It is rough. With some browns over it, it sits it a long time. I like the shadow from the window falling over it. But I don't have the skill to replicate that. So I wait.
I squirt leftover paint from little tubes acquired for Community Dinner years ago. They're drying up so have to be used of tossed. Cheap student grade is as inspiring as a cheap keyboard for a pianist used to a Bösendorfer. (Not very.)
Today I add a bit more. I can only go so far before I run out of imagination. There's a 15c acrylic brush in the studio, along with a squirt bottle, an old credit card, and a squeegee. Some dabs, scratches, and pulls. This is not fine art.
I didn't like the last sky I painted with this yellow - why did I add it again to this painting? Sigh. I'll fix it with white and black (grey) the next time around.
The roses received yesterday are opening in the humid heat. Hopefully they'll be good enough for tomorrow at BIC; I have 2 more options but these are tall and pretty, my first choice.
The thunder roars across the mountains. The dogs are afraid and run for their darkened dog-houses, especially when there's a flash and an immediate "BANG." Sometimes we're inside the storm on the mountainside. The news reports a tornado nearby that blows off roof and lifts garbage into the air.
People have come by for shoes so we're down to less than half of what MrsS brought earlier this week. Everyone has been delighted with her generosity and their choice.
Sunday
The roses are perfectly opened. They were very fresh: not even one head is drooping. We take them to the hall for the morning set up.
We don't have to speak and I've asked W to make the introductions. It's a joy to sit back and listen. Today's talk by JP seems just for me. It's also life-giving for others, judging by their comments after.
Our neighbor sends over guava in syrup, a sweet traditional treat that's considered healthy for bringing up blood health, especially if you have dengue or chikungunia fevers.
The young adults' Hangout meets every two weeks for conversation and friendship. They are painting today and their canvases are bright and cheerful. Today an older adult (mom of a teen) sneaks in with the young people.
I duck into the studio to start the clouds in the landscape. Seriously, I need brushes that don't shed hair (not the house-painter cheapos) and professional-quality paints. The white student leftover acrylic hardly makes an impression on the board.
I'm exhausted from the week behind and grateful for a day off from school tomorrow. Of course I'll be studying. I need to nail down the vocabulary - things are starting to slip and slide between brain and tongue.
The painting is big (A1 size 60cmX84cm / 23"X33"). What's next for it? Not a flock of birds. Not a boat. So ... what? Maybe more texture and foreground wildflowers.
Monday
Monday is an Indonesian tanggal merah (Red Letter Day). In a country with public holidays on every religion's milestones, Indonesians have a lot of days off. This month, after 10 days of mudik (Ramadan-related travel), most people will have 2 more days off: today's Waisak (Buddhist) and next week's Ascension Day (Christian). Of course, June 1 is Pancasila, celebrating the unity of Indonesians and their right to equality in religion. So we'll start the next month off right, too.
The daily rains hold off until afternoon. The green wall has filled in between us and the neighbor. Sunshine and humidity are fuel for the staghorn and birds nest ferns. Falling from the second storey, the vines I trimmed last week are already setting out side branches. Their leaves filter the hot sun as they shade the house.
Language and more language. And meetings.
Tuesday
I'm glad to be up for the leader cohort at 4:15. (Usually it's at 2am, so today the timing feels fantastic.) Don shares how to choose and lead board meetings. The topic is intimidating. The information is encouraging.
Then it's a leap into the day of meetings and school (with a commute). So glad to be here. So glad to serve. And sometimes ... I'm just tired.
Praying that God clears the clutter in my head so I can remember the new words coming our way. And do only the tasks that are important. I'm praying that God does the same for you - as you sit quietly at his table between assignments.
Read more:
*The Lord’s mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
*Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Joel 2:32
*[Peter says about Jesus,] “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
*Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-8
*So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16
*[Jesus says,] “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.” Revelation 21:6
Moravian Prayer: Heavenly Father, every day, we make choices that do not reflect our calling as your followers. We need your constant compassion and forgiveness so that we can live faithfully and abundantly. Thank you for purifying our hearts and souls.
Eternal Savior, sometimes we feel adrift in life, drowning in sorrow. We look to you for rescue and deliverance when the waves get too high. We need your steady arms to hold us and provide us with comfort. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment