"Blessed"...in process

For my daughter....for my children...."I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach..." - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“There is no such thing as too many children… that is like saying there are too many flowers.”  

 Mother Theresa

Fly Away

Jude Harzer Fine Art 2-23-10

Fly Away

Patience

"PATIENCE!" is an ever recurring self reminder. I'm incredibly patient...except of course with myself and often with those I love. For now, I am PATIENTLY painting....readdressing canvasess that I started and abandoned.I had a fellow artist look at my work this summer. He identified quickly, weak areas of my paintings that revealed evidence of  my IMPATIENCE. His only ,and VERY powerful critique was to,"Fix it..you are better than that!" Jeez ! I hear Peter when I paint!. So now I am completing work that I left because of unresolved issues. Some might advise me to move on, but I believe my efforts and PATIENCE will yield rewarding results. Here are two works in process to add to the others:)
I am actively patient. I am creating and hoping with discipline and passion.
"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish". ~John Quincy Adams

Allentown Art Guild "Hope" Exhibit at Laurita Winery November 15, 2009

“Hope is the dream of a soul awake.”
OPENING RECEPTION: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2009
2-5 pm

Allentown Art Guild Group Show at Laurita Winery

Please join me and my fellow guild members !

"Since the formation of the Allentown Art Guild in 2006, we have hosted our annual group show during the weekend of the Harvest Festival at the barn studio of Jeff Martin Photography. While we truly enjoyed this space and the success of the shows there, it was a lot of work to do up front to only have the show up for 2 days.

We hope that you will come out and join us for our first Group Exhibit at Laurita Winery in New Egypt New Jersey.
The show is up for exhibit from October 12th 2009 — through January 7th, 2010.
We will host an opening reception on Sunday November 15th from 2pm-5pm.
Admission is FREE! Works on display will be available for purchase direct from Lauria. For more information and directions to Laurita, please visit their website here." www.lauritawinery.com/

Oh The Tempation!

In this adorable video by Steve V., it amazed me the restraint that most of these children demonstrated. Real temptation(for something greater than a marshmallow:))presents itself to us as adults on a regular basis. Our response to it demands that we make choices. It challenges our patience and the promise of delayed gratification and the hope of something more. And of course, there are times, when we all blissfully surrender to that which attracts us, like the little girl who unapologetically and immediately consumed her sweet treat with pure enjoyment. Hmmm...there was no regret on her part. Of course as adults, our temptations are often more serious in nature and our reactions, have greater impact on our lives. But still,there are lessons to be learned here...patience,hope and self-forgiveness. You gotta' love kids! Some things are simply and sweetly irresistable!

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

Hope: Dandelion Wishes

Well I found my misplaced camera which was carefully tucked away in a drawer in my very messy studio space. I am certain that I did that in one of my more practical moments, realizing that if it was placed anywhere amid the clutter, it would be hopelessly lost:)
So I was able to photograph some work in process. I am creating paintings inspired by specific themes for several upcoming shows.This posted image is actually 3 individual canvas panels that will be stitched together to create a single 9 ft. unstretched vertical image.Painted in oil, it will eventually include other media that emphasizes its relationship to fabric and tapestries.
The piece will be included in an exhibit having the theme:"Hope." The title of this image is "Hope: Dandelion Wishes".

I am also working on a unique quilted piece. It is created using paper clay, aluminum wire mesh,gesso,oil paint and monofilament. The square panels will feature art work that will be applied,after it is fully assembled.It's abrasive texture is in direct contrast to the softness of traditional quilted fabric.

Eternally Hopeful

Several people recently commented upon my "spirit" and sense of direction. It is interesting to hear how others perceive and "experience" you especially when it is in direct contrast to how you feel and "see" yourself.I do know that I am passionate and focused in many ways. I think people would be surprised by my "fears" and insecurities. They are not about the physical...about traveling or living in a strange place alone( i.e NYC this summer),about being financially destitute or homeless, about being adventurous and taking risks such as in surfing or skydiving.... That is really all the "easy" stuff, easy meaning those situations command or force both reaction and action in order to "survive." They dictate specific behaviour that will determine "success" or "recovery." My deepest fear is that I won't become what it is I know I can be:)about not making a meaningful "mark" on this world in the process of living. It is not a paralyzing "fear." It inspires "purpose" and "hope."

One thing I am, is eternally "hopeful", and if that translates to a more youthful spirit, than I am very fortunate. Hope,like love,drives my sense of being...and for once, much of it makes beautiful and profound sense!

"Hope is a feeling that life and work have meaning. You either have it or you don't, regardless of the state of the world that surrounds you."

"Hope is a state of mind, not of the world.Hope,in this deep and powerful sense, is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously heading for success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good."

"Hope is definitely not the same thing as optimism. It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out."
Vaclav Havel