To Honor The Wednesday 9

Today was an emotional day. When the news of the shootings in Charleston landed through my ears and on my heart I immediately sank. Another senseless shooting, another makes no sense act, and this time not only in a place of worship but due to the color of their skin. It simply brought me to my knees. As a human being I am heartbroken. Here are the nine and their names. 

Cynthia Hurd

Susie Jackson

Ethel Lance

Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor

The Honorable Rev. Clementa Pinckney

Tywanza Sanders

Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr.

Rev. Sharonda Singleton

Myra Thompson

37 years ago my mother and I were victims of gun violence. The guns were held to our heads, they clicked over and over and over, but by a miracle, they never fired.  We lived to tell about it, but the mark, the impact, the future was changed for me.  We also learned that a woman in the exact same spot a few days earlier was shot to death. 

It took me years of therapy to get through it and there are still moments...especially when I hear of mass murders due to hate, that are difficult to contain. Those men had a sickness of their heart...they were connected to the evil that moved through it, and that is the nature of the brokenness we call the human condition.  This act this week was connected to it as well...the evil that does exist in this world. I could have allowed the hate connected to fear to alter my life forever in a negative way. Instead, I chose to forgive. 


So last night and today I was faced with how, as a human, I process this? How do I not turn a blind eye, not become ambivalent, and not choose to let apathy take the place of action? I prayed about it, long and hard, and what I felt led to do was paint about it. I wanted to honor those 9 beautiful humans who chose to meet, study about the God they loved, and welcome a stranger into their midst because that is what love does. I wanted to say their names but more than that, I wanted to picture them in heaven, around a beautiful table together, as friends, sharing the love of God that they held dear and like they were doing here. I also wanted to create a visual reminder of the souls they would impact and watch over by the faces in the walls. I didn't know these nine humans, but I can tell you people will be changed because of they way they lived. 

A few years ago I attended a bible study on Wednesdays just like these folks. We met, we studied, we prayed, and one day I opened my art journal and recorded the event as a marker of how beautiful it was that women could come together, create, and share their faith. The image of that day left an impression so when I went to paint this piece, which was much more emotional and difficult, I turned to my art journal to connect the days. 

We gathered, they gathered. We prayed, they prayed. We welcomed anyone, they welcomed anyone. They lost their lives because of their skin color....we did not. Hate is an emotion that is taught I believe, from a very young age children are taught to hate. They are taught that in the subtle ways of the idea that they are better than others based on their color, their social status, where they live, what they wear, who they are friends with, and what their faith is.  I don't believe most parents set out to teach hate, but some do...and I also believe that children learn a ton from their peer groups despite what they parents teach them, good and bad. But hate like was shown this week was learned.

I don't know what the answers are, except I know LOVE must prevail. I know our world is sick, we have a disease of the heart that is pandemic. I know that well intentioned folks camouflage hate as Christian love. They camouflage it as liberal ideaology. Yes....they do. I also see huge amounts of hate disguised as political humor, religious humor, satire...it breeds a system...it breeds a system of hate that is like an invisible wind blowing through every inch of the places we call home. Guns are methods of hate spreading, knives are methods of hate spreading, words are methods of hate spreading and we must address those as a society but honestly, at the core of all of this...is a sickness in our hearts. What are we doing as a society to treat the heart? 

My heart is heavy, What these 9 souls did was model that love for God and love for others is what it is about. They gathered to study and pray...may I never, ever forget that. I am heartbroken at the racial divide in our world. Despite my history, I don't hate anyone. In fact, I have developed this beautiful love for others because that is what I believe Jesus calls us to do. 

I am one human, one human called to love others as myself. I will live that, I will teach that, I will paint that, and I will spread that light into this beautiful world we have. These are my thoughts here, my choice to do something rather than nothing, to speak out for love rather than hate, and to tell any other person of color, race, religion, or status that they are loved...dearly loved and valued by this one human. 

To Love Even One Giveaway

There are times in an artist's life where giving back means more than any monetary price a painting could garner. I am not talking about a donation, although those can be impactful, I am talking about a choice to gift a piece of original artwork simply for the sake of having a love fest for the day....which is exactly what happened. 

