Still Life There!

"Still Life There" © Antonia Ruppert
9x12 -  Acrylic and Charcoal on Panel

I love when something destined for refuse gets reused.  These dried flowers I wrote about in my last post still hold beauty.  I decided to paint another painting with my hand holding the blossom from a different angle.

I'm reminded of something my friend Maritza often says, "He wastes nothing" meaning God wastes nothing.  I'm convinced our lives are like that.  We may feel washed up, tired and ready for a siesta - but there is something yet beautiful in each life experience.

Paul Manwaring talks about nothing being wasted in his blog piece "He Got You Ready, He Wastes Nothing." Its a short post but full of meaning.

Meanwhile, my piece "Still Life There" is of a flower I was ready to toss. I'm so glad I didn't.

In the Palm of My Hand

"In the Palm of My Hand" - Acrylic/Charcoal on Canvas - 8x10

Even though he is allergic to flowers, just recently my husband came home with two types of flowers for me. I felt so moved by his sacrifice.

This week I thought it was time to toss them - they were drying.  As I took a small blossom in my hand, I realized again the beauty of it. I decided to capture it before I did anything else with it.

I love the color and texture of this piece - "In the Palm of My Hand."

Feeling the Love

"Feeling the Love" - Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas- 8x10

Sometimes you can have so much fun, you can lose track of time. I have been having fun experimenting with acrylic paint, charcoal and various mediums(paint additives).  Since the last piece was acrylic and pencil, I decided to push it a little with charcoal.

This small painting is acrylic with matte medium and charcoal.  The piece started with a bright overlay of orange and yellow - two of my favorite colors these days. Perhaps that is because of the blues and grays outside this time of year.

I started the drawing in charcoal beginning with the eyes of the figure on the right.  That part was completed first. Then I let it rest. I needed fresh eyes.

After coming back to it with afresh, I began the figure on the right and then the background. My friend Tina asked me if I ever painted in an abstract style.  Since she asked, I experimented with that too.

Sometimes the best things happen when you're just playing.  Ha! Ha!

I'm wondering what you do that feels like play? Feel free to comment below.

With Help from Friends

With Help From Friends  - 9x12 - Acrylic/Pencil on Panel

Sometimes we are blessed with a few key people in our lives who encourage us.  Sometimes these friends walk beside us or kneel beside us holding us up.  This small painting is the image of what I see when that happens. I call it "With Help from Friends."

The piece is layered and textured with warm hues first. After that dries, then comes the drawing. This time, I created the drawing from several photographs I took. 

I like to go back into the drawing with acrylic - highlighting one area or another.  I appreciated the way this small painting came out. 

With Help from Friends -- (close up)

Hope for Another Day

Acrylic and Pencil on Panel - 9x12

This painting came to me after a time of thinking about some of my friends and family.  Some are going through some tough situations.  The only thing I could do was respond by creating.

I created a drawing showing someone's head being lifted up. That prompted the painting - I loved the drawing so much.

The sun, the egg and the flowers are all symbols of new life, growth and warmth.

After priming the panel with gesso, I created a wash of yellows and reds.  Using the drawing as a guide, I recreated it on the piece after the wash dried.  Additionally, I painted the flowers and egg from life. I eventually went over the entire piece with pencil to add emphasis. 

I call it "Hope for Another Day."

Happy New Year!

"Daddy" approx. 7x7 Pencil

Happy New Year! I begin this year with a small drawing of my Dad. We lost him just after New Years 2014.  I am grateful to have become an artist because of him.  I am grateful God gave him to us even for such a short time. So with that, I start 2015 creating...again.

What I've Noticed Despite Pain

What I Noticed #1 - Ink on Paper ©Toni Ruppert

I did not realize how pain could affect me. And my art.  Physical pain affects the way you think and move...and talk and create.

I have had weird pains in my back. Hopefully, this will be taken care of over the next few weeks as I am scheduled to see a specialist next week. Sometimes I've had to sit still so I would not feel anything.

This has obviously affected the way I see myself.  I've seen myself frail...

On top of that, we recently moved.  With the pain and moving, I've noticed EVERYTHING.

Details. Cracks on side walks. Reflections in window glass.
Here is what I've noticed so far:

What I Noticed #1 - Ink on Paper ©Toni Ruppert

At the grocery store, I was getting a package of hashbrowns or something, when I turned around to see a guy who was IN my personal space. We locked eyes and in the instant that it took me to notice the joint in his right hand, I felt fear. I said hello, signaled my daughter and went on. That whole day, I thought about him and what brought him to THIS morning. I felt like this guy was a kid at some point. This drawing is the result of my encounter with him.

On My Mind (Detail) - Ink on Paper ©Toni Ruppert

Two friends of mine who are missionaries in Santiago Chile have been on my mind. They care for abandoned children among other ministry programs.  Jack and Janine are extremely faithful and committed. You can read about them here: http://chilemission.org/swansons/ 

On My Mind #1 - Ink on Paper - ©Toni Ruppert

More...

On My Mind #2 - Ink on Paper - ©Toni Ruppert

On My Mind #3 - Ink on Paper - ©Toni Ruppert

All I know it that it is important to keep creating despite the pain.  Jesus es vencedor (In Jesus we always have the victory.)