Sunday, January 9, 2011

WHAT MORE CAN I DO? -- The challenge for 2011.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." ---- Oliver Wendell Holmes

(This is a post from the other blog and I'd like to share it here too... to start the blog on a fresh new note with the new year.)

I used to bother about what had gone past and what was yet to come. The questions always fell on 'was it good the year that passed?' or 'what's up ahead in the future for me?'

Then I learned that... i was asking the wrong questions. I should be asking myself instead... 'what more can I do?' When you get satisfactory answers to that, then you can rest easy that it was indeed a good year that has gone by... and ...that future which you seek will be right there for you. You don't have to look elsewhere, it's all inside of you to create the life you want for yourself. God didn't create losers but winners who shine both within and out to the waiting world outside. Now let's make God proud.

Okay, "what more can I do?" Here's my tiny bit.

As you may already know I do landscape sketches with pencil, some posted here in the blog. But have long toyed with the idea of painting in water color, just for the fun of it. Have never tried that before, after all have had no training whatsoever for the art; but it always had been a dream. 'Been drawing since I was a kid but that isn't a guaranty (as most in the know would say) that something on a bigger scale other than a sketchpad would come out fairly nice or a wee bit close to that in the least.

So a few days ago, at the insistent prodding of my youngest daughter (like I said our children know us better than most people do..), 'took out the canvass 12"x14" (she always has a supply of one or two on stand-by for her occasional dabbling at the art) and borrowed her water color set, placed the canvass on the computer table leaning on the monitor, sat on the computer chair... and began!

Well, not quite immediately. First had to have an image of what to paint. And nature was and has always been the first choice for the drawings made.... and again this time. Remembered that one wallpaper on the desktop which was simply so pretty. Well, to make a long story short... here's a beginner's first honest step in water color painting :-)

And my tribute to 'what more can I do'. And this I can truly say, 'have enjoyed myself immensely; 'had lots of fun with it. I guess that's what truly matters. A big bonus if that makes God smile too. Lols!

Hope to hear 'bout your own experience soon. :-)

12 comments:

  1. Hi Ellen!
    I think that your first attempt at watercolors was beautiful! The trees and the colors are gorgeous. I like to do different crafts, crocheting and sewing but haven't attempted painting. Just a bit of drawing. I think that any form of arts and crafts is a beautiful blessing from God. Love Di ♥

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  2. Oh my, thank you for your encouragement :-) Am delighted.. so now maybe I could paint the grand canyon or the taj mahal??!! Lols just kidding!

    How right you are, Diana... "..any form of arts and crafts is a beautiful blessing from God." And what a precious blessing it is!

    Thanks for dropping by and for your wonderful comment. It's so appreciated.

    Love and prayers,
    Ellen

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  3. What a beautiful painting! You are very good :-)

    God bless you Ellen and I hope you have a great week

    ~Ron

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  4. Hi Ron! Lovely to see you here. Ohhhh thank you for appreciating the piece. Well, I got you and Diana saying it's good... so it must be!! :-) Thank you!! :-) :-)

    Likewise, Ron, God bless you and your loved ones with everything good.

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  5. Wow, Ellen! That is absolutely gorgeous! What fun to be able to sit down and create something beautiful. That must be how God feels when He creates the beauty that is in us and all around us. You must get that gift from your Dad!

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  6. :-) hahah.. yeah aren't we but images of our Father, our Creator?! Thank you, Deb, for your warm friendship and inspiration. Am nudged to do more and much better. :-) Bless your kind and gentle heart and soul.

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  7. Wow, awesome painting...how i wish i can paint too. I have no talent in painting. You are blessed to have a great talent and now you are enjoying. Hope to see more painting you have Ma'am Ellen. God bless and thank you so much for being one of my great visitor in A Maiden's Testimony.

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  8. Hi Star-chuu! God gave everybody talent. Talent is as diverse as the people God gave them to. If you think painting isn't one of them, then Yours may be in writing... cos you have a nice interesting blog. Thank you for visiting. May our good Lord pour out tons of blessings upon you and your family.

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  9. What a beautiful work of art, Ma'am! I wish I have that kind of talent, too.

    I love reading through your posts. It's very inspiring and motivational. Keep them coming.

    Have a lovely weekend!

    Hugs,
    LAINY

    LAINY'S MUSINGS
    OUR JOURNEY TO FOREVER
    THE FOOL ON THE HILL
    THE CERTIFIED FASHIONABLE CHIC
    KUERDAS

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  10. Delighted to see you, Lainy. Thank you for your kind words. It's so appreciated. Let's keep in touch. Now you take care okay? Prayers got you covered. Thanks for coming by. :-)

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  11. WELCOME to the blog, Mishi! So nice to see you. And thank you for liking the piece. :-) Take care and God bless you.

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