THEN and NOW

I thought it would be interesting to look back at my paintings and really see if I've progressed at all.

After all, that IS the point of the blog... to see the progress.

Here were a few fun examples I found of improved skills. Hopefully in a couple of years I can write another post and we'll see even more progress :)

Anyway, here they are:

Pensaba esta mañana que sería divertido hacer un post acerca del progreso que he hecho. De hecho, es el propósito del blog ver el progreso. Entonces lo hice.

Aquí hay unos ejemplos:

And, I've got to say, in the spirit of the day of Thanksgiving (well, and the spirit of how I should always feel), that I feel so much gratitude in my heart and feel so blessed for all that God has given me. Without Him none of thise would have been possible.

I thank Thee, Father, for my mother, who made me feel confident enough to try and keep going.
I thank Thee for Mr. Jeff Bushman, who made it possible for me to explore so many new things in art and always complimented my work while constructively criticizing.
I thank Thee for Jane Bush, who took me under her artistic and friendly wing to help me develop my abilities.
I thank Thee for the talent Thou hast given me and for the opportunities it has provided me.
I thank Thee for my family and friends who encourage and support me, and especially for those family, friends, and strangers who have purchased my work and provided me a little extra income to be able to fulfill my dreams.
I thank Thee for the very blessed life Thou hast let me live, and for never wanting; for my ancestors, who so daringly and bravely came to find religious freedom, and for those who have fought to preserve freedom ever since.

And my prayer is that I can use what Thou hast given me to be able to help people who are in need emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

Have a wonderful and meaningful Thanksgiving!

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Y ahora, en el espíritu del dia (bueno... y el espiritu con la que siempre debo de vivir), les digo que siento tanta gratitud en mi corazón y me siento TAN bendecida por todo que Dios me ha dado. Sin Él haberme ayudado, no habria podido hacer lo que hago hoy en día.

Te agradezco, Padre, por mi mamá, que ella me hizo sentir tanta confianza que seguí pintando.
Te agradezco por el Señor Bushman, que él me ayudó explorar diferentes tipos de arte y medias.
Te agradezco por Jane Bush, quien me ayudó desarrollar mis habilidades y por su bondad para conmigo.
Te agradezco por el talento que me has concedido y por las oportunidades que me ha proveído.
Te doy gracias por mi familia, mis amigos, y todos que me han apoyado y especialmente por los que no conozco y los que sí, conozco, que han comprado mis obras y me han proveído con las finanzas de poder lograr mis sueños.
Te doy gracias por la vida tan bendecida que he vivido, y por nunca haber tenido hambre ni sed ni me he faltado un techo. Te agradezco por mis antepasados que vinieron para encontrar libertad religiosa, y por los que han luchado para mantener la libertad desde entonces.

Y mi ruego es que puedo utilizar todo que me has dado para poder ayudar a los que están necesitando en maneras físicas, espirituales y emocionales.

¡Que tengan un Día de acción de gracias muy significante y maravilloso!

The Star is becoming a Christmas postcard!!

Today I have some wonderful news for you all today!

Several weeks ago, I was innocently checking my email when I opened an email from the United Methodist Higher Education Fund.  

And who couldn't believe her eyes when she read that email?? Me!!

The UMHEF wished to purchase a digital copy of ''The Star'' to use on their annual Christmas postcard. And it has been officially purchased :)

This is quite the honor for me, and I have to publicly thank my Heavenly Father for the wonderful talents and opportunities that He has seen fit to bless me with. 

This opportunity is both a prayer answered and such a blessing. 

May God bless those of all faiths this season in the rememberance of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to whom we owe all.

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Hoy tengo unas noticias bien buenas :)

Hace unas semanas, estaba chequeando el correo y abri uno del United Methodist Higher Education Fund. 

Y quien era que no pudo creer lo que leyó?? Esta muchacha!! Yo!!

Ellos me pidieron comprar una copia de mi obra ''La estrella'' para imprimir en sus postales navideños este año. Y ya la transacción esta hecha.

Este es un honor grande para mi, y tengo que tomar un momento para agradecer en publico mi Padre Celestial por haberme dado los talentos y bendiciones que tengo.

Esta oportunidad es una bendición y una respuesta a mis oraciones.

Que Dios les bendiga a todos de cualquier religión en esta temporada del ano en que recordamos todos el nacimiento del Señor y Salvador, Jesucristo.

A bit MORE of the randomness!

So, just a few more things that happened this week... many... different things came out in my painting. I'm not quite sure why I felt to paint any of them, but here they are in their blazing (and a bit strange) glory:

This is a bookmark I made. The background is an interpretation of ñanduti lace which come from Paraguay. The words are in Guarani (or Avañe'e) and are part of a poem by M. E. Aquino that reads: ''I hope that you taste the sun's flames, that you drink the moon's smile, and that you gather the love of God.''

Este es una marcapaginas que hice. En el fondo es mi interpretacion del cordon ''ñanduti'' de Paraguay. Las palabras son de una poesia Guarani por M. E. Aquino. Se lee asi: ''Ojala que lama las llamas del sol. Que beba la sonrisa de la luna. Que recogas el amor de Dios.''

