THE SCREAM SERIES - We Are Bleeding! Telling the story .....

"Let me cry my tears!"

The other day, I drifted around the house struggling inside with nondescript feelings. I felt great confusion.   I wanted to cry tears of sorrow.  I felt lost and abandoned.  I wanted to cry tears of hope.  

My first intention was to find an extension cord for the vacuum.  None were to be found.  I landed in the basement alongside my painting table.  "I didn't want to vacuum, anyway."  I began to paint my feelings.  All the while I thought:  Let me cry my tears.  I finished one painting and continued on to the next.  Inside, my emotions were screaming.  I realized that I could be feeling what the Nation is feeling as election day draws closer.  I finished the second painting.

"The Pendulum Swings"

In a series, it will read:  The Scream:  The Pendulum Swings!

I believe what emotion I felt, is the heart of our Nation.  The painting could also scream:  "Repent!  The Pendulum Swings."  However you might read the painting, the hour is late as we come to a crossroads for a Nation.  The momentum has accelerated as we draw near to the end of an era.  What will the future hold for us?  We have become a Nation divided by two forces.  One believes we should return to being a God fearing  people.  The other tells Christians specifically, we must change the way we believe.  How does one change what they have faith in, unless they never believed in it in the first place?  Faith is not the a script of the Rules of the Road!  Sailing Rules of the Road have changed with modern electronics.  Faith for the Christian is believing in the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  If our faith is in a building or man made doctrines, then yes, I suppose that can change.  We need to search our hearts.  Who do you believe?  What kind of faith do you have?  Do you have faith?

"A House Divided Bleeds"

We are bleeding as a Nation.  The wound is deep.  I believe it will take a miracle from a loving God to bring healing to America again.  "God so loved the world that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ."  The invitation remains the same:  Yesterday, Today and Forever.  

Time is drawing to a close.  However, as long as we have breath, we can choose the path of our future.  Scripture tells us a "...House divided will fall."  Somehow, we must find our way towards a place of compromise.  The compromise cannot be about the God we love and serve.  The compromise must be built on a foundation of respect where our differences can be met in the original constitution of our Nation.  It worked for over two hundred years.  Why do some want to throw it out and begin again?  We need to understand their motives.

Society would like us to believe that all things of importance are relative to our own needs.  This is Humanism in brief.  Humanism believes that mankind is the center of the universe.  As long as this remains our core belief system, we will remain a selfish people.  And there is no meeting ground for a selfish people.  A house divided bleeds.  We are bleeding.

Acrylic Paintings and comments by Rita Burton

"REIGN TREES"

The brushwork tells the story!

I chose the title for both paintings.

"REIGN TREE"

Years ago I saw the movie "Rain Tree County" with Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Cliff.  At the time I thought the idea of a rain tree was fictional.  I realize now there is such a tree and it is beautiful.

I felt a real breakthrough the other day when I painted these two paintings.  Not sure why, I kept thinking of the beautiful trees from the movie.  But, these don't look like those trees.  These trees might not even look like trees, some might say.  The story is in the brush work.  I love the lose. flowing strokes that one can get with the right mixture of medium and paint.  It was working the other day.  And, by the grace of the Lord, I felt like I was in control.  I reigned in His favor.  

I named the very impressionistic creations "Reign Tree."

Some months ago, in a prophetic moment, the brushwork of another painting gave me the thrust to continue in my work of texturized brushwork.  "Day Lilly" is from the collection I did featuring the Pritchard House Garden.  You might remember the painting:

I love to paint.  When everything works together, it is almost devine!

Rita Burton

Please join me as I begin a new blog, now living in a new location.  I will be writing weekly, at least, just ......

Telling the Story!

MIMOSAS' SATURDAY - "Let's Paint With the Greats!"

I love my friend, Linda Bemis!  She allows me to experiment with her.  Today, on Mimosas Saturday, I decided to do something different. --- I made a pitcher of Bloody Mary's, or were they?  You decide.

Linda thought we were going to do a study and some art.  More like bible study.  When she arrived I said, "Let's paint with the Greats!"  Not knowing what was about to happen, Linda was ready to "go."

She checked out some of my art books while I prepared the refreshments.  I made some small sandwiches on Ezekiel bread and Genesis ......??? bread. 

We talked about "Rothko," one of the greatest "colorist" to create.  Then I introduced one of my favorite artists, Wolf Kahn.  Wolf Kahn is alive today.  Some of his work is displayed in a gallery in Naples.  I think his home and study is in the New York area.

