Your Painted Story: "Gather You Up" Watercolor

Today, I'm so excited for y'all to hear the story behind this painting! My sweet friend Sarah gave me the blessing and honor of creating it about her recent journey through adoption. I hope you are as encouraged by her story as I am! 


What is the story behind your painting?

Earlier in our adoption (we're currently adopting a 7 yr old boy from China) we were going through some stuff that was really messing w/ my head. Our adoption seemed really fragile and I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone- like all these weird things that we should have total control over were actually out of my control and that they were threatening the adoption. One particular day I was completely overwhelmed so instead of working on my to-do list when I put my kids down for naps, I just got quiet and spent some time in my Bible. I read a "random" devotional by John Piper that didn't seem to fit my current situation at all, but then there was this verse, Isaiah 43:5, tucked in there. I don't remember what the devotional was about, but I remember thinking it was so weird for this verse to be in there. God totally stilled my heart w/ that verse and all my worry was immediately gone. He said it. I trust his Word to be infallible. It's done. 

What's your favorite thing about your painting?

Hands down, it's the vantage point. We didn't expect our next adoption to be an international one- and especially not from China. Neither me or my husband have ever had a tender heart toward China or known much about the country or its culture. But that's changing more every day and looking at a view of the world and being able to see where we are in the same frame as where our son lives right now is surreal because I still haven't completely wrapped my head around it, humbling because this is a really BIG world we live in and God chose to intertwine our lives w/ this little boy that lives all the way over there , and at the same time it's comforting because as huge as this world is, it still fits in the palm of our Creator's hand and he's totally got this thing covered.

How will you style your painting in your home?

Right now it's sitting on a shelf as part of a collage/gallery of other paintings and prints because I want it in the living room where I can see it and am reminded of it throughout the day. But when we bring Yuan Li home, it'll go in the boys' bedroom. I can totally picture sitting on the bed w/ him before he goes to sleep and telling him the story behind the painting and what it was like to pursue him and wait for the time we until we got to go get him.

Women of Faith

My friend/client who had me paint this painting for her new home, asked me to paint this to give as a gift to her sister! Can you imagine opening a big painting on Christmas morning with these words from your sister? Such sweet words of encouragement in this quote....

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are course; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity, we need more purity." -Margaret Dyreng Nadauld

She also requested maps in the background especially focused on Asia. Her sister would love to do missions there.... how cool is that?!? 

Once the maps were applied, I glazed over them with brown to make the words really pop and also to add some texture over the maps. 

I chalked the words first, then painted over them in a soft cream color. It was really fun to try to express the meaning of the words through the fonts I chose!

Though this painting presented many challenges, I'm really excited about how it turned out the fun surprise of seeing the subtle map under the expressive words.

This was my last painting for 2013! I'm excited to share a "Year in Review" post and a special video later this week! Thanks y'all!

A Blessing Painting

This painting has a really cool story about connections and the awesome way that God works! In 2009, I met my sweet friend Brittany Ingram through this online art show. I saw her painting and I just HAD to tell her how much I admired it! Then she wrote me back all of the way from across many states and an online friendship began. She is an incredible artist and she really has a way with words. No seriously, she does painted lettering like you've never seen! (See here & here!)

So when Brittany decided to go on maternity leave from painting for awhile, I was honored when she asked if she could pass her clients on to me for a little bit! WOW! She recommended me to her friend Ashleigh and that's how this painting began. Ashleigh lives in Colorado so I let her know that I could ship the painting to her since I live in a little town in west Texas. As it turns out, Ashleigh's sister-in-law Olivia lives here too and was willing to deliver the painting at Christmas time! Can you believe that connection out of no-where?!? :) What a blessing it was to meet Olivia in person and to "meet" Ashleigh online. Such sweet people! I thought that was pretty cool.

So, Ashleigh asked for a painting using the blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 in neutrals and a few greens and aqua blues to be hung in their nursery! She and her husband are waiting until the baby is born to find out if it's a boy or girl- how fun!!!

My sweet Jeremy helped me find the best way to space the words and make it both interesting and legible. Then I wrote everything in chalk before I began painting the letters. (My favorite new technique!)

I spent a lovely quiet weekend morning to begin the painting process and I loved the way the words took on life and meaning as I added colors and designs!

In the process of creating this painting, I learned a lot about which brushes work best for me and how important it is to have a consistent background color. (Live and learn! Ha!)

Once I completed the lettering, I wanted a little more texture for the background, so I used a large brush with a little of the darker brown paint to "feather" in some distressed texture and give it a warmer feel. I really hope this family enjoys this painting for years to come!

Courage My Love

You've seen this painting in several stages.... here, here & here ....but it's finally finished and delivered. This painting is really special because it has quite a story. Settle in with your coffee on this chilly day and I'm happy to share!

