Welcome to Challenge #6, with an amazing contribution by guest artist Dina Wakley at Artists in Blogland. Here are the prompts:
Headline Prompt: Divided by God: What does "God" mean to you? How do you access"God" or the divine or the sacred in your life?
Color Prompt: Metallics - gold, silver, copper, bronze, or all of them!
Quote Prompt: "This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart, is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." The Dalai Lama
I used all three of the prompts and worked on a canvas I had started in Flora Bowley's Bloom True class. Here's what it looked like as of Friday morning!
Here's what it became, after many more layers!
I access the divine through my meditation practice. 
I used the Hebrew Calligraphy stencil to stencil the word "Shalom" in the dove (a symbol of peace) and above one of the lotus flowers (the last 4 characters from the bottom left of the stencil form the word "Shalom"). Shalom means complete peace: a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well being and
harmony. It is said to be another name for God. Its true translation is comparable to the concepts of Nirvana and Shunyata or emptiness in Tibetan Buddhisim, Salaam in Islam, Namaste in Sanskrit, and the Holy Spirit in Christianity (I’m leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the
peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled
or afraid (John 14:27)).The way you get there, no matter what religious path you follow, is through kindness, compassion, and taking care of others.
In various places on the canvas, I hand lettered portions of the Dalai Lama's beautiful quote, which I try to live up to every day.
Check out what Carolyn Dube, my co-host, did with this challenge! It's awesome!
Linking also to Mandarin Orange Monday, Inspiration Avenue (Peace), and Creative Everyday.
Giveaway! Comment below by Wednesday, December 12 for a chance to win my apples & pomegranate stencil!
Thank you for visiting! I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.
wow this is fabulous Jessica and can definitely see the influence of Flora Bowley. Annette x
ReplyDeleteThis is breathtaking Jessica! I love all of the elements and their meaning, and how you wove the quote into the design - just beautiful!
ReplyDeletethis is so incredibly beautiful Jessica-a very special piece!! The depth you have achieved with all the layers of color is magnificent!
ReplyDeleteJessica, this is soo beautiful, words and art. You inspire me. I will read this a few more times now...thank you.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful, just exquisite with jewel like colors! <3
ReplyDeleteYour meditating woman is divine. The peace in your work is evident and the lotus garden is dreamy. xox
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful. I am always soothed by green, but love oranges and turquoise for warmth and water. I love the prompts this week as I feel that kindness really is the way to peace.
ReplyDeleteWow! It turned out very cool! Meditation is great! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou have beautiful messages here through both your artwork and words. I'm so happy to have found your blog! :)
ReplyDeleteJess x
That background from Flora's workshop is an artwork in itself! Love the colours! But the painting that came out of it is so great too. Makes me want to start on a big canvas again .... I received your beautiful give-away today. Thank you so much, amazing to see it in reality. I'll write about it on my blog in my next post. Thnx again ! ♥
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool prompt...I just might have to participate in this one! How you went from the first to your ending product is beyond me...no pun there...Gorgeous!!!! Love all the color and images! You are an Artist!!!!
ReplyDeleteI Yi Yi... breathtaking. This has so much meaning to it. I can't believe the transformation this piece took. Amazing, nuff said.
ReplyDeleteJessica--this is just BEAUTIFUL! The colors are striking together. Especially love the message and how you used all the prompts!
ReplyDeleteNot only is the painting beautiful- the symbolism behind your choices is powerful! Love how you used your stencil!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post, and as always, LOVE your work! I'm nearly just finishing up the last pages of the art journal I'm presently working in. I'd like to start my next one right at around New Year's Eve/Day.. But I'd love to fit this prompt in among the last pages for 2012, because the timing comes just perfectly, it seems. Maybe journaling will sort my thoughts, make things clearer... But I have a friend.. a best friend since I was in my younger twenties, who is now (as of the last 4 or 5 years) of a different religious faith than I am, and sometimes I worry it will be THE wedge that will ruin our friendship completely. I respect her for HER beliefs, but she does not respect me for mine. How wrong it seems that religion could do something so hurtful between ANYONE, I think; and I just liked your reference to peace, and I appreciated your "philosophy" on "kindness, compassion, and taking care of others". ~tina
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful and creative work ~ dynamic colors ~
ReplyDelete(A Creative Harbor) ~ aka ArtMusedog and Carol ^_^
How inspiring! Thank you for sharing! Love the lotus flowers!
ReplyDeleteWow your piece blow me away! So much beauty and things to look at! I totally love the stamp of the lotus and the two flowers on the left!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful...
ReplyDeleteJessica, your painting is SO beautiful... Thank you for sharing the info on symbols and meanings.
ReplyDeleteThe colours in the painting are striking. xox
your details are very interesting and the whole composition works beautifully.
ReplyDeleteYour words really are reflected in your art. Beautiful. I like the closeups just as much.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your work on Mandarin Orange Monday:)
Jessica, how beautiful! At first the face leapt out at me from the flower, and then I realized I was seeing a dove too. Reading your words I am just touched and at peace. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTotally peaceful and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful works of art! Visiting a little late from Mandarin Orange Monday.
ReplyDeleteMy Orange
Hope you can still visit and leave me a comment. Thanks.
what a wonderful and color piece, Jessica! I love the background and how it evolves into something more significant for you. God bless!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Your art work is always so beautiful, Jessica, and this one is no exception! Thank you for sharing it with us. I also want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!!! Enjoy the season!
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica, I wrote about your beautiful artwork on my blog today http://denthe.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/artists-that-inspire-me-abdalieva-akzhan.html. Thanks so much for this piece of art, I'm so happy to have won it! ♥ Denise
ReplyDeleteBeautiful results!
ReplyDeleteThis is a Stunning Piece of Artwork. I just love it! I have to get that stencil for sure!! Your the second person I have seen use it in such a fabulous way. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful piece. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Beautyful palett and very interresting motiv.
ReplyDeleteI love your use of colour and imagery. Beautiful
ReplyDeleteJulie
Beautiful work, colours, and style. Love the Hebrew calligraphy, which I have used a lot in my journaling, too. Valerie
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colors and so nicely composed.
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of peace is so present in this composition. It's restful to look at and very lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis painting is great... I love it! I think the symbolism you've used is really great, and it's making me feel very Christmassy (I'm not sure if it's the green or the 'peace on eart' theme...) D x
ReplyDeleteStunning artwork which, despite the vibrant colours and 'busyness' has a feeling of total calm. xx
ReplyDeleteMay your holidays be filled with love, joy and peace, as well as time to create your beautiful art.
ReplyDelete