really matters. To me the little details can overwhelm the trueness of a good thing and keeping it simple is in fact a good thing in art too. However when little high-lights help make the image more joyful or understandable then I strive to include them as needed. While painting on location like in this little acrylic started at Widgeon creek I can not help notice so many details that are presented before me - all of them interesting and beautiful as nature is. But like all of our efforts that can be good some just have to be left out at least for that day. Tomorrow is another day. May the details of life be ones that are highlights. Blessings from Jane

Creating

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:44:01 GMT

Since we were made in the image and likeness of God as stated in Genesis 1:26 I believe we were made to create in his likeness (that is in his love, since God is Love,1 John 4:16) which ever way this is presented in ourselves. Self discovery is obviously important here. So I ask myself: "Am I creating my paintings with love?" Do I seek to find love in my actions; those which are kind, merciful, patient, trusting, etc (1 Cor.13). Do I bear my weaknesses and faults as I work and try to improve them and ask for grace to persevere in the task of expressing?" I find the need to lift these things up to our creator as they are really His. So in the end my work is not just an abstract throwing of paint on my canvas but all of me including all the struggles and all the love I possess at that moment. I hope this creates something in the likeness of God even if it is but a simple visual expression with a brush. Blessed be creating; as for me it is a form of prayer. The Expression here was painted at L'Arche where prayer is part of the community. In Thanksgiving, Jane

Simply Art

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:33:54 GMT

In viewing some works by members of the L'Arche Community in Burnaby where people with developmental disabilities live together in a happy setting a sense of excellence in their art struck me. These beautiful minds seemingly void of pretense or pride, some couldn't even verbalize what they were doing, portrayed a simple greatness that some of us abstract artists strive for in our work. It seems that these minds were free to express this depth of creativity without hindrance of excessive intellect and their intuition seemed advanced to me. I was greatly influenced by the simple expression of these artists and hope to learn more from them as I visit them in their community and help in their upcoming show in March. We are all artists at heart and just need the courage to express it. May you also create yours whatever that may be. Jane

Beyond the Thorns

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:35:31 GMT

Those thorns of anxieties, troubles, illnesses, worries or feeling stuck shouldn't stop us from seeing the beauty that is beyond all this. The bright light at the end of the tunnel is the love that embraces all of us like the sunset of a warm evening. Let us not get stuck in the thorns of life and may the New Year bring fertile soil of an open heart that recieves what ever God gives us this year. Blessings to you in 2010 and always. Jane