The Sweet Spot, Why Blog???

Yesterday I was reading

Ecclesiastes

The teacher is giving a speech on

how useless things of the world are.

What in the world truly brings joy?

Wisdom?

Wealth?

Hard work.?

He exclaims it is all useless and

in the end anything apart

from God is Useless.

"The best that people can do is eat,

drink, and enjoy their work. I saw

that even this comes from God,

Because no one can enjoy life

without Him. If people please

God, god will give them wisdom,

knowledge, and joy."

Ecclesiastes 2: 24-26

"The Key" 2006 Watercolor canvas

Ah Ha Moment!!!

Why do I blog?

I blog because I want to be used by God.

I blog because I want to make a difference in someones day.

I blog to self promote and promote my art.

What is wrong with those three sentences?

 (  I  )

What I just realized is, it is not about what I want.

My selfish nature wants to know I am making a difference.

My selfish nature want instant gratification...

Acceptance, Recognition

Thank you mainstream society and technology.

I haven't been getting many comments lately.

COMMENTS....(sigh)

I was using that as a measure of my success.

Bad,Bad Idea.....

I just realized this it is NOT the plan God had

for me....This is not the Spot!

I just realized that joy comes when I bridge the gap between God and I.

This gap is bridged when you are in a place with just you and God.

Just you and God.

God working in you and through you in his perfect will.

 True joy is meant to come from God and the time

 we are spending on our relationship with Him.

 The gap is closed when I am still, quite and listening to

God. 

When I am writing what he has placed

 on my heart and honoring him with

my talent and devotion.

Nothing else matters. Time stands still or slips by.

It's also referred to as the, " sweet spot".

A moment in time where there is no fear and no worries.

JUST YOU AND GOD.

Max Lucado writes about this in,  

A Cure for The Common Life

To find your "sweet spot" ---

that place where your passions and talents intersect.

"For a person to really live in their sweet spot,

they have got to discover the

joy of pleasing and honoring God.

It's less about themselves and more about honoring Him." 

"Your sweet spot is that unique combination

of abilities and strengths God has given you.

 It's the zone out of which He intended for us to operate,

 and in which we're most fruitful.

 It's different for every person, and the closer

we can come to understanding our own unique

 sweet spot, the more fruitful

and satisfied we'll be in our work and life..."  Max Lucado

This book is a GREAT read...Check it out!

Leave it to me to miss the point of writing this blog.

Well not completely... Or get caught up in the hype!

Working hard for comments...Not important! Useless

Working hard for Recognition... Not important!Useless

Working hard for approval...Not important! Useless

Living in my creative "sweet spot" and honoring God is where I want to be.

I really do want this to be less about me and my selfish needs.

But, I also want this to be a vehicle where I can share my faith

 and promote my artwork.

I really feel like it is a fine line. 

God is my passion

 and my writing and artwork

 is the place where I feel they intersect.

Welcome to My,

"SWEET SPOT"
This is where I
live Life to the fullest!
In the spot God has prepared just for me.

What does that mean for my blog?

I am taking the follow me... off.

I am not gonna check 5 or 6 times a

day to see is If I got a comment.

I am gonna put it out there

and trust God to use it

however he wants too.

If he wants to?

I will share what is on my heart.

I will share my art, my dreams

and my journey.

Hopefully sell some art too!!!

I will try to inspire others to

create a meaningful relationship with

God through His

son Jesus Christ.

With His help!!!

In God Alone I trust.

Many Blessings Deborah

A collaboration between God and I. Art and A New Link.

Answered Prayer

&

Divinely Inspired.

I am so, so excited to share

my newest inspirational

art.

Titled,

"A Splash of Color

  A Dose of FAITH"

Here's the story

behind the ART.

Hope you like it!

Sooooo...

The Internet is abundant with

 beautiful works of art

and artist.

I love to look at all the

creative artwork out there in

blog land and ETSY it can

be so inspiring.

But, sometimes I feel overwhelmed

by all the talented people out

there.

I had begun to think its all been

done like...(art)

What is original?

What hasn't been done?

Flowers...done!

Animals....done!

Collage...done!

An artist teaches a class

and you come out with a

piece of art that is more a

reflection of their

style then your own.

I want my own style.

As an artist you want to be

unique and stand out in the crowd.

