THE BLOG
Artist on a Mission – A Bicentennial Celebration
I am so excited to be participating in the Alliance of Covenant Artists Spring 2020 Bicentennial Exhibition. It is a celebration in art of the first vision which occurred 200 years ago this spring. The first vision was the heavens opening up and laying the foundation for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joseph Smith as a young 14 year old boy read in James 1:5 “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God”. We are surrounded by people in our life who influence us and support us. We can talk to them of things that are important to us. We can count on their love and support. I thought of Joseph’s mother and her love and concern for her son and his search for divine guidance. We all need loving support in our lives. And people during this Covid-19 pandemic are finding great ways to support and reach out to others while still keeping safe. There are collages of James 1:5 in English, Korean and Spanish to symbolize the influence this vision has had on the world.
The exhibition was going to take place at the Joseph Smith Building in Salt Lake City during General Conference. But now it will be online and if all goes well with this beautiful world, the exhibit will be in real life at the Washington DC Temple visitors center.
You can find this painting and others at the link below. There are two galleries: First Vision Gallery One and Faithful Saints Gallery Two. Mine will be in the first gallery. Scroll down to Commendation Certificates. Enjoy the exhibit as you sit in your pajamas and sip some hot chocolate.
Artist on a Mission – Self Quarantine Day 4
The senior missionaries in Hawaii were called home because of the Corona Virus. We did not have a lot of time to pack up and clean up. We traveled through airports with people wearing surgical face masks. We arrived at the Salt Lake Airport with luggage heavier than it should be. We walked outside from Hawaii sunshine and pleasant temperature into cold wind in your face and a bleak winter grayness in the sky.
We climbed into a truck that had been delivered by a son who ran back to get into his family car filled with his wife and kids. We drove our friends who were also leaving their mission in Hawaii and flying with us, up to their home in Providence.
We drove home and walked into our basement where we are self quarantining for two weeks. The son and daughter-in=law upstairs with our three grandkids had set up the basement for our comfort. We have more room in the basement than we did in Hawaii and grandkids to talk to through the window.
We are still on our mission and doing classes online remotely for BYU Hawaii. Our hearts and prayers are with the students at the University, and the people that we have grown to love in Hawaii. We are going to join in the worldwide fast that President Neisen has asked for. We are praying for all the people that inhabit this beautiful world.
I have put up a video on You Tube of a watercolor painting demo. It is for my watercolor students at BYU Hawaii but you welcome to have a look and try the painting. Hunker down and stay safe.
Here is the link to the You tube Video and the picture that I used for the demo. Enjoy
Here is the link to President Nelson’s call for a worldwide fast.
Artist on a Mission – Leaving before were done
No amount of words can express what is happening in my heart. We have grown to love the students here from all over the world. We have learned of the great strength and kindness that they possess. We have been inspired by the depth of spirit of the People who live and work in Laie, and Hauula and Kahuku. Their testimonies speak of faith and love of others and their ancestors and family. We have loved the young sister missionaries and their resilience and smiles. We have loved the professors who teach and work at the university. We have loved the other senior missionaries that have strengthened our faith and brightened our time here, people that I got to know for a short time but who will be carved into my heart forever. I will miss the drum beats and singing from the students at the Polynesian Cultural Center. And the random fire crackers that go off in the neighborhood.
I love my Heavenly Father. I have felt His blessings in my life. I feel his love and help as we head back to Utah. God bless us all and help us as we try to help and love and strengthen others during this unsure time in the world’s history.
Artist on a Mission – Good Company
“Wind Blown Sand” was in good company at the St. George Art Museum. It shared some space with “Monolith” by Maynard Dixon 1909. The abovet article is from the St. George Art Museum Newsletter.
One day my husband and I were stuck in traffic heading into San Francisco. Traffic was crawling and our car was barely moving. But it was a great opportunity to snap some pictures for future paintings. The gentleman in the watercolor below was vacuuming his car at a local car wash. He made a great demo for the watercolor class over here at BYU Hawaii.
My friend Sister Kimura posted this comment on prayer from me on Face Book I thought I would share it here also
What prayer has meant in my life?
Prayer has been a part of my life since I was little. I’ve always prayed to a loving Heavenly Father who listens to my prayers. He has been there to guide and comfort me from my first memories until now. I can kneel to Him in times of great stress and plead for His blessings to be with my loved ones. I can ask for His guidance when I wonder which direction to go. I can ask His forgiveness when I do something wrong and need to repent. I can look out the window in the morning and thank Him for the beauty I see everyday. This morning I thanked Him for the wind blowing through the palm trees and the beautiful orange that kissed the edge of the clouds. When I’m far from those I love, I can ask Him to watch over them and send blessings their way.
Sister Kimura is part of a group of young sister missionaries that serve up here at the visitors center. If you have questions about prayer, you can go to ComeuntoChrist.org and get some answers from these young missionaries.
Artist on a Mission – Celebration
So my friend Faye Gibbons, the author of many fine books including “Emma Jo’s Song” which I had the privilege of illustrating, is going to receive a great honor. She is being inducted into the Alabama Writer Hall of Fame. If I was home, I would be heading out to Alabama to join in the celebration.
When I got the manuscript for “Emma Jo’s Song” and read it for the first time, pictures jumped into my head. It was a delight to illustrate the story.
Part of the fun was doing the research for the book. Illustrating picture books becomes quite an adventure. It can take you into worlds you have never been before.
Artist on a Mission – Getting There
If you are crossing the road here at Brigham Young University Hawaii, you have to keep your eyes open for more than passing cars. Here are some different ways that the students get around.
There are a lot of ways to get around but it’s good to know where you’re going so you’ll end up in the right place. Directions are not East and West, they are Makai (ocean) and Mauka (Mountain). I like both directions.