Summer Pony equine art contemporary Horse Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Summer Pony'

24 x 12  Oil on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website   
Painted Ponies   
  On Golden Pond Blog

This is posting late because I hit the wrong date and it is Saturday today, but it is not August 1st. See what being retired does?  Better Late than Never...here is the blog I wrote early this morning. I posted it to publish at seven a.m. but on the wrong day.

I am up and preparing for a major paint day today.  I am working on pieces for the Colorado Gallery.  My canvas shipment arrived late Thursday, but I wanted to play a bit yesterday and that I did.  Painting for fun is always very expressive and I usually like what comes out.... and that was Summer Pony above.  It is a new technique on canvas that I am exploring, and I hope you enjoy viewing as much as I enjoyed painting it.


We went fishing yesterday morning.  We were on a pier next door to our house on the main lake. The breeze was phenomenal; the fishing not as great.  We fished for about an hour or more.  Caught two turtles and about 10 fish, but nothing was  a keeper.  I think we have to go out on the big lake to do the keeper things.  There were times when I cast so far I could not see my red and white bobber in the water.  I could only go by feel if the line went under.  


That sort of reminded me of course of life that we don't truly know the road ahead, we can only go by 'feel' for today on how to live and not borrow trouble in anticipating tomorrow.  


Have a great day today! (Yes I know it is the weekend, it is Saturday.)

 Laurie

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”- Matthew 5:14,16

Onyx in reds Abstract Equine Art Contemporary Horse Art Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'ONYX'

30 x 36  Oil on Canvas

SOLD

Contact me for commission work. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
Painted Ponies     
On Golden Pond Blog

NOW available...

The first piece I did for this couple was this painting:

After we were working along and I was going to layer more reds on top of this;  I told her I could not as this painting had a very definite personality in the turquoise and accent reds.  I felt we had to begin again.  So I did this week and finished the painting above in red that they absolutely love. SO this painting entitled "the Dance" is available.  Just email me with an offer; it is 30 x 30 and very thick paint with about 12 layers in some places.  Laurie  Tell me in the email you are interested in The Dance and I can send close up pictures. 


Not sure at all where Thursday went. We were up early with a trip into town dropping the truck off at the body shop to have some things repaired on it, including the cracked windshield. It has been cracked for 9 years and it is time for a new one.  Then it was back home and Terry was digging boxes out of the garage in preparation for more unpacking.  BUT, I was out of stuffed envelopes that go out with my paintings and I had to clean out my storage  closet for incoming canvas from Rupen at  http://canvasplace.com.  It is the BEST canvas on the market.  After 40 minutes of both of us stuffing envelopes, I have enough for the next year or two, or three.


We took two hours off to sit together an watch the "afternoon" movie he ordered from Netflix called MAZE.  I would recommend it for all artists, (there is nudity so it is not for children)  and a note to Niki, the artist in the movie had Tourette Syndrome.  It was very well done.  Just seconds after the cast and credits rolled, we were out the door to meet our friends for Thursday night gathering at the local Mexican Restaurant.

Arriving home last night I worked for a few hours on the http://www.artistsoftexas.org main site.  Stop by and see what is happening when you have time. We are going to start a new area for Junior Artists in Texas.  We also welcomed a few new artists to our growing group of about 80 members now.

I want to celebrate today as Friday and the end of a busy week.  I will be praying for some friends that are facing cancer in the family and for others starting new businesses and for our daughter beginning a new job this next week.  Our Father has a plan and the sooner we can all learn to sit back and let Him move in our lives, the sooner things fall into place. He always opens windows when the door slams shut.


Laurie  

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.”- Psalm 119:93

Sketches Preparation is Important in Painting and in life by Texas Artist Laurie Justus Pace

Sketches

Preparing for a painting always requires sketches...

Contact me for commission work. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
  Painted Ponies    
  On Golden Pond Blog

Preparation is an important thing in life for almost everything. Spur of the moment is usually more like life is, but if you are preparing all along and have a good foundation, you are doing the needed prep work.

The grass Terry and I planted is doing fabulously.  We dipped each square of grass in a big tub of fertilizer water of Miracle Grow before we placed it on the ground.  My back hurt for over a week as we laid 150 grass squares.  But this preparation has paid off to solid sod that looks as good as it feels.  The dog loves it. The snakes love it... we all love it. Good preparation.

