Reflections of Grace

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Grace is something I  reflect on during the season of Lent, which also coincides, this year, with the writing of my book;  Drawn by the Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces. It is the perfect time to reflect on my faith journey which I talk about in my book and it is a perfect time to think about Grace and how lucky I am to have received it.

Here is another excerpt from my book: “Amazing, GRACE is a beautiful thing, and when I realized that I was given it for free and unconditional by the light and love of God I raised my hand and said, ”Me too Lord”.

Lent is my time for contemplation and forgiveness of myself and others. It is the one time of year that I sacrifice my own comfort to draw myself closer to the light of God. Lent is the time to be thankful for grace, given to me simply because I am loved.

Douglas McManaman who is a Deacon and a Religion and Philosophy teacher at Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy in Markham Ontario, Canada states it this way in his article What does Divine Grace do for us? “Grace is a sharing in the divine life. It is the infused presence of God, a presence that is supernatural, not merely natural. Human persons are not born in a state of grace. And there is nothing we can do ourselves to earn grace. Rather, divine grace is favor, and it is freely bestowed.”

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PRAISE and PAINTING

H0215 24x24One of my morning rituals is meditation, prayer and praise. Thanking God for everything.  It steadies my life and makes each day flow in a perfect sequence. It does not mean my day is always perfect but it sure is a lot smoother than if I didn’t meditate. As an artist I have combined painting with this.

Each morning when I step into the studio I create a study on Vellum, usually about something that struck me during meditation.  I call them praise paintings. This year I am creating a series of  1/2 day Praise and Painting Workshops. These workshops will be for anyone, non-painter as well as artists who want to grow their practice of meditation and praise. All supplies will be provided the only thing to bring is your willingness to learn a new form of praise and thankfulness.

My favorite place to hang out besides my studio is at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott. So they are graciously hosting this event in the Ballard Learning Center.

630 PARK AVE. PRESCOTT, AZ

MAY 18  1PM-4PM

For more information or to register 

 

Praising Winter Rain

PRAISING WINTER RAIN

“Praising Winter Rain”  9″ X 12″  acrylic on vellum

Welcome to 2019 and the winter that we have been waiting for. Those of us who live in the Southwest pray for winter rains and those like myself who have the great fortune to live in the mountains of Arizona are thankful for snow falls.

Any moisture is a blessing…

This year is starting off with plenty of it so I created this praise painting to express my gratitude to God.

Praise paintings are early morning studies on vellum paper that I create after my meditation and journaling when I first step into the studio. Simple heartfelt quick studies of what is on my mind.

If you want to see more of my work, please visit here.

Praising Winter Rain, Original Acrylic Painting

9″ X 12″ acrylic painting on vellum paper, matted in white to 12″ X 16″ and ready to frame.

$75.00

Spring… rebirth, renewal and resurrection

iria internet

“Iris”  16″ X 16″

As the seasons change so do I, winter barely left us when I was waiting for hints of spring, I have an Iris garden just off my deck, surrounded by my  creek and this is where I look each year for signs of spring.  Now Iris are one of the few flowers I can plant that our pesky Javalina don’t seem to have an appetite for.  Daffodils are the other spring flower that is not on their menu.  So these two flowers are planted everywhere in Prescott .  When the leaves start popping through the earth, just like clock work around the spring solstice I know spring has sprung.

This became my inspiration for a spring collection, which is all about flowers this year; specifically Iris. So from now through May you may see a lot of flowers blooming on my website.  A fresh inviting look full of promise and hope for an amazing 2018.  Isn’t that what spring is all about, rebirth, renewal and resurrection.

Original Boutique Art  (only 1 available)  Shipping free in the US

“Iris” Original Acrylic Painting

16" X 16" X 1 1/2" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas sides painted teal and ready to hang.

$320.00

 

From Creation to Resurrection… looking forward to Good Friday

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.

 

 

REFLECTIONS

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Reflecting Home  30″ X 30″ Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Today I am feeling quite melancholy, I think I am coming off the high of a great Open Studio Tour, some unexpected sales and a successful talk.  Exhaustion has settled in and I am sharing my vulnerable self.  The studio has become a working place more than a creative space. I have several pet portraits in various stages of development for customers, but I have not found time to create for me.

