Grief Is A Life Changer

When my daughter passed a few years ago, I was beside myself with grief. I felt like the bottom of my life had dropped out and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what to believe and I began to question everything that I thought I knew up to that point. It is amazing what the effects of grief can do to you, not only physically but also mentally and spiritually.

I had been a Christian for almost twenty years before my daughter passed. I talked about spirituality every day with my kids. Spirituality was the backbone of my life. But when my daughter left me, I not only felt betrayed but I was so devastated that I begged for answers to questions that only God could provide. I went on a spiritual quest. I even left my home for months in search of answers. And I received many-positive and negative.

While I was on my quest I wrote my book entitled Finding Hope In The Darkness Of Grief. I studied spiritual concepts and immersed myself in spiritual literature and theories. I sought understanding and wisdom. I begged for enlightenment. And I received a lot. But the more that I learned the more questions were raised. God is an amazing, powerful, loving entity that holds so many facets of information and wisdom that it is mind boggling. So I came to a point where I decided that having the faith of a child is a very valuable trait.

Yes it is important to continue learning and seeking. But it is also important to believe without doubt. To know that spirit is powerful, all encompassing and infinite. To understand that human capacity can never fully comprehend all that God is. I came to the conclusion that I could seek for all eternity and still have questions. That is a beautiful thing when you have the faith of a child.

I am one of those people who wants to learn and understand as much as I can. I want to seek and find. I want to grow in spiritual stature. The beauty of a belief system like that is the fact that I can learn forever and never grow tired of finding new concepts to embrace, new facets of understanding to harvest in my life. The concepts of reaping and sowing, speaking and receiving, blessing and being blessed are just beginnings to amazing information that is yet for me to discover.

I was stretched to capacity. I didn’t feel like I could be stretched any farther. But then….spirit stretched me almost to a point I couldn’t handle. It never ceases to amaze me how our limits are tested when we beg to know more.

I have a new book coming out soon. I wrote it for my daughter after she passed. It is a dedication to her life and her love; the legacy she left behind. However, God in His great mercy, has allowed me to continue a oneness with her from beyond heaven’s veil. She and I are tied up in spiritual love and understanding. It has been hard but beautiful at the same time. Some of the concepts I write about in my new book have been alluded to in Finding Hope In The Darkness Of Grief. It has been an interesting journey. One that I will continue until I am able to hug my daughter again in heaven-and through eternity. Spirit holds us together in love and light so that darkness will not prevail.

If you have lost a child or close loved one, it is my hope that the books I write will give you peace. I believe it is true that grief is love with nowhere to go. Fortunately, when we are held together in spirit’s compassionate love and light, our love does have somewhere to go. It goes to our creator and our loved ones that wait for us. I believe that is a key for handling loss well. Continue to feel your love for those who have graduated and moved on. Because in spiritual love and light, our care and concern are received. Our sorrow is understood. We need not fear. Love is a living energy that not only transforms sorrow but also pain. Our love is received and translated to those who wait in heaven for us to join them. They are only a heartbeat away. Love is the transmitter that holds us close, that keeps our departed ones near and dear!

Meet Artist Julie Turner!

I came across Julie Turner’s work while I was working on my art site. I immediately fell in love with her wisteria prints and contacted her about a feature on my blog. She happily obliged! Below you will find her biography:

Julie received her BFA from James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA). She spent her career working in the visual arts for various industries producing commercial art, technical graphics and multimedia. Concurrently she created fine art, representing many disciplines. Her most recent works are primarily acrylic on canvas paintings and digital art for print and home decor. Her style is a unique blend of Abstract Expressionism and Expressionism. Turner has exhibited in the USA: San Diego, CA; Las Vegas, NV; New York, NY; Alexandria, VA; and Bologna, Italy. Her artwork has been published worldwide and has been sold to many private collectors.

Although she’s skilled in many art disciplines: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, stained glass, jewelry, video, multimedia and digital imagery, she has a strong drive and passion for painting. She enjoys experimenting with difficult paint challenges and likes working with bold paint colors and varying degrees of paint thickness and layering. She’s inspired by love, family, friends, nature, music, dreams, astronomy and spiritual/metaphysical subject matter.

After I contacted Julie, I found that she and I share similar interests. Not only is she an artist but she has also written a children’s book. A kindred spirit indeed!

If you’d like to contact Julie, you can find her on her Website, Facebook, Fine Art America, and Handmade At Amazon. You can find Julie’s book here.

Dream 06 Julie Turner

A Photography Win From The American Art Awards!

I am jazzed to say that one of my pieces of photography won 3rd place in the American Art Awards! This is a great honor since artists from 59 countries enter. Not only that but the winning pieces of work are juried by 25 of the best museums and art galleries in America! So this is a wonderful honor!

