Texas Contemporary Fine Artist Laurie Pace: February 2010

28 February 2010

'Nine Square Circle 1' Colorful Large Abstract Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Nine Square Circle 1'

30 x 30 x 2 Acrylic on Canvas

SOLD FROM THE BLOG! THANK YOU>

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

I didn't take the picture correctly above. It should be rotated to the right once. Here the painting is hanging in the house.

Hanging in my breakfast area.

The Painting: Oh my did I have fun yesterday at this time. I started this new painting. I am not real good at planning ahead when it comes to art. I use to be, but not any more. I always wait upon the Spirit of the Lord. Yesterday I was waiting on the Lord...then it was waiting for the Spirit. Yeah yeah, one in the same. But if I paint with out the spirit the piece is lacking in a 'soul' or 'spirit' of its own.

The Thought: Painting this piece really was satisfying. I hate comparing it to eating, but if I did it would be like a fudgey chocolate brownie with dark chocolate of course and vanilla ice cream melting on it. OR, maybe like a chewy warm piece of shortbread cookie... Color is a driving force in my work and doing something this contemporary was well ... WOW for me. I climbed out of my box for four hours today and painted this. I left the horses in the box.

After the open house I have to seriously paint for a show in Colorado. It was short notice but I have to pull together some work in a two to three week period and overnight it up to Mirada Fine Art. The Dutch Art Gallery here in Dallas is doing a show on Women... Who does She think she is? I want to do some pieces for that as well.

In another serious thought, I have to update my websites and the Artists of Texas Website with our new members. We have been growing. My hands are full! I leave them open and upward to recieve what He has for me in my life. He will provide the time and opportunity as I need it.

Go and grow in confidence and wait up on the Spirit today.

Laurie

“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”- 1 John 3:18

27 February 2010

'White Out' Equine Horse Art Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'White Out'

18 x 24 Acrylic on Canvas

SOLD

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: Bits of winter are lingering as we approach March. Made me think snow as it is in the forecast for next week again here in Dallas. This is really unusual.

The Thought: Tired weary bones... tired body....tired mind, even after tired sleep. Wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord. Preparing the house for sale is ever so exhausting. I am tired of moving. Wait upon the Lord.

Sometimes reading in Psalms it is easy to feel David's pain as he wrote and cried out to the Lord in his fear or tiredness. Before when reading it I easily could imagine how desperate he was to share his heart with the Lord God, but now I really understand.

Yesterday started out on a bad step as two of my boxes went in two different directions. The box heading for Croatia stayed in Texas and the box heading for Texas is on the way to Croatia. This is not necessarily easy to fix, but I will wait up on the Lord. In ten years Terry and I have never miss labeled a shipping label. The day began to slide downhill quickly but no crashing...praise God for that! Morgan was over and he, Terry, Uncle John and I worked most of the day and took a break for Italian food about 2:30. We never had breakfast and that was the only meal yesterday.

The living room is done. The garden room is done. The kitchen is done. The guest bedroom is done.

Terry has been working on the studio/now den and our room and hopefully Crystal is working on her room and we might make it. The house is smiling outside as the couple that does our yard came two days and created beds of blooming tulips and colorful pansies. I will take pictures to share!

Today we will neaten up and do a bit of touch up and cleaning here and there and the dogs might go to the Vet for two days to in able us to clean and have everything done. I am still deciding as it will cost so much to get them in for one night... like $300. They have to have updated bordetella and something else to be there. I can't figure it out. That is a lot to me. We may just have them with us on Sunday.

I leave you with the thought, Wait upon the Lord, you must wait upon the Lord.

Laurie

"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

26 February 2010

'Running on Air' Equine Horse abstract Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Running on Air'

18 x 24 Acrylic on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: I really liked the contrast of the gold green and the crimson red in this horse painting. Each horse also is very distinctive. This is acrylic. I did not list it correctly the first few days. I use a template bringing the photos in and I simply was so tired I missed it!

The Thought: I remember how much I hate moving...but this move and house sale is truly in His hands. No panic yet. There will be by Saturday night! The Big trash pick up was suppose to occur on Wednesday and they have not come yet and this is Friday morning.

Terry woke up this morning at 4 am and could not sleep. I gave him a Benedryl to put him back to sleep and he was snoring in just seconds. I began doing my "Arlo" breathing. (For those of you who have never heard me use that term... Arlo Wenstrand is married to my big sister...Jan. He is proudly airforce...a pilot and one of the finest men we know.) When I had trouble sleeping years ago, Arlo told me to do slow deep breathing and I would fall back to sleep as all that extra oxygen reached my blood stream. It works 95% of the time and did for me. I have trouble convincing Terry to use it. (My back up system is counting backwards from 700. Rarely do I make 500.)

Put your hands on your stomach and slowly take in air through your nostrils. Feel your stomach rise like a balloon filling with air. As it expands outward, HOLD IT... and then slowly release the air, feeling your stomach return to normal. Do this 3-6 times. It truly works...tried and true. Your body relaxes as all the oxygen races through and you begin to respond to the natural power in your own body.

God worked hard on creating us in His Image. Do you think He ever sleeps? That is worth a response somewhere.... Does God sleep? We know He rested on the Seventh Day of creation, but did He sleep?