My world has been spinning in such great directions lately and that makes me deeply thankful. I was taught, and choose to life my life putting that thanks into action. As I woke the other day, I felt a nudge to show my gratitude in some way and as I did, I began to paint...and ponder...and pray. While the brushstrokes danced across the page I realized I wasn't trying to find the perfect idea, it was being created as part of the process...right in front of me, and I knew I was meant to gift it. 

The lines swirled, the paint was fluid, and I clearly saw the image of two figures, one large, one small. Now, if you know me, you know I have this thing about love. It is the force of why I paint, what I paint, and who I paint for. When I tap into this, I tap into the belief that it will change us, one person at a time, one act at a time. This painting resonated that...To Love Even One....

As the painting came close to fruition, I gave a lot of thought to how to gift it. What I landed on, and am beyond grateful I did, was to ask in my FB stream for folks to simply comment on my post how they would creatively love at least one person in their path in a 24 hour time frame. The words began to flow from folks sharing their heart, their hopes, their choices to send light into the world. I could not have asked for a more powerful response. 

Here are a few: 

whisper kind words - Lanie


I do believe so. So often in this world, there is a sense that we are just taking up space and taking up too much of it, at that. We try to make ourselves small - we slump, we hold our magnificence in and when someone positively acknowledges our existence, it can be life-changing. Just that one "little" act of kindness. - Paulissa


I always hug like I mean it....a big solid squeeze:) - Felicia

I'm a oncology nurse. Finding the courage and taking a moment to ask a patient in pain if they would like me to pray is my way of loving those in my path even if it's only for a 12 hour shift. I've only been turned down once. - Jane

You can view the entire post on FB HERE

The time came to pick a winner so I used the random number generator and chose #43. Lisa Tynes won! 

When I looked over the list of almost 50 friends who shared their hearts with me I decided that I wouldn't leave them empty handed. I have been painting like mad the past few months working toward a goal to land a few galleries out of my geographical area. After 11 years, it is time, I have grown artistically and I am excited about the doors opening in my art career. Because of this, there are many pieces I have that I painted several years ago, prints I have held onto, sketches etc. They are markers of my journey, practices, baby steps filled with hope and love.

I am going to be gifting some of these over the next few months...and those who posted with me, they will be gifted first, as my way of saying thank you, keep up the loving. 

(If you were in on the original post, message me your address please at ardithgoodwin@gmail.com) 

Artists are powerful forces in this world. We can choose to use our gifts for many different reasons. I choose love, not only to be my anchor, but to let all other traits such as creativity, hope, courage etc. come from that. 

You Matter So Big!

Throughout my connections with artists, especially those just beginning, a common core belief comes to the surface of conversations: The fact that they struggle with their significance as a person and an artist. Many of us seem to be raised with the voice in our heads that we aren't good enough. My young third graders ask me constantly, "Is it good Mrs. Goodwin,?" and I just smile and wonder where this concept was born, how early, and how it is so ingrained in us as a society.

For years I struggled with the idea that yes, I was given gifts and talents, but at my core, I was insignificant. Who was I to have this opinion? Who did I think I was to boldly share this idea or concept or image? Why do I matter to anyone? These voices of mine came from lots and lots of lies I told myself, poor choices I made in connections, and my repetitive, nut case habit of comparing myself to everyone one and every thing. Terrible way to live really, terrible because those things robbed me of my joy....and they were hard to change. But, I did change them and this way of thinking, that I am wildly significant, is mind blowing.

Now, before you go on thinking, 'arrogant' I need to explain the difference between knowing I am significant and living my life believing I am better than anyone, they are very different in my humble opinion, and they are also what makes so many of us hesitate to embrace our true significance. Living in one's significance means that we acknowledge the gifts we have been given, see their potential in helping make this world a more beautiful place, and choose to share them in some capacity with others.  Living in arrogance means we believe we are far better and superior than others and our tone/behavior is telltale of that. To me, living in arrogance makes one walk straight into the pit of insignificance. 

So, how do we move from believing the lies we tell ourselves into living the truth about how this world needs us, and it does, :) Take one step a day toward owning it.....and that one step can begin with seeing a phrase and saying it everyone morning...I am significant. I matter SO BIG! Just seeing it fights the doubt, fights the voices, and gives strength to our inner spirit. It may feel weird at first, so what. Let it feel weird, but just see it. Then begin to say it. Then begin to notice throughout the day the little things you do that make a difference. Then you might just begin to see those gifts you have shining a bit brighter and when they shine brighter, others notice, especially others who are attracted to YOUR LIGHT! 

