Taize I

Diversions

Sometimes I need a diversion.When I'm stuck in my painting process or sequence, I experiment with something totally different.These small tapestries were inspired by organic forms found in my landscape.We have banana plants surrounding our property. When I trim the dead leaves I often pull off strips of bark and dry them by laying books on top as a press. When dry, I find beautiful variations of texture and natural color imprinted on the strips. I also dry and press leaves I find on the ground in our landscape. 

Taize II

Another activity I do when stuck is read about other artists. I subscribe to a weekly email titled Sam & Joe - TextileArtist.org. Their letter features various textile artists and processes. Recently I read one of the posts and found inspiration for combining stitching with natural forms by artist Alice Fox.I often incorporate thread and stitching in my paintings but this time I was inspired to combine thread with natural forms on raw linen sans paint. 

Taize III

By combining these two inspirations I made five 8" x 8" meditative pieces. The process reminded me of Taize music. A friend introduced me to Taize choruses a few years ago at a contemplative retreat. The music emphasizes simple phrases, usually lines from Psalms or other scripture, repeated several times.  I searched Taize music on my iPad and played it while I was working.One of the phrases was; Bless the Lord, my soul/And bless God's holy  name/Bless the Lord, my soul/Who leads me into life. The music is uncomplicated, often with organ and choir accompaniment. That's the backstory for Taize Tapestries and I hope you'll enjoy seeing the results of my diversion.  I'm back on track with painting again so I think it was worth the change in process.  Click image to zoom.

Taize V

Taize IV

The entrance to our farmhouse in the middle
 of Tuscany and the agritourism fields

It's hard to believe 2016 has begun and I have not written for months on this blog.  One of my intentions this year is to be more consistent with communications on my blog, website and social media.  

Reviewing my previous posts, I realize I did not mention an amazing three week journey to Italy last summer near the town of Castel del Piano.   I was privileged to be accepted as an Artist in Residence with Respiro, a residency offered by Transform, the creative ministry in New York City with Cru.  I joined 17 other artists from various cities in order to be in community making art, sharing stories, workshops,   biblical studies, lectures and  prayer.

I made some sketches of the landscape while we were there and other small watercolor pieces.  Last fall I began responding on larger panels using these sketches as inspiration.  However, I got stuck and nothing was progressing in a way I wanted.  After a dialogue with a friend and colleague, I'm now moving forward with those pieces and they are totally different than I thought they would be.  I plan to share the pieces as they are finished. 

 

For now, I'll post a  watercolor sketch I completed in the studio from a photograph I took on a walk around the town of Arcidosso. The history of the town is so interesting and the textures of the buildings beautiful.  I found my eyes feasting on all the beauty surrounding me and had to respond.

This is an introduction to the process of several months in making a series inspired from this trip.  Every time I make a series the inspiration takes a different form and the process has different timing.  I'm beginning to accept the timetable without stressing as much 

as I used to.

breath
acrylic on canvas
30" x 30"

Waiting produces a response

This piece is the first of my works for 2015. It comes as a response to recent personal experiences.  Within two months, I had two medical tests which could have been life-changing.  I waited one month for results on one and over a week for the other.

During that time, I had many opportunities to learn how to live moment by moment.  I found a new thankfulness for every breath I take and responded with making this piece.

I decided to use the color of soil referencing the dust of the ground from which Adam was formed and the transparency of breath, referencing the breath of life that God breathed into Adam.  I remembered the many times I walked outside in the cold when I was a kid and purposely blew my breath in order to see a white transparent cloud in front of me.  
During the weeks of waiting I studied the names of God and their meanings and found a thread of peace and calmness with a deeper understanding of who God is.  You can visit my website at www.phyllisthomasart.com to read the complete reflection under the menu item Artist Reflections.  I'm currently working on two more pieces that may become part of a series.

Painting Visual Narratives

My studio time has been up and down recently with challenges in getting back into the flow of painting.  I find when I have been inconsistent in my studio for a period of time, I can be discouraged and dissatisfied with my work.

