A Psalm a Day

I'm reading a Psalm a Day in 2017 and then blogging about it. You can read about that here Psalm Challenge

A few years ago a friend told me about an artist that is painting his way through the Psalms. His paintings are beautiful. (I'll see if I can find that info again and I'll share it here.) Many of his paintings are abstract and he would probably need to explain why a particular Psalm is represented in that particular painting. But I really like the idea. I would LOVE to paint something each day for whatever Psalm I've read that day. but realistically I know that it will be extremely difficult to paint something every day.

But I AM going to try to paint something every week - something inspired by one of the Psalms that I've read that week.

So I'm not challenging myself to a Psalm a Day painting, but I am going to try a Psalm a Week painting. I'm sure that encouraging words from my friends will help me meet this challenge. :-) Hmmmm, maybe some little ACEOs would make it possible for more than one painting a week.
"What is an ACEO?" you may ask. From Google "ACEO stands for Art Card Originals and Editions. They are kissin' cousins of ATC's or Art Trading Cards. Both are by definition cards of artwork measuring 2.5 x 3.5 inches, the same as a standard playing card."

 Ebay's take on ACEOs

Here are two ACEOs from a few years ago.

Hickory Point (the view out my window at home)

Colorado Sunrise

The challenge begins January 1, 2017.

Yellow Roses

My lovely wife loves yellow roses.

I painted this picture to put in an art auction to raise money for missions. But after I finished it I decided that I should give it to Cheryl since she likes yellow roses so much.

I thought I had some pictures of the work in progress to put on here, but I don't see them on my computer. So I'll just put up the finished product.

It's acrylic on 16x20 canvas.

Photographed in the gazebo for some natural light

Abstract Art for Missions

I don't like putting titles on abstract art. I think that limits others' interpretations. 

I say that now because of this painting.

I've had several people tell me what they think it is: a black hole, a galaxy, a solar system, a whirlpool in the mud, the pull of sin.

And then they say, "What is it?" and expect me to tell them if they were right or if I had some other idea behind it. I think they would be very disappointed to know that sometimes a person just creates art and that there isn't a definitive answer of "what" it is.

But they say that art - good art - elicits a response from its viewers. I personally don't care what you decide this painting represents as long as you like it and spend a little time studying it. It can have some very deep meanings. :-)

Here's a closeup of a part of it.

I don't think that you can tell from the pictures, but there are three or four different kinds of gold paint on it. Some of the gold is a glaze that only shows when you look at it from the side instead of straight on. It's one of the things I like about it. 

The bright gold is gold leaf.

The only way to get my big easel to hold this painting is with the top down. I'm glad we had some good weather in April for "top down."

Oh. And the mission part? This painting was in our Silent Auction - Art for Missions at Hilldale Baptist Church in Clarksville, TN. 

The final bid on this painting was $175. 

All went to help our mission team going to Portugal.

Abstract Art Evokes Wide Range of Responses

I always enjoy seeing the variety of responses that I get when I post a picture of an abstract painting on Facebook and ask  "what would you name this painting?"

Here is the painting I posted with that question yesterday.

16x20 acrylic and gold leaf on gallery wrapped canvas

Some are very clever or insightful - others, not so much. It's interesting that some are very concrete "elephant" while others are more, well, abstract. Ha!


One person "shared" my painting on her timeline and wrote this.
"Genesis. Because it seems to be the beginning of a beautiful event or series... of paintings. ?
This image leads me to see a sequence of paintings, each one more defined and less subtle than the previous..."Which received these responses.
that's good....
get busy Lyndel
Perspective 1 and then continue on with perspective 2 and so on through series.

What are your thoughts?

Here are some of the other responses.

Asian-Pacific Islands

Birch

Golden Elephant.

It reminds me of an aspen tree.

A forest in the winter that someone accidentally spilled gold paint on.

The bigger blob (is blob offensive, none intended) looks kinda like Japan. So I'd go with 金の島 (pronounced kin no shima).

Warming by fire on snowy night

Narnia. Kind of looks like a map from far and a snowy winter land closer

Gold Rush

I see an elephant climbing a tree, and an owl.

Gold Rush

Life is a Puzzle. Only you can connect the pieces

Spirits gathering

Regeneration or renewal

Running Man

It's kangaroos hopping!

I see dogs rejoicing!!!

Awakening....like you're opening your eyes from a dream to a warm, glowing room.

Twilight Dawning

archipelago

What Lies Beneath

Refined

The gold in the left looks like an angel. On the right it looks like a horse drawn chariot flying upwards. With all the cloudy white background, I'd call it Highway to Heaven.

Forest of Shadows

Ok I'm weird but I see a happy small elephant on its hind legs facing left smack dab in the center. I also see other small animal faces. I also dream weird so maybe disregard everything I just said lol. It's very pretty!

I saw the same thing! But I have weird dreams too LOL

I did see the face of a snow leopard....

map of countries

 (He's doing tests on us!)

I also saw an elephant on first glance!

"Global Warming"

Renewal

Golden dawn....

Flecks

Gilligan's islands--hahahahaha

There I was!!!!

Royalty

Peeling paint

Golden Globe

Looks like mud splattered on a frosty window pane....just saying!

Silver Lining

The Chase

Snow Echo

Whisper

On a Rampant Field . . .

There is an elephant there!

'Layers'. The layers of life and wisdom are built by experience and revealed by the scars. The deepest scars reveal the most valuable layers.

The Lost Empire

Heavy metal

'Wall section from abandoned hotel lobby'

My first thoughts were "Chasing Rainbows"

Playing in the snow.

Psalm 46:10

Ok Lyndel, it's got an elephant. 3 confirmations of an elephant sighting. Linda makes 3

Golden Veins.

Global warming

Separation of the Continents

Spirited Away

Gold in the mist ....

Rivers of dreams!

May I turn it on the left end?

Pangea! (that's the science teacher coming out)

Breaks on Marblehead

Evening Splendor

Beauty in Gold

Tile

The Dance of the Elephants.

running with elephant in a storm

The World

Wall with torn wallpaper!!

The lady and the fox.

Scampering...

Hidden Treasure

Global glitz.

Snow Covered Golden Forrest.

Gold Rush

Shadowed riches

Pure Animal

Life's a Circus

Marble

Nebula

(If you read this post earlier, I've changed the name from "Galaxy" to "Nebula.")

I've been experimenting with gold leaf and acrylics. I didn't have a outer space in mind when I made this painting, but it kind of reminds me of pictures I've seen at the planetarium or from Hubble. 

I don't suppose paintings have to have names...... but I'm calling this one "Nebula."

It is acrylic and gold leaf on a 16x20 canvas.

It has a gold sheen that changes how it looks from different directions and different lighting. 

Here it is hanging up in our bonus room.

Nebula on Wikipedia