I made my poster today so I could see it every morning. I hope you make yours! If you do, share it with us, post a link to it, I wanna help reinforce the fact that YOU, yes YOU totally matter!  

Trumpet Angels

When I was a child a couple of my aunts had trumpet angels above the doorways and I was always taken by them. They made me smile as I walked through the doorway knowing an angel was above me. I also love that trumpet angels share the good news of Christ's birth. After many years I decided I would paint a few and have so enjoyed the process of walking down memory lane with these. 

 (This one is x-large)

My trumpet angels are painted on tar paper, sealed, and mounted on 3/4" oak and birch panels. They can be painted with custom colors as well. 

 (This one is x-large)

Prices: 
Unmounted (frameable) - $75
Small is 6" by 12" - $85
Med is 6" by 18"-20" - $100
Large - 6" by 21"-24" - $120
X-Large 8" by 28"-30" $140
Shipping is $8 unless you are local, then we can meet for a pick up. 

Orders are taken up until December 16 (ardithgoodwin@gmail.com)

The Black Frame Curriculum

In less than 24 hours I walk back into the world of teaching the young. If you would have asked me a few months ago I would have said the idea wasn't even on my radar, but the big guy upstairs placed some people in my path that nudge me in the direction of teaching again and the opportunity has become reality. I often tell my adult art students that they must find that place between where their interests and hobbies are compared to what their gifts and passions are...there they will find their true calling. Mine,thankfully, is being creative and teaching. Those two things are a way of life for me and I couldn't imagine a life without either. With great responsibility and excitement I step back into the world that I was placed on this earth to exist in, and I am swooning with glee. 

For the past few weeks the wheels of starting a new job, a new curriculum, a new group of students and a new path in life have been spinning. One of the main realizations about teaching that a new teacher must face is not only how to decorate the classroom but what specifically are the core life lessons one wishes to share beyond the scope of national standards. This can be daunting to a teacher just starting out and these big ideas come over time, but I knew that in the field of art, sharing the concept of living a creative life would be key...so I started there. 

At St. Paul's Episcopal School one of the four pillars is the arts, so I knew my program and ideas would be supported, which excited me. I also knew that I could choose to be a bit more creative in my 'decorations' than I normally would have so that has made the artist in me quite happy. Art posters and instructional aids can costs a lot of money, so when I found about 10 old frames that would have been thrown out, I recruited my art partner Michelle Foreman Leech to give them a coat of paint. As she painted, I thought a lot about the little juicy tidbits that I hoped my students  would gain from being taught by me, and the first one was easy....Embrace the Weird. 

Kids LOVE weird and as a creative, weird is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary. It shows me that life will be unexpected, laughable, strange, odd, and the more I can tap into that weirdness, within reason, as an artist, the more fodder I have to create. I want my students to discover the magic in creativity...in dreaming, in exploring the worlds they create in their minds, and using that inspiration to create works of art that are true to them. 

The rest of these posters are what I call the Black Frame Curriculum because they will be little gems of ways of life in my classroom. If you notice, they aren't perfect. I grabbed the markers, paint, and paper and handmade these because I am short for time. Yes, I could use a digital program to make them look "perfect," but I actually hope my students can see a little poster like this and realize in some situations, handmade is good enough and perfection is not the goal. That will be a life long lesson won't it? 

Everyone has a spark...and some of us even sparkle. Teaching a child to recognize that spark within them is one key to helping them realize what their passions and gifts are. When they embrace that spark, their life sparkles brightly for others to see. That light is needed in this world. 

This is more than just knowing who's paper it is, it is teaching a child to have ownership in what they create, to be know for their work, and to boldly share it with the world. 

Trees don't really have brown trunks and lollipop green tops. I hope my students learn to see the beauty in variety of life, and the incredible differences that make our world such a magical place. Trees in The Land of Ardithian are rainbow colored, I can't wait to see what the kids dream up for theirs. 

Kids LOVE to make up stories. How does a teacher help a child tap into that imagination in a two or three dimensional form? Teach them to begin their art projects with "Once Upon a Time" that phrase unlocks the rules of fitting into a mold. 