I found an article posted online that gives me hope; photographer David duChemin (http://www.davidduchemin.com) wrote about Knowing Your Rhythm. He relates the inevitable ups and downs in our creative work using the wave as an analogy. I can't write here all he said, but in a summary, he states when we find ourselves in the lows of the wave, we can consciously feed our inspiration by going to a museum, gallery, coffee shop, library, theater or wherever we are inspired. He mentions a wave is not a wave without the lows and creativity often happens in the space between the highs and lows.  So I keep painting and doing the research waiting for the momentum to push me up again.

This painting . . .and the wind ran out of breath was actually painted several months ago but I'm just now posting it.  The inspiration comes from the story of Jesus calming the water while the disciples are in the boat crossing the Sea of Galilee.  It contrasts the stormy sky with the glass-like sea.  I feel a little familiarity about this piece because of all the tumultuous thunderstorms we have had this summer.  I imagined myself in a boat in the midst of that storm and  thought how frightened I would be.  The instantaneous calm made the disciples stand in awe.  If you want to read the whole reflection and references, go to http://www.phyllisthomasart.com  , click on Artist Reflections from the menu.

. . .and the wind ran out of breath

acrylic on cradled board

24 x 48", diptych

As I regain my rhythm in the studio, I look forward to gradually rising to the peak and continuing my next decade of paintings.

Legacy

It's been many months since I've posted.  Life has a way of squeezing out these tasks that are important but seem to take a back seat to other items at the top of the to do list.  Today is the day I am intentionally moving the task of writing to the top of the list.

My husband and I have been on staff of Cru for over 40 years.  When that milestone was reached the Legacy Project invited us to videotape our stories.  Two years ago we taped our 3 hour session telling various parts of our pilgrimage.  It was then edited down to very concise 4-5 minute presentations.

I just received notice that the story of my art journey is now edited and posted on YouTube.  I'm sharing this video link with you so you can join me for a look at my mission over the years.  It's an emotional journey for me and I'm full of gratitude that I have had the privilege of making art and connecting with so many wonderful artists and patrons all over the globe.This has not been a journey alone, as I would like to acknowledge my husband and our children as well as many artists and art organizations who have mentored me and shown me the way.

Check out the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t2VcLpGuxc&feature=youtu.be

You may also be interested in viewing other staff person's stories.  These videos represent many years of service from very gifted and committed people we have had the pleasure of working alongside for many years.  .

 The Back Story

Harvest Psalter
24" x 24"
acrylic on canvas with gold thread
commissioned by Spark and Echo Arts
photo by Guy Gerrard

I'm always engaged in my art process.  The image begins in my head weeks before I apply paint to canvas.  This work, Harvest Psalter,  was no different with the exception that I got stuck several places along the way. 

I was commissioned early in the year as an artist for Spark and Echo Arts who have a vision for creatively illuminating every scripture in the Bible. Because that is my normal inspiration and I am a supporter of their mission,  I thought this would be easy. I had an image in my head after my usual research and reading and I enthusiastically began to paint.

But doubts soon took over.  I've never experienced so much opposition to what I thought I was supposed to do.   I ended up painting over and over the work and then  decided to abandon one piece and start on fresh paper. 

A still small voice said keep climbing the hill.  I started the second piece with only values of color, dark to light.  After some time, I stood back and began seeing the heads of wheat faintly appearing.  I kept adding subtle layers of color along the top until I stepped back and saw what I wanted. . . .a field of wheat ready for harvest! Comparing the two pieces and asking friends for critique, I had no doubt this was the one.

I began the process of adding the gold thread only to notice I did not have enough yardage to complete the width. I discovered the online site where I previously ordered the non-tarnishing thread no longer supplied it.  After research, I found a site in London that had it in stock and ordered it and waited for it to arrive.  In case you didn't count, there are 50 threads of varying lengths individually sewn into the paper! 

