Take Me Deeper - November Week 2

Wow this week's devotional and the direction in which I was led really threw up a raft of emotions! As I say below, the beautiful hymn I recalled used to be one which was loved at Church. It has such beautiful words; words that I feel really help everybody, adult and child alike, to fully appreciate God's love for us. 

His Kingdom Come - Take Me Deeper - November Week 2 - Honour

I read about learning to become dependent on God, and being as little children. This led me on to Psalm 8:1-5 - 
O Lord, our God, your greatness is seen in all the world!
Your praise reaches to the heavens;
it is sung by children and babies.
You are safe and secure from all your enemies,
you stop anyone who opposes you.
When I look at the sky, which you have made,
at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places - 
what are human beings, that you think of them;
mere mortals, that you care for them?
Yet you made them inferior only to yourself,
you crowned them with glory and honour.

I really wanted to work with the feel of those words. Somehow I ended up, from searching for the words to another hymn, to a hymn called You Are Mine by David Haas. I used to love playing this in Church! I quickly found a version on YouTube that I kept playing over and over whilst I created this piece, and I hope I've captured the feel of it!

You Are Mine 
I will come to you in the silence
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear My voice,
I claim you as my choice
Be still, and know I am near.

I am hope for all who are hopeless
I am eyes for all who long to see
In the shadows of the night,
I will be your light
Come and rest in Me.

Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine.

I am strength for all the despairing
Healing for the ones who dwell in shame
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free
And all will know My name.

Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine.

I am the Word that leads all to freedom
I am the peace the world cannot give
I will call your name, embracing all your pain
Stand up, now, walk, and live.

Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine.

These words to me are almost achingly beautiful and almost seem to reach right into my heart! The words are so gentle, they really feel like a comfort, such as would be given to a small child though.

I blended about 7 textures together to create the main feel of the piece, added the figure (Praise Him digital image from HKC), the stars, and the tree in the background, then worked on creating the gentle light falling around. 
TFL!
Bernie x

Take me Deeper - July Week 2

I honestly had so much fun making this page! I seem to be finding a new style, freer, which I love! I'm sure there will be more pieces in this style!

July Week 2 - Cultivating Honour

I did the word search and the predominant words were love one another - which would seem to sum up the way we need to live to honour God and also each other.

So I wanted an image that spoke those words! No ideas of course! So I started playing with the HKC Praise Him digital images and resized, warped and even cut off an arm and moved it around to form the impression I wanted! I can't believe how quickly this came together! It seemed too simple at first; too easy, but I soon realised that nothing else was needed or would work so this is how it stays!

Arms wrapped around each other, these 2 live in love together. With one arm raised in worship, they both live in love of God. They are both enveloped in the light of God and I hope a feeling of joy as well as love comes through!

Other than the HKC Praise Him image, I used my own papers, plus CU brushes and edges.
TFL!
Bernie x

Take Me Deeper - July Week 1

Wow, can you believe it's July already?! We have had temperatures up into the 30s this week which has made even ordinary tasks seems like a slog! (I'm one of those pale people who burn in just 5 minutes in the sun and just can't 'do' heat and humidity!). I'm hoping for a big thunder storm very soon to break this humidity and freshen things up a bit! Not to mention the gardens need a good soaking!

My artwork for this first week in July came together so simply, it all seems a bit strange! I purchased the Praise Him Digital Images from His Kingdom Come - have a look in their store as they have great stuff for digital artists and for actual paint on paper artists! So much so I'm seriously considering setting up all my paints and inks etc again somehow after several years of being only digital just to use their stuff!! The digital images just seemed to inspire me so much! I'm looking forward to seeing more of them hit the store!

So, here's what I made!

July Week 1 - Independence v. Dependence

Having looked up the definitions of various words was really interesting! Especially perhaps because some of the definitions of vulnerable are not things generally thought of as positive! Plus, it was so positive listening to the Podcasts, especially with all the negativity and upset within my Parish at present! I had an unexpected hour to myself and really enjoyed listening whilst browsing the HKC Store! All in all it really inspired me!

My inspiration for this piece was Psalm 8:1-2 - Your praise reaches up to the heavens; it is sung by children and babies.

This month's artwork will be slightly different as I decided to use the Praise Him digital images each week. I really enjoyed the first one! I had intended to use as it came but played around and added some nuance of shape and tone and loved it!

The b/g papers are all mine, with a CU border and a bit of CU brush work.
TFL!