It is kinda hard to explain, I'll Try! 

What do I want from my art?

I want my work to show the connection

I have with God when I am creating it.

I don't want to be just another artist.

I want to be a Christian Artist.

 Is that a limiting label? Maybe but, I don't care!

I want the world to know I love Jesus and

without him I would not have these gifts.

I want my art to be less about

me and more about the

work God is doing

through me & in me.

"Art is a collaboration between

 God and the artist, and the less

 the artist does the better."

 ~André Gide

 This is one of my all time favorite

quotes.

So I have been praying,

God Give me something

NEW!

Give me something small 4 1/2"x4 1/2"and

affordable to all.

Give me something

that shows my LOVE  for YOU.

Let me first start by telling you

that I really didn't spend much time

in the studio last month.

Just not feeling IT!

So a couple days ago I walk

into my studio and as if in a daze

I spy a old piece of art

which I had cut up into strips and

woven it together with a verse on it.

I never finished it!

It was big 18"x20" or so.

The only explanation I have is

the Holy Spirit took over and I

just started cutting up old artwork,

Which I wasn't happy with.

Reclycled ART.

I don't think I could have stopped

creating these if I wanted to.

With in 3 hours or so I had these made.

Then I thought to myself,  Had

God

planted this seed in me 4 years

ago when I made the big one?

It was a Holy Spirit moment.

When I finished these pieces and I took a

step back, I felt tingles

and goose bumps from my

head to my toes.

Ya'all are thinking eek, she could

be crazy.

But, these I call  Holy Spirit moments

and they are

real to me!

I know... I know, CRAZY,

But, I know I am not alone it these

moments...which I can feel the presence

of the Holy Spirit.

(Cause I am blessed to know others

like me.) LOL!

I have some good... good friends,

and when we get together in prayer

we all get these same feelings.

Not all the time, just sometimes.

Like when we are praying for

others or our husbands...LOL!

In the end friends, MY truly

 honest intention

is and will always be

to honor God and to

use my gifts and talents to

Give my Father in Heaven all

the Glory!

My intention is to share this gift with others

so they to will be blessed and inspired to use their gifts.

I want to be transparent even if it means

I have to be vulnerable.

I refuse to white wash my faith or

 My truth...

God is my Father,

Jesus is His son,

and My Savior

and the Holy Spirit

Lives In Me.

I am a

CHRISTIAN ARTIST.

Welcome to my journey!

I am so glad you stopped

by.

Many Blessings, Deborah

Also, I linked up with It's Grace

yesterday and wanted to share

her wonderful blog with you.

http://www.itsgrace.com/

So hop on over, you will

be blessed by her

words and her heart.

 Here is another Great

Christian Blog;  Rachel @

http://www.a-steady-rain.com/

Stop by for inspiration and to

share the amazing Blessing

God has for each of us.

Renewal, Painting and In life...

Renewal...

This is the original painting I

began in 2008...

I say began because I realized

the other day it wasn't

finished...

Titled,

"Scout and Cheyenne, Splash"

Another Stroke of the brush...

Renewed ....
I added some warm colors on the
backs of the horses and lightened the
fronts of the horses.  I also cropped the
original size to Matt it. I added more blue wash
over the hoofs in the background to
create a better feeling of distance.
Can you tell a difference?
Before I kinda felt the painting was a little
flat. I (think) I am happy with the renewed piece.

 Speaking of....
Renewal

This time of year reminds

me of new life.

We are reminded & many celebrate the birth of

Jesus and all that His birth meant

for us as Christians.

Hope

Renewal

Forgiveness

A precious Gift from

GOD.

What gift could top this???

All this hustle and bustle

shopping for the perfect gift.

Sometimes I am overwhelmed by

the materialism in my life.

I get caught up in the idea of

something new...

New Furniture

New Car

New jewelry...

I have more so much more than

I need, Really!

My Family,

My Friends,

 A Savior...

This morning I told my children

we weren't having Christmas...

Whooooa!

That did not go over so well, try this at you own

risk...

Here is what I heard...

"You can't do that,

That is not fair...

You can't just not buy us stuff."

That is what Christmas is all about!!!

Whoooa! (Me)

Mind you my children have been privileged

to attend  a christian school

until the 8th grade.

Sure, we have made many sacrifices to pay that bill!