We all make marks, in everything we do we make a mark on the planet, on others, and on ourselves. Making a mark will be the cornerstone for my teaching philosophy this year.

We will make marks, we will make a mess, we will make mistakes and learn from them. In fact, making mistakes will be encouraged in our classroom because there is power in artistically screwing up. We get to learn how to transition mistakes into masterpieces. Most of all, we will make memories, which is what the journey is all about. 

Teaching a child that they are awesome is just as important as teaching them to help someone else feel awesome. We will be doing LOTS of this in my classroom. 

I credit the program of Talents Unlimited in helping me understand that creativity can be taught. Teaching a child to put on their creative lenses no matter what subject they are learning will help them master core ideas and lessons throughout their lives. Lenses are essential. 

As the year evolves, I may change some of these, add to them, or revise them based on my students' suggestions, as well as creating the more 'predictable' posters such as rules and procedures for the classroom. In the meantime, I am excited to start the year off with these as I feel I need to see them as much as my students. 

This journey will be an incredible one and I am excited to be able to share my gifts and my faith with kids once again. How blessed I am. 

Art Journal Page - The Freedom of Choice

Another page in my Field Notes dual sketchbook. You can view the previous pages HERE. 

This page was quite interesting to me, especially today when its message seemed to appear out of no where yet resonate so deeply. What first captured me was the image of the girl, and her look of being lost. The artist may not have intended to relate her in that way, but that is how I connected with her. As I began these two pages, I simply wanted to practice sketching the human face or figure in unique stations of life, just like this female, so I began sketch. I also began to read a book on China that I was given and gained much of my inspiration from the images I viewed in that book, beautiful, haunting, and so telling. 




I was also taken by a memory of my family, who are professional clowns, and what importance the concept of putting on a mask does for folks. As I sketched, I also sketched what was around me, my car, the trees in the distance, and the barb wire fence. Over the course of several days, as I continued to layer, I still had no clear message about the meaning of the pages other than a practice, an observation, a record of my viewing a book and choosing to play with my paints and markers. 

When I got the book out again I noticed a pattern.....every image resonated with the concept of freedom, or the lack thereof. From the car, the barb wired, the bird, to the images of people in places, each had a significant relation to our freedom, either of choice or having our choices taken from us. 

I plan to sit with these pages a while and really absorb the process, not only of how I made them, but what I am to learn from them. I live in a country where freedom is taken for granted so easily, and do realize, just how incredibly blessed I am to live here, and not in a place where my body, mind, or spirit is in bondage. Art  journals can give us incredible insight into the life lessons we are meant to learn, today I am most grateful for the freedom of free expression and the freedom to share what I create with a greater audience. So many will never have this. 

My Beloved Prayer Painting from Koinonia

One of the concepts I am focusing on this week, thanks to my Flora Bowley intuitive painting class, is being bold and brave in my work. As I approached this weekend, I knew this conference would be a great opportunity for me to actually put that into practice, so I bravely chose to paint during a worship service in front of a lot of women, to face my issue of not feeling like I 'get' the worship experience. I had never done this before, so the entire concept had me totally out of my comfort zone....thankfully! 

The word 'beloved' always brings me great pause. It is one of those words my spirit wrestles with because I don't comprehend my relationship with Christ that way....but I wish I did. This weekend I was fortunate enough to spend it with a great group of ladies at the Koinonia conference in Panama City. To be honest, I wasn't sure I wanted to go....not because I didn't want to connect with these women or express my faith, but because I struggle with the concept of public worship and didn't want to feel awkward in this moment. Rather than give into that fear, I faced it, chose to go, and chose to paint through the service as a way to connect with my faith in a process that I am comfortable with...through my art. 
 I started with writing my intentions and prayer for the day on my paper and as my spirit led, my brush followed. I wish I could say there was an easy flow to this but like always, I processed my angst through the moments of prayer. It was an interesting few hours as I deliberately chose colors and lines and marks in response to words said or feelings felt. Though a bit odd at first, within the first few minutes of committing to use my gift through the service, I was totally tuned in and that my friends.....was....the miracle. 

For the first time I didn't feel like a fish out of water in a church service. I know that sounds odd, especially to many folks who know me and know that I was raised in church my entire life. As much as I love church, love the connection, love the lessons, I just never quite got the worship part of it all until I was allowed to let my paint flow. 