Laurie

"Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive."--Matthew 21:22

25 February 2010

'Open Run' Huge Equine Horse Art Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Open Run'

30 x 30 inches Acrylic on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: Can't get good color as we have redone the lights in the studio and I could not get a good shot of it. This one is highly covered in dimensional paint and lots of it.

The Thought: Yeah, I slept in a bit and got off to late start. I sure am glad God does not choose to do that. We would be in trouble if the sun did not rise in the morning or the earth stop spinning.

I noted at night or during the day even, when I am praying with my prayer beads, the first section of seven beads I use as "adoration" and that is where I call to God in His Mightiness in many different names. Seven each time. I choose them by the needs in our lives. When Terry was sick the first call was to God the Great Healer, then maybe Praising Him as The Wise Counselor. There are always seven adorations I come up with when covering those beads. Last night the first one was God the Great Warrior, to cover us with His Armor, God the infinite Wise One, God the Foresighted Planner, etc.

After doing this so often and using the creativity of discovering all the wonderful things He is, and the many names He answers to, I have become much more sensitive and aware of the depth of His love for mankind. He is truly an awesome God.

Think today of how God serves you this day in your journey. What needs does He fill for you and your family? How can you serve Him?

Laurie

A Tweet from God...

"“Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”- Matthew 22:37-39

24 February 2010

'Expressions One' Equine Horse Abstract Art Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Expressions One'

30 x 40 Acrylic on Canvas

Available

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: This was at the Gallery in Atascadero, California and it is shipping back with the gallery closing.

The Thought: Well we are numb with tired. Can you be numb with tired? We are. Packing boxes today and tomorrow will be squaring things out and finishing the temporary boxes. Packing a few paintings...I will be painting on canvas and beginning to put the house back together for the open house this weekend.

Mom and I went and picked up curtains and sheers for the studio that will be transformed into a real den with a borrow couch and chair from my niece. OH found a rug for the floor for $49. At that price it is almost disposable. Terry is still got to give me something to get the paint off the brick floors under my easel where I dripped paint.

It was suppose to snow yesterday another 4 inches. We cringed with the remembrance of no power for that week the last time it snowed. We had none. I was giving thanks all morning as it all went south of us. Trusting right now for this to all come together is an entire leap of faith and we are holding hands as we go. There is no master plan each day, we are doing what we need to do as we get to it. God knows what we have to get done.

Paul called from Mt Vernon to check on us. I am still watching over Terry as last night he was coughing again. I have limited his involvement with work. Paul told me he could bring me handcuffs to cuff him to the bed if necessary... I was laughing about that remembering when we got married, Paul was in the wedding party and he managed to handcuff us together. Terry got pretty panicked when it happened. I was laughing so hard... I was trying not to fall in my mother's pool. We had our wedding reception at their house with the lush back yard and lots of blooming flowers in May. Egads, it will be 20 years this May. ALTHOUGH he was my high school sweetheart and I have known him since I was 11.

We have much to be thankful for....and a hot shower this morning after getting up from a warm bed and a good night sleep.

Laurie

"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6

23 February 2010

'Wrapped in Color' Abstract Equine Horse Daily Art Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Wrapped in Color'

18 x 24 Acrylic on Canvas

SOLD! Thank you.

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: Not sure where my brain was but this pony came out really unusual. I need to paint but we are busy packing. This paint is thicker than the norm!

The Thought: HONESTY is the BEST POLICY. Do you ever hear or speak those words? That is something Terry and I expect from our kids and grandkids ALL the time. The only time I hesitate to say that honesty is the best policy is when you criticize someone.

It is always easy to find fault with other folks and not see our own fault or issues. How do you feel when someone criticizes something you do or say? I keep a smile plastered across my face, tuck my chin in a bit and open my eyes wider and keep direct eye contact with the person that is criticizing me. Sometimes it is hard being an artist and hear folks make comments on your work when you know they do not know you are the artist and you are standing there. I love the ones that say, "hey I can do that, why would anyone pay that much for this art?"

In this instance I would immediately find fault with the messenger or the speaking person. I cannot allow it to seep inside of me or my self esteem takes a battering. I learned about 10 years ago when I 'crossed' over on the "make your living as a full time painter"... that I paint to glorify Him and that if His spirit is in the painting and I love what I am doing and I am happy with what is there, NOTHING else matters. A piece of art will speak to the heart it belongs to...every time, and every time God is Good.

God reveals the truth in everything. When you begin to doubt, turn to Him to teach you how to find your "blind spots" that need work. We all have them. We are a constant work in the making every breath we take.

So honesty is a good thing when it is accompanied by His grace and truth. "An honest answer islike a kiss on the lips." Proverbs 24:26

Laurie

"Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use His words to teach and counsel each other. Sing Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts."

Colossians 3:16

22 February 2010

'Desert Wind' Equine Horse Art Colorful Abstract Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Desert Wind'

20 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas

SOLD THANK YOU!

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: Acrylic may be the paint of choice as we put our house on the market this next weekend. I do not have Hanging Walls any more! Terry has everything touched up and painted.

This is a pretty acrylic with lots of three dimensional paint.

The Thought: Have you ever asked anyone for a letter of recommendation? What goes into a letter someone might write about you? Could you write one for yourself? Many folks stretch the truth on their resumes and then want friends to take the stretch in the letters of recommendation. When you are on the other end and you are hiring someone, how can you trust what is in those letters? Can you trust them?