One can go on to YouTube and watch videos of Wolf's work.  You can see his studio, and also an Art Show where he was  interviewed.  His two main medias are soft pastel and oil paints.  Wolf Kahn is also a colorist, who uses the "landscape" as his secondary model.  A colorist is one who uses "color as the main subject."

Not studying the "colorists" in great depth, I only know that I love color.  And I love the work of Wolf Kahn.  So, I decided, as I told Linda, " Today we will do a study of one of the paintings by Wolf Kahn.

I chose the painting, "Pines and Violets" because of the colors.  I knew Linda would like the colors.  Linda was game.  The first part of her painting looked like a small rendition of one of Rothko's .  His original works are huge.

We studied the painting of Wold Kahn from his book.  Even though his original painting is soft pastel, for our purposes, it didn't matter.  His work is a "Leaping off place."

Linda was off to a great start.  She quietly confessed, "I am out of my comfort zone."  She also told me there was no anxiety, and she felt "free."  To me that was the highest compliment.  And to Linda, she said it was "Victory!"  ---being she is a perfectionist.  She left that emotion at the door.

Making a few changes, to bring into balance the design, Linda is almost finished for today.

I am so proud of Linda's final painting.  It is beautiful!

The last painting is a picture from the book I have on Wolf Kuhn's paintings.  I think Linda did a wonder job of picking out the important points that make his work beautiful.  To me the lesson is accomplished.  Linda has learned from the "Greats."  Besides learning some of the technique he might apply to his work, Linda will remember who Wolf Kahn is.

Now a few thoughts about my approach and process:

I worked along with Linda.  In the beginning, she followed me, as I studied the painting by Wolf Kahn.  I tried to follow certain important points, mainly concerning the placement of dark colors and lights; and his design and placement of trees.

In the process, I explained to Linda that I think of the painting having three layers.  There are more layers, especially towards the end of a painting.  However, in the beginning, it helps to think of  three.

The first layer, I try to stay close to keeping with the original painting I am doing a study of.

Then, noticing the atmosphere of the middle part of the painting, I begin to layer with glaze.  I start to build the second layer.

Towards the end of the painting, I might let it dry some.  Then go back and highlight.

Acrylic paints always go flat when they dry.  This is usually when I become annoyed with my painting.  I want the original glimmer of color and depth of when I first apply the brush stroke.  At this point of annoyance,  is when I go back and try to recreate that depth.

And, so, as I was saying.....the painting dried and I wanted to do just a little more.......!

So, I reworked the work.

Something to think about.  When I use the Great Masters as a study, I do try, in the beginning to copy very closely the work of the artist.

When I was a younger student, it was important to copy fully the technique of the artist.  However, now, not so important.

If you want a copy of their work, I might not be the best choice of artists to bring you to that perfection of "copying."  I don't like to copy art work.  Whether it is a photograph or an original painting from some greater painter, I don't copy!  But, I take the honey!  I want to learn from the Greats.  I have always studied the "Greats."  And, I have tried to emulate to some degree their technique in order to learn and grow in my craft.  Once I can achieve what they do, in my measure, I leap away from them.

Remember, an artist creates.  An artist does not copy!

Later, after my painting dried, it became very dark.  I just had to do a few finishing strokes.  These strokes took it away from Kahn's final painting.  After all, that was the idea.

I hope you enjoyed this mini lesson.  It is the beginning of "More."  ----I do believe!

It is finished!

"Pines and Violets" - A Tribute to Wolf Kahn

Acrylic Paint - 15" x 20" Canvas

MIMOSAS SATURDAY-  "Let's Paint With the Greats!"

Rita Burton

Call Me to schedule:  321-567-5056

$25 and Appetizer

I will provide the Canvas and Paint.  ---And the Mimosas!

Join us.  Be free!

"FULL OF GRACE AND CARROT STICKS"

 

"Full of Grace and Carrot Sticks"

 

Sense of Humor

"Hang loose!" The impression came that I needed to do something with a little humor in it. So, I began to think of the delightful Giraffes at the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida.

They are so comical. Perfectly, they have come to know us. They know if they stick out their fifty foot tongue (ha,ha) we will stuff their mouth with cookies (special made) and carrot sticks.

When the giraffe kept turning up in some of my paintings last year, I began a search to understand what it might stand for. Eventually, someone told me that the giraffe stands for "grace."

