Isaiah 66:7-9 spirit illustration

This paper-cut out illustration is a branch-off from my previous post...

http://thelostsocklife.blogspot.com/2014/04/jeremiah-17-7-8-spirit-illustration.html

I am using clippings from obituaries in the newspaper as the blooms from the flowers. To me, this symbolizes pain from loss of a loved one not being in vain. God does not give death the last word. From the pain of loss comes new growth and new hope. Isaiah 66:7-9 says, "Before her pain came, she delivered a son. Who has heard of such a thing? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once?... I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born." Just as the pains of birth come, so follows new life. Nothing good comes easily. Nothing strong is built quickly. Sacrifice births life and peace. Look at the cross. 

Sometimes tragedy happens to us and we are left with nothing but questions and possibly doubt. Personally, Through death my faith grew. Our perspective changed. We live still... But in a new light. I believe more now in what I can't see, trust more in the unknown, and cling to hope for new life and second chances. I will never know why The Lord too my husband from his family at the young age of 35. But I will never selfishly want him to return the this world of death, because I know where he is nothing ever dies. It is hope I hold to and faith in eternity that keeps me moving. I refuse to let death defeat me or my family and the life we are still living here on Earth. God is not done with us... We still have a purpose. God is using us for His kingdom and we are gonna keep making life. 

Jeremiah 17: 7-8 Spirit illustration

 

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Amplified Bible (AMP)

^"[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord,

 and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit."

 

Above 1: After Sharpie doodle

Above 2: After colored pencil shading and highlighting

 

Usually I get ideas by being inspired by music, quotes, my surroundings, or other artists work. 

I was very inspired by this Del Barber poster I found online...

I loved the layers of the subdued colors stacked together with the texture defining brown lines on all the objects. I was fascinated by the way they exposed the layers of dirt below to show the roots and it reminded me of how we should root ourselves in Christ... or we will be fearful & fruitless.

So, I used the verse in Jeremiah for my Biblical Inspiration.

 

As an art teacher, I just got done teaching my students about Paper Cut-Out method done by Henri Matisse. So, I decided to use the paper cut out to get the layers I wanted of the background paper to doodle on top of. 

I started with manilla for my foreground (tree trunk and dirt), 

then brown (leaves, nest, grass, and roots), 

pink (bird and fruit),

baby blue (water), 

and finally sage green (background sky). 

You can see some of the Matisse lessons we did here if desired on my LostSock Art Teacher Blog...

http://tabithaannthelostsock.blogspot.com/2014/04/matisse-inspired-lessons.html

After I glued down the paper cut-outs, I then used Sharpies (brown, green, and rasperry) to doodle the texture on each part. After the doodle, I used colored pencils to add shading and highlights to the landscape. For the final step, I used this iridescent paper that I have been hording since childhood to cut a piece just right to layer over my water. 

I enjoyed this process so much I am planning on making more in the very near future!

Now you can too!

spirit doodles... medicine for my soul.

 

My art for the last 6 years has been funneled from my soul.

It was the Summer's end of 2008 when something changed...

Just like Sara Groves sings about.

See her sing it here on YouTube, "Something Changed"

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aZ6C1S8K-s

Since then...

Whatever I live, think, feel, absorb, learn, believe, experience, or need emphasized in my life is what comes out of my hand and onto the emptiness. If I keep all these things in, it can be dangerous to me in many ways; spiritually, emotional, mentally, and physically. If I go too long without letting it out, I go crazy. Art is my way of letting go of things needed to be let go of, sharing what needs to be shared, putting things behind me that I cannot carry any more, or today... it is more of my preaching to myself. 

Over and over and over again I am learning that living in Christ means living for the day at hand. I always thought planning, saving, worrying over what is next was a mature perspective. 

But I am not sure where I learned that from. God is continually calling me in life to NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW! Sit and be still in where you are now and BRING TO ME ALL YOU ARE BURDENED WITH.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

Philippians 4:6
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Matthew 6:33-34

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:27
"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

 

I have been going crazy here the last 2 weeks working on projects that were good, but not from my heart. God has been calling me to work with Him creatively so that He could once again flood me with His peace. Creating for my Heavenly Father is one way I worship. It is a connection that brings Heaven down to the very place I sit to create. I sat today not knowing what to create... God searched my heart to the core of my fears inside. He pulled them out and showed them to me giving me a new perspective on His word and Promises. 

I do not know where my life is going, not sure at all where I will be or what I will be doing months from now. I know God is stirring in my life and that there is a change on the horizon. I have to trust Him daily to show me His way. Fear takes over every so often and He pulls me back into His strong but gentle grip of peace reassuring me that He has me in His Hand... And is NEVER letting go.