Just some swirling shapes and colors...

Unas formas y unos colores...

This is for you to interpret... haha!

Esta esta abierta para ti interpretar, jaja... 

And, I finished this one, perhaps... I may work a bit more on it... but for now, it's done. It features a Paraguayan bottle dancer and ñanduti again, in the background:

Ya termine con esta... pero quizas trabajo en ella un poco mas. Voy a ver. Es de una bailarina paraguaya con ñanduti en el fondo:

And, that's all I've got for now!!

Inspiration/Inspiracion

Suddenly this week I felt the most random spurts of creativity... about midnight the past three nights... and I had to paint something, haha.

Here's what I came up with. None of them are finished, but I at least got them out of my system. Feeling pretty happy about 'em :)

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De repente esta semana tuve un anhelo tan fuerte para pintar... entonces me sente y pinte... por algun razon lo senti como a medianoche en adelante... entonces no he durmido como debo de haber dormido... pero bueno... no importa... jaja. Que disfruten lo que esta en proceso (no he acabado con ninguna de las obras):

My latest experiment...

Because I have been assisting my sister with doing some crafting this season, I found myself on a trip to Hobby Lobby.

I usually try to avoid the place, because if I go in, I literally desire to purchase every item in sight. I can think of a good reason I need all of it... so, like I said... I try and avoid it. But this day, I went.

We were browsing model airplanes and black 12x12 paper and as we walked by the paint section, I felt the PULLLLLLLLL towards the paints, the brushes, the canvas and paper... and I was about to go crazy. I picked up a little sketchbook that ended up being only 1.99 or so, and kept that, feeling not REALLY too guilty because 1.99 isn't too bad.

But, then, I noticed it: a display of vibrant, opalescent non-representational paintings. They were beautiful. They (of course) were made with an advertised product and so I had to take a look at the products. I instantly noticed the imitation lead due to my past weird obsession with stained glass, and after a 10 minute in-head debate decided to buy it. For 7.00. Seven dollars a tube. A LITTLE tube. But, I did it anyway.

And then I went home and went crazy. Well, not too crazy. Just doodled a little. Draw a bit here... trace it with lead stuff... fill it in with calligraphy ink... you know. That stuff.

I do love the stuff, though. Apart from the fact that I used 3/4 of the tube on just two small pictures, I liked it a lot. I would tell you what it's called... but I forgot and am lazy and don't want to go downstairs and look. Not to mention I might get you addicted and you'll end up spending hundreds of dollars on imitation lead from a tube.

Enjoy the next couple of pictures, and in the mean time, I'll be searching for more cost efficient methods of making fake stained glass pictures...

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Porque he estado ayudando mucho a mi hermana hacer "crafts"... el otro dia me encontre en Hobby Lobby. 

La cosa es que usualmente trato de evitar ir de compras alli porque siempre encuentro algun excuso para comprar todo que veo :)

Bueno... estuvimos alla y compre un nuevo producto que imita al metal con que hacen vitral. Y queria probarlo.

Entonces lo compre (si.... yo se.... no deberia de hablerlo comprado, jaja) y intente unas cosas. Que disfrute las fotos. Voy a seguir experimentando!!

It's not even Halloween, yet... and I've got the Christmas cards up! You should be proud of me!

Haha! It took FOREVER to get them up. But they are finally here.

Here are a few images of what just went up in the shop:

I've got a couple of cards and a few prints up. Hopefully we'll be getting some more prints up in the next couple of weeks!!

*DRUMROLL PLEASE*

The business cards got here today :) Yay!! 

Can't get better than that. Well... sometimes it can... haha.

Anyway, that's beside the point. Aren't they pretty??

I'm thinking that hopefully Saturday or Monday I will have some new items posted on the Etsy shop... just so I can package them up with a business card and ship them off. 

Would you like a sneak peek??

You would?

Alrighty, then. Here we go:

Not a good preview? I'll give you a hint: they have to do with Christmas.

Still don't know? 

Guess we'll have to wait and see what they are then... ;) Mwahaha!

See you all Saturday or Monday on etsy!

So what is a "Mission", anyway??

Working with the Elders

I realized that I never really told any of you what was really happening. Some of you are like, "Oh, she went on a mission." Others are probably like, "A what?" Haha.

No worries.

I'm feeling a little sentimental today so I thought I'd share some memories, photos, and explain a little more where I've been the past year and a half.

As I mentioned, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are widely known as "Mormons". Heard of us? You probably have... and probably heard a lot of weird or scary things, haha. But I can assure you that it's not as weird as you are thinking. It's probably just one of those misconceptions I got to help people understand on my mission. We were often confused with Jehova's Witnesses, or as polygamists... etc. If you have any questions, really... just email me, and I'll let you know the real scoop, haha.

ANYWAY... I chose to serve a mission. That is, I chose to be sent to somewhere in the world, according to God's will, in order to teach people about Jesus Christ from the scriptures, offer community service, and strengthen the congregations and people in the area. That is a mission. Isn't that the best job in the world??! We woke up each day at 6:30 and went to bed at 10:30. It was hard work.

