Welcome to Day 2 of 31 Days to a Healthier Lifestyle! The #5MFW #Write31Days word for today is paint. Often painting is a good way to relax and chill. It helps release tension and feed your need to create. I would like to make a weekly habit of painting or using some other form of art.[bctt tweet=”When we do activities that relieve stress, we are helping our bodies become healthier.” username=”GaylWright”]
Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, you can still pick up a brush, dip it into some paint and spread it on a piece of paper. Don’t worry about how it will look, just pick a few colors and let yourself go.
Your creation may surprise you! It could make you laugh or it could turn out better than you could have imagined.
This week I experimented with water color using different colors and brushes. After a bit it still wasn’t looking like I wanted so I left it to dry for awhile. When I came back the colors had dried and were a lot paler. I wasn’t really happy with it so I wanted to brighten it up with acrylics.
First I tried painting the background black and adding some blues and greens. Then I used some iridescent white to brighten it up in places. I also tried yellow and red. By now you must be thinking, She really has a mess. You would be pretty accurate.
The paper was getting a bit fragile so I put white gesso on the back to strengthen it. After that I pretty much covered most of the front again with a dark mixture and added some color to brighten it a bit. I then made a big whitish patch in the middle surrounded by some green. It is drying now and I hope when I go back I’ll be able to put a verse or poem on it.
Well, here it is:
It doesn’t look as nice as I’d like, but I did have fun with it! Using some iridescent white acrylic paint, I covered the dark outline and it seemed to help. I also used a few colors of gelato to see what it would do. The words were written mostly using colored permanent markers, but I had to touch it up with a gel pen in places.
Psalm 100 is a great one to help us remember to praise our God.
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness:
come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God:
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good;
his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
I’m linking up with Lisha Epperson and #GiveMeGrace, and Lori Schumaker with #MomentsofHope, #LMMLinkup, #TeaAndWord
***All my #write31days posts can be found by clicking on the the left button above or on the Write 31 Days 2016 tab at the top of my blog.***
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I love this!! I am sooooo scared to paint because I just know it will be a disaster, lol! But I love the ways yours turned out and how you put Psalm 100 in the middle! It looks fantastic, great work !! I look forward to the rest of your posts for the 31 days challenge. God Bless.
Shannon, thank you so much for stopping by. Your words are a great encouragement to me.
A couple of years ago I was too scared to paint, but one of my daughters told me to just do it and see what happens. She encouraged me a lot. I’m not so afraid anymore even if it doesn’t turn out well. 🙂 The fun is in the process.
So glad you’re here! Blessings to you!
You are brave, Gayl! I have more equipment, hope and intention toward making art than I do work to show for it. It seems my creativity is mostly swallowed up in writing poetry and prose, though I have been making arty photos as a way to relax. You have given me fresh incentive here to press past fear and perfectionism and just have a go again. Thank you, friend! 🙂
Thank you, Joy, and I’m so glad to have helped give you incentive to press past the fear. I had actually not touched the paints in quite awhile, but I just wanted to do it even if I didn’t have a plan or it didn’t work out right. I’m so glad I did.
I have been enjoying your arty photos lately. They are beautiful!
Many blessings to you, dear sister!
I love how your painting turned out! But I especially love the way that you were willing to keep adding and changing to what you had in mind at the beginning of the process. You are an encouragement to me to keep trying, and to not give up if the first process doesn’t seem right! Love your series here! –Blessings to you!
Bettie, thank you so much for your encouragement! There was a point where I almost folded it up and put it in the trash, but I decided to keep going . I’m so glad I did. Not only was it fun, but it looks like it has encouraged others to keep trying and push through the fear. 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m glad you are enjoying the series.
Many blessings to you!
Hi Gayl! I have bought paint by number kits because I’m not very creative with art, but I love the idea of it. Have you heard of the stores that hold painting evenings? You can bring wine with you, and they instruct you on how to create a copy of a masterpiece. It sounds fun to me!
I do think that art relaxes the soul and the body,
Ceil
Hi Ceil! I’ve bought the paint by number kits before, too, because I was not very confident. Now I just try to have fun. 🙂
I have heard of those painting evenings where you bring your wine but just haven’t tried it out yet. There is actually a restaurant near us called The Starving Artist. They have a room where artwork is on display and they meet right there at the restaurant on certain nights. Maybe I’ll check it out sometime. Wish you could come with me. 🙂
Thanks for visiting. Have a great week and may God bless!
I love that God is our master creator.
Me, too, Tara! Thanks for being here and for your encouragement!
Many blessings to you! xo
How awesome that you are enjoying this act of worship! I love Psalm 100 and love what you are doing here, Gayl!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Lori! Yes, Psalm 100 is one of my favorites.
Your life is a blessing to me and others. Thank you for being faithful to Him. May He shower you with many blessings as you serve Him.
Sending you lots of smiles, too!
I’ve always marveled at people who can paint beautiful scenes. I live in very picturesque area and often will see people sitting looking on to a pretty nature scene with their easels set up and their paints, mimicking on paper what I am looking at with my eye.
Truly any creative gift seems so relaxing whether it is playing a musical instrument or painting.
My daughter and I went to a paint night and my picture was more one to laugh at. I’m always so focused on the instructor that my end product is too rigid. I liked your insight to just go with it and enjoy what you have created.
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Karen, I just noticed I didn’t have a reply to you. I’m sorry to have waited so long! Thank you so much for commenting here and for your encouragement.
I’m sure you and your daughter enjoyed the paint night. The main thing is that you relax and have fun! I’ll have to do that sometime. I know there are places near me that have those type of paint nights.
Blessings to you and have a great week!
How lovely! I loved the quote in this. It is so true and one I have had to put into practice and am learning to enjoy without guilt. The Happiness Dare helped too, thanks be to God. Blessings to you sweet friend!
Thank you, sweet Meghan! The psalm is such a happy one and makes me want to praise God. 🙂
It too me awhile to realize that I really do need to do fun and relaxing things and it’s okay. We can’t always be giving of ourselves and never stop to care for our own needs. And I consider stress relieving activities to be a need. 🙂
Blessings to you!