Jane Appleby Reflections RSS Feed

Archways

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:35:56 GMT

I seem to line up branches into archways that invite us in. Like those of Cathedrals, these natural archways also call the soul to venture into the unknown and just believe. Believe in mystery, beauty, creation, love, and mercy. The branches also remind me of arms that embrace us in tough times. May God embrace you also and invite you to Him. Jane

Above it all

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:50:40 GMT

I felt above it all from the 83rd floor of the Empire State building in New York City. Through the camera lens I composed combinations of buildings that resembled the abstract paintings I had seen in the museums the day before. All this work of our creative nature stood below me: art, architecture, music, theatre, and even the hustle and bustle of daily life. Time seemed to stand still and the movement below became unimportant. There the ominous presence of our Creator became evident over the grandeur of the city below. A wonderful city stood below me and I felt a childlike joy overlooking it this way. Jane

Spiritual Breeze

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:52:15 GMT

A gentle breeze passed by as a person sat in the silence of nature. Meditation, contemplation, study, recreation or rest, the spirit not only can move us but also lift us. The movement of hair in the breeze was reflected in the movement of the company of surrounding grasses; to me a symbol of God changing both hearts and seasons in an orchestrated fashion. I joined in this movement with my camera and inquisitive and prayerful mind. Jane

Fall

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:21:14 GMT

The cold mornings, the shorter days, the shriveling of flowers seem to bring melancholy moods. It's like watching summer die. But like Christ's death it is a necessary one that will bring new life and His joy. Fall seems like an important time of waiting where like the trees that strip themselves of leaves we too can strip ourselves of abundances and let the peacefulness of simplicity set in. I vouched to paint this simplicity in nature and surprisingly I was set ablaze with joy at producing the colourful not so sad surroundings of fall. It is still full of life - just a different season. This painting was a bridge to new joy and sold in a few days of making it. Jane

Thankfulness

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:11:59 GMT

There is so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving:
time, rain, food, paintbrushes, family, a studio, eyesight, body, mind and spirit, and all gifts from God. For me painting is also worship and I thank god in that too.
I am also thankful for getting this piece called "Overflow in Me" accepted into the Federation of Canadian Artists this fall for the Artist's Choice Show. Happy Thanksgiving! Jane

Meditations

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:08:29 GMT

Yoga, waves, silence and art all became a part of the days way of reaching within to find and express what was inside. My Friend Nancy beaded, I painted, other friends swam and laughed and all this turned out to be praising God. Friends are a gift that I am thankful for and time with them is also prayer. Jane

Mountain Top

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:50:44 GMT

I feel the climb up to the mountain top towards God often seems steep and to carry on means the stripping of the heavy weight of self: self fulfillment, self indulgence, self satisfaction. It was the desire to please God that gave me strength to carry on and to take pictures and paint a painting even when at first I didn't feel like it. A hike up Black Mountain on Cypress to this lovely lake retreat reminded me of the struggles it takes to be surprised by the peacefulness to the heart that results with perseverance. Jane

Eating Cake

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:37:38 GMT

Sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too. What I mean is sometimes successes can happen in the time it takes to bake a cake. That's what happened with this commission for "The Cake Lady" who wanted to have art for her business and who-la, the morning I was to meet her I managed to collage and paint an image that worked. Not only that but I got to eat cake!

God works in mysterious ways and I have learned just to trust in him and his providence including helping me paint from the heart. God's heart is the greatest and I am happy to know it. I like to thank Him always! Jane

Swinging in the Spirit

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:35:22 GMT

Watching children swinging on a lakeside rope and trying to reach the highest point of the swing before they let go reminded me of how I reach for God to inspire me. I realize it takes strength to hold on and even to try over and over again.

Perhaps then this "swinging in the spirit" becomes familiar and even fun as one reaches higher knowing the fall will come only to be followed by a refreshing splash like a new inspiration to an artist. This thought helped me to not be afraid to fall: to not be constantly inspired and to just let go; but to continue to swing and receive inspiration when it comes even if it feels a bit cold at first. Jane

Rythmic Strokes

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:57:44 GMT

This morning's prayer started with the rhythmic song of the receding tide as the waves circled around the jagged rocks and set the beat for the day.

The large sea kelp was being pulled back and forth like a paint brush laying the foundation of a painting. I too could do this if God was showing me that He could because today once again we were together.

This all started in the solitude on the rocks that slowly were exposed to the sun while I lay against them, in silence yet listening.
Jane in Tofino.