Category: Christian Love

From Creation to Resurrection… looking forward to Good Friday

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Deep Under

“Deep Under” Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas, 30″X30″ View it Here

This is Easter Week and I received a message from our “Friday Project” leader that our church Trinity Presbyterian in Prescott, AZ was having a very unique church service Friday evening, in remembrance of Good Friday.

No pressure here… “Do you happen to have a couple of paintings that would work well with our Good Friday Service? We are leading the congregation from the creation story through the fall/brokenness then through the incarnation to the cross and hopefully to the joy of resurrection.”

If you know my art most of it is brightly colored with lot’s of movement and positive-energy.  So I looked through my inventory.

Finding The Path

“Finding The Path” Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas, 30″ X 30″ View it Here

Yes, I did find two awesome paintings that will work well for their intended mission. These two paintings above are perfect in their story of hope.  The story of Christ is about finding love and being born again in hope and mercy.

“Deep Under” can be expressed as this…  “The murkiness of life can sometimes feel as if we are drowning. What if we dove deep to find our inner peace? Instead of drowning we would be floating in love.”

“Finding the Path” can be expressed as this… “After a bout with cancer I attended a life changing retreat to transition to  a new life path.  I traveled from darkness to light, as I opened my eyes to God’s marvelous creation of me.”

So even the darkest of paintings can shine with the light of resurrection. I am looking forward to Friday night, and the Friday Project. 6:00pm at Trinity.

 

 

JOY

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JOY

“Joy”  12″ X 9″ acrylic on 150 lb. pressed paper

Number 16 in my 30 in 30 challenge and this time it is an abstract.  I love doing abstracts and playing with patterns.  I used that bright fuchsia again.  It was still on my palette from the last two paintings.  I hate to waste paint and this palette is beautiful. The soft sage green and sky blue pairs well with the fuchsia.  The white ties it all together and makes the negative space come into view.  I think this abstract is stunning.

I chose to name it “JOY” because that is how I am feeling these days, Joyful.  It is also what I hope you experience when you view this piece. God plants plenty of joy in this world just open your heart to receive it. Joy is a blessing to receive everyday, look around you, from the smallest bud to the expansive sky to a beautiful painting joy is everywhere.

Here’s to experiencing joy one moment at a time…

PARK AVENUE ART

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CRANE CROSSING

“Crane Crossing” 24″ X 24″

I have recently been given the opportunity to teach what I love, ART.  This year I wrote an aggressive business plan for my company.  I must admit that when I was through with it I wondered how this would all come about.  My bottom line is that I wanted to make a living doing what I love best, ART.

I decided that I would trust in my partner God, and that I would take all opportunities that he set in front of me.  Not only do I sell my art but I teach it.  I have a small base of students that take lessons from me; I also run workshops 4 times a year.  I have wanted to do more of this work, but have never had enough space in my studio to accommodate a large group.

God has set before me the opportunity to run a thriving school to teach visual arts.  It is at a space very familiar to me.  Park Avenue Arts, it is where Park Avenue Theater has git’s roots, and where I have designed sets for many years. It also houses Debbie Place who teaches vocal lessons  and will be adding Le Anne Lawhead, who teaches flute. Both these ladies are prominent in their fields. I now have the opportunity to teach visual arts in a great space and will start by filling a visual art curriculum for home-schooled students. I will also be doing one day painting retreats for adults and youth.

In July I will be teaching a two-day workshop, “Creating Positive-Energy Art”.  This is the perfect time to experience the cool summer breezes of the Arizona mountains.  We can spill out unto the creek side park for some Plein Air painting.  I am just loving the energy this space creates.  Trinity Presbyterian Church has created this Art Center to fill a gap, a nurturing place for both children and adults to find their passions, their way in life and the opportunity to grow closer to God.

To sign up for my workshop or to find out about other artistic opportunities contact me HERE.

Christmas Week

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master-6x8-for-cards“Watchman Tell Us Of The Star”

The week before Christmas is always a rush, in the best possible way.  Most of the community Christmas activities are over and it is time to concentrate on family. Last minute gifts to purchase and wrapping them just right.  Around our house the guest bedroom becomes Christmas Central and it is off limits to everyone but the chief elf herself, moi.  Gifts have dwindled down to just grand kids, all seven of them, so piles of toys and a few pieces of clothing scatter atop the bed. Now to pick just the right wrapping paper depicting Jolly Santa, and Happy Snowmen to spur anticipation from each expectant child.

Next stop is the kitchen to make the longed for Christmas Cookies to bring to the family celebration.  My hubby’s favorite are raisin filled cookies that I make into star shapes and decorate with colored sugar. My daughters favorite are ribbon cookies chocked with nuts and cherries and chocolate.  My husband asked just this morning when are the cookies getting baked?  It takes two days to create both of these sumptuous creations so I better start in the morning.  I like them fresh for Christmas eve.