This funky giraffe looks well feed.....satiated with carrot sticks. With his understanding and great intelligence, I think he knows he is full of grace, as well. The scriptures tell us the animals worship God, yes, even the rocks worship Him. My imagination moved me forward with a little sense of humor.

Thus, the name: "Full of Grace and Carrot Sticks" by me.

 

Rita Burton

DIMLY IN A MIRROR. ...Then Face to Face.

As some may notice, I am in the season of changing facebook pages and blogs.  I struggle with knowing my own title let alone redirecting my focus.  It is equally difficult to draw in the many lessons I have learned about art in order to share them with you.  It is difficult to know exactly how to write about the "Spiritual" side of my creativity without thinking I might sometimes sound very religious.  I began to realize that so much of life is looking through a mirror and seeing dimly.  It is only when the Holy Spirit comes with his creative genius that everything falls in place for me.

When I first get a concept or idea about something I want to write or paint, it begins with a flicker of light.  Just enough light so that I can see in the mirror of inspiration.  However, the ideas remain dimly hidden from me.  A little out of reach.  In time after some pondering thoughts and study, the the Great Creator arrives in time and it is like seeing with His eyes.  It can sometimes feel like I am so close to Him that I can sense His breath breathing in me and through me.  We are like One, Face to Face, and He teaches me how to create.
 

 

It is the same blog page.  Rita still paints!  And writes!  And lives!  However, I want to change the emphasis of what I write about.  I want to share my heart about art and creativity.  Spirit and art.  Beauty and God.  Expressionism and power.  Color and Impressionism.  On and on and on.  I want to share with you my creative path.  It always seems to begin dimly.  The Light turns on and I am there:  Face to Face.  With God.  And, with you.

ritapaints.com - thepainterspen.blogspot: A NICK IN TIME: Remembering Michael's Dying

ritapaints.com - thepainterspen.blogspot: A NICK IN TIME: Remembering Michael's Dying

A NICK IN TIME: Remembering Michael's Dying

It is February.  But I wasn't thinking that it is February.  I just carried on thinking it was winter.  The weeks felt grey and a little sad.  I thought it was the weather.  Then, the other morning, I remembered we lost our son, Michael to cancer many years ago.  He died in February.  "Could it still effect me that much?" I wondered.

I felt like I was in a revolving time warp.  Old thoughts and old sorrows slowly came to the surface:  Why didn't I pray then for Michael's healing?  He was only six years old.  Surely God didn't mean to hurt Mike.  So many questions at the time.  Through the years I have resolved most of them.  The Lord has done a major healing in my life.  One thing would nag me, however, from time to time.  "Should I be praying for sick children now?"  These thoughts always seemed to be out of sinc with what was happening in my life.  I could not see how it could happen.  Unless children were put in front of me.  I often wondered, "Was I hiding behind fear?"  I could not resolve this torment.  I found it knocking at my reminiscent memories.  Like a "nick in time," there seemed to be a scratch or nick in my soul.  It was that time of year.

I began to write in my journal; the thoughts flowing out like gushing water.  I knew the Lord was speaking to me.  These are the words I wrote:

"God doesn't need you to be the one to heal children.  God did not need you to pray for Michael's healing.  My lack of prayer reflected my lack of understanding the power and the Presence of God.  He could have intervened without request.  Then I felt the comforting caress, "You did request in the deepest part of your being."  God did not heal Michael in body, but God did heal Michael in soul and spirit.  You can be at rest that he is with the Father.  You will see Michael again.  Believe that his life has brought great influence of truth to your family.  His life and its wounds broke the spell of religion.  True life comes from Jesus.  Not from stories of Him, nor rituals that shadow the truth.  Life comes from Life.  Eternal life in bliss comes from Christ alone.  Other doors lead to other fathoms.  Some actually prefere darkness to "Light."  Just remember, Our Father, Who art in Heaven, has one son, Jesus Christ.  If you long to be reconciled with your heavenly Father, and all those who belong to Him, Jesus is the only door.  People must choose.

And, if I feel the need :-) to have you pray for the children, I most certainly will place them before you.  Rest in me!  Be anxious for nothing."

I wanted to sign this missive, "Holy Spirit."

Sunday morning, after church, I stood before a new infant in the arms of her Grandmom.  Instinctively, I reached over and blessed the baby.  She was right in front of me, I reflected with a smile. 

February is almost gone.  My little "nick in time" is gone too.