Being tuned in was great, but it didn't prevent my head from colliding with my heart and there were moments that gave me great pause. After painting a while, creating many layers, and feeling the angst arise, I stopped, took a deep breathe and two visions came into play. The first one was a person with their hands raised high in great praise for their heavenly father....their beloved . The second was much more profound. I saw the image of Jesus, on the cross, hands raised, and the idea that he is the true beloved hit home with me. I can't imagine how Mary must have felt watching her son crucified....her beloved child. It was a humbling thought at the sacrifice of the life he gave.

Here are some of the images of the process as I began and painted through the service with a quite meditation time afterwards. 

I began with a prayer....

Then began to add the colors inspired by words and music....

As Christie sang....I painted...

At first, the image of an angel came to be....but much angst followed.

At this point I was frustrated...with the ideas in my head and the tug of my heart.

Then I saw it....two forms, one in the same and I knew instantly where the painting was headed.

"My Beloved" mixed media on paper.

Song of Solomon 6:3

"I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine

Though quite abstract, I love the marks, the energy, the tension in this painting. It connects me with the common thread in that my faith is a lot like this...marked up, full of tension, full of beauty, and so worth fighting for.  This painting  carries that message forward for me and using my gift to share that message  brings me great peace. I may not always understand the purpose of why images appear or don't, but I do trust the message and am grateful for it. 

This experience taught me so much. It taught me that being brave is valuable, not only to me, but it helps others become brave themselves. I also learned that there is no cookie cutter version of what worship should look like. For one person hands being raised is great, for another being still in quiet prayer is perfect, and for me, letting my paint flow is the best way I connect with my faith, and that is beyond comforting. 

I am grateful to the ladies who hosted this weekend, especially Monica and Flow! Koinonia is a treasure for so many and without the nudges along the way I would have missed out on this BRAVERY!

Embrace Your Place and Go With Grace Friends!

Guardian Angel Painting

There are days.....
There are days I feel fragile, tired, worn.
Those days I see angels more than others.
Angels who protect, guide, comfort....
Angles who give a gentle nudge in a safe direction....
Angles who wrap their protective arms around those I love...
and hold them gently...but with unwavering strength.

There are days I see angels everywhere, around me, around you, in the dark places pushing forth the light. Today is one of those days....angels are everywhere. Today is a day I spent acknowledging the presence, the power, the gift of angels throughout my life and I thank God for them.

Many times, when a painting is started as an expression of emotion the voice of it sometimes reveals itself as I work through the layers. Other times it doesn't come until the layers are taken apart, one, by one, by one. "Guardian Angel" is one of those mixed media collages that started out with one purpose but thanks to a higher calling, went in a new direction after I was brave enough to listen to my inner voice that said....cut it up.

I can only imagine that was an angel knowing I needed the nudge toward being brave today, even if it was as simple as being brave enough to disassemble one voice to rebuild a more beautiful one. I am guessing there is a message in this day for me, the value of being brave to let go, unravel, untangle, and then....rebuild.

May your angels be with you today and may you know they are there friends.

First Layers

Second Layers

Third through Fifth Layers

"Guardian Angel" mixed media/collage

8" by 10" 

"You Are Held" Prayer Painting

There are moments in my creative journey, when it seems to collide with my every day life, that I feel called to paint through a piece with much prayer and intent. I don't usually know when that will happen but I always stay open to that voice, when my spirit tells me, pray as you paint. What I have come to understand about this experience is that I am not one who is able to embrace 'worship' like many do, but I am able to tap into that incredible faith through the gift of my art, and I am deeply humbled by that when it is called for. 

This painting didn't start out as a prayer, in fact, it was a piece that was part of an intuitive painting project class by Flora Bowley that I am working through. She was teaching us to come to a place of peace, let the paint flow from within us, and give ourselves the freedom to listen to a voice from within that would guide the painting forward. Her class was transforming and I am grateful I had the experience of taking it. 

 From the day it was started though, I began to have loved ones pass away, friends diagnosed with cancer, loved ones in surgery and struggling with illness, and deep sadness all around me. I felt that I must simply pause, take a deep breath, and I knew this piece was meant to pray for people, not to be painted for myself. 
As I painted it, I lifted those folks up with my brushstrokes, with my thoughts, with my hopes and prayers for them. 