Christmas cards are out and on their way to loved ones across the country, due to arrive this week.  I always take time the week before Christmas to sit down to read all the letters and notes that people write.  I catch up on each and every life.

In Prescott the Christmas parades are over, so is the Cantata at Church, and the Pop’s Christmas concert.  Acker Night has come and gone, the Court House lighting was beautiful. The tree is up and the lights are lit.  Now the real meaning of the holiday starts; traveling to Phoenix. Christmas Eve with the family doing our thing, hugs and kisses all around.  After all, isn’t that what it is really about, a birth, a family, and love.

Forgiveness, you can’t do it alone.

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forgiven

“Forgiven”  8″ X 8″  Acrylic on 1 1/2 Gallery Wrap Canvas

I stumble through the darkness, for I have sinned yet God is near and hears my sorrow and shines mercy upon me.

Today I am reminded that forgiveness is a powerful tool to help each of us live a life full of   happiness.  It is not always easy to forgive  or let ourselves be forgiven; yet it is essential.  So it really takes two of us to forgive, me with the help of my partner God.

I need to be reminded of this often, which is the reason I painted this little beauty.  Mercy is given to all of us, just because…God loves us.

Go through your day today knowing that you are forgiven.  Forgive someone else, and you will have the heaviest of burdens lifted.

Sometimes I paint my faith, a way to worship for me.  Enjoy.

Follow The Moon…become a seeker

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Follow The Moon

“Follow The Moon” 24″ X 24″, Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas http://www.pameladunmirefineart.com

“Sometimes I fall into a dream, magical and mystical.  Looking for fairies, or unmeet needs.  My heart drifts to those lost moments and I see it is good, for if I had found what I was missing I would not be a seeker.”

Pamela Dunmire, Artist and WRITER

Well I finally admitted that I am a writer…. what a funny feeling; for so long I have only thought of myself as an artist/painter of the spirit.  Yes I have been working on my first book, but I still could not say I was a writer.  I was seeking my own approval, I did not need any others.  Than as my spirit spoke in that mystical dream I understood.  I am what ever I choose to be.

“Follow The Moon” was done in a private workshop that I held in my studio for an accomplished artist who chose to spread her wings and create something different.  Just as she experimented I did too and pushed myself harder; as I taught her I taught myself. As this amazing painting appeared on my canvas, the spoken word also came into my heart and that is when I knew… I am not just a painter but also a writer.

A Straight Line Curved

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A Straight Line Curved

“A Straight Line Curved” now hanging in the Spotlight Room at Mountain Artists Gallery

I have been silent for a while because I have been in the studio creating beautiful and soul-searching works for my new exhibit “A Straight Line Curved”.  It was a work of love.  The Intent for me behind this new exhibit with my friend and glass artist Patty Lindsey, is to radiate through my writing and art that any who might read these words and see these works of art will feel moved to spread love into the world.

All of my works have a small descriptive paragraph of my thoughts and feelings behind the creativity.  My intent is to draw the observer into the painting and feel the emotions that I have seeded into each work of art.  Fifteen of my most beautiful pieces are on display.

Patty’s glass art is such a lovely complement to my pieces and it has been a real pleasure to exhibit with her.  As one artist I truly admire, Deanne Brewster, wrote to Patty and I, “Congrats on a great Spotlight Room show.  I sat the gallery on Saturday and was able to absorb what you two have created.  Spectacular.”

The shows opening nite is this Friday July 24th, from 5pm-7pm, At Mountain Artist Guild and Gallery in Prescott, AZ.

Thanks everyone for all your support and belief in my talents.  I hope to see as many of you as possible on Friday night.

Visit my website.

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That perfect love.

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Well here it is Valentines Day, that time of year when we publicly avow our love to those we hold dear.  Or maybe it is a commercial endeavor by the greeting card and candy companies.

Many of you are singles, for various reasons and Valentines can be difficult…..  Or we have had a heartbreaking experience that makes Valentines an awful anniversary.

It took me many years to appreciate Valentines….. Once I learned to love myself, forgive others and discover the perfect love; I began to truly understand this day.  My perfect love is Christ centered. A love that comes from deep in to all humanity; even those I don’t like I try to love.

It’s hard to love our enemies, how about ISIS, the epitome of evil, or the person down the street who isn’t like me. Or that pesky person who tries to get me to think their way.  How can you love someone like them?

God tells us to love our enemies and to forgive our enemies, I try each day during meditation to send blessings though out the world especially those places and to those people who I find difficult to love.

Those who may find blessings may learn to love, may themselves begin to forgive, and turn away from evil.  They may learn to accept others put down their swords or barbed tongues and love in peace.

Today I wish all of you a perfect love, and many blessings on this Valentines Day.