When great things happen in life, be sure to rejoice!  It's wonderful to have good news between the curveballs that life throws at us.  If you don't celebrate the 'wins',  you'll feel inundated by the harder things that come to call.

Last year I was pleasantly surprised that I won three times in the digital art category as well, so this is a very sweet reward! If you'd like to check out my winning art from last year, you can find it at the links below. The pieces that won in 2017 are Taken, Angel Of Light and Of One Accord.

Art site:  https://diamante-lavendar.pixels.com

Thanks for visiting!

Kaleidoscope

Here is a fun piece I created while remembering the kaleidoscope toy I loved when I was a kid! It was fun to watch the colorful images seeming to melt into each other. A wonderland of shapes and hues in the imagination of a child!

Neon Leaves. A Fun Graphic Art Piece.

I love nature. There is nothing as soothing as taking a walk through a forest or on a beach. Anxiety slips away and peace comes to rest in my heart. I love Mother Earth. I love the trees, the flowers, beaches and lakes. Our planet is so beautiful.

This piece entitled Neon Leaves celebrates the diversity of trees that decorate our yards and forests. Without them we would be unable to live. Every day we need Mother Earth but so often we forget about her value and importance. This piece is offered with a great cheer to her beauty. May we always love and respect her!

Life In A Nutshell

Everything in life seems so important, sometimes dire-until we look at the big picture. The big picture keeps everything in its proper perspective.

Here is my digital art piece entitled Life In A Nutshell.  It's a great reminder to keep yourself focused on what's really important.

Enchantment

Enchantment begins when you start to believe in the unseen possibilities all around you. Enchantment opens the mind and imagination to amazing new perceptions and understanding.

I'll Always Remember

I'll always remember,

No matter how far;

No matter the distance

That divides where we are.

Because you have given me

A love so divine,

Forever and always

My love, you'll be mine.

Life Is A Game. Play It Well.

Dimension means a measurable unit of space. The dimension of earth occupies a space-but only a tiny space as compared to the universe.

The earthly dimension demands our attention. But often we give it the wrong attention.

This dimension demands that we take heed of its specifications. However, we need to learn that its specifications-in a large way- are brought about by our beliefs. What we believe comes true-good and bad. We directly affect ourselves and our personal space on earth according to what our core beliefs are. That is why we must carefully guard our hearts and minds.

Of course, the constraints and freedoms we experience in our lives here are also spiritually determined. There is a path we have chosen to take that we find ourselves walking day after day. Our beliefs affect that path moment by moment, day by day, year by year. Therefore it is important to believe in good so that we end up in a good place-not only here, but also after our game here is over. This is true regardless of what has happened to us. If our lives have been harsh, we need to believe in good all the more!

Earth is a learning ground. We've all come here to grow. If we grow tall in light and love despite our circumstances, we are winning the game of this dimension. Because, after all, "life" here IS just a game. But an important game. A game, if played right, of growth and wisdom. The stronger we are-the more able we are to live according to love and light-the more we evolve.

Hardship is the greatest teacher. If you're experiencing great hardship, you're learning invaluable lessons that will help you evolve into love, light, and truth. Embrace it to the best of your ability. After all is said and done, when you're standing in the light of eternity, you will understand that this life has only been a game of learning. So play it well.  You'll be really glad you did!

Sky Maiden

My new piece titled Sky Maiden!

The Sky Maiden lives in the essence of love;

With butterflies, rainbows and peaceful doves;

The Sky Maiden reminds us to give love a chance;

To laugh, to inspire, to embrace, to dance.

We Are The World

We are the world. Together we can create peace, love and prosperity for Mother Earth. It is up to us individually and as a community to make the dream of heaven on earth come true. We hold amazing power to change for the better if we make the decision to do so.

Sending Some Sonshine

Angels and fairies laugh and dance,

When we give God's love a chance;

Through landscapes and heartscapes so divine,

Love heals and stands the test of time.

Missing You

The truth of your love you left behind,

A treasure, a gift, that you hoped I'd soon find;

You helped me to learn and wished that I'd grow,

I never imagined I'd be missing you so;

Life seemed so harsh many years ago,

Now darker than I ever wanted to know;

I'm not sure how to handle this agony and pain,

As I look at your pictures again and again;

A mother's love is not taken for granted,

For children she prayed for and desperately wanted;

I'm not sure how I can go on living,

But I know you'd tell me to keep on trying.

I think of heaven and I hear your voice,

In my heart and my head where you left a deep void;

I wonder if maybe I'm losing my mind,

Because I'm wishing so hard you hadn't left me behind;

Celby, Jazzy, my beautiful girls,

My love, my passion, my yearning, my world;

Please tell me you're still here, right beside me,

And ask God to wrap me in his presence and hide me;

I beg Him to some day heal these misgivings,

So I know I can live in a state of forgiveness.

I am lost without you. 

Love Mommy.