SO, I will move on in my day looking for Him and what He plants in my path. I will tune my ear to His voice following like a lost lamb. For I am His child and He is my Father, I am his little lamb and He is my good shepherd.

Jesus Calling - 

Enjoying Peace in His Presence

By Sarah Young 

day March 29th 

After I sat to write this post, I decided to do my daily exercise at the trails of the Mineola nature preserve insteD of the usual gym. 

I have been walking on the same trail since July when my husband & best friend of 10 years, Shannon, passed. Each time I walked, I would go a little further and gain more courage on the trails. I would pass the "wiggly bridge" (my daughter Maisy calls it) every hike but it was always roped off with DANGER tape. I always wanted to walk it and was continually curious if it would be fixed or not... 

Well... 

Today was the day! As I got closer a fear came over me. I studied it close thinking maybe kids just tore off the tape and it was still really "dangerous". I felt like Peter walking on the water as I slowly footed my way a few feet and turned back in fear. I wondered if God really wanted me to do it. As I wondered I saw little white butterfly float it's way across the bridge as if it was telling me it was safe...

So... I DID IT! 

Finally I walked the wiggly bridge! 

I can't help but feel it as symbolic of coming into a new trust in my life. Letting the old go, walking on wiggly wood across a swamp, while looking ahead into the eyes of my Savior as he whispers, 

"It's ok my child, you're safe."

I will follow Him wherever He leads without looking back. Faith has brought me this far, I'd be a fool not to follow. 

Illustrated Inspiration

 

Mercy Me, Rain

If you ask me what my FAVORITE thing to do is...

I will tell you that I love listening to my music and creating for my Creator.

This is how i imagine Heaven. 

I see it as a place where we listen to the angels sing and work with a joyful heart for our Father.

Only in Heaven I will have a wider variety of colors on my palette. 

I could sit for an eternity outside in pretty weather, listening to J.J. Heller, Mercy Me, or Kari Jobe. 

Music drives me to inspiration. I linger on the words and let them settle into my spirit, then they leak through my fingers to my pencils and onto paper.

My wonderful Hubby, Shannon Seaton, passed away 4 months ago.

I have been going through stages of emotions like a roller coaster.

This past week has been the worst! I just feel so alone and useless and as though I have nothing to look forward to. Everyone keeps telling me, "Live in the Moment!", but my moment is lonely. So, that makes me lonelier. I work all day doing art with middle schoolers, come home to my two wonderful but needy little girls, looking forward to night time alone after I struggle to get them to bed... then sit in bed wishing I had a companion to talk to. 

I have noticed if I am just sitting around idle worrying about my future and what I cannot control, 

I fall in a deep pit of selfishness, insecurity, and fear. 

God is lovingly keeping me in suspense of what my future holds, but I know it is going to be good. 

I just have to wait on His perfect timing for my dreams. 

But I can't stand sitting still! I need to move! 

So, a great friend noticed me in a pit and told me that i really need to find something positive to do. 

I told her about all of these cool inspirational posters on Pinterest that I look at to cheer up.

One of them said, 

"Life is like riding a Bicycle. In order to keep your balance you must keep moving"

MY INSPIRATION TO INSPIRE

It's contagious!

This was created by Jessica from Volume Twenty Five, 

it is exactly what I needed!

I need to move! Or else I will fall because of lack of balance. 

Just cause I am waiting on Him doesn't mean I have to 

SIT AND WAIT.

SO, i listen to my music, record the words that speak to me and create! 

Here it is...

What I do while I wait. 

Working on my Jamie Grace, Lead Me On design...

No, I am not "picking my nose" I am sharpening my pencil,

with my nifty nose sharpener... DUH!

Jamie Grace , Lead Me On

 J.J. Heller, Come Home

Jamie Grace, Beautiful Day (1)

Jamie Grace, Beautiful Day (2)

Jamie Grace, Beautiful Day (3)

 

God Girl, Jamie Grace

Speak Life, Toby Mac

                                                                Steal My Show, Toby Mac

 

 

Ginny Owens

 

Mercy Me

Rain

 

J.J Heller

Only Love Remains

 

J.J. Heller

Only Love Remains

Bible Verse Illustration (in my own words)

 

Sanctus Real FORGIVEN

 

Ginny Owens  

Illustrated Bible Verses

 

Maisy, my 6 year old daughter's illustration

 

My Illustration and Interpretation of 

Exodus 14:14

My Illustration of 1 Thessalonians 5:15

"A Happy Heart makes the Face Cheerful".