Preparation before we cook is important. We made his mother's meat loaf recipe again last night. Of course it always leaves me overfull...but it is good.  We had to prepare ahead by having all the needed ingredients.   Things just go together better when you don't have to substitute things in a recipe. 

I could list all day long things it is better to be prepared for... but the most important is when you come to God in prayer.  He likes it best that way and if your mind is clear of clutter and the "I wants and I needs", you can really listen to Him speaking to your heart. Our journey in life is our preparation for the journey into the here after.  Are you prepared?

Laurie

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 3:14

He Leads Three Equine Art Horse Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'HE LEADS THREE'

12 x 12 Oil on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 

  Painted Ponies   

On Golden Pond Blog

Think to a time in life that you were so hurt and devastated and emotionally drained. What did you do?  If you were five years old and something happened in your life at that time that made you afraid, hurt and crying, what did you do back then?

Most of us would have run to our mother or our father.  They were our protectors in life. They could fix anything in our little world and make it better.  

I struggle in today's world with hurt, devastation and emotionally battles in several areas.  I buck up and try to be strong.  I make my lists.  I pray.  I work harder and harder.  It does not help.  I am totally in the wrong direction or I would not still be dealing with the issues.

The Father wants us in His arms.  He is our protector. Only He can fix those things in our lives.  We have to have faith and total belief that He will, just like we did at age five with our parents back then.  When you cry, cry out to Jesus.  When you are hurting reach out to God for His protection and healing. When you are emotionally spent, rest in His arms and allow the Holy Spirit to rejuvenate your being.

Seeking answers and solutions on our own only sends us down another rabbit hole.  The answers are right here, we just cannot see them because of our blinding pain.  I learned a valuable lesson this past month and I have stayed the path because of my trust and faith in God.  I choose what to become emotionally entangled with.  If something pops up I always react and then then breathe and recenter myself and let Him take it on.  I may have to pull myself back several times, but it does work. 

I will pray for you this day for the battles you are engaged in. May you find the peace the He offers and walk away from the battle. It is not yours to fight alone.  He is your protector... He will lead the way around the danger and keep you safe.

Laurie  

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”- Hebrews 12:1

Spilled Fruit Palette Knife Fruit Still Life Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Justus Pace

'Spilled fruit'

9 x 12  Oil on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

 © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
Painted Ponies     

On Golden Pond Blog

Yesterday I learned to shoot a BB gun.  It was a first for me.  I am still startled that you can only load one BB at a time.  I guess I have watched too much TV where guns shoot repetitively and never run out of bullets.   It was actually fun. Terry made me a target and I shot for quite a while this morning.  It was empowering and it was only a BB gun.

You are empowered today with a shove in an active direction... say it loudly... I CAN, I CAN....

In your heart you know what you can do; you know what you need to do but you are waiting on something or someone to push you forward.  With God all things are possible.  If you believe and His Divine Grace resides in your heart, YOU CAN.

Stop living up to the expectations you labeled yourself with over the years.  You are the person you view yourself to be and often that is less than you are.  We always limit ourselves.  YOU CAN.  

Allow your faith to fill you with the understanding that change is now and now you can. There is meaning behind the words that allows you to step up and do what you are truly wanting to do with all your heart. YOU CAN.

God gives you the strength and energy; God gives you the wisdom to handle the complex days. God restores your soul with the peace that passes all understanding.  You reside in the now in His Love and His Grace.  Yesterday is past and tomorrow has not arrived.  YOU CAN DO IT NOW.

Laurie  

"Jesus said to him, 'If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes."  Mark 9:23

Post note to Amy...was this the answer to the question?  I have been praying.


 

Morning's Journey Contemporary Equine Art Horse Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Justus Pace

'Morning's Journey'

18 x 24  Oil on Canvas

COMMISSION SOLD

This is painted similar to a piece I did back in 2004.  It is for a bride to give to her groom for their new home.  The couple lives in Colorado and will be married in early fall.

Contact me for commission work. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website   
Painted Ponies     
On Golden Pond Blog
 

When I was teaching art classes several years ago in Justin, Texas, I had a student that was very gifted.  She wasn't necessarily the best drawing student I ever had, but the child/young adult was gifted with color.  She saw and felt color in every thing and every one.   I did not realize until today there was a name for this,  Synesthesia.   