Paul never needed 'letters' to explain who he was and what he was doing. His teaching spoke for itself as he reached the hearts of many with the love of Jesus. His actions spoke volumes past what any letter would have said. Your faith is engraved in your soul and your life. You don't need 'letters' to prove to anyone that you are a believer, show it in your actions.

UNEXPECTED BLESSING: http://tommypaints.blogspot.com/

Laurie

'You are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of The Living God." 2 Corinthians 3:3

21 February 2010

'Traveling Three' Colorful Small Horse Equine Art Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Traveling Three'

11 x 14 Oil on Canvas

SOLD FROM THE BLOG! THANK YOU>

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: This was done the day after the power came back on last week... I love the intimacy of colors and the contrast of warm and cool.

The Thought: Yesterday was Tink's birthday Party... and I ate something that literally did not agree with me. We had a wonderful time watching her smash her cake and having so many little ones running around...well, some were taking tiny baby steps...it was wonderful . BUT with my stomach ache there was not any desire to get to the computer to blog early this morning.

Baby steps are so important in our lives. We were not made to run first, but to walk first and steady our legs before we take off running. Think about that one today. Walk before your run. Always pray to the Father before taking even those little baby steps.

Laurie

"Loving-kindness and mercy, loyalty and faithfulness, shall be to those who devise good." Proverbs 14:22

20 February 2010

'Full Circle' Mirada Gallery Colorado Colorful Equine Abstract Horse Oil Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'FULL CIRCLE'

24 x 36 Oil on Canvas

I am not on their website yet, but Mirada Fine Art of Colorado will be representing my work.
I am truly honored to be apart of this fabulous new gallery. Come spring, Terry and I will make a trip to visit and see my work hanging, and hopefully later this year you can visit me at a show of my work at Mirada Fine Art near Denver. I also want to thank Kimberly Conrad for the fabulous referral to the Gallery.

Contact Steve at Mirada Fine Art, Colorado to purchase this painting.

The Painting: This was the piece I worked on during the documentary. As I finished it I knew it needed to be gallery bound, but did not realize I would be hearing from a wonderful gallery just outside of Denver. Between the catch up days, I will do a few more pieces to send them and hope to visit there in the next few months.

The Thought: Today you should be open to unexpected blessings. This was so true yesterday as I was contacted by Escher Fine Art in the UK and by the Mirada Fine Art Gallery of Colorado to represent my work. UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS. The Praise is all to Him.

Life is full of surprises every day. Some are big and some are small; some are happy and some are tearful. It might be an unexpected phone call or news on the television. It might be a neighbor dropping by with a loaf of banana bread or a red light ticket in the mail.

We have to remain open in life to be on God's path in our journey and be open to the unexpected surprises and unforeseen treausres that come to us. How receptive we are determines how our life unfolds. It is a simple fact that God is in charge. His light shines on the path and His love supports us as we travel the path. Some treasures come across as challenges. That is when we need to rise to the challenge and make each happening a blessing of unexpected good.

Welcome the unexpected today...

Laurie

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

19 February 2010

'Urgency' Equine Horse Art Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Urgency'

30 x 30 inches Oil on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: Lots of layers of exciting color! This is a large beauty that was a two day paint.

The Thought. NEVER drink red wine. At least for me. I am not a drinker hardly at all, maybe an occasional sip of Terry's Margarita, or a few swallows of white wine...but never red. I always get a migraine from one sip... and that is what happened. Wednesday night I had three swallows of red wine. I should NEVER DRINK RED WINE.

I was out of it all day yesterday and light was a killer to my eyes. This morning is better, but I am running late as you can tell. Today I am going to 'bless my body'. From the top of my head to the tips of my toes I will breathe in and out and concentrate on this miracle of God and never drink red wine again. God's miracle keeps this body going through the marvelous system set with in it. My DNA is woven into every pattern of my being and my life. My life is but a tiny piece quilted into the big world.

As my body heals today and I begin to paint again with out my head feeling detached...I will honor it and take care of it. With new eyes for this new day, I will envision my body healed and whole.

The next miracle is catching up from six lost days in the studio; make that seven with the migraine yesterday.

Blessing you with Health and Healing.... and a huge birthday hug to my daughter! Where were we in 1977?

Laurie

"Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure." Psalm 16:9

18 February 2010

'Santa Fe West' Colorful Large Equine Horse Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Santa Fe West'
30 x 40

Acrylic On Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: Santa Fe West is a gorgeous 30 x 40 abstract acrylic painting with warm rusty oranges and turquoise blues. It is available and ready to ship next week.

The Thought: Today Ken Vaughan was here shooting for the documentary he is putting together of my work.

It was lights and cameras for 10 hours. We did break once for lunch and Terry opened a bottle of Rooster Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. We sipped on that while we shot here in the studio from late afternoon till eight thirty this evening. We will do a bit more next week and then he will compile everything.

During the shoot Ken and I visited over all the old days with the art club, racing around Dallas as teens and how good God has been in our lives. It is so heart warming to have friends on this journey that have been around for 40 plus years and they still love you. Well, I guess I will know once the film is all meshed together! Hopefully he won't use anything incriminating.