There are many powerful ways to pray for people in our world and painting a prayer is one I love. So for Cheryl, Christine, Loretta, Ashley, Holly and family, Nancy, Grace and family, and my beloved Uncle Dewey....my prayers go with you....and "You Are Held" is yours. 

If you are one who is a person of faith and creative, I encourage you to listen when your spirit might just say, paint through a prayer. It isn't so much about the painting as it is the purpose, and showering those we love and adore, and those we may not know but who need to hear and see these prayers, are who we paint for. 

And if you are one who is struggling through illness or loss, know this: "You Are Held" as well, by angel armies, by those who stand in the gap and pray for you, by the one who wants nothing more than HIS very best for us. 



Peace Friends, let the love flow today! 

Here are the steps of this piece:

And it begins with collage

layers

Vision....

"You Are Held" 20" by 20" mixed media on board

details

details

details

details

Just Be

Today I chose to "Just Be." 

I chose to let go of 'must get dones' and embraced no agenda. 

I chose to ignore the clock and watched the clouds fly by. 

I chose to rake leaves BEFORE I painted. 

I chose to sit and watch the world drift by with the hubs. 

I chose to play catch with my dog. 

I chose to eat Doritos and peppermint balls. 

I chose to watch a family of ants enjoy the crumbs. 

I chose to pray for a few friends. 

And....I chose to imagine my life without all of that, which made me ever so grateful to embrace those very moments. 

I used to believe that it all had to get done and if it didn't, the world would end. Today, I know the truth in that wacky judgement. The truth is, we need to learn to "Just Be"....before the world ends, ;)

Turn off the grid, ignore the dishes, grab a loved ones hand and spend 30 minutes just being alive with them...in the moment, and if you are alone, give yourself permission to indulge....go on....I dare you, :)

Happy Sunday folks! 

The Cross for Koinonia

Almost a year ago my life was at a turning point, a really difficult one. My dear friend Monica reached out to me and invited me to the Koinonia womens conference her church was sponsoring. In one brief, difficult moment, I acted on faith and went.  I had no clue what path that would set me on spiritually, physically, or emotionally, all I knew is I was getting away to the beach for the weekend and would be surrounded by lots of women who loved God and each other.  The details of that weekend can be found in a post from last February, what is important here is the spirit of koinonia, the spirit of fellowship that I found there that helped bring me back to sanity. 

Monica asked me to consider painting a cross for this years conference and I instantly knew I would do it, that it was a God thing. Problem is, I really didn't know what that word meant, or how to pronounce it very well. I had no clue that most of my life had been filled with moments of koinonia, but as I began to pray about it and study the word those moments came flashing back vividly, and I knew I had lived a life surrounded by the love of God and the love of friends. 

"Koinonia" in Greek, means communion or fellowship in simple terms. It actually has many deeper meanings and applications, but the foundation of its meaning comes from the act of communion with Christ, and through him, with others. All my life when I was with groups of friends, at church, or surrounded by others who prayed and fellowshipped I was experiencing koinonia with them, and God was with us.

Part of how I create my crosses and angels is that I begin to have a conversation with God about their purpose. From there, the image begins to build in my heart and mind and I research the important details that must be expressed in each one. This cross was no different. 

A few months ago I started studying this term and praying about the nature of God and what its meaning means to me.  I came across a reference to koinonia that expressed its relation to the phrase, "one another" in the bible, and that stuck with me. I truly believe the nature of God is that he chooses to share his love and grace with me on a daily basis, so that I can share it with those I meet and encounter. That concept may be simple, but it's message is purely koinona, the one of sharing our lives with Christ and with others. The passages in the bible having to do with the  "one anothers" are pretty simple too. This list, along with the passages, was made so you could grasp the connection of what it shares in common with koinonia. 

