Gallery Night

My friend Jennifer had her first gallery show this weekend. Because we've been friends since she first discovered her love (and talent) for creating art, I knew I had to be at the show, even if it meant taking off work and traveling across Wisconsin in a blizzard. A couple friends and I took off on Friday morning, picked up another friend at the airport in the afternoon, checked into our hotel and got ready for a fun evening in the Historic Third Ward of downtown Milwaukee. After dinner at the restaurant below the gallery, we surprised Jennifer - she had no idea we were coming! It was great to see Jennifer and her paintings in person, and in such a cool venue!

 Jennifer and Sarah:

Lindsay, me, Jennifer, Sarah and Erin: 

Jen and I camped in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area the summer before our senior year. In fact, I was the first friend that Jen brought to the BWCA with her! That's why I decided to buy the painting that is behind me - it'll have a new home at Cheery Hill in a couple months!

 Lindsay flew in from Denver for the show!

The Gallery Knight... 

The painting on the right with the birds was actually inspired by a dream I had, which I believe was inspired by a painting that Jen had done. She titled it Waking Turbulence. 

I love these paintings from her trips out West:

The Boundary Waters Triptych:

 Two of The Narrows Trio:

This one was inspired by Jen's tornado chasing cousin, Brad:

Just chillin' at Gallery 326:

January 3, 2012

As I walked to the end of my driveway to retrieve my garbage can I heard something.  Church bells were chiming "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." This was the first I've heard Christmas music resonating through the neighborhood. Have I just not been paying attention? I paused in the middle of the driveway, under a star-sprinkled sky, to listen. The next song was "O Come All Ye Faithful," followed by "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Thank you, bells, for urging me to slow down. Moonlight spilled over the snowy ground. I looked up to see a beautiful lunar halo and Cassiopeia sitting nearby. I love the night sky: a showcase for God's glory.

When I came inside, I felt lighter, like a burden had been lifted. I'm a little embarrassed that all it took was a leisurely walk to the end of my driveway to get the garbage can. Sure, it's been cold, but that's no excuse for not spending time outdoors. (That's what down coats and long underwear are for!) I must make an effort to be outside, even if it's just a walk around the neighborhood. (I secretly hope it'll snow enough for me to dust off my snowshoes, although I will definitely stay off frozen rivers this year!)

2012 Resolutions

This year, I resolve to be more loving. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul says, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." I can't generate love on my own; this kind of love only happens by relying on Christ in me.

I resolve to spend less time online and more time reading God's Word. I hope to observe media-free Sundays and cut back on other days as well. I've pondered the idea of closing my Facebook account. We'll see about that...

I resolve to be more intentional about creative pursuits. Whether it's playing guitar, painting a picture or writing, being creative is good for my soul. I would also like to work on guitar technique. Since my guitar teacher moved, I haven't been playing as much and definitely not working on exercises to improve my technique. My goal isn't to be great, just... better. I'd also like to play with other musicians more often. Playing and singing alone just isn't as much fun.

I resolve to read more. My shelves are full of books I have yet to read. A good friend who's a novelist said that she thought that was a mark of a true reader. I'd say it's at least a mark of a book lover... For years I've been wanting to read The Lord of the Rings. Will this be the year I finally commit to it? Time will tell...