The Gift Of Life

When life gets tough, it's not easy to see it as a gift. When we are hurt or bad things happen, life seems to be anything but a gift.

This is a world where we come to learn, to grow, and to understand. The only way to do these things is by living through good times and bad, in pressure and happiness. Learning from rough things is what we need to do. And eventually moving past them is what we need to do, but only after we've addressed the issues presented to us.

Life is a test and a testament. A test of whether or not we can get through hardship and a testament as to what we've conquered.

Through pain and turmoil, we learn about meaning in even the littlest things. Life is a gift: of growth, learning, seeking, finding, and understanding.

Introducing Artist Monika Vijay!

I met Monika on Fuzia.  She is an artist from India-a very talented artist!  I offered to feature her on my blog and social media sites.  Here are a few pieces of her work:

U & Me

Autumn Beauty

Lord Buddha

A Note From Monika:

Hello, This is Monika Vijay. I am from Bihar. I was never into painting and writing until I got older. With my parents' pressure and interest, I was taught painting by Diya Mam when I was in 7th study; but after that I didn't do much work with it until prompted by my husband. Now, after marriage and getting free from studies, my hubby encouraged me to be a painter. He bought colors, brushes, charts and everything required for painting. Now I'm used to it and I love painting whenever I get free time. I have also started taking drawing classes. Next, I'm going to sell my paintings for home decor or for hotel & restaurant interiors. People can contact me as per their painting requirement. I would like to thank my hubby for encouraging me and for helping me to become a fine painter now.

How To Contact Monika:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011561172639

Where To View Monika's Work:

https://www.facebook.com/mvartgallery.in/?pnref=story

Four New Photographs!

Here are some of my new pieces. All available on my art website. The first is entitled After The Rain.

Water falls upon the earth anew.  From morning's mist to setting sunlight's dew.  Cascading upon nature, bringing life again.  Another simple pleasure from heaven's blissful realm.  Celebrate rain and our earth's health!

My photograph entitled Cotton Candy Clouds.

On a warm, winter day as the snow melts away, the clouds came out to shift and play in a cotton candy formed array!

My photograph entitled Purple Rain.

Rain is soothing to the soul.  How much more is purple rain?  The color purple uplifts and calms.  It is the color of royalty and spiritual awakening.  Purple also encourages creativity.  What more could you ask for?

My piece entitled Moonlight Branches.

On a lonely, moonlit night, gnarled branches caught my artist's sight.  Displaying calm and peaceful gloom, their image met my camera's zoom!  I love night time.  I see the most peaceful things in the dark of night.

You can find all of these and more at https://diamante-lavendar.pixels.com/

Sea Goddess

My newest piece of fractal/digital art.

Water is one of our most precious commodities.  We need to respect it and take good care of it so that it can continue to sustain us.

Sea Goddess interprets the beauty of water on the planet and acknowledges that it had to have been created by divine guidance.

Available on Fine Art America at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/sea-goddess-diamante-lavendar.html

Angel Of Light

Here is my newest creation entitled Angel Of Light! A combination of digital and fractal art!

Angels are all around us all of the time.  We can feel them in our hearts and see them in our minds' eye.  Sometimes we're lucky enough to see them with our natural eyes and they can be felt too with a cool, prickly sensation or a warm, loving sensation.  They are only a heartbeat away!  (https://fineartamerica.com/featured/angel-of-lilght-diamante-lavendar.html?newartwork=true).

Meet Artist Sherry Shipley!

Sherry is a member of my group Emotive Art on Fine Art America. She recently was tied for first place in a contest with her piece entitled Getting To Know You.  Sherry's art flows beautifully and is full of color.  Here is her winning piece:

Statement from Sherry:

Art has been a part of me all my life. I could never stop drawing as a child and in high school picked up my first paint brush. That was 1965. I have been painting ever sense.

Over the years I have explored many mediums and expanded my art skills when I attended the Art Institute of Seattle.

I depict animals in my art to create a feeling of wonderment with our connection with these creatures and a bond that only a true animal lover can feel. Animals have been depicted in art and stories since the beginning of time and our bond with them lives in legends and lore.

My art creates and reveals that bond in bold and colorful images either through letting the paint flow and working the images into it or use of lines that weaves the design around the subject to create it’s own story.

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A short bio:

Growing up in the shadow of the Cascades, the beauty of the Pacific Northwest inspired my love of nature and wildlife. Trips to the mountains have supplied a stunning and endless backdrop for my wildlife subjects which I have been painting for over 40 years.

My work has been seen in galleries from Seattle to New York. My wildlife art designs have sold on shirts and tote bags in Alaska, and many of the lower 48 states.

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If you enjoy this piece, you'll love looking through her portfolio!  It's stunning!  Here's the link:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/getting-to-know-you-sherry-shipley.html

Thanks for visiting!  I hope you'll be back soon!