Showing posts with label Jimmy Wright. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jimmy Wright. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Family; Not Easily Broken


With a strong foundation, a family can survive and thrive even in a tough year. According to scripture,”Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

The painting in this post is called “A Cord of Three Strands.” It is a portrait of a couple -kind of like my husband and I - who hold onto God and hold onto each other. Can you see the cross in the picture?

This watercolor painting, about 30x30, was created from an idea I had a number of years ago. I made a little 6x6 painting of it at the time. This new larger painting takes the idea further and expands it. My friend Maritza and her husband, Matt graciously modeled for me.

This painting, along with two other paintings, was created as part of a series on family, worship and praise for Living Springs Community Church in Glenwood, IL. The three works were created specifically for the church under the direction of Pastor Dave and Allen, the Director of Administration. Indiana artist Sharon Ruane created a number of works throughout the edifice previously.

This painting, “A Cord of Three Strands” and the other two works will be unveiled in an upcoming event at Living Springs Community Church on Sunday, January 17, 2010. I am scheduled to speak about the work at the 9:15 am service and the 10:30 am service.

This painting was especially wonderful for me to paint because it reminded me of my own family. Because of God, we were not easily broken. I am also reminded of those who supported me during this last year. Because of them, I was cared for and supported.

Five teachers/mentors who helped me or cared for my artistry were:

Demetria (Thanks Mom!)
Joyce R. (My other Mom)
Jimmy W.
Lupe and Mary G.
Alyson S. (ArtBizCoach.com)

Additionally, five friends who helped me this year in vital ways:

Cynthia H.
Anita B.
Sylvia H.
Teecie J.
Maria R.

I want to inspire you to remember in some way the folks who helped you this year. In The Success Principles, Jack Canfield says that one might not remember five people who won the Nobel Prize or the five wealthiest people, but one would remember five people who touched one’s life.

My family went through many challenges in 2009, but with God, prayer, family and many friends we are beginning 2010 with gratitude and appreciation.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Mmm! Oxbow School of Art in Saugatuck, MI.

Oxbow path ©Antonia Ruppert
Mmm! Ox-Bow, school of art and artists’ residency. Good views. Yummy food. Soulful people. Oxbow is in Saugatuck, MI and is affiliated with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. It has served as a retreat for visual artists since 1910. This past week, I took a drawing/painting class with New York artist, Jimmy Wright. He pushed me and challenged me in significant ways - allowing me to create some paintings that are precious to me.
Here are some views of Oxbow and my first painting. Well not exactly - I had actually spent a day painting a still life of peaches which Jimmy abhorred. 
The next day he said, "No more peaches." He suggested I get out into the land. So this is actually my first finished landscape painting using the techniques he taught us.
View from my easel ©Antonia Ruppert
Landscape painting, layer one
©Antonia Ruppert

Don't you love learning something new?