Some Mondays

Gratitude

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." G.K. Chesterton

A great Story tomorrow

I am honored to be a part of this great story that will be celebrated tomorrow on All Saint's Sunday.
Here is the link to the story on the website at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.

http://www.churchrez.org/news/the-story-of-the-great-doors

I began my part in this huge project nearly seven years ago. I was part of a three artist collaboration who worked closely and lovingly together. This is one of those great moments in the life of an artist.
 This is one of my personal contributions, The Feast of the Epiphany.  I drew the design, based on a painting by Giotto. Wood carver artisans in Indonesia took our line drawings and created a work of art.

The Feast of the Epiphany Janice Skivington Wood

misty morning

Psalm 54

natural

Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I'm using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I'm happy with that. Aretha Franklin

One year young

It takes a long time to become young. Pablo Picasso

and a few lilies blow

I have desired to go 
Where springs not fail,
 To fields where flies no sharp and sided hail
 And a few lilies blow
 And I have asked to be
 Where no storms come,
 Where the green swell is in the havens dumb,
 And out of the swing of the sea.

Gerard Manley Hopkins

— 1864  'Heaven-Haven'.

lilies three weeks later and quite a bit older

"The petals droop sadly, curl into the stem, and give up their first pearly luster. Days go by, I continue looking and discover that the curling shapes are even more interesting. The aging lilies have acquired a patina, a different sheen, and far better lines to draw."
Janice Skivington

pawikan

Pawikan means sea turtle in Tagalog. I saw and swam near these giant sea turtles when I went scuba diving in the Philippines. Here are two of my paintings made after I came back to the hotel, dried off, sat on the veranda with a drink and watched the changing water over the bay. The second painting here I tore out of my sketchbook and presented as a thank you to the owners of the diving resort.