The next step was to adhere the paper onto a cradled board so it can be displayed.  I've done this often and had no problem gluing it on, weighting it down and waiting 24 hours for it to dry. However, .when I took the weights off I saw two small and two big air bubbles appear.  Now I was really questioning if I was supposed to do this.  I requested prayer from artist friends and one was kind enough to research and give me a possible solution.  I tried it and it worked!  I'm so grateful for my artist community and supporters.

Final step:  photograph in high resolution to post on the website by a certain date--no problem.   As hard as my husband and I tried,  we could not get good enough lighting to capture the color and gold threads in enough detail.  In the end, I was fortunate to find a professional photographer at our office that agreed to take the photo as shown at the top.  Finally complete, I could relax and truly enjoy this work!

If you've made it to the end of this long epistle, I hope you have a little more insight to the work an artist faces in the whole process of making art.  Some pieces are easier than others, but all the time it is a work of joy to serve humanity with my hands and the gift God gave me. 

To read the reflection about Harvest Psalter, visit www.phyllisthomarart.com and click on "Artist Reflections".

Visual Haiku 

In January I posted on this blog my thoughts about the books I was currently reading. The Artist's Rule, and Haiku~the sacred art, have influenced my latest series.  Both underscore a process of taking time to see what is around me and holding it in my heart.   It reminds me of the Hebrew word, Selah that I pondered several years ago which means pause and think about that. 

The principles of haiku and monasticism complement my introverted temperament which needs time, silence and meditation to ruminate on what I have seen, heard or read. Margaret McGee writes that a haiku is a prayer of praise, celebrating God’s creation and reflecting back simply and clearly what we experience.  I have been intentional about saying more with less and leaving only the bones of the composition and/or finding the essence of the object or moment and leaving everything else out. 

This series of images captures the moment in a most economical manner and pasess it on; what I call a Visual Haiku. I can imagine this to be an ongoing series with pieces added throughout the year(s) as I become aware of those special fleeting moments. I have posted these images on my website, www.phyllisthomasart.com along with my reflections about each piece.  If you have a chance, please visit

The Artist’s Rule; nurturing your creative soul with monastic wisdom, Christine Valters Paintner, 2011

Haiku~the sacred art, Margaret D. McGee, 2009

Art Retreat 2013

silvery morning concert

My Annual Art Retreat for 2013 is complete.  It’s sad and yet exciting for now I move forward with everything I discovered.  I’m never disappointed by what shows up in God’s creation and it is always something different. 

I try to get out of my routine while here. . . .stay up a little later, sleep a little later, mix-up my meal times, give myself permission to be.  I read scripture, art books and magazines, research books and previous notes from past retreats and make new notes in my journal of discoveries.   I sketch and take notes in my sketch book and make painting sketches for future works.  

I’m grateful I have a good imagination for that also plays into my time.  I walk the beach in the morning and evening without my camera until the last day.  On that day I record those inspirations I discovered the previous days.  This year I discovered the Songs of the Sea.

In high school I learned to love music partly because of my concert band instructor and his passion for excellence in music.  I played the clarinet and competed with my best friend for first chair, a position I managed to sustain for awhile.  I learned discipline in practicing and study of scores of music and the language of sheet music.  Those memories came back to me this week.

bright afternoon concert

I imagined the ocean in concert with all its parts complementing one another:  the roaring forte of the ocean as a whole; the crescendo undulating rhythm of the splish-splashing white caps, the leisurely adagio water coming forward to the shore with the final pianissimo cadence of the foam swishing onto my toes. I don’t know that I ever played Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words but that’s what I imagined the ocean to be playing; a song without words.