But It was important to the cowboy and I.

My thinking at this moment...They know better than this...Right?

The answer is a resounding no!!!

They are normal children living in a material world.

They may not have as much as some,

but they have more than many.

So where did this feeling of entitlement come from?

Really, Can youTell Me!!!

I can only hope and pray that one day they

will realize how blessed they are.

With age and maturity comes wisdom, Right?

I am counting on this scripture,

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

I really wouldn't take Christmas

from my children...

But it did open up the opportunity

to have a great conversation with them.

Lets call it a little training session!

One Point for the Parents....

Many Blessings, Deborah

Sometime a piece of art isn't finished

even when you think it is....

New Art Dancing Sunflowers, Recycled Whimsy Blooms & Inspiration

New Art

From the Art & Soul Studio

Watercolor painting
on watercolor canvas...

Titled "Dancing Sunflowers"
Sunflowers are one of my favorite subjects
to paint. Not sure if it is quite done?
Have any of you used watercolor canvas?
What did you think of the experience?
Any Tips and Tricks out there?
Please!

New ... Painted on fabric

A light cotton scrape fabric painted with

acrylic with a textile medium added.

I use the stretcher bars

from a piece of  old shabby art I found

at good will for $1.19

I removed the old canvas

and then attach the fabric to the wood frame.

No fear the old art was a mass produce

piece from Target of somewhere.

Titled "Whimsy Blooms"

Size 8"x8"

I finished the 1" sides of this piece with old jeans I

cut a strip from.

I am liking the idea of recycling old mass produce

art into something new and original.

Another Stroke of the Brush...

MAKE TIME TO NURISH YOUR SPIRIT...

YOUR SPIRIT NOURISHES YOUR ART.

If you ever experience a creative block...

Try something new,

Believe in yourself...

Believe in your art...

Seek inspiration from,

God, Nature, Other Artist

and in the simple things in life....

"Be Faithful in the small things, because

it is in them you will find your strength."

Mother Teresa

Enjoy the spirit of creativity!

Many Blessings, Deborah

Embarking on a New Journey

LIFE

The Ultimate Journey

Unpacking the Lies of self-deception.

Deep...

Heavy...

Stuff!

I have been invited to

Join a small

Group

Bible Study

I will be  discovering

The Lies I tell Myself

which hold me back and trip

me up.

I will be seeking true freedom

in Christ.

 I will be seeking to love myself

Like Christ,

Loves me.

Letting go of all my vices.

Yikes!

Learning Better Coping Skills!

I want to grow,

I want to release my faith.

I hope to thrive and not just survive.

I'll keep you posted.

And share some inspiration.

Another Stroke of the Brush..

This is a painting I did in 2006 on Watercolor canvas.

Never Titled it?

I"m just wondering.....

Asking YOU For Suggestions?

How do you ?

(Other Artist or entrepreneur!)

Have a successful ETSY shop?

Would you take a moment and

share some tips

and ideas with

me and my friends?

I know I would truly

appreciate it.

Have a beautiful and creative journey today!

Reflect the Glory of God today!

Psalm 92: 1-2

"It is good to praise you, Lord,

to sing praises to God Most High.

It is good to tell of your LOVE

in the morning and of your loyalty at night."

Many Blessing, Deborah

And the Winner Is..... Big Welcome Newest Followers, Thanks!

I first would like to welcome

all my new follows.

So glad your here

Hope You'll will be blessed

and inspired with each visit!

And a big

Thank you to all

my followers

and fans.

You are an inspiration to

me!!!

Thanks

Here is the Prize...

So...

without

further

Ade

the

winner of the

Original Watercolor

pendent...

Congratulation to LeeAnn

over at

http://encouragement-is-contagious.blogspot.com/

Encouragement is Contagious

Email me your address and I will get

your pendant mailed to you asap.

Also would you like a silver bead chain

or a choker?

Thank you, to all who took time to leave a comment and follow me.

"Imagination is more

important than

knowledge.

Knowledge is limited.

Imagination

encircles the

world."

Albert Einstein

Geting My Art Out...It IS all About LOVE

I have been a very busy creative worker

bee in the studio and out and about.

I am so excited,

First, I was asked to put my art pendants

in a Cafe'.
(because I was wearing a pendant)
How's that for Marketing...Something I am not to
good at. 

