Thursday, December 16, 2010

'Decked Out' and a confession


'Decked Out'
10" x 14" watercolor

 

detail from 'Decked Out'

This painting was a pure joy. It flowed together so smoothly and I got so immersed in the painting that I sometimes lost track of time or anything else that was going on around me.

I sometimes forget how rare it is for this to happen. Every painting, no matter how similar in subject matter, color, or light, is an entirely different creature.

The experience of creating art is never the same from one day to the next.

Sometimes it's a real struggle to get anything down that I'm satisfied with, other times it flows like it's not me who's creating this painting, but someone else who just happens to be using my hands and eyes, someone who's infinitely more talented and expressive than little old me.

But either way, painting feeds my soul and gives me joy, and I look forward to every day I get to sit down and create art. 

Which brings me to my confession.

For a long time I put off the idea that I had 'talent' or a 'gift.' Even writing those words down right now makes me squirm a little. I'm really uncomfortable with admitting that I have talent or that I might be 'good' at something.

But now I've realized that not acknowledging that denies that any talent I do have has come from God. That's something I believe in strongly, that God has given me whatever skills and talents I possess. And that He's also given me the desire to study and practice.

It all goes back to Him. This talent, this skill of putting paint on paper isn't mine. It's His, and He's gifted me with it. To bless the lives of my family and others. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly He wants me to do with it. But I try, every day.

So there's my confession.

I have talent. I have a gift. And it's not mine, it's a gift from God.


18 comments:

  1. Amen! That's where mine comes from too. When the time is right you will know how to use it the way He wants!
    Christmas blessings to you xx

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  2. What a great thought and equally great painting... This painting is seriously kickass..

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  3. Beautiful painting, Crystal! You do have a wonderful talent that God gave to you. You are able to see beauty, and you can translate that to paint and paper. That doesn't mean it isn't work, sometimes. I actually don't think we would be happy if we didn't have to strive to achieve something.

    And I don't think we know until later, looking back that we see what the purpose or plan was. We just keep working, and the threads of our lives are woven together like a tapestry.

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  4. I just discovered you art. Take if from another artist, you are one of the most amazingly talented artists I have seen in decades. Water color is the most difficult medium to work in and you art flows like the water infused into the color.

    Yes, God has given you the talent, but it's your spirit that brings it to life. Never forget that.

    Michael

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  5. Crystal - The painting is beautiful. Very well done. You are most certainly talented.

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  6. Hi Crystal. It is obvious from your work where your inspiration comes from. Never loose touch with those feelings.

    On your 10 points about painting I would add:
    Follow your bliss.
    and
    You are the only one who knows where the mistakes are. Do not point them out.

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  7. Crystal, this is absolutely stunning.......and yes, you are both gifted and talented and you inspire others like me to accept their gifts and hone their talents and be humble. You are precious!

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  8. This little pony is so artfully painted...it has life! Your god-given gift is so apparent but don't forget that you have chosen to accept the gift and make it something truly special by a lot of hard work! I am so happy you are embracing what you have and sharing it with others.

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  9. You have so much talent!
    God bless you!

    Ciao!

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  10. crystal, esta pintura es maravillosa, felicidades.
    feliz navidad, jose

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  11. Beautiful horse, wonderful message, awesome post. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. It's hard to imagine how you ever doubted your talent! Your talent may have been a gift but it is you that looked after it, grew it and nurtured it and you should feel proud of that :0)
    This painting? - well, there are really no words that even come close :0)

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  13. Your Norwegian pony is a beauty; you can tell he/she just flowed from your brush.

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  14. Thank you so much Pat. :) And I'm sending Christmas blessings right back at you!

    Why thanks Prabal! ;)

    Virginia, thank you so much for your beautiful comment. It touched my heart. :)

    Michael, thank you so much for your very kind words. :) They really mean a lot to me. And I'm glad you stopped by too!

    Thanks so much Michelle! Good to see you around here. :)

    Thank you very much Stan. :) And I think your two tips are DEAD on. Well said my friend!

    Carol thank you so much my good friend. You made my day! :) I hope you're having a great holiday season.

    Karen thank you so much. You always know just the right thing to say. :)Happy Holidays!

    Thank you very much Franz! :)

    Thank you so much Jose. And a Merry Christmas to you too! :)

    Thanks so much Nicole! :)

    Sandra, thank you so much. :) You are just the sweetest friend out there. I hope you're enjoying your holidays!

    Thanks so much Kathryn! :)

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  15. Crystal, You are beyond talented, you are a watercolor genius. And it is a wonderful gift from God!!! I know what you mean about trying to figure out what is supposed to be made of it, I assume it's solely not to make money from our talents. With prayer I'm sure answers will come. I am so delayed in responding to your BEAUTIFUL painting!!!! I think it's one of my favorites. You can tell that you were completely immersed. It is stunning!! I Wish you the Merriest of Christmases and can not wait to see what 2011 will bring. I'm so thankful for our friendship:)

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  16. This is so beautiful Crystal...You DO have a wonderful talent along with giving inspiration to others, but I do so understand your thoughts as well....

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  17. Crystal, you are blessed indeed with this wonderful talent. My little four year-old granddaughter
    is sitting on my lap, and she absolutely loves your work too. She told me to tell you that her name is Maddy. I can only say that she has an excellent eye :)

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  18. Congratulations on getting to the end of your first year of blogging - that's a big achievement.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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