It was good to talk on film about the gifts we are given. In the human spirit there is the desire to create and accomplish things. We are fashioned in the image of God, the great Creator. He gives us these desires to want to use these capabilities in our lives. It is up to us to use them to serve Him and at the same time, they complete our life and fulfill it with joys we would never known had we chosen to ignore our gifts.

Author Laura Frantz is such a good example of serving and giving. Her background in social work, her teaching experiences, her family in Kentucky... she rolls everything into her writing and that is what makes it so human and so real. At the same time in her writing, she teaches of His Greatness and the importance of God in our lives every day. I cannot wait for the gift of her next book. I already ordered mine from Amazon and soon it will come!

We are literally all in God's Army... empowered with gifts we may not even know we have. Part of the journey is seeking these gift out and developing them. What great gifts lie within you? Are you using all of them or do you need to seek Him to find the rest of them?

Laurie

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues.All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11

17 February 2010

'Appy Cover Girl' Equine Art Horse Oil Painting Magazine Cover by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'APPY - Cover Girl'

30 x 30 Oil on Canvas

On the Cover of the Peak to Peak Appaloosa Directory 2010

SOLD

Contact me for commissions. Laurie

The Painting: This painting was finished in 2006. I was contacted by the Peak to Peak Appaloosa Organization for permission to use the painting on their cover. I am honored. When they sent the Copy of the Directory to me, I was further surprised with a full page inside article on my art work:

The Thought: I am still thanking God repeatedly for the power being back on. I am sure in a few weeks my thanks will slow down to once a day, but meanwhile it is almost every ten minutes a prayer of thanksgiving.

I remember lying in bed on the cold nights shivering and bone cold despite blankets and Terry's usually warm body next to me. He was cold too. I would be in prayer acknowledging the situation and praying for the men and women out in the cold trying to restore power for all of us. I knew God was in control and when our time arrived, we would be warm again. After the third night my brain was more frantic and I when I prayed thoughts darted through about, if I could just know how much longer I could focus on it and grit my teeth and carry through. The message I would get was always steady, "NO WAY BUT UP". It was then I would begin to feel His warmth seeping through my cold limbs, my heart rate slowing and my body giving in to the fatigue and relaxing and falling asleep. Every morning I would awake warm and rested in my cocoon of covers. I do not think He wanted me gritting my teeth and bearing up, I think He wanted me to relax and allow Him to take care of me.

When people are hurting, the best help is when you help them look up to Jesus. Allowing God to literally take over a situation is the only way up and out. It is "No Way But Up." The Lord has the power to perform miracles in our lives. We miss so many of them because we are looking for what we expect to happen... the power coming back on for me. The simply miracle came in letting go and letting God, His warmth surrounded me and gave me rest through each night. If I can share anything with you today, it would be that. Stop trying to figure it out. Live in this moment and let go of the stress or tension that is surrounding you. Stop trying to force something or grit your way through it. God does not intend for us to live this way. We choose it for ourselves.

The answer is there... we have to simply open our hands to receive it.

Laurie

"Amazement seized them all and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen extraordinary things today." Luke 5:26.

16 February 2010

'Abundance' Roses Flower Oil Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Abundance'

24 x 36 Oil on Canvas

SOLD

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: This one is still available and is calling to a heart somewhere! I will be taking it to the Dallas Gallery this week, but if you are interested now, let me know.

The Thought: Simple abundance... of heat, light, and hot food. So much we take for granted every day and now that our power has been restored... we will continue to give thanks for those simple things provided to us without much effort on our parts to have them. You are always caught up in your day with the challenges of life and you forget to notice the true miracles around you.

We watched on the news that some homeowners were fighting the repairmen to keep them from whacking their trees down. The trees had grown into the lines or fallen on the lines. That is routine maintenance for the city...or it use to be before politics got in the way. The city always came around twice a year clearing trees from lines and now it is rare. That was not helpful with this situation. Then add angry homeowners NOT wanting their trees cut back and you found police officers riding around with the tree cutters and the repair folks.

The refrigerator is emptied and scrubbed out along with the freezer. Have to go buy food today to fill up the empty spaces. I did wash for quite a while yesterday, so that is caught up, but there is still quite a mess through out the house. Then basic cleaning which will take some time. In between I have to paint as I keep reminding myself that is how I make my living.

Thank you for your prayers, love and support which came in abundance. I want to say BIG THANKS to Scott at CORNER BAKERY at Northpark Mall in Dallas. Terry and I were worn weary as we walked through his doors yesterday morning. We were in exhausted shock and could barely function. The man talked brightly and made wonderful suggestions for our meal and then when Terry pulled out his wallet, Scott said, "This is on the house. You need to make the best start of this morning and this week and know it will be better today." As he handed me my Earl Grey tea, tears were streaming down my face. We had plenty of money to pay for breakfast, but it was the sheer simplicity that someone gave to us at that moment that brought hope back to our slowly moving brain cells. When we left the restaurant and drove home... we had new hope. Believe it or not, as we walked through the doorway of the house, the heat clicked on and the lights burned brightly welcoming us into the 42 degrees.

It took five hours to get the temperature in the house back up to 68 degrees. It was funny because when it hit 58 I thought it was getting too warm. The generator that could not power my computer is back at Home Depot. We decided as we move to get a whole house generator that works off propane.