A powerful example of what koinonia should look like can be found in a study of the phrase “one another” in the Bible. Scripture commands us to be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10), honor one another (Romans 12:10), live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8), accept one another (Romans 15:7), serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13), be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), admonish one another (Colossians 3:16), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13), spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24), offer hospitality (1 Peter 4:9), and love one another (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11; 3:23; 4:7; 4:11-12). That is what true biblical koinonia should look like.
http://www.gotquestions.org/koinonia.html

Once I had the understanding of what this word meant, how it applied to me, and how God wanted me to apply it to a painting I got to work. The cross is the central form, with the heart at it's center, symbolizing the heart of Christ and the love we share for him and for one another. The words 'One Another' cover the cross, because that love is meant to be shared, not kept for oneself. The rays of the sun are symbolic of the light that Christ shines in this world, and when we carry his love with us, his light shines through us as well. The people are together, in communion with Christ and one another. I thought about having them interacting with one another but I thought the posture of prayer was a binding act that Christians share while they commune together. The road is simply that, the one we walk down but are never alone. It leads us into opportunities to share God's love with a world in need. The hill that the cross is standing on has 20 hearts enclosed, one for each time the word 'koinonia' is used in the bible and it is surrounded by Malachi 3:16, the verse that shows the terms true meaning.
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
Malachi 3:16

The color green is pretty significant to me, it represents life. Life he gave to us, and life that is precious, as each of us are.  This painting is meant to give an image to what it means to commune or fellowship with Christ and one another. It also has a very relevant meaning, at least for me, in light of what has happened in Haita. 

During the past few days, as I worked on it, I watched the news about the suffering in Haiti and was heartbroken. As the news and pictures played over and over on the screen the reporters began to interview survivors and this is what I heard several of them say, "Glory to God, for he saved me, thank you Jesus."  I just smiled and knew, God is with them. And as I smiled the news changed and I heard lots of people singing. I looked at the t.v. and in awe, saw hundreds of Haitian women and children walking and singing in the street. Surrounded by devastation and death, they chose to rise up, gather together, and sing out for life!  Pat Robertson may believe that those people have forsaken God, but I for one saw enough love, compassion, and gratitude for God to make me know Haitians are filled with it. CNN even has an interview of one Haitian girl saying, "I never stopped praying!"
God showed me, as I painted this cross, koinonia in action, and tears came to my eyes as I imagined the courage it took for those ladies to stand up for life. 

My prayer for all who will see or receive this cross is this, 
"May our God that is incapable of anything but his very best toward you, share the spirit of koinonia with you, so that you will be able to share it with others. May you be filled with love and compassion for one another, and may that love and compassion multiply throughout the Earth until every person that draws breathe will know it."

Why Angels and Crosses?

What a crazy week it has been in the Goodwin household! When I was physically able to start painting again I had no idea where it would lead me,other than to my art table and the occasional gallery visit. During the past few weeks doors have opened up for me to share my art with several different groups of people. I really gave that some thought and considered each venue. Normally, I don't paint for a specific group, but considering the holidays are around the corner, I really had to tweak my thinking on that. 
As I did, I also had a conversation with God about why I paint. First, I am grateful for the gift of creativity so I wanted to be a good steward of that. I also have learned that when I paint a cross or an angel, and then blog about it, people who read it are touched, it connects with them in a way that my 'normal' art doesn't. For that main reason, I chose to spend a good bit of time painting angels and crosses for the holidays. 
As I painted, I spent a lot of  time researching verses to go with each one, and can honestly say I haven't spent that much time perusing the bible since the days of our bible drills when I was a child. It was a meaningful experience to say the least. Most all of the paintings in this series have a verse, painted somewhere within, because besides being grateful for my gift of painting, I knew I HAD to use it to share my faith as well. So, as you look over some of these little gems, know that they were lovingly created and prayed over, each one. A prayer that simply was meant for whoever who sees one or purchases one, would gain some since of who Christ is in their life, and in hopes that it would bring them joy.

I wish I could say this was easy, that whipping these out was a walk in the park, but as all my disabled artist friends know, that is not the case for those of us who struggle with bodies that don't match our zeal for life. There were days I painted slower than others, but, as asked, I painted through it and saw the effort pay off, at least in the journey, not monetarily. Artists struggle in many ways, so I ask all of you to consider supporting your local art community this holiday season buy purchasing art as gifts for Christmas if you choose to celebrate it. I am thrilled to share my gift with you, not only the paintings, but the journey as well. Drop me a line, I would love to hear from you about your journey as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To see more angels and crosses, visit Facebook and join my fanpage, The Artwork of Ardith Goodwin, 

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/The-Artwork-of-Ardith-Goodwin/152181337825?ref=ts