The Odyssey of a Painting

My mom painted a series of Michigan State University ivy covered buildings over 25 years ago.  Recently, MSU tracked her down through an art gallery showing that was on the internet over five years ago in the St. Louis area.  Here is the rest of the story!
Recently my mom, Arvilla Friar, was contacted by Michigan State University about a watercolor painting she did of the original entomology building. It was purchased by Gordon Guyer, the then department chairperson. He became president of MSU from 1992 - 1993. MSU recently completed the remodeling of their conference room in the Department of Entomology. The conference room is being named after Gordon Guyer. As part of the dedication ceremony, Gordon Guyer has graciously loaned the university the beautiful picture of the Entomology Building at Michigan State University that was painted by Arvilla. They contacted mom to get permission to reproduce 10 copies of the painting to give to each speaker at the dedication event and to invite mom to attend the event scheduled on November 2, 2014. She gladly gave them permission to make reproductions, but won't be traveling to the event. I'm so proud of my mom! Here is a photo of the painting she did so many years ago. Arvilla painted several other MSU ivy covered historical buildings that have been
purchased. Congratulations mom!

Fall Classes - Painting a Hearty Harvest

Students are asking when the fall classes will begin and what will be the subjects we'll paint.
I've just put together the registration flyer for "Painting a Hearty Harvest" that will begin September 29th.  Here is a snip it photo of the registration form that will soon be available as a download.  Until those crisp fall days are upon us - enjoy the beauties of summer and all the glory that God will be putting on display!

Church in the Rain!

Sunday our church had it annual worship service in the park.  I was invited to paint plein air while the families enjoyed the event.  It rained, it poured...not conditions for painting "plein air" with water colors!  A pretty sizable group weathered the rain to enjoy a shortened worship service and picnic.  Judi Horner took this amazing photo of the scene and when I saw it, I wanted to paint it.  Here is Judi's photo along with my interpretation of the rainy event.  Those that went were blessed!

There is Sunshine in my Soul Today!

Oh those delightful sunflowers!  I've painted them in watercolor, on a textured board for the backsplash in my kitchen and now on silk.  I've had silk paints that I brought back from France 20 years ago.  Yesterday I got the box out of the garage that held all of the silk painting supplies.  I read my French tutorial booklet and watched videos on YouTube and then launched into the project.  It's not perfect - but I'm happy with how it is turning out.  I also want to continue painting on silk - it is such fun!

New Life

This spring a pair of mating cardinals built their nest just outside our living room window in a lilac bush.  We had the amazing experience of having a literal window on the world of the miracle of nesting, hatching and flying away.  I normally fall into a pattern of painting the seasons.  This year, 2014 - 2015, I've decided to be intentional about mindfully living and painting the wonders of God's creation through summer, fall, winter and spring.  Next May I will have an exhibit at the Tippecanoe Arts Federation that will reflect this journey.  This little baby bird will be the "flagship" spring painting.  "From among the branches, the birds send forth their song of praise!"  

"Shattered"

This painting is something very different from what I normally paint.  It was
 actually inspired from a reading from "A Blossom in the Desert", Lilias Trotter: based on 2 Cor 4:7, "we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." Lilias quote (which she wrote about 100 years ago!) "We may know that we are but earthen pitchers, like Gideon's, with nothing of our own but the light within, and yet we may not have passed through the shattering that sheds the light forth." the word "shattering" really stood out to me...

Beauty from brokeness, God's light shine best through the darkness.

Summer Travel Journal Watercolor Classes

I just finished the flyer for my summer classes - painting travel journals plein air.  With so many traveling over the summer, there are six classes offered and students can choose to attend four of the six.  There is nothing like painting outdoors and capturing the essence of places visited.