A painful learning process at best.

Praying for abundance as always,

Laurie

"Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." Psalm 119:18

15 February 2010

Sunday Evening - Monday Morning Horse painting By Texas Artist Laurie Pace

This painting is available at one of my galleries and is framed. It is I think framed about a 16 x 16 size. Please contact me if you are interested!

Thanks. Laurie

We are heading into Day FIVE/SIX without power. This is getting old and patience is wearing thin. We picked up a generator but I can't function with it. It is like HUGELY noisy.   I believe we will have to bear the cold and return it. I cannot believe this is so difficult.   I am writing this on Sunday night to post on Monday.

Most of our neighborhood has left... only a few of us stay guarding our homes and those around us. Two other family members and their households are with out power too. Dallas is not prepared to handle the emergency that occurred this weekend.

I promise as soon as things return to working power I will be blogging and posting paintings...well, once I can paint again.

We have the gas burners on low in the kitchen maintaining heat for our birds. The dogs seem to be fine. Maybe I can watercolor in the kitchen this evening.

Continue to raise up in prayer those in Texas so greatly affected by the snow and power failures.

Laurie

14 February 2010

Still no power

72 hours with no power.......Mom will post again as soon as she can. Blessings for today! Stacey

13 February 2010

Still no power. Three days now. House is below fifty degrees by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Trying to post via iPhone. Should we say UGH?

I cannot post a painting because I am on my laptop at my brothers just to say Good Morning and to ask for prayer for the 250,000 households in Dallas with out power. In our neighborhood it is so bad because there is a round of age 80 elderly and they have had to leave their homes. We will not leave ours as the area is open to be targeted and it is a more affluent neighborhood.

This is day Three, and I simply had to have a shower....but home we will go to keep working on the house as we will be listing it on the market in about a week. We truly need our power back on.

Patience is ours as we wait. My brothers are in the kitchen here at the youngest ones home fixing breakfast. Terry and I ate at six with Peter Togel and sent him on his trek home to South Carolina with my huge printer. He and Conni will love it and use it and I know it is at a good home.

Please stay with me and know there will be things posted again as soon as I have power at the house. ALl the files are on my hard-drive on my desktop Mac.

May His love surround you, slow down and count your blessings...be it for heat or air conditioning... be it for a warm shower and a clean body, and enjoy the simplicity of quiet when you do finish the day and turn into bed.

Hugs to each of you....from the frozen zone.

Laurie

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

12 February 2010

no power

We had record breaking snow fall here (last count was over 9 inches around 10pm last night & it was still falling) yesterday and Mom has been without power for about 20 hours. She will post as soon as she can. Have a blessed day! - Stacey

11 February 2010

'The Piercing Night' LARGE COLORFUL HORSE Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'The Piercing Night'

30 x 40 inches Oil on Canvas

SOLD COMMISSIONED PAINTING

Contact me to commission a painting. Laurie

The Painting: Well, this collector liked a painting I did last year called "in the Heat of the Night."

I strictly do not like to try to recapture paintings as it is virtually impossible with contemporary art to do that. A realistic painting you can do it....but not with expressionism. I decided I liked the horses better on the 30 x 40 inch spread allowing them a bit more space in development.

The Thought: Well, I promised to share this morning, so here goes. Ken Vaughan graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 1970 with Terry and I. He was one of the founders (with me) of the art club, and I want to say the first president. We named the club "Arabesque" which they dropped somewhere along the way. So much for respecting the founders....

Ken has been so good to me in the past fifteen years on both encouraging me as an artist, joining me with prayer when it was needed, and directing me on my choices of camera to buy and paper etc. He helped me set up my first area to shoot my paintings in. He was even 'on call' when Terry and I traveled with our big camera for the first time to Wyoming and I could not get it to work.

Ken phoned in November and asked me if he could shoot a documentary of my work and my life as an artist. I was giddy with excitement. He is branching off from his business photo shooting for commercial ads to wanting to get more hands on in the creative end. Over the past five years he has gained equipment ( I really liked the Landrover he arrived in.) for filming and editing etc. in order to put together a solid documentary.

I knew last week he was coming today and I have literally been counting down the days. Yesterday he was here for a short visit to plan out the story board and the shots and we laid down some vocal tracks of how I began with my art....where I traveled in the creative process and how my work has jumped in popularity around the world. Next week he will beback and we will shoot the footage and he will record me working on several of my signature styles.

Why do this? It is something I will cherish first off because Ken is an artist and has great insight into people and their strengths and vulnerabilities. (Yeah, he promised to watch the wide shots!) His sensitivity to the creative process allows him to vary his approach between personal and up close to stepping back and viewing from the distance. This is a gift in itself.

After shooting all the scenes next week, he will retire to his studio and begin the long process of clipping, editing and blending together all the pieces I presented to him about me and my art. I will be able to use the final product/documentary on my blog, my websites, for presentation to galleries for submissions...etc. If it turns out, he will continue building and doing this recordings for other artists. This will be something I can archive for those grandchildren and great grandchildren. Maybe I can get him back in ten years for a followup! He will travel anywhere...so wait and watch and the process will reveal itself.