When I begin to feel overloaded like I do today I turn toward reflection. A time to look back and ponder how I got to this place. It is not always easy to consistently be up to the task of growing a business. Especially at my age, people say why haven’t you retired. The answer to that is simply, I like what I do. I find purpose in my mission of spreading joy and happiness to those who stumble upon my work. I love spreading positive energy through my workshops, talks, and paintings.  I love collaborating with other positive people and bringing something new and different into the world. I thrive on that spark of creativity.

It becomes more difficult each year as my energy drains faster than my ideas. So I have learned to pace myself, say NO when I have to, and pick what is important and let the rest slide.  Now is the time to nurture my soul and talk to my kids and let them know how much I love them and go on a much-needed date with my husband.

Journeying  through the ups and downs of life one painting at a time…

FAR AWAY LANDS

FAR AWAY LANDS

“Far Away Lands”  24″ X 24″ Acrylic on 1 1/2″ gallery wrap canvas

This last weekend was the Prescott Area Artists Studio Tour which I was honored to have participated in. This was my demo for Saturday and Sunday.  It is so full of energy brought in by all the visitors to the studio. The positive vibes along with feelings of love, swelled my heart and I created some place different and new, a far away place sheltered by everyone’s love and good wishes.

I love the chance to meet new friends and fellow travelers of life. It is an opportunity to share my story and to hear theirs. It is amazing how often we have things in common, or from the same area; It seems like a divine introduction, with God saying you will really like this person.  I always do and the circle keeps getting bigger and better.

Thanks to all who shared my studio this weekend, you brought a piece of happiness and blessed this place with abundance.

Meeting new friends one painting at a time…

 

Follow The Moon…become a seeker

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.

My Secret World.. things happen for a reason.

Secret World 24" T X 20"W Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas www.pameladunmirefineart.com

“Secret World”, 24″ T X 20″W , Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas
http://www.pameladunmirefineart.com

In my meditations there is a secret world where I go to envision myself. This world is full of energy, sparks of ideas and promises of creativity. This dynamic place transports me into my future… and I am free.

“Secret World” is one of my favorite pieces that I did in 2014.  It is now going to a new home in Ludington, Michigan many miles from its home on my studio wall in Prescott, Arizona.  The story of how it sold is quite magical, things happen for a reason.

"Following The Moon"

“Following The Moon”

The above painting “Following the Moon” was hung in my show “A Straight Line Curved”, that is running in the spotlight room at Mountain Artists Gallery in Prescott. I hung the show on July 15th but opening nite was July 24th.  Between that time it mysteriously fell off the wall and was punctured.  The gallery called me about the damages and asked if I would replace the painting with another.  So I brought in, You guessed it, “Secret World”.

When looking at the whole presentation I knew that “Secret World” should have been my first choice.  It really worked much better with the theme of the show and the energy on the walls.  A summer visitor to the area, came opening nite and fell in love with it, bought it and after the show it will be sent to her home in Michigan, which happens to be my home state.

All is well in my magical world of intention, love and higher self.  My painting has found it’s for ever home.  I am blessed and so is my collector.

Winter’s End…The Cycle of Life

"Winters End" Acrylic Painting on Gallery Wrap Canvas, 24"T X 36"W http://www.pameladunmirefineart.com

“Winter’s End” Acrylic Painting on Gallery Wrap Canvas, 24″T X 36″W
http://www.pameladunmirefineart.com

I am seeing the beginning of Spring in my neighborhood.  Beautiful Crab and Bradford Pear trees are in full blossom.  The days have warmed and the birds are chirping profusely.  It is amazing what a few weeks can bring forth.  It was only a month ago and we were blanketed by snow.  Nature and mother earth have cycled through their darkness and come full circle into the joys of Spring.

That is how our cycles of life flow, sometimes we face bitter cold and darkness, followed by times of plenty  and sunshine.  Many of us ask,” why can’t it always be light and happiness that shines on me.”  As a person of faith I know that you must face the cold in order to appreciate the warmth; hardship in order to recognize abundance; poverty of spirit in order to find the wealth of life.

However, it does not mean you need to be unhappy.  Take those cycles and use them as an opportunity to grow and bring clarity. Find purpose in all you do for Winter’s End is here and Spring is just around the corner.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THIS PAINTING LET ME KNOW AND IT CAN HAPPEN.

pameladunmirestudios@cableone.net