by Dianne Orth
I think I missed the point of going to the painting class Jill Pearson taught as a Calvary mission trip fundraiser back in January. She had us choose a “Word of Intention” for 2023. I usually don’t pick a word for the year, so this was a challenge. With no time to spare, I chose the word “EXERCISE,” knowing I should. With a smile on my face, I say that my word for 2024 will be “DON’T”!
That night I painted “exercise” in watercolor and with simple instructions, it turned out pretty well! I’ve never been very crafty, but inspired by this painting experience, instead of spending more time exercising, I picked up a few inexpensive painting supplies to add to the two tubes of acrylic paint I experimented with during Covid lockdown.
Since then, as my grandkids have had their birthdays, instead of digging in my card drawer trying to find an appropriate birthday card or running to the store to pay 50 cents – $5, I incorporated their name into a painting, sometimes embellishing with scrapbook paper, ribbon, or pressed flowers, and then slipping it behind a dollar-something frame. Some were landscapes, and some show objects as each letter of their name (depending on how long their name is!) I hope my grandkids don’t critique my skill as an artist, but just know how much Mimi (and God) sees them each as unique and special themselves, not just a recipient of “hand me downs.”
Beyond grandkids, over the last several months, I painted get-well cards for my dad, cards of appreciation for co-workers, painted with a house guest and celebrated a friend’s birthday with our own Coke, Cake, & Canvas party!
I’ve found with youtube, you can get free painting inspiration – or better yet, go to Jill’s studio for a painting class!
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Dianne (Mimi) is married to Pastor Larry (Poppa). Their 4 kids live in Minnesota, California, and Washington with their 10 grandchildren. She hosts women’s Monday evening Bible study, coordinates the Rochester Christian Hospitality Network and Children’s Heart Project home stays, and is a GI nurse at Mayo.