I've posted just a few photos for your enjoyment of some of my discoveries.  Stay tuned as I try to put on canvas a series that may be titled:  Songs of the Sea; an anthem.  (listen to Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words Op 19 No 1 (Gortier) on www.youtube.com 

Then there were the other whimsical discoveries I always find.  It was a delightful three days of refreshment and inspiration.  I'm so grateful

bubble-bath

Henry Moore sculpture

Life for Life
acrylic on paper and 24K gold leaf
38" x 12"
copyright phyllis thomas 2013

Meditations on Lent

Perhaps I've begun a tradition:  the last two years I've made artwork for my Lenten meditation. This year the piece was a surprise and turned out different than the image I had in my head.  Below is the reflection from making this piece:

The life of a creature is in its blood.  The Old Testament is full of writings that tell of the shed blood of goats and calves during the many festivals and ordinary sacrifices performed by the Priest in accordance with the Law of Moses.  The animal's blood was sacred and offered as atonement for sin.

These writings in the Old Testament point forward to the New Testament and the final, eternal redemption offered by Christ.  It's no longer necessary to sacrifice over and over for the forgiveness of sin; Christ died and shed His sacred blood once for all and ascended into the true heavenly sanctuary.

I painted this piece in response to the scripture references listed below.  All I could see was red for the blood.  As I started with the red pigment and added black, there were many surprises that happened and I finished quickly, leaving the unplanned textures.  When I stood back and looked at it I almost left it untitled because I could see many possible titles.  I finally committed to Life for Life but maybe you can see another title more meaningful for you.

References:

Leviticus 17:1; Hebrews 9:11-12; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:13; Ephesians 2:8-9

              

              

Beginning 2013

The new year always brings its challenges as I review the year before and make goals and plans for the year ahead.  I find January to be a month of more quiet reading, making journal and sketchbook entries and just looking at other artists' work which feeds my soul and makes preparation for the work of my hands that is incubating in my inner artist.

One of the books I've been reading besides The Artist's Rule that I mentioned in my previous post, is Haiku~the sacred art written by Margaret D. McGee.  There are so many quotes from this book I'd like to share, but for now, I'll share a paraphrase,  "A haiku honors the moment and passes it on."  

It's all about taking notice of the environment around me and pausing long enough to take it into my heart.   I think this mindset will be foremost in one series I'd like to do this year;  finding the essence of the moment and saying more with less.  I already have a moment I experienced last year which I'm working on as the first images of the series.  Who knows, maybe I'll even write some haiku.  Margaret says In haiku, it is the moment, not the poem, that really matters.  So I don't need to fear my proficiency in writing to try it.

Another part of the new year is my communication to you by way of my website and blog.  I have updated my website with images of the series:  Gold, Blue, Purple and Scarlet; a sanctuary.  Check out the menu link Galleries to view at www.phyllisthomasart.com   This work is still hanging at Manchester University but will be coming home in February.

I'll keep you up-to-date on my haiku art explorations and see what develops.

Always We Begin Again
Last year was so busy I neglected updating my blog in favor of being in the studio and making, packing and shipping art to shows.  I also read a book, The Artist's Rule:  nurturing your creative soul with monastic wisdom.   The title for this post is from that book that Christine Valters Paintner references from St. Benedict's Rule.  The assurance is that no matter what disappointments or unfulfilled goals are true for me, this year, this month, this day, hour and moment, always I begin again. . . .  

Though I usually rebel against rules, the thoughts expressed in the book actually gave me a lot of freedom to consider my inner artist and embrace my inner monk.  Though I've never lived in a monastery or been a monk, I identify with the contemplative temperament of that calling.  I have come to embrace my tendency toward contemplation and the need for stillness and quiet which enhances my artwork.  I have a fresh acceptance that my temperament is God-given and He delights in me.  

There is always a time, however, for moving out of the inward mode and back into the world. Last year was the year many opportunities opened for me to show my work in galleries outside my own locality. 

