Beautiful Gospel Art by David Bowman

Sunday, January 04, 2009 Posted In , , , , Edit This 7 Comments »
If you like beautiful paintings of the Saviour (and who doesn't?) you will be happy and gratified to know that David Bowman is the artist to follow. He has talent in spades... and... clubs...hearts, whatever.
Anyway, you can read his stuff in this post then click on his website to go BUY, BUY, BUY, SPEND, SPEND, SPEND! (And remember to tell him I sent you.)


David Bowman: has had a passion for art ever since he could pick up a pencil. He loves creating images of the Savior that inspire and uplift. Along with his Christian fine art, David has also written and illustrated a series of scripture storybooks for children titled "Who's Your Hero?"

Check out his website at http://bowman-art.com/indexFineart.htm to see more of his precious art.

"Innocence"
The Savior tells us we need to become as little children to inherit the kingdom of God. I've often wondered what it is about little children Jesus loves most, and I think its their innocence. They are clean slates, seeing the world and others through untarnished eyes. Their hearts are pure, without the baggage of cynicism and self-doubt. In this piece, I've tried to imagine how a child would act upon meeting the Master for the first time. Without reservation or inhibition, I think he would simply want to play with Him. He would be at complete ease, allowing his pure little heart to soak in the love and laughter of His pure, infinite heart. Its no wonder Christ delights in these little ones and sets them up to be our examples.


"Security"
One of the greatest human needs is a sense of security. In all aspects of life, we naturally gravitate towards anything that makes us feel safe. In this piece, I wanted to convey a sense of complete peace and calm like only the Savior can provide. It's a security that allows us to rest assured, without fear or worry, when we put ourselves trustingly in His arms. Little children have that inherent kind of trust in their parents, so it's fitting that the man and girl who modeled for "Security" are actually father and daughter. They generated the exact feel I was looking for.


"My Child"
This piece conveys an intimate, up-close-and-personal feeling of the Savior's love. Notice how all the lines draw your attention and point towards Jesus' face in the center. I chose the name "My Child" because the only thing that could compare (even remotely) to Christ's compassion for us is the love of a parent for his/her child. This image is also intended to put things in perspective. Above all, we are God's children first. He allows us the privilege of experiencing parenthood for ourselves and we are entrusted to be the mothers and fathers of His children here on earth.


The Best Christmas Ever

Saturday, December 27, 2008 Posted In , , , , , , , , , , Edit This 2 Comments »
I share President Monson's sentiments... this has been the best Christmas ever.

Although we were careful to shop frugally, we still enjoyed an abundance of gifts (cameras, DVD players, MP3 players, PSP game systems, paintball guns, perfume and chocolate... Lady Godiva of course) and an over-abundance of food.

Christmas morning saw the usual chaos... wrapping paper flung off and boxes ripped into... shouts of glee... yahooing... scoffing candy canes and so on.

In spite of the surrounding distractions... I still felt the spirit of the season more than in previous years.

The birth of the Saviour is a vital and tangible thing for me. Listening to Christmas hymns and carols brought deep feelings of gratitude. I try not to take for granted the blessing it is to know and understand the Saviour's purpose, although I am sure I am an 'unprofitable servant' and not 'easy to be entreated'. Whatever my faults (and they are legion), I still felt special and counted as a child of God.

It doesn't get any better than this.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Sunday, December 07, 2008 Posted In , , , , , , , , , Edit This 0 Comments »
I listened carefully to the First Presidency talks tonight. I felt the spirit of everything they said. If you were disappointed that you missed the Devotional, here is some of Pres. Uchtdorf's talk (paraphrased in parts because I couldn't write it down quickly enough):

"...Christmas bustle can detract from the simple dignity of the season. The most memorable Christmases are usually those that are most modest. Think of the simple yet dignified way our Heavenly Father chose to honour the birth of His own child! Angels appeared not to the rich but to lowly shepherds. The Saviour was born not in a mansion but in a manger. Wrapped not in silk but in swaddling clothes.


The simplicity of that first Christmas foreshadowed the life of the Saviour. His life was a life of modest nobility. Though he was a King, He cared neither for the honours nor for the riches of men. His life was one of simple yet profound dignity. Jesus set for us the pattern for giving. He brings compassion and comfort. He brings love and healing. He offers hope, forgiveness and redemption. If the Saviour were among us today we would find Him where He always was; ministering to the meek, the lowly and the poor in spirit..."

The message from the First Presidency was clear. Share what you have and show your love, extend a helping hand, a loving heart and a willing spirit. Follow the example set by the Saviour. We should not forfeit our opportunity to do what we can for others. May we follow Him, serve Him, honour Him, and receive in our lives, His gifts to us.

I'm Thankful

Thursday, November 27, 2008 Posted In , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Edit This 2 Comments »
For the Saviour and His undivided attention.
For every morning that has no earthquake the night before.
For a great husband who puts up with me and pays for my dental work.
For kids who will feed me when I'm old and pay for my dental work.
For kids who still give their mother kisses before leaving for school.
For kids who do stupid funny things that I can blog about.
For kids who cook dinner occasionally.

For kids who give back rubs.
For hummingbirds.
For laptops.
For jello and ice cream and other soft foods.

For hot water and soap.
For pot plants.
For health and optimism.

For toilets that flush themselves.
For Moroni.
For paper bags.
For garlic and salt.

For people who consider me their friend.
For knitting needles.
For visiting teachers who bring dinner.
For seeds.

For a GPS named Rachel.
For a worldwide family.
For organic shampoo.
For grass and lawn mowers.

For ancestry.com.
For emergency rooms and patience.
For access to information.
For faith and gratitude.
For toothbrushes.

For Hallmark e-cards.
For bridges and roads.
For pink pyjamas.
For treadmills that you can hang stuff on.
For sales at Kohls.
For fossil fuels.
For matching socks.

For red nail polish and swivel chairs.
For self-deprecating humour.

For mothers who blog.
For park swings and waterfalls.
For Lady Godiva chocolate.
For the colour blue.
For choices.
For cold weather and rain.
For kitty litter.
For digital cameras.
For when the trial is over and I can breathe.

For repentance and mercy.
For 80s music.
For wet wipes.

For supermarkets and shopping carts.
For good literature.
For pain relief.
For lessons learned.

For ROFL.
For paying the electricity bill before disconnection. Just.
For Temple work.
For blue jeans.
For CAPITAL letters.

For garage door openers.
For green cards to get out of Tijuana with.
For school.

For a full moon.
For BYU tv.

For people who look after my children while I'm away having fun.
For bicycles.
For eyebrows.
For table tennis.
For scrambled eggs.

For uninterrupted afternoon naps.
For people who teach me something without knowing it.

For Cheryl.