She would win our student competition almost every year for best painting because she worked with color so naturally without anything being forced.  She saw people as colors, things as colors and associated most everything in life with a color.  Kandinsky, the great abstract painter had Synesthesia along with many composers and poets.  What is interesting is the list of past people with this was a list of men.  BUT women normally have it much more often than men.  There is a test for this. Click here.


Some artists are natural drawers with charcoal or pencil rendering exquisite sketches. Some artists have an eye for composition and balance, so why would you not have an artist that was blessed with the natural ability to see color in everything?  I know color.  I know color inside out. I can mix things and match them up pretty quick...but I can't say that I see color in numbers, or places, or people.    

God gifts us with so many things. Some seem odd to other people but are natural to us.  Do what is natural for you and develop those gifts.  If it is effortless and you feel the Spirit working through you, you are following Him. Relax and be guided by God's love and you will find a higher spiritual understanding.  When you force things that are not natural, the end result is compromised quality.  

Laurie

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.--Proverbs 4:23

Playing in the Sunlight 24 x 36 inch Abstract Equine Art Horse Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Playing in Sunlight'

24 x 36  Acrylic on Canvas

Playing in Sunlight
For details click HERE.

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
Painted Ponies     
On Golden Pond Blog

Usually when I am down I take that time to go right back up. (Ben says that all the time..." you can get glad just like you got sad. (or mad)."  You do that by counting your blessings.  Aunt Dorothy (Ben's sister) use to say if she could not sleep at night she would start with the letter A and say a prayer and bless every person she knew with a name that started with A. Then she would move to B and through the alphabet.  She never made it through with out falling asleep. She said often she would start at M and go forward just to cover new territory blessing her friends and family.

This might be a good exercise to actually sit down and do to see how many folks you remember that are blessings in your life and take the time to pray for them and bless them back. 

I always compare it to tapestries and the beautiful woven strands of color.  Each person is a thread in your tapestry of your life and as they come into your journey they weave in the special color they are blessed with.   Each thread/person unique in their beauty and gifts.  All different personalities, talents and skills.  They bless our lives while they walk with us.

So who are the people in your tapestry of life?  Some are close to you and always have been. Others are part of your journey for a short time.  Today is a good day to give thanks for all the people who have touched your life in some way.  Pray for them and surround them with your love.  Bless them and give thanks to God for the beauty they bring to you. This is your tapestry of love.
 

Laurie  

“Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.”- Psalm 112:5

 

Click Here: Canvas Giclees and Prints Available at FINE ART AMERICA

Sunflower Fountains Abstract Floral Art Contemporary Flower Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Sunflower Fountains'

30 x 40  Oil on Canvas

Commission SOLD
For details click HERE.

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Website                 On Golden Pond Blog

This painting was completed over weeks and literally weeks with much layering.  Last night I finished the Collector Book that goes with it. It is a hardback book with pictures from the start to the finish of the painting as it is created.  Most collectors love the books as much as their paintings!

I guess we are all collectors in some way or another.  Some folks collect coins; some collect books; some collect stamps.... and we could list things forever.  What makes collecting so important?  What do we seem to value in collecting things? 

I am thankful for people who collect art. With out those collectors I would be doing something else. Terry says having your 'stuff' around you is a comforting thing.  As we age we begin to learn what is important to keep and what means the most to have around us.


I collect books and some art pieces from fellow artists.  I use to collect cups and saucers, but realized about three years ago there was no reason to be doing it any more.  Terry and I have downsized quite a bit and those collections have not place in our household anymore.

A good friend was trying to show off her new KINDLE. I do not think I could go there.  Maybe a few books on one, but to give away all the collections of books I have... I don't think so. There is something special about holding a book and turning the pages.   I especially feel that way about my bible... all of my bibles. There is one here next to me, one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom.  There are more...but those are the main ones.  

True comfort for me comes in reading His word.  We are collectors of His Word.  We are receivers of His Grace and Abundance.  His Comfort surrounds and uplifts our family.

Laurie

“Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”- Matthew 19:14

Click Here: Canvas Giclees and Prints Available at FINE ART AMERICA

Meditations Landscape Palette Knife Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Meditation"

18 x 27  Oil on Canvas
SOLD

Contact me for commission work. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
Painted Ponies  
On Golden Pond Blog

I used to really enjoy the landscape palette knife paintings but I have not done many this year.

May have to play around in paint this weekend.

Here is one photo from the weekend... just for fun. I have not had time for a slide show as when you leave it takes twice as long to catch up when you are back.