Proverbs 15:13

 

 

Just a thought about how Fatih is believeing in what we cannot see,

and that Faith the size of a tiny mustard seed can move mountains.

We look to what our eyes see and believe, but it is really what our heart sees that lasts.

For it is what we cannot see that will be eternal!

Wind moves the Mill...

Her Healing HeART...

My journey of faith would not be as smooth or peaceful

If I did not have the gifts God gave me.

I am so greatful that He has entrusted me with creativity and all I want to do is honor Him with what I create. I have found that His gift for me is greatly needed in times of storms. He shows me how to use my art to guide me through times when life is just too much. I can take all that is inside of me and let it out in a way that is glorifying His name. I work through whatever it is I am facing with Him holding my hand. I look into HIs face and say, "Let's do this," as he hands me the tools to begin my work. I meditate on His teaching and love and dive into a place unseen. I work through His Spirit as I spin these works into life. None of these would be possible without His gifts and presence.

Each part of my journey is documented in a spiritual self portrait.

Looking back on these from the past 5 years, my life seems to be puzzling together into a clearer picture. All the pain, loss, and grief has led me to hope, peace, and life.

I know God is in control of every part of my suffering and that it will all be used to bring me closer to Him. In the end, down the path of my life, waiting there is the same Man that was there in the beginning.

Revalation 22:13 says,

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Psalm 139:13-14 says,

 "ForYou formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.…

 

____________________________________________________________________

 

These are documentations through my life (in order) that show places I have been spiritually.

At the beginning of my new walk with Christ,

I felt so resuced from my past.

All the lies that I believed from what I was before were burried with mud.

His light disinntegrated my sin.

 

Here I documented my feeling of knowing better than God...

It was all about MY plans, MY ideas, My way...

But, no matter how hard we pull at this tug-o-war with HIM,

We will never win, only grow tired till we humbly fall in defeat.

He will be there to help us up.

 

Hurt and Healer collide...

Just freshly cut from a painful truth of a marital fault,

I was given pure peace and healing while holding my baby in my arms.

Her sleeping breath was a gift of music to my heart.

From the moment this idea was born, it took an entire year to come to a spot brave enough to create from the pain. But once I knew how much peace and comfort came from creating from the hurt,

the Healing Came.

He cries for us too, and tears of blue bring life and hope to flowers new.

http://tabithaannthelostsock.blogspot.com/2012/04/healing-through-hurt.html

 

After healing from hurt in relationships, Satan continues to make us believe that we never truly forgave. LIke a vulture he waits for us to sink hopeless and believe him...

But God is our hope... The sky falling to pieces is not really so terrible if it brings in truth and light.

 

Very interesting story. The Lord showed me this image before my husband Shannon had passed.

He was showing me his leaving even before he left.

Read Here...

http://thelostsocklife.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-lord-is-our-compass.html

 

 

Finding that faith is an everday effort.

Just as weeds grow in our gardens, so they do in our hearts.

The are unwelcomed and harmful to God's plans for us...

See here...

Part ONe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWQnHqeIPfg

Part Two

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD9ybyqXd2s

 

 

 

I am unstoppable for Him...

I will create in all parts of my ilfe, the valleys, the hills, and right in the middle,

Keeping it all inside is a dangerous way to go.

We were not meant to bottle up anything.

I will Create for my Creator, Make for my Maker

as long as I have life within me.

 

THis is a page from the autobiographical testimony comic of my life...

so far... but much more to come.

http://thelostsocklife.blogspot.com/2013/03/supertab-autobiographical-comic-of-my.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are a beautiful MasterPiece, created by the Master of All Masters

Beautiful Me...

After speaking to a lot of young ladies at the 

"Beautiful You" Slumber Party

http://thelostsocklife.blogspot.com/2013/05/fashion-week-2.html

I started to really think about the words God put in my heart before I spoke...

I am usually a blubbering fool when it comes to talking about myself.

I try not to talk about myself unless somebody asks or seems interested, 

but once they do... sometimes it is hard for me to put on the breaks.

I was flattered to be asked to talk this past weekend about fashion to the MMS FCA girls.

But, before I spoke at this event, I prayed for God to give me His words instead of my own.

And...since I am boasting in Him, I think We did very well!

2 Corinthians 12:9

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, s that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

As I spoke to the girls on the topic of personal style and confidence,

I looked at their unique faces, smiles, bodies, clothes...

 He revealed through me that each one of them was created by the same Master, 

yet they are all so different. 