It is called, Whooptidoos & La Te DA's

It is a very creative environment.

Bright...
Cheerful

&

the owner Joy is a beautiful

Christian women.

Second, I was asked to put my artwork, note cards and

bookmarks in a another shop called

Romancing the Home, the owner Kris

is so excited to have my art and she is fast becoming a

wonderful friend.

Kris is also a beautiful Christian Women.

Thank you Jesus for surrounding me

with Christian women of faith.

That we might give you Praise

and Glory in our new friendship.

Sharing the seeds of your words and

supporting each other in our journey to 

 become more like

Christ.

ANOTHER STROKE OF THE BRUSH...

Here is the newest piece just out of

the Studio.

This is a mixed media piece titled,

"SOAR"

I used watercolor paint and Shiva Oil Paint

Sticks to stencil the inspirational

words & vine. It is done on watercolor paper.

This original piece is

available at

http://www.dlrubyspalette.etsy.com/

Jesus is the seed,

the words of God are the water

which give life to

the Holy Spirit within you.

1Peter 8-11

"Most importantly,

love each other deeply,

 because love will cause many sins to be forgiven.

Open your homes to each other ,

without complaining.

Each of you has received a gift

to use to serve others,

Be good servants of God's

various gifts of grace.

Anyone who speaks

should speak words from God.

Anyone who serves should

serve with the strength God

gives so that in

EVERYTHING

GOD

will be praised through

Jesus Christ, Power and glory

belong to him forever and

ever. Amen."

 Seek Joy in serving others and in using

your gifts.

 May the Lord God reveal your gifts, that you

would choose to use them to serve others.

Posting Sunshine, Everything ETSY

It has been raining for days

So I am posting some sunshine,

This is a print which will be available on ETSY

http://www.dlrubyspalette.etsy.com/

Titled, " Follow the Sun"

It has PSALM 97:11-12

But if you have a favorite verse I can

change it just for You.

This is an 8x10 inch Professional

Print Reproduction of an

Original Watercolor.

It is matted in white and comes with back board and is enclosed in a

clear plastic envelope.

Ready to frame and hang in your favorite spot.

I ask God daily to help me and my family grow

closer to Him.

I will follow the Son aways and in all ways!

 Another Stroke of the Brush...

Hey, all you ETSY fans I found a Great Blog...

Everything ETSY

http://www.everythingetsy.com/

This blog is all about creative people

 and the wonderful things they do!

Kim is into everything creative and she shares

information on running a

ETSY business.

Advertising your shop

Getting more traffic

and

Lots more.

If you love ETSY as much as I do,

take a moment and stop by her blog.

You will be glad you did.

 Let her know you stopped by

Via Art n Soul by Deborah.

I hope where every you are, you know

Jesus is right there with you,

He will meet you where your at.

He will lead you on the path of the

Righteous.

Sowing, Growing and Sharing & A new watercolor...

It is planting time in Central Iowa and

the farmers are busy sowing seeds

in the fields surrounding my home.

The tulips are just beginning to bloom

bright vibrant colors, red, violet and yellow.

Thanks to the lady who lived here

before we bought our place.

You see, the truth is, I can paint flowers

but, I really really can not have grow them,

not a green thumb

on either hand.

That is unless I am painting with green....Smile!

If I leave the flowers be, they seem to grow.

If I tend  them, they go....never to grow again.

So I just let nature do its thing!!!

And I do mine...

This is the newest addition to my

Seeds & Petals Series

Titled

Seeds, Petals and Spring Tulips

This is a 5" x 7" matted original watercolor.

I will be selling it on ETSY

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dlrubyspalette

Another Stroke of the Brush...

 As I watch the farmers sowing their seeds,

It reminds me of my need to

sow Gods words into my

heart and soul daily.

We must make the time

to sow Gods words or

we can not grow

as Christians.

"The Lord your God, will bless you in all your harvest

and in all the work of your hands, and

your joy will be complete.

Deuteronomy 16:15

See as Christians we have work to do...

Sowing,

Growing

&

Sharing the Harvest.

Sow encouragement into a friend soul.

Help someone else grow in Gods Love.

Harvest and share the Love you

have found

in

Jesus Christ.

May your Blessing be many and your

harvest be bountiful.

Thanks for droping by!!! Have a great day!