Tink loves music so we jammed together on Daddy's guitar.

The beauty each day remind me of God's palette of colors bursting alive around me....this day, the most important because it is now today, the grace of Him given at this moment.

 

Laurie

“But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”- Matthew 16:15-16

'Bow to the Night' Abstract Equine Art Horse Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Bow to the Night'

5 x 7 on Canvas

Special pricing for summer clearance. 

I have pictures of it framed at the gallery if you are interested in it with a frame. 

Click HERE to see more.

Contact me for details. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
Painted Ponies  
On Golden Pond Blog

We are just home from a short trip to Dallas/Ft Worth and hugging on all those special folks.  When we stopped at Paul's house for the gate opener (They had been taking care of Paddy)  we were told the mailbox fell down.  Vicky piped up, "You sure do get a lot of mail, more than we get for sure."  Amazon is here!    I laughed remembering I had ordered some books from Amazon before I left. In fact before we left I had order and received CS5 Adobe, a new tripod (The other one died), paint from my supply store, books from Amazon...two different orders, and canvas from California.  Still outstanding were two gifts I had ordered and of course they both showed up.

No wonder the mailbox fell down. Terry thinks it was the UPS driver who does not back out our crooked driveway very well.  

In my one box is Laura Franz new book, Courting Morrow Little.   I cannot wait to start this book.  Laura's writing is incredible, believable and well research, as well as totally memorizing. 

It will be the first one read over the Audrey Hepburn biography and the Katherine Hepburn biography.  I also have a huge stack of art books to go through to prepare for teaching some workshops. 

More to come with pictures once I unload the camera today.

God bless, and don't let your mailbox fall over. Terry will be busy bricking up the new one.

Laurie

“I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.”- Psalm 119:30

Balanced Nude Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Balanced'

24 x 30  Oil on Canvas

SOLD

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
Painted Ponies  
On Golden Pond Blog

We have been visiting our daughter, son-in-law and our cherished grand-daughter for the past few days.  I had a melt down last weekend that required a break from routine, so we had an invite and we came.

It has been so enjoyable reconnecting with her. She calls Terry BAMPA just as Jon called him and I have heard her utter OMA one time.  We were in the Justin Outlet store in Justin TX and Terry was looking at boots.  I was chasing Tink around the store.  She topped in front of those mirrors on the floor where you check out how good the boots look on your feet... and she plopped down to talk to the "baby" in the mirror.  Then she was up and running.  By the time I caught her, she was grinning.  She looked at me and said "Where's Bampa?"


So we had to go on a hunt to find Bampa.  We found him going through the belts still. She spotted him across the store.  "There's Bampa!"  

We continued on our journey to Cabellas to pick up some binoculars for me to scout out the birds.  It is a huge store filled with everything known to nature and to man to hunt nature and its creatures.  We had Tink in her red wagon to pull her around the store.  She was quite content with her seating and her mug of water... and as we pulled her into the store we were greeted with "Where's Jesus?" Terry and I just looked at each other.

Terry headed to find some other things he needed for cleaning his guns and I tooled her around the store in her red wagon. We passed the "big Mountain where they had stuffed real animals...deer, elk, buffalo etc.  Her eyes were so big.  We then crossed over the wooden bridge and she saw all the waterfalls and another big moose.  We strolled through the fishing area and discovered the Aquarium.  We were just going through the doors surrounded by the huge aquariums filled with GIANT fish and she says...."There's Jesus."  The child was memorized by all the live fishing swimming in large circles. Their dance in the water was beautiful.

I debated this one and decided it had to come from either "Cherub" a tv series she watches, or from just hearing stories of Jesus feeding fish to the five thousand. Some how she saw the water and saw the fish and thought of Jesus.

When you get going this morning ask yourself, "Where's God?"  Then see how many times you can answer that during the day.



Laurie  

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”- 1 John 1:7

Rule of the White Stallion Equine Art Contemporary Horse Oil Painting

'Rule of the White Stallion'

30 x 30  Oil on Canvas

SOLD 

Contact me for commission work. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website  
Painted Ponies  
On Golden Pond Blog

 Formulating .... someone told me they were trying to formulate thoughts in their head for a meeting.  Isn't that where you make a plan?  God is chuckling.  How much time do you spend making those plans, formulating the ideas popping out of your head?  