God works that way in our lives... we have to wait and watch until His plan reveals itself. I lift my hands in praise to Him and I give my heART to Ken, my vulnerabilities that are painted in every painting, along with the spirit of God from the first touch of the palette knife or brush on the canvas.... they are his to piece together.

Lift your hands today and see what God places in them.

Laurie

“[Love] If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

10 February 2010

'February Snow' Colorful Large Horse Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'February Snow'

20 x 30 inches Acryilc on Canvas

Available to purchase.

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: Rich acrylics in this Signature Painted Pony Pull...colors of winter and cool shades of blues and violets.

The Thought: I am still tired from our trip yesterday. We drove up to Bonham for Terry's dad's VA visit and to see my Dad, who is there with Alzheimers. It is an all day trip from 8:30 in the morning until we arrived home after five last night. I worked until 8pm and gave up finally to head to the shower and bed.

My blog is short this morning, as I have something special in the brew today and maybe tomorrow I will reveal more... it is something every artist needs to do... and I pray I am able to carry it off! That should keep you guessing.... I will either do it 100 percent or I won't do it at all. Prayers are requested.

I call this "perfect fit". The situation is a perfect fit if God is in charge and I am not in the way. For you it would be for you to be in the right place at the right time. That is the Perfect Fit.

What are you trying out today that is new? Is it a perfect fit?

Laurie

"My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfill my intention." Isaiah 46:10

09 February 2010

'Nuzzle' Equine Art Colorful Abstract Horse Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Nuzzle'

30 x 30 inches Oil/Acrylic on Canvas

SOLD
Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: This is another new piece in my Earth, Sea and Wind Gallery Series 2010. Using one of my signature styles on canvas, you have the blended underlays and overlays with runs and layering of Oil paints on top of those layers. Tender emotions and solid play of colors create an world of intimacy.

The Thought: A long time ago I wrote a poem about Intimacy. Unfortunately I saved it in publisher on my PC and I cannot open it on the MAC. I am hoping Stacey can open it and I can post it later this week.

There is an intimacy that exists between friends and lovers, but the truest purest intimacy is between you and God. The personal relationship you have with Him is only as close as you allow it to be; He is after a strong relationship.

I believe as humans, we tend to pull away from this intimacy because it is so close and we don't want Him to know all the ugliness inside of us. The unworthy part wants to hide from Him. The play on the word is "in To Me See". God can see into you and through out you and He knows everything there is to know about you. Before you can put your emotions and thoughts to words to Him, He has known them forever. He has been waiting for you to know them, acknowledge them and accept them.

"In To Me See"... Love, Joy, Grace, all Knowing, All Seeing, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the Provider, The Counselor, The Creator, The Almighty, The Giving, The King, The Way, The Truth, The Savior, The Alpha, The Omega, The Bread of Life, The Light of the World, The Comforter, The Good Shepherd, Allah, ... I could list probably 200 names that work for God that I can come up with... and I am sure there are thousands. What do you "see" in Him?

Stacey emailed me back the poem, so here it is:

The Circle of Intimacy

(“in to me see”)

We individually seek acceptance

Longing for moments filled with expressions of love and tenderness.

This is a special time for closeness and life sharing,

Yet we all realize the closer we become

The more vulnerable we become

With a greater risk of exposure and pain.

Our souls take to life in a dance

Connected through the threads of time

Intricately weaving the beautiful colors of each of our souls

In gentle movements

To implicate a union of harmonious spirits.

A circle of friends

To share this journey

Is a great gift of intimacy.

Growing old and walking side by side

Facing the world together

We are stronger.

We have each other

And are never alone against the wall

Waiting for someone to ask us to dance.

Laurie Justus Pace

Sept 2002

I wish you today a new day to find the Intimacy you seek...God is Good, All the Time, God is Good.

Laurie

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”- Matthew 5:43-45

08 February 2010

'Rain Puddle Ponies' Large Colorufl Horse Equine Art Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Rain Puddle Ponies'

30 x 30 Oil on Canvas

Sold Yesterday from the little picture! Thanks.

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: I finished the puddles and someone was already in love with the colors and it is gone...well not gone from here, it won't be dry for a week or more...but it has a new home and the horses are anxious to get on their journey.

The Thought: Well yesterday gave new meaning to the word jet setting for me. I met Stacey at the airport at 6:45 and we boarded a 7:30 a.m. flight to Shreveport. I am learning more about American Eagle... the little 44 seaters are the best. They fly the fastest. They almost fly as fast as the 777. We were no more off the ground and climbing that we leveled off for 10 minutes and we began descending. The trip was under 30 min from gate to gate.

By 8:45 a.m. we were in a car heading south of Shreveport to the Lee's house in the country with the five donkeys and three dogs. Every animal there knew something was up as Yvonne was not with any of us as we arrived. The household was in a tizzy as the electricity was out...probably from all the storms and rain. A toasty fire was in the stove inset in the fireplace and it smelled so good. After a short visit there we made the rounds to the church where we found Yvonne's husband Brent. The church was a shot of warmth, light and music to enveloping you with God's soothing grace.... and then we were off to the funeral home with Yvonne's mother Mary and Yvonne's oldest brother Carl. There is not much to say except the best part of the visit was with them as we sat in the room together.

