Journal Your Christmas 2017

3rd December 2017
This is my piece - I'm thinking this was a gift to me today, a childhood memory brought to the forefront of my mind. Dad's 93 now and hasn't been well lately. I think that and my eldest daughter's 21st Birthday yesterday has me appreciating family times that little bit more right now x
TFL!
Bernie x

Journal Your Christmas 2017

2nd December 2017

Christmas preparation.

It sometimes seems that anybody mentioning Christmas preparation before December 24th is frowned upon and judged, especially by the more religious types!

Personally, I think, living in the real world, that Christmas is going to be a time of greater expenditure, no matter how minimal that side of things is kept, and certain items appearing in the shops before December 1st is a good thing, especially for those amongst us with less resources. Rather than adding pressure to buy more, it seems to ease the pressure.

Anyway, we have decided that those people needn't affect our enjoyment and preparation for a time that is to be all about loving others and caring, in line with our faith! The more that 'spirit of Christmas' - which includes people thinking more about how they live their faith lives - that abounds all year round, the better in our view!
TFL!
Bernie x

Journal Your Christmas 2017

Day 1!
I want to try to combine more of the written word with a piece of art to illustrate that - if possible!
2017 has been a year of such great change but my faith is stronger than ever and I have learned so much and from quite unexpected sources!

Despite certain things remaining unsatisfactory and quite distressing, I find myself heading into Advent with more positivity and joy than in previous (recent) years.
TFL!
Bernie x

A New Beginning...?

With this piece came the firm conviction of my Faith Art path moving forwards. It will mean revamping my Artboja site and stepping up and showing my light well and truly to the world! I'm ready!

Title: No Longer Loved?

This was inspired somewhat subconsciously by readings I am ploughing through at present! One is by Jane Williams, Approaching Easter, the other, by Brother Ramon and Simon Barrington-Ward, Praying the Jesus Prayer Together. I hadn't even realised when I read the individual chapters in each stage of each book, but they were actually saying the same things!

Often, our view of love is all about feelings and sentiment, and when we feel we are no longer loved, we look for things to make us feel that emotional need. We want that feeling of excitement.

But the love God has for us is more than that. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."

God's love for us is this wish to see us completely fulfilled, walking with him and with others, and so drawing in others to this family of believers. A family of people who know they are so special to God.

When we feel so loved, we can help others realise they too are so loved. As we come to know that love, we long to become what we truly are and to take that into the world, to others. Taking God's light into the darkness.

In my piece, the woman feels she is no longer loved. Reminiscent of Jesus and his crown of thorns, placed upon him by others, she wears a 'veil' of hard, scratchy twigs and leaves that seem to signify her unworthiness, as placed upon her by others and felt deeply.

Yet dotted within those twigs are little white flowers - little beacons of light. Perhaps all is not lost after all?

Although there seems so much darkness around her, a darkness that contains hard, painful thoughts, feelings and emotions, a darkness that surrounds and envelops her, touching her very body, there is also light. That light also touches her, heals, and gives hope for the future. She realises that although she may suffer now, this will pass and she will be made whole again by His love.
TFL!
Bernie x

Lent 2017 - Day 1 - 1st March

Ash Wednesday, Lent Day 1 - 1st March

I decided this year not to attempt to create a piece of art every day of Lent, but to just create as and when.

I woke up this morning with this image so clear in my mind! Then I got up and started my Lenten readings which was about almsgiving, prayer and fasting being done in secret, as Our Father, who is in secret, who sees in secret, will reward us. One of the questions for consideration was 'am I happy to have God see all that I do?'

I started wondering about the image I'd had in my head first thing and if it could relate to the readings for the day. I saw a huge elephant, towering over a little man. At first, I was thinking small :) about the 'elephant in the room' - how everyone sees and knows what is going on in our parish and the destruction being caused yet nobody is willing to talk about it.

Then I decided the difference in sizes must be more relevant. Could it represent the enormity of God in comparison to man? I read again the first writing in one of my Lenten books. it says: "I maintain that God - out of the abundance of divine relational life, not any need for us - desires humans into existence for the sake of friendship. This thesis may sound strange because it runs counter to much teaching about God. To be honest, I questioned it myself when I first began to think it through. But over the years, as my own relationship with God has deepened and I have listened to people talk about how God relates to them, I have become convinced that the best analogy for the relationship God wants with us is friendship." (William A Barry, SJ)

This made more sense! Mankind thinks himself all-powerful, in control, so often, even in little things, but there is always the One, more powerful, who does not trample us down, but who watches over us, abides with us.

So I tried to portray the image I'd had and give a feeling that the elephant has the might and the power within this situation and yet stands peacefully watching over the man. Gentle love, yet strong.
The man bows his head, recognising the differences, the power and accepting the light that the elephant brings towards him in his darkness.

As to why an elephant, I've no idea lol! Perhaps just for the representation of the differences in control and power and to illustrate the unexpected peace and love being brought to the situation, when the exact opposite would be expected? Who knows, lol, but I wanted to make this piece as close to what I had in my mind when I awoke.

(This piece is composed of at least 7 photos, with numerous textures applied, some brushwork, filters, and creative lighting!)
TFL!
Bernie x

Advent 2016 - 14th December, Day 18

Advent Day 18
Words taken from The Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79) by Bernadette Farrell.
TFL!
Bernie x

Advent 2016 - 13th December, Day 17

Advent Day 17
Based on the Advent hymn Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates.
TFL!
Bernie x

Facebook Digital & Hybrid Bible Journaling Group - Verse of the Week Challenge - 3rd October 2016

Verse of the Week: Romans 5:3-5

I used one of my own photos and just added a few bits to it.
I liked the symbolism of the darkness for our sufferings, but there's the bright, coloured, light of hope and love shining out. The tower stands for perseverance among life's storms, at times alone, at times accompanied (the birds), but still standing nonetheless, thanks to God's love!
TFL!

Bernie x

Take Me Deeper 2016 - DNA - Week 25 - 17th June

TMD 2016 - DNA - Week 25 - I Am Adopted

Catching up again as I've been ill for about two weeks now! I hope I've encapsulated the theme and this verse inparticular:
1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

This piece became a bit of a mish mash between straightforward digital art, with loads of texture and digital painting! Took a few hours but I enjoyed my first attempt after regaining some strength! Amazing how much what seems a simple cold/throat infection can actually affect you!
TFL!
Bernie x

Take Me Deeper - DNA - Week 14 - 1st April - More Than Conquerors!

TMD 2016 - DNA - 1st April, Week 14 - More Than Conquerors!

Based on Romans 8:35-39:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I felt this was a bit empty-looking when I came back to it this morning. But then I thought how, when in times of hardship it's so easy to feel all alone, as if nobody can understand and nobody can help. 

I thought about how it feels to go out into the night and look up at the moon and stars - that feeling of being a tiny part of an enormous creation. No matter what manmade structures are around, just looking up and focusing on the sky can make you feel as if there's so much space around and that you';re the only person inhabiting that space!

After I'd finished this piece, I saw that the figure is not actually standing in the light. At first I thought I'd placed him wrong; painted in the light wrong, and started trying to think of ways to correct that. Then I stopped as I realised that we don't always feel as if we're living in the light - back to what the above verses in Romans say! We may suffer all sorts of trials, but we are never separated from the love of God, no matter how our emotions may tell us we're feeling! So this figure may feel alone, outcast even, but still looks to God in faith and knows he is loved...and the light DOES reach him!

TFL!

Bernie x

Lent 2016 - Maundy Thursday - 24th March

Lent 2016 - Day 44 - 24th March - Maundy Thursday

I had a real feel I should be creating two pages this morning - a tall order for the time I had available!

The verses that tell about what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane always touch me, so I wanted to do a piece representing that. Although I haven't been Church organist for almost two years now, nor a member of the original Church Choir for several years, the words of this Francesca Leftley hymn always come to mind - they're so moving...

My soul is sad, my heart is breaking tonight
Could you not watch and comfort me until light?
Am I alone, surrounded only by night?
Could you not watch one hour with me?

Could you not keep awake for one hour with me?
Is it so hard that you should do this for me?
I die for you that you might always be free.
Could you not watch one hour with me?

And so I weep, and there is no-one to hear,
I am in pain; will no-one witness my tears?
I am your God, and as my passion draws near,
Could you not watch one hour with me?

But in contrast to the sadness, I also wanted to make a more positive feeling piece! The new Commandment of love was what really stood out to me so here we have it!
TFL!
Bernie x

Lent 2016 - Day 37 - 17th March

Lent 2016 day 37 - 17th March
TFL!
Bernie x

Lent 2016 - Day 36 - 16th March

Lent 2016 - Day 36 - 16th March
TFL!
Bernie x

Lent 2016 - Day 31 - 11th March

Lent 2016 - Day 31 - 11th March
Didn't get time to finish this off yesterday, but it was still a relatively quick page!
TFL!
Bernie x

Lent 2016 - Day 28 - 8th March

Lent 2016 - Day 28 - 8th March
This morning, I intended to create my art piece for Lent and then move on to the Good Morning Girls' Study of Mark. But our central heating had different ideas, typically, and the time I had has gone now. Still, let's see what the day brings...I may discover a little snippet of time that I can claim for myself!

TFL!
Bernie x

Lent 2016 - Day 19 - 28th February

Lent 2016 - Day 19 - 28th February

Today's piece is based on Luke 13:6-9:

Then Jesus told a story. “A man had a fig tree,” he said. “It was growing in his vineyard. When he went to look for fruit on it, he didn’t find any. So he went to the man who took care of the vineyard. He said, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree. But I haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year. I’ll dig around it and feed it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

This piece came out nothing at all like I had anticipated, with the bold strokes and tones! The light is overcoming the darkness; the people will bear fruit and God loves us enough to wait until we achieve our potential in Him.
TFL!
Bernie x

Lent 2016 - Day 16 - 25th February

Lent Day 16 - 25th February 2016
Still on the theme of humility.
TFL!
Bernie x

Lent 2016 - Day 6

Lent Day 6

I'm loving the devotionals so far - full of such meaning and application for me and mine right now! This piece is a bit different from my usual fare but that's not necessarily a bad thing! Kept it simple due to time restrictions, and it came together just fine!
TFL! 

Bernie x

Take Me Deeper 2016 - DNA - January Week 5 - 29th January 2016 - Rewind

TMD 2016 – DNA - January Week 5 – 29th January 2016 – Rewind
Looking back at the pieces I’ve created in January, there seems to be an additional common thread of “freedom” running through them all illustrated by birds. A bird illustrating the person being chosen, a bird among others who decides to fly free; chosen and flying towards its Maker, birds around the Cross, flying free, knowing that sins will be forgiven and feeling the love 
of their Father.

This wasn’t a conscious thing while I was creating, and I didn’t refer back or think hard to keep a theme going through my art! So I want to ponder this a little and look a little deeper at what message this is giving me! I’m thankful for this rewind week! Until this morning when I decided to think about a piece of art to create to sum up the month of January, I was thinking of it more as a week when I’d not have much to say or to portray. How wrong was that lol?! Now I’ve looked properly at what I’ve created – been led to create – my brain is buzzing!

My first thought when realising about the birds being present in each piece was Matthew 6:26 - Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
No matter what we look like – birds come in all shapes and colours, some more beautiful than others to our eye at least, and some considered more interesting, more important than others. Yet they are all fed and cared for by the Father. So with us, and more. No matter what we look like, inside and out, our Father cares for us. No matter what mistakes we make, nor how we see ourselves, He is always there with his powerful love!
I think this is what my rewind piece is trying to portray (as always, when I started, I had no clue what would appear!). I used a black crow, a bird often seen as dark, brooding, even ugly, to represent we who perhaps see ourselves as less that desirable, being chosen to 'fly' free with the other - white - birds who already know they are chosen and are experiencing the fullness of a life with God.
Isaiah 1:18 - though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Romans 5:8 - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
So we are free to come as we are, acknowledging our sins, our faults, our issues, and, even as such people, so far from perfect of course, God shows His love for us. We are not just accepted, we are chosen. Knowing that we are so loved and cared for can provide us with a life of freedom and peace, free from worry, living in love.
John 17:20-22 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.
TFL!
Bernie x

Take Me Deeper - DNA - 1st January 2016!

OMW! I can't believe it's the New Year already! I've had a new PC for Christmas and the setting up of that this week has distracted me from uploading my page for TMD-DNA 1st January in advance! Oh well, I'm here now and with a PC that is fully functioning thankfully!

Take Me Deeper 2016 - DNA - 1st January 2016 - Chosen by God

Somehow I ended up digitally painting this piece again, although I was torn between the precision of the original piece I created and the freer style achieved by the painting!

Not sure there was any thinking behind this piece, more a feeling; instinct. I think it's representing freedom - flying free - knowing we are accepted for who we are, and loved for that person we are. Lots of red for love and dove and a wispy trail for the Holy Spirit in action!

TFL!
Bernie x