Take it a step further...

How often have you heard the phrase, "the best laid plans of mice and men."?  Googling this you will find it was in a 1785 poem written by Robert Burns. The Poem was entitled,"To a Mouse, on Turning her Up in Her Nest with the Plough"  

Here is the Standard English Translation of his Scottish poem:

"Small, crafty, cowering, timorous little beast,
O, what a panic is in your little breast!
You need not start away so hasty
With argumentative chatter!
I would be loath to run and chase you,
With murdering plough-staff.
I'm truly sorry man's dominion
Has broken Nature's social union,
And justifies that ill opinion
Which makes thee startle
At me, your poor, earth born companion
And fellow mortal!
I doubt not, sometimes, but you may steal;
What then? Poor little beast, you must live!
An odd ear in twenty-four sheaves
Is a small request;
I will get a blessing with what is left,
And never miss it.
Your small house, too, in ruin!
Its feeble walls the winds are scattering!
And nothing now, to build a new one,
Of coarse grass green!
And bleak December's winds coming,
Both bitter and keen!
You saw the fields laid bare and wasted,
And weary winter coming fast,
And cozy here, beneath the blast,
You thought to dwell,
Till crash! the cruel plough passed
Out through your cell.
That small bit heap of leaves and stubble,
Has cost you many a weary nibble!
Now you are turned out, for all your trouble,
Without house or holding,
To endure the winter's sleety dribble,
And hoar-frost cold.
But little Mouse, you are not alone,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes of mice and men
Go often askew,
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!
Still you are blest, compared with me!
The present only touches you:
But oh! I backward cast my eye,
On prospects dreary!
And forward, though I cannot see,
I guess and fear!" 

Robert Burns 1785

The poem is a narrative of a farmer describing how he plowed his field and he cut through a mouse nest.  The farmer is apologetic to the little mouse but closer examination and thought reveal the true meaning of the poem.  There are times in life you mean no harm or have no ill intentions, yet you accidentally destroy someone else's plans in life.  The mouse represents the view of living today without worry about tomorrow or bother 'making plans'.  Living today is using this moment to the best and the mouse does that.   The farmer on the other hand, continues to moan over past happenings, and blames those happenings from him moving forward in life, unable to enjoy the living of this moment. 

If there are things in your past holding you back, it is time to let go of them.  Enjoy this day that God has graced to you.

Laurie  

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”- Isaiah 41:10

Seven Paint Ponies Equine Art Horse Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Seven Paint Ponies'

24 x 36  Oil on Canvas

SOLD

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
Painted Ponies  
On Golden Pond Blog
 

We are a disposable society... did you ever stop and think about that?  When the world was a little "smaller" with out the internet, fast travel, airplanes etc, our ancestors treasured, saved and reused everything.  All things were recycled and used in other ways all the time.  The phrase was "waste not want not".  And they did not waste anything.  

Think about what you have discarded or thrown away recently?  Paper towels, kleenex, paper plates, plastic forks, paper baby diapers....etc  Things we dispose of on a regular basis every day.  

Some of you have no memory or knowledge of using just cloth towels in the kitchen and washing them every day...or carrying a handkerchief. Do you even know what a handkerchief is?  When did you use one last?  Or what about napkins?  We use them 99 percent of the time at our house, not paper towels or paper napkins but the real thing. 

Moms were always in the kitchen most of the day, cooking, washing dishes and cooking and washing some more.  The baby wore cloth diapers.  (Mine actually did all the time.) 

Life grows more disposable by the year with disposable cameras, disposable bibs for the baby, disposable water bottles... our trash grows exponentially. Our lives are growing more wasteful by the day. 

A long time ago when lives were centered around the community and the church, you did not have friends for a season in your life.  The people around you were your family and your extended family. You learned to accept and love people as they were.  That falls back on unconditional acceptance and love, taught to us by Jesus and constantly reflected to us from God the Father.

 

My daughter recommends you need to watch the movie WALL-E.  It will convict you on our consumer driven lives.  It is a Disney flick.. We will be watching this week.

 

Laurie  

“I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.”- Psalm 119:7

Rites of Spring Equine Art Contemporary Horse Oil Painting Mirada Fine Art Gallery by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Rites of Spring'

20 x 30  Oil on Canvas

Available at Mirada Fine Art

I chose to re-post this painting for sale to tie in with my blog today. 


Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

© Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
Painted