We were back at the airport by 12:10. The rent a car person was confused not believing we were back that fast and we literally raced through the terminal to hop on the 12:35 American Airlines flight to Dallas. There is something to be said about flying on passes standby...flexibility. We arrived back in Dallas at 1:10 and I was home by 2:00.

After grazing on fried chicken, okra and tomatoes and mashed potatoes, I was back in the studio at work finishing up the puddles above.

In reality only God has the ability to do that jet setting speed stuff in our lives. What I am realizing as I look at the past four days... I have accomplished quite a bit considering all that has been happening. This is only through Him that I have completed things that I was dreading and I breezed right through them with jet speed. I have much still on my plate the next two weeks and I am simply putting my faith in Him and what will be will be His will.

May His Power speed you forward this week.

Laurie

“Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”- Psalm 97:10

07 February 2010

'Rain Puddle Ponies' almost finished Horse Oil Equine Art Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Rain Puddle Ponies'

IN PROGRESS... stay tuned tomorrow for finished painting.

30 x 30 Oil on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: NOT FINISHED, but in progress. ...Stay tuned.

Laurie and Yvonne last February 2009

The Thought: WOW...by the time you read this I hope to be in the air flying to Shreveport...that will be true ONLY if I get some sleep tonight. Over the past two nights I have had only 6 hours total. I cannot believe I am still awake and functioning.

Of course you must realize I am blogging my Sunday morning post on Saturday night. Today I filled the day with "stuff" including my complete Tax stuff ready to send to Julie in LA.... the start of the painting above... I can't wait to finish it.... I am way glad to finish the tax stuff. For some reason this year it was easier. The bad news is my sales were a bit less but the tremendously good news is that I only painted half the paintings this year making my values double in amounts. Good for you and good for me.

What ever you face on this day, do it through the strength and wisdom of God dwelling within you. We get so caught up in our everyday life and trapped within situations we forget about God and we tend to be drug into situations that are not healthy for us. You have to turn your mind, heart and soul toward the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is with you at ALL TIMES. This is an inner guidance God grants you... your own GPS (God's Perfect Spirit) to guide you through all of it.

Give God your life... He give you "the Spirit".

Laurie

"I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. but take courage; I have conquered the world. " John 16:33

06 February 2010

'Wading Ponies' 6 x 6 inches Watercolor on Aquaboard Horse Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Wading Ponies'

6 x 6 Watercolor on Aquaboard

$100 includes shipping and handling

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: Just a free watercolor I have worked on a few days and finished it last night to post. It was a long day yesterday as we are still trying to get a grip on things here.

The Thought: I was in Matthew reading this morning, in the 20th chapter. Jesus was talking about a ransom being paid to release a slave from bondage. Jesus had already told his disciples that he must die, but it is here in this chapter that he tells them why he must die. It is to redeem all people from the bondage of sin and death. I asked a local Pastor about that again last weekend as I wonder about why he had to die such a gruesome cruel death...and we discussed it. Little did I know my own close friend would do this as well. Jesus told his followers that only his death would save them. Perhaps it is to be that the cruel death of my friend will result in this young man finding the Lord...finding his way from the bondage of sin; to redeem his life and follow God. It is in Isaiah that I cling to the words,

"The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart;

devout men are taken away and no one understands that the righteous are

taken away to be spared from evil.

Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death." Isaiah 57:1-2

My friend served God every single adult day of her life on this earth. She would give anything she had to help others. Her life was dedicated in giving where no one else would give. I will pray her death is not in vain as our family gathers in prayer for the tortured soul of the 17 year old boy that took her life in what appears to be a needless death.

Laurie

"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

05 February 2010

'Reclining Kitty' Oil Daily Painting Cat By Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Reclining Kitty'

SOLD

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

My blog is late today and not going to have much to say. I attended the Funeral of my sister-in-law's mother, a gracious woman, wonderful mother and a loving wife who had lived an exemplary 87 years.

When I arrived home from the funeral I had one of those calls from my daughter that

started out, 'Mom' and she was crying nonstop..."Mom, you have to sit down."

Those words put more fear into me than anything else. Immediately my thoughts are to the safety of my sons. I was shocked to find out my dearest friend for over 38 years, sorority sister, my daughter's godmother, had been brutally murdered in Shreveport Louisiana on Wednesday night.

Yvonne Lee had been executive director of Shreveport Greene for over 20 years helping troubled teens find work and establish a better life. She is well known in the community for her kindness and her love of all people. Active in her church, her Eastern Star and worked as well for multiple charities, including helping build home with Habitat for Humanity.

Here is a link to the horror story. So today I must pause and pray for the loss of this woman in our lives, her family's lives, ( she cared for both her mother and her mother -in-law) and for the tortured soul that so harshly snuffed out her life. He was a 17 year old in her program. And like any other rainy cold night, Yvonne offered him a ride home... a home to HER FATHER.

God has a new angel.

Yvonne Lee

The top link has a video newscast and the link below is from one of the papers.

The tortured soul that needs prayer.

Laurie

“For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”- Psalm 33:4-5

04 February 2010

'Color of Light' Watercolor Horse Colorful Sunset Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Color of Light Pony'

Earth, Sea and Air Gallery Series 2010

6 x 6 inches Watercolor on Aquaboard

SOLD

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: Well, I continued painting in my new Gallery Series, Earth, Sea and Air. This is on fabulous aquaboard which leaves a wonderful textured feeling for the watercolor. This is so easy to slip into a frame and hang..or you could set it up on an easel as it is. It is not watercolor paper. It is a heavy Masonite type board with the aqua surface to absorb the watercolors.