It is not right for us to compare ourselves to others 

just as it is wrong to talk bad about ourselves. 

Both are insults to the Creator Himself. 

We are not made to critique our Maker.

Would it be respectful to point out Van Gogh or DaVinci's mistakes in their Master Works?

We have no place or right to since we are not better than them...

If God is the ultimate Creator of all, Master of all Masters, Molder of Da Vinci and Van Gogh's creative minds and hands...

then we, as His creation, are ultimately 

MARVELOUS MASTER PIECES!

For us to deny this does not make us humble or wise, but contrarily makes us shrink God and his design.

He made us unique, with love, with detail, with care.

The very way we were created is a gift from Him.

Every fold in every mold, every brushstroke's visibility in us is just an evident mark or our Maker!

If your earthly Father gave you a very special gift that was priceless and could not be recreated,

would you care for it, keep it clean, and out of harm's way... 

 or toss it around in neglect letting it get scratched, stained, and ruined?

Of course we would LOVE IT and care for it!

If we neglect this gift of creation, we are like spoiled children of a loving Father neglecting His design that He made uniquely for us and nobody else.

One masterpiece cannot be compared to another. This is what makes them so special.

So, in turn we should not compare ourselves to others. Trying to live up to or become another person will drive you nowhere but to failure and vane depression.

Does Mona Lisa say to Starry Nights, "I wish I looked like you!"?

There is no way to compare the two unique Masterpieces...

So, it is time to admit it and accept it, 

You are absolutely Marvelously Made!

Clouds in my Coffee... obsession with marvelous mugs!

I am not sure when, but somewhere in my adulthood I became obsessed with unique coffee cups.

My coffee time has become very important to me as a mother.

It is just that...MY coffee TIME!

It is time to be away from the kids, the noise, the crying, and the world 

and just disappear into relaxation and meditation.

COFFEE POEM

by Tabitha Seaton

It is the first thing I think about when I wake up.

This is the time I pick out my favorite cup.

I pick the cup that sets the mood for the day.

I don't want a set, I want an array.

It is a time for me to be alone in the midst of the daybreak

I slowly nurse my cup enjoying each sip I take.

I feel the creamy sweetness go down

while a smile of comfort is born from a frown.

I put on my face and curl up my hair

lifting my voice in a dawn prayer.

The clouds in my coffee go up with my voice

carried away to my idol of choice.

Spending time with my Father in the morning so still, 

I awoke so empty and He begins to fill.

I sip and I talk with Him about my concerns

as each drop of coffee down my through softly burns.

I drink away my mug till the last drop is gone

starting my way to a new dawn.

I started it off right with my cup and my Maker, 

 When my morning was shaky, He was the breaker.

This will be a good day ahead of me

as I look at my beautiful mug happily.

________________________________________________

Hold you applause please and continue reading...

I want more mugs!

Yes, every store I enter that may have a mug

I set my eyes for the prize.

It has to have that certain flair that make this girl smile. 

I don't want it to be super silly in a cheap comedy way, NO NO...

That's not me.

I want it to just be beautiful or be unique.

I like them to have a story or spark a memory of mine from the past...

The mug just has to do something other than be a vessel for my drink.

Here are some mugs that I would like to own one day...

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matryoshka-teapot

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017YZAYO/?creative=395097&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref=asc_df_B0017YZAYO2471816

See more on my Pinterest!

http://pinterest.com/tabbyanny/mugs-i-love/

I do not want to drink from the same mug everyday!

How boring is that!?

I like to pick a size, shape, color, form, or whatever to set my day in the right direction.

These are some mugs I currently possess that I love...

Large Owl mug- Peir 1 Imports

Children's Cow mug- Canton Tradedays

Retro Flower mug- Target

Stein mug- Uniques and Antiques of Mineola

Apple Mug (seen below as well)- Cracker Barrel

WOoden Giraffe mug- from my friend Cara on her Africa trip

HillBilly mug- Antique store in Tomball, Texas

Maw Mug- lost track...

My New French Provincial Mug from Target

                                                                     Maw and Pa Mugs

I want to thank my talented photographer, Shannon Seaton, 

 for always putting up with my hair brain photo ideas.

I know he is totally and continually annoyed, but does it cause he loves me.

Right honey?....

 

PS. I love me some flavored cream. When it comes to coffee, it's the only way I go. 

A little coffee with my cream!

See what I started doing with my creamer bottles when I am done...

http://thelostsocklife.blogspot.com/2013/03/coffee-creamer-pals.html

Blessed Blogging!