In September, White Stone Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, curated Unearthed and Revealed: ancient and contemporary discoveries.  This show references the unearthing of the Dead Sea Scrolls and illuminates the longevity, integrity and value of Scripture preserved under the earth. The Signatures in the Sand series, also included, was inspired by the neutral palette of sienna, black and grey sand that appeared briefly then washed away leaving impermanent brush strokes revealed on the shore at Flagler Beach, FL. I embraced their beauty and imagined them saying to me:  listen, simplify and appreciate the uniqueness of every moment in time. 

That show was held over and on December 3 was moved to Cairn University, Langhorne, PA, to grace the gallery where students and faculty from that institution could view the work. This  show hangs until end of January.

Concurrently, my Alma Mater, Manchester University, N. Manchester, IN hosted a combined show of three series of mixed media images titled, Visual Renderings of the Word. The artwork was hung alongside the display of sculptural crèche scenes from the university’s collection which complemented the Biblically inspired paintings and brought a spiritual presence on campus.

With these shows ending in January, and holidays passed, I begin again with new work. I've been in the studio since January 3, but am struggling with the work so far. When that happens I know I just have to keep painting and let it happen.  Perhaps going inward again in contemplation will bring  fresh inspiration and prepare me for the work yet to come in the new year.

Threads of Redemption: 

meditations on lent

My meditations for Lent this year started on Ash Wednesday and continued throughout the season with daily scripture reading and thoughtful research.  These images were responses to those meditations. I used thread and stitching in each image to unify the work as a meditative action bringing me back to the mending and healing of Christ’s death and resurrection. 

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—

holy and awesome is his name.  Psalm 111.9

(For complete reflections on these pieces, go to www.phyllisthomasart.com

 under Artist Reflections)

how much more
30" x 30"
acrylic on canvas with stitching

Excerpt:  . . . as I pondered the questions about my own practices on my Lenten journey, I came to this conclusion: the Cross of Christ overshadows every outward sign of repentance meant to soothe my conscience. It is what is left when everything else is burned away. If I am hanging on to anything in my life as a traditional ritual practice hoping to come closer to God, it will fall short. A change of heart from the inside out and an awareness of what is essential summons me to cling to the One who dwells within. 

a pound of nard
30" x 30"
acrylic on paper mounted on canvas
with stitching

Excerpt:. . .though a fragrance is not seen visibly, I let myself imagine how it might look with the aroma filling the dark room.  I was curious about this intense ointment and found in my research it is only obtained from the Spikenard plant.  The plants, consisting of stalks and ribs of leaves were dried and bundled together and sold in the markets.  When the rhizome was crushed and distilled, the thick, amber-colored essential oil had a sweet, woody, spicy and musky aroma, sometimes overpowering to the senses.  It was and still is known as healing oil in some countries, reserved for deep-seated grief or pain and used in palliative care to help ease the transition from life to death,  though effects no cure.

    

why are you so far?
30" x 30"
acrylic on canvas with stitching

Excerpt:. . .the sky dramatically darkened in the middle of the day as divine wrath fell on Christ.  He voluntarily sacrificed Himself for me.  To say this was easy is a lie.  This abandonment by the Father of His Son was excruciating, indicated by His crying out:  My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?!  He had never been abandoned by His Father before. His human soul departed and his body was left a limp and breathless mass of clay. . . 

Do you ever ask the question, “why”?    Sometimes I feel abandoned, unhelped, unheard and ask why am I sick?  Why is this delayed?  Why did you allow this tragedy?    Though I know God is sovereign and everything is under His control, I still sometimes wonder why He withholds an answer. 

this hour has come
30" x 30"
acrylic on canvas with stitching and beads

Excerpt:. . . at first glance this piece may seem simplistic with familiar symbols and you may want to yawn. But I challenge you that it is quite a complex image. . . A significant part of this work is the bright light.  The sun in my physical universe is the source of biological life and it illuminates everything.  In my spiritual life it is comparable to God, the source of all truth and life. Dr. Timothy Keller says in The King’s Cross, if we are orbiting around anything else except the light of God, we are heading toward darkness and disintegration. 