The Thought: You know I am always talking on and off about the peacocks. Here is a picture of the magical bird that lives two streets away from us. It actually lives next door to the house I grew up in.

These were taken from a moving car with my iphone so they are not exactly sharp... but you can tell it is a peacock for sure.

In my research on Peacocks and God on the internet, I found a pattern in all the stories. Seems like the peacock is a reminder from God of His artistic ability giving us this beautiful sign (I do agree it is better than the burning bush...) at times in our life that we need to snap back alive and feel HE IS HERE with us at that moment...wake up...see the beauty in this moment.

I encounter this fellow usually once a day coming or going from picking Crystal up from school. I am always driving so I can't pull over and take iphone pictures as it runs faster than I can pull out the phone and click away. Terry was driving on this afternoon and you can tell it was a gloomy day, cold and rainy...and things at home are not the best at this time. Yet, God put in our path one of His most colorful creations. Our day was blessed.

The actual colony of birds lives about three miles from here. How this bird ended up here I am not sure and why he/she is alone I do not know. Maybe I need to read up on them.

So today I am sharing the "Peacock" with you...may you embrace His beauty today.

This is a peacock off the internet walking through green lush grass.

Here is the other LIGHT in our lives,
presenting our 11 month old Concert Pianist accompanied by her grandfather on the piano:

Laurie

“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”- Psalm 59:16

03 February 2010

'Desert Run' Colorful Sunset Horse Daily Oil Painting Western Art by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Desert Run'

9 x 12 Oil on Linen Board

of Earth Sea and Air Gallery Series 2010

$125 includes shipping in US.

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

The Painting: It started with an undercoat primer of black paint. From there came the composition and colors with the horses in motion... The colors reminded me of Santa Fe but more of the desert west of there.

The Thought: Sometimes do you think everything is going wrong...or things seem to be pointed in the opposite direction than you wanted to go? I think that is only your perspective and that my friend, can be adjusted.

So many arguments happen between people every day that are wasted energy leaving the participants both drained and empty. There are no winners from these encounters. When you decide to do something and things are not going in the right way, it is time immediately to reassess and change directions. Forcing an issue or forcing something that is not working is not God's will. In a verbal disagreement you will be miles ahead with the simple words, "we must agree to disagree."

You will never go wrong when you commit your way to God. Always faithful to you with His love, He will lead you in the right direction. He will protect you no matter what challenges are in your journey and He will prosper you. (No that doesn't mean financial independence...but it does mean emotional peace.)

His way may even feel counter intuitive to what you might think your plans should be. That requires a leap of faith and the courage to see it through and believe you are submitting your life to Him.

Take heart this day my friend, and commit to being faithful to God. Follow Him.

Laurie

"Even if it isn't what we want to do. We will obey the Lord so that all will go well for us." Jeremiah 4:2-6.

02 February 2010

'Black Paint' Colorful Art Horse Equine Oil Palette Knife Daily Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Black Paint'

24 x 30 inches Thick Oil on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

Close ups

The Painting: Tons of thick layers of Oil Painting in this rare 24 x 30 inch beauty. Holbein Duo Oils at their best on Canvas. Stunning and one of my signature styles.

The Thought: Chaos, what is the definition in your mind?

Wikipedia says, "Chaos (derived from the Ancient Greek Χάος, Chaos) typically means a state lacking order or predictability. In ancient Greece, it meant the initial state of the universe, and, by extension, space, darkness, or an abyss^[1] (the antithetical concept was cosmos). In modern English, it is used in classical studies with this original meaning; in mathematics and science to refer to a very specific kind of unpredictability; and informally to mean a state of confusion.^[2] In popular culture, the word can occur with all three meanings."

It was brought to my attention if you have a messy room, or a messy house, or a messy closet that reflects the word CHAOS, that it is indeed a reflection of the inner you. Most likely you are highly intelligent and very controlling about everything else in your life. Chaos is the simple lack of organization. Despite what our youngest daughter thought about it meaning idiot behavior, it has nothing to do with that. It is lack of being "together".

Let's look at God and chaos. If you read in Genesis about the creation, you know that God created everything piece by piece and also with peace. Everything has its place and time to be. He took what was chaos and made it into organized life. When God is present there cannot be chaos. Where one is, the other cannot be. You are not 'together' with God if you have chaos.

Through out the bible there are stories of chaos and then results of organization and peace. Think about those folks that drowned with the flood while Noah floated on his boat. The survivors began again in a peaceful beginning or restart. What happened to the slaves in Exodus? The Hebrew families faced much stress and had no control over the things happening in their lives. God took them to safety to Sinai. There He taught them how to live and treat each other and respect His laws. He established order.

So look at your life. If there is chaos right now, God is not there. You need to bring Him into your life and your family life. It is not suppose to be hard. You need to lay aside the old self which is broadly influenced by the world of wants and turn back to the simple needs of life.

Put on your new self today in the likeness of God and let go of the chaos in your life. Simplify.

Laurie

"But if you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have head Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." Ephesians 4:20-24.