Summer project series Part 2

I have learned to live my life one step, one breath, and one moment at a time, but it was a long road. I set out on a journey of love, seeking truth, peace and understanding. I am still learning.
~Muhammad Ali

It’s about half way through the summer now and it's been a hectic month.  I have just been bombarded from every direction (it is intense) this summer,  but the joy has been in the journey (painting) so far as I carve out time in each day to work on my "Summer Project Series"  There is a part of me that is thinking, why do I do this to myself?  

The other part of me is thinking...this will truly be a miracle if I'm  able to get this done.  

  I really do feel at peace while working on these pieces, in the quiet hours of the morning and the moments I find to work on them.  The craziness of this summer, somehow stops my own voice, and Im pouring that voice into these paintings only.  Maybe that was meant to be, hopefully they can speak on their own and for the subjects involved and their issues with the love of Christ. 


                                               #4

Sponsor a child  ❃

Photo credit Jon Warren/World Vision

This painting is from a photo captured by Jon Warren of World Vision of a mother grateful for the medical help she received for her newborn baby.  A mother may walk for miles, or days to get medical help.  While some babies don't even live past the age of five in some areas, this mama knows that she has been given a gift.  

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young-- a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God. 

Ps 84:3

Summer project series

We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.

Gloria Gaither

I am starting a new art summer project series this summer, working with color undertones.  This will be a working summer for me, a job, training a new puppy and I am also preparing for an event in the Fall with art and child sponsorship with World Vision.  As a volunteer child ambassador I see some moving photos that speak to me on what sponsoring a child means, to me and to the child themselves.  I figured that I would paint my own displays based on some photos from World Vision itself.  

While every summer I like to challenge myself with a project, this one seems more like a journey.  The painting's will be in illustrative form and may look a little different than the photo,  hopefully I will try and be as true to the story as the photographer meant them to be,  the photos themselves are already beautiful.  The reason that I'm doing World Vision photo's is because I will have kids up for sponsorship from the same regions as the scenes that will be painted.  I will use this same post all summer long to add each painting that will be used for the event.  The pictures themselves will be up for sale for the East African hunger crisis.  

I begin on a journey, inspired by the stunning work of the World Vision photographers,  and the graciousness of them allowing me to do this, even though I'm still learning about the fundamentals of undertones, color, painting and story illustrations. 

Check back with me throughout the summer and see my progress! 

#1 

Sponsor a child from Guatemala ❃

Photo credit Lindsay Minerva/World Vision Guatemala

My first painting is a little girl (Yennifer from Guatemala) holding her family bible. This photo reminds me of the bible verse... "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him)"? 

God's heart for the poor and the faith of a little child must be precious to God's heart.

#2

Sponsor a child from Bangladesh ❃

Photo credit Laura Reinhardt/World Vision Bangladesh 

The second painting of my summer project series for an event this Fall is this painting from a photo of Somali feeding her little brother eggs from chickens that they received from World Vision. The children are no longer malnourished and is pictured here with a full plate of food.

Children are often looking after other siblings and Im sure its a blessing to have food to give them.





                                                                                      #3

Sponsor a child from Zambia❃

Photo credit Jon Warren/World Vision Zambia

Painting number three is a painting of little girl feverish with malaria and sat in the lap of a photojournalist Kari Costanza of World Vision.  While the photojournalist was interviewing her parents in Zambia, Photographer Jon Warren captured this picture. 
  
A picture of World Vision’s work, love.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14