 

Tide In,  30" x 30", acrylic on canvas

New Work Accepted
I received notice this week the painting shown to the left was accepted into the Gateway Center for the Arts Biennial Juried Exhibit titled "Odyssey".  The works are to depict journeys to, from and within Florida, to coincide with a September Exhibit.

The opening will be Sunday, March 4, 2012 from 2-4pm and closes on April 27, 2012.  

Scroll down to my entries  from April 15, 2011 and November 26, 2011 for inspirations and  reflections on this piece and its relevance to a place within Florida.

www.gatewaycenterforthearts.org

An Award of Merit

QumranEleven: unearthed evidence VII

acrylic on paper with stitching

20" x 9.5"

I was surprised and honored to have received an Award of Merit at the 7th Annual ArtistsRegistry. com members'  juried show in December.  There were about 100 works of art exhibited.  I have been included in and attended this opening reception for several years, but received my first award this year.  There is always new and innovative work from local Florida artists and the Gallery at Avalon Island is a beautiful space in the heart of Downtown Orlando.

Merry Christmas 2011

Gabriel’s Message,  6” x 4”, linoleum cut print

Luke 1:30-32

This year I have been studying angelic beings throughout Scripture.  They are the heavenly messengers,  guardians and worshippers of God appearing to man at numerous times beginning in Genesis and continuing to Revelation.  Very few books make no mention of angels.

 

The Christmas story includes the angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds.  The message is the same:  do not be afraid.  Because of this repetition,  I settled on imaging the annunciation when Mary heard an unexpected message;  she  would become the mother of Jesus,  the Son of the Most High!  Though I’ve never seen an angel as Mary did,  I can imagine how troubling it must have been; how naturally fearful she was.

.

In the present state of our nation and the world,  I can feel fearful, too.  I’m vulnerable to the chaos of unexpected natural disasters, financial insecurities, joblessness, threats of international terrorists, consumerism which teases me with unhealthy choices and other things.  Fear can creep into my thoughts. What ifs sometimes take over rational thinking.

.

So the Christmas story brings hope to me:  God’s involvement with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds  shows his concern for mankind and me. He has purposes for the world and will take action to ensure these purposes are carried out—including the gift of redemption through Jesus.

©copyright, phyllis thomas, 2011

Signatures on the Sand

Tide Out

30" x 30", acrylic on canvas

I'm happy these pieces are now complete after many months of incubating in my creative mind and several weeks of coming to completion.  There are four canvases in this series based on the photos from a previous post on April 15, 2011.  After reading the reflection, please enjoy them all.

Reflection about this series:

My brain reaches a point of saturation overload and I have to stop to debrief and take a breath.  Flagler Beach is where my "soul catches up with my body"(1); the place I can walk the bare open sands and allow the "tides to erase all of yesterday's scribblings" as Anne Morrow Lindbergh writes in The Gift of the Sea (2)

My gifts were signatures of the sea on the neutral palette of sienna, black and grey sand which appeared briefly then washed away leaving me with a sense of awe.  I was so excited at what I'd found!  I was witnessing a one of a kind brushtroke that was impermanent; created by the rhythms of the seashore and never to be repeated.  My curiosity was aroused and I wondered what this language might say, where all these tiny bits of shells may have originated and what stories they would tell.

As I transferred the land art signatures onto my canvases in my studio I realized how powerfully simplistic they are.  The marks are grand yet fragile and say just enough to speak with authroity.  I embraced their beauty and imagined them saying to me:  listen, simplify and appreciate the uniqueness of every moment in time.

References: 

(1) Warren Wiersebe, God Isn't in a Hurry, p. 48; (2) Anne Morrow Lindbergh, The Gift of the Sea, p. 16; a Grain of Sand; nature's secret wonder, Dr. Gary Greenberg, photographer.  copyright, phyllis thomas, 2011

Tide In

30" 30", acrylic on canvas

In between Tides

30" x 30", acrylic on canvas

High Tide

30" x 30", acrylic on canvas