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Sparrow,  3x3" oil on canvas panel
with magnetic backing

©Helen C Read

This bright-eyed little sparrow will wing its way to one of my Artful Friends in January!   Sometimes we think of sparrows as being small and ordinary - maybe even a little drab.  But, when we stop to look closely, we can see that they've been created with a lot of intricacy!   This little bird is a year-round friend, staying near even in the winter. 

How could YOU win this little painting?  Become an Artful Friend!   It's easy and it's fun... Once each month, you'll get a colorful note from me right in your inbox.  You'll find out what's happening in my studio and I always include something special that is exclusive to my Artful Friends;  like a give-away contest to win an original small painting, or downloadable art that you can print which I make just for my friends, or special discounts that are only available to you!  There's nothing to lose!  Sign up with my secure email platform is easy https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/3srWvuZ/ArtLoversNews

The details about entering to win this little painting will be in my January news note! 

Oh, and when you sign up, you'll get a welcome email with a gift right away!  Then, look for my newsy note during the first week of the month!   Being friends is fun - especially for Art Lovers!  

Update:  This painting found its new home!  But be sure to check that link above and become an Artful Friend for the next give-away! 

Are you a fan of C.S.Lewis?

His writing is ~ even though some 80 years distant ~ insightful. Deep. Rich. Imaginative. The Chronicles of Narnia Books, written for children, have a lasting impact on adults as well.

Recently I read something about Lewis, which I found to be…. well, eye-opening.

The creator of such powerful stories that have a beautiful message of truth interwoven in them didn’t start with a profound message to convey. He began the Narnia series with a most unlikely picture in his head.  It was a curious fantasy of a faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood.  For decades, he’d had this odd mental image.

Then, he decided to try to write a story around that idea.  He had no preconceived ideas about how it would unfold – no plan or plot – but he began to write.   And then, as Lewis says, Aslan came bounding in and pulled the story together. 

I can’t tell you how much I love this! If you know the Narnia stories, you know that Aslan is a lion… but not just any lion. And you also know that he represents Christ who redeems and restores.

For me, as a creative ~ an artist ~ I can get caught up in the mindset that the work I do needs to have purpose, impact, relevance…. Maybe that’s not the best starting point! Maybe my best starting point is to pick up my materials and open the door to my imagination and inspiration and begin, watching for Aslan to come bounding in!

I’m not advocating for creative work without excellence of craft, but being too wrapped up in purpose and message can hold us back; make us doubt and stall.  I love that Lewis just began to craft his story and the message, like Aslan, came bounding in! Eighty years on, it would be impossible to count the number of lives that have been touched and impacted by Lewis’s creative work!

There is something beautifully mysterious ~ unexplainable, really ~ when a work begins to “speak” to you as it unfolds. This is the moment that Aslan comes bounding in to pull it all together. I hope this encourages you like it has me. Pick up your materials and begin! And prepare for the mystery that comes unexpectedly.

Photo Credit:  Glen Carrie

Original Art work is always so much more vivid and impactful when seen in person!

See a short video of the entire solo exhibit here

And come see the works in person! 
Dec 2 - 29th, 2024

Indian Prairie Library

401 Plainfield Road - Darien, IL

And of course, you can find out more about each of the 10 paintings in the exhibit right here at my website!

Leave a comment!  I always love to hear from viewers!