My desk area in Connecticut

I was assigned to the Massachusetts Boston Mission, where I served for 5 months in Revere, MA, then a few months in Lynn, MA, then a few in Bridgeport, CT, and back to Cambridge, MA to finish up. Every six weeks, there was a chance that I or my work partner (we always go in two's) would be moved somewhere else. I only got moved four times, luckily. I enjoyed being able to stay longer and make stronger friendships.

I played the piano often in church, worked a lot with the children's class (called Primary) and gave talks. In the LDS church, members of the congregation are asked by congregation leaders beforehand to prepare a talk on a topic like charity, faith, service, etc, and that is who preaches each Sunday. I happened to be asked fairly regularly, haha.

I served the Hispanic population and congregations, so I learned Spanish while there, and a bit of Portuguese. I really enjoyed that. And the food. Not going to lie!!

I also had the opportunity of reaching out to people on the internet. I wrote and edited articles for reallifeanswers.org - a sight that offers real people's stories as answers to some of life's greatest questions.

At an Elder's birthday party

It was a delightful time, because as I fulfilled my purpose (to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end), I was filled with God's love and was able to see the amazing change God can make in people when they let Him.

Anyway, being home now is a LOT different, but I am still enjoying the benefits of my mission, especially in terms of my relationship with God.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask; I'll do my best to answer them.

But, now you know what I've been up to for so long, and why I didn't have much time to paint!! 

Here with the Primary

MEXICAN FOOD!!! Oh yeah!!

Venezuelan Food :) Also delish!

FREEZING TO DEATH but smiling, haha

:)

At the Boston Temple with a member

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Me di cuenta que no realmente explique a nadie lo que estaba haciendo cuando anuncie que me iba a 'la mision'. Algunos de uds probablmente estaban pensando, “Oh, si... se fue a la mision”, y otros, “Que es eso?”, jaja.

No se preocupen por no saber porque y voy a explicar. Hoy me siento especialmente sentimental... entonces voy a compartir unas fotos y memorias y una descripcion de lo que he estado haciendo el ano pasado.

Como mencione yo soy miembro de La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias. Tambien nos llaman “Mormones”. Es probable que hayan escuchado de nosotros, no? Y probablemente han escuchado unas cosas raras. Pero les aseguro que no somos tan raros que estan pensando. Con frequencia nos confunden con los Testigos de Jehova o piensen que tenemos mas que una esposa. Si tienen preguntas, uds, por favor, mandeme un correo y hablaremos, no?

Bueno.. elegi servir una mision, o sea, elegi estar enviada a algun lado del mundo, segun la voluntad de Dios, para poder ensenar a todos acerca de Cristo, ofrecer servicio a la comunidad, y fortalecer a las congregaciones alla. Es el mejor trabajo que hay!! 

Durante la mision, nos levantamos a las 6:30 de la manana y nos acostamos a las 10:30... que dia! No fue siempre facil. Estuve asignada para trabajar en Boston Massachusetts, EUA, donde servi 5 meses en Revere, MA, unos meses en Lynn, MA, unos meses en Bridgeport, CT y unos meses en Cambridge, MA. Cada seis semanas habia la posibilidad de yo cambiar de lugar, pero me mude solamente 4 veces, por suerte. Asi podia yo conocer mejor a la gente y hacer amistades mas profundas.

Tocaba el piano con frequencia en la capilla, y trabajaba bastante con los ninos en sus clases (que se llama “la primaria”) y tambien daba unos discursos. En la iglesia SUD, los miembros son los que discursan en los servicios. Estan llamados unas semanas antes para que se preparen y dan sus discursos. Y asi aprendemos.

Yo servi mayormente con la poblacion hispana; aprendi a hablar espanol y tambien un poco de portugues. Que bendicion! Me gusto bastante. Incluso la cominda, jeje.

Tuve la oportunidad de ayudar a la gente por internet. Escribi y revise articulos para un blog que se llama “Real Life Answers” (tambien hay version en espanol: preguntasdelalma.com).

Tuve un tiempo bastante divertido y sali contenta porque, al cumplir mi proposito a invitar a las personas a venir a Cristo, el Senor me lleno de su amor y pude ver las personas cambiar al permitir el Senor obrar en sus vidas. Increible fue.

Bueno... ahora que estoy en casa, me siento un poco extrano, pero sigo disfrutando de las bendiciones de la mision, en especial mi relacion con Dios.

Y ahora saben uds lo que estaba haciendo yo este ano y medio y porque no tenia mucho tiempo para pintar!! 

Si tienen preguntas, mandenme un mensajito, ok? Hare todo posible contestarles.

I'm Back . . . I warned you I would be ; )

Dearest followers, friends, family...

I'm back :)

I have to just tell you that serving a mission in Boston was one of the most marvelous experiences I could have ever hoped for. I am so grateful for your support and for the opportunity that my Father in Heaven gave me to serve.

Now that I'm here again, with full access to technology... it feels a little weird, but I'm working hard on getting things back up in the Etsy shop and things up on the blog that I painted while away.

I love you all, and hope to hear from you soon!

 -- Nicole