A friend of mine wanted me to create a painting for her new work-out room. She had seen this painting and wanted something like it... but bigger! She gave me total creative freedom and told me she trusted me. This is an awesome thing for an artist to hear, but also a little scary.... I started with no sure idea of where I was going....

One idea that stuck with me was painting a colorful background and then painting around the letters in black. I was so intrigued (and also afraid it would be a total flop!)... I decided to just try it! I've never done anything like this before, but I really enjoyed the process! At first, I did all of the lettering this way, but it just didn't feel right. I let the painting sit for a couple of weeks...

Finally, my friend asked about the progress. I tried to explain that it didn't "feel right". I know that sounds like another weird "artsy" thing to say, so I tried to explain. I told her how I wanted the colors, designs, textures and balance of the painting to all convey "Courage, my Love"... like the Lord says to us. How do I portray that?!?

So I hunkered down and spent an evening really focused on the painting. It's amazing how I had forgotten to look to the Author of creativity. I realized that God was telling me that the "courage" He gives us is strong, wild, fierce, bold and sure.... so that's what I wanted to express. Then the "my love" part showed His kindness, peace, assurance, gentleness and love. I painted these words with these ideas in mind.... soft, flowing and graceful. God is the true Artist.

I painted the background dark but with the colors of the first coat coming through in some places. I used a palette knife to create lots of texture to add to the depth. Then I gave the whole painting a coat of varnish so the colors would be very bright and the textures would show up!

I'm so thankful for awesome friends who let me paint for them and for my amazing God who is the author of creativity! What do you think of the painting? What does it say to you?

Change Me

This is another experiment in abstract painting! (don't worry, if you're not loving this series, I'll be sharing a custom piece tomorrow :) This one took on a beautiful texture that blended so easily through stunningly warm colors. It reminds me of the way that God changes me. It's vivid, alive, apparent, and beautiful.... even though it's hard. I'm so thankful that He is moving and working to make me more like Jesus. I want to remember to ask for, submit to and see the beauty in the change the Lord brings.

If you're interested in this original painting, it's in my etsy shop here!

Breaking Through (my first abstract series!)

So on Monday I shared a little bit about my journey to experiencing abstract paintings. It's not so mystical, right? It's not really complicated and you don't have to have gone to art school... all you really need are eyes and an open heart. :)

How did I get started with this series? Well, I was finishing up a custom painting for a friend and trying to explain that I truly wanted to express emotions through the colors, shapes, designs, etc. that I was using. Even though this painting I was doing for her included text, every other choice I made from texture and color to design had a meaning. This really got me thinking about trying out abstract art.....

After finishing up that painting, I just started. Not really knowing what I was doing and going only off of what I liked and didn't like... 

Which colors when blended together created a soft peaceful feeling? Then when I added a contrasting color, it conveyed the idea of "breaking through". This reminded me so much of my story with the Lord. He broke through my darkness and brought me into his Glorious light! This breaking through is beautiful and freeing and brings peace! So I wanted to show that through this set of paintings.

And really, it's as simple as that. It may mean something different to you, but when you look at this set, do the colors, designs, brush strokes and sequence make you feel anything? Or remind you of anything? I'd love to know!

I am by no means an expert and I'm just trying all of this out, but I hope you'll enjoy the journey with me! Thanks for your patience as I journey through art (even the unusual side of things!)

p.s. if you're interested in purchasing this set, it's in my etsy shop here!

Beautiful Transitions

One of the trees outside our house has beautifully colored leaves in the fall. (Dream come true for this girl who can't get enough of my favorite season!) When I stopped to take a closer look one day, I realized that the changes that happen are so vibrant and beautiful. It's such an amazing process of the leaf dying for the fall/winter season. God chose to make it so beautiful... ya know? The leaf could just turn brown and fall, but instead there are brilliant hues of golden yellow, deep red, and pops of orange!

Then, God started speaking to my heart through His artistry in these leaves. Christ calls for me to die to myself so that He can live. The process of dying to myself is hard, but so beautiful. As God walks me through a time of letting go of my plans and dreams and trusting him... He makes it into something so beautiful!

The process of letting go is so freeing, right?! It's so amazing that our God loves us and is forever faithful! When I started these paintings, the first one was so "tight"..(the red one!) the leaf is mostly realistic and I added the word textures while sticking to a monochromatic color palette.  Moving on to the yellow one, I can see that I started to loosen up, try new things and let the paint flow more freely. By the time I got to the green one, I had tasted the freedom and let loose! I mixed greens, maroons, golds and even some blues to convey the "Beautiful Transitions".

Now these paintings sit on my fireplace and remind me of this season in my own life. Helping me remember what God has done (and is doing!) and encouraging me to die to myself and experience the Beautiful Transition of giving up my plans for His perfect plan.

What about you? Have you seen "Beautiful Transitions" in your life? Tell me more in the comments. :)

Acts 6:4

I was so excited to get to deliver this painting last night to my sweet friend from high school, Amanda! I had the awesome opportunity to create a painting for her back in 2010 (one of my first "custom paintings") and I couldn't wait to work with her again.

Amanda chose the Bible verse Acts 6:4 for her painting because she just got a new home and her uncle encouraged her to remember this as the verse for her house. (Isn't that cool?!)

She sent me pictures of other elements in her home and we decided on a rich color scheme (including some metallic!) and a distressed/textured background with "swirly" writing. I used the "cool" colors in the background, and the "warm" colors in the lettering to help them stand out.

This painting was so amazing to create for Amanda. I tried new tools, new techniques and felt the freedom to create. I loved the idea of keeping a Bible verse always in sight at home so a family could stay centered around Christ, prayer & the Word. I want a verse for my house, don't you?

Thanks for this opportunity Amanda! You're always a dream to work with!
Are you interested in a custom painted canvas? Check out the details here, or email me: specsandwings@gmail.com

Happy weekend!

S&W Paintings at Home

When I finished up the four paintings that are now in the Specs & Wings etsy shop... I experimented with a few ideas for where to put them in your home.... 

This coffee themed one would be pretty cool in your kitchen! How about a grouping of decorations away from your cooking area? It really livens up our countertop.

Our entry way has a group of black and white photos.... I think leaning different sized photos/artwork in layers in similar color scheme is really pretty!

I also put these two paintings together with a smaller work of art and a plant. Behind them I placed a large chalkboard for contrast and an cozy, yet modern feel.

A few tips for living with art...

1. Paintings don't have to hang on a wall, try leaning them in layers on a shelf or propped with a small easel.

2. Mix different sizes, shapes & textures... Why not a painting next to a sculpture, plant, lamp, etc? It's more interesting and adds more dimension to the space.

3. Try grouping decorations by color. It sounds strange, but it usually makes for a really cool display.

4. Art isn't just for the living room! Put meaningful paintings in places where you'll see them most! Why not hang a few in the laundry room, your dressing area, your office or even the kitchen.

I hope you're excited to rearrange the art in your home! If you'd like to add one of these new paintings to your home, please visit my etsy shop!

Coming to the Shop...

Two original paintings (and maybe more!) coming the Specs & Wings Etsy Shop tonight! More details soon!

In the Studio: Stars

I've been excited to share these paintings for months! When this sweet friend/client asked about this set of paintings, I couldn't believe it. First off, I LOVE this Bible verse and secondly, I've never done a night scene before! I couldn't wait to get started. 

Here are the two completed paintings...

She hung them on the same wall on either side of her fireplace. This verse is so beautiful because it's about how BIG our God is and it shows us how much loves each of us individually. If He cares so much about each individual star, how much more does he care about us?

I tried to google the number of stars in the universe. As it turns out, there are about "3,000 stars visible to the unaided eye and 100,000 seen by a small microscope". Our Milky Way Galaxy has about 100 billion stars and there are like 100 billion other galaxies known to exist. There's an estimated 10 billion trillion stars..... that number looks like this: 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Another article I read, said the new number is 70 sextillion which looks like this: 70,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
(sources here & here) 

Our God, because of his great power and incomparable strength, knows exactly where each of them is.... there's not one missing! I wanted to portray that on the first painting... an outdoor view with tons of stars... we can only see a fraction of them!

Then on the second canvas, I brought the feeling to a personal place. I wanted it to feel like you're looking out the window in your home and realizing how personal our infinite God is!

I hope that everyone who sees these will be encouraged and praise God for how GOOD He is!

Thanks for letting me share!
I hope you enjoy, Caroline!

In Place.

I was so excited to receive this photo from a sweet friend/client. I recently finished up two paintings for her to hang in her living room and she was so excited, they were hung they day I delivered them! 

There's something so cool (and surreal) about seeing my paintings hung up in a home. I imagine the time spent around them, friends asking about the meaning, decorating to match them and the possibility of them becoming heirlooms! When I see paintings "in place", I realize just how honored I am to be a small part of someone's story. ;) Thanks to everyone who's let me paint something for them from Toms to canvas! YOU make Specs & Wings soar.

I'll be sharing each of these paintings in detail soon, but I couldn't wait to show you this picture!
Happy day!

Glorious Joy Chalk Paintings

These paintings were really fun to create! (You can see more of the experimental process in yesterday's post.) When my friend Kate asked for these paintings she wanted a "chalk" effect that wouldn't accidentally erase and she wanted the canvases to be versatile. I had a blast creating them!

She asked for some print and some cursive and I think that really added to the overall look!

I researched fonts and styles and came up with a design that would fit the words and hopefully express what they mean. I wanted the energy and joy of the words to come across in the paint!

These canvases were created to be hung "tall" on either side of another painting. Like this...

...and this...

The joy & peace of Christ are things I see in my sweet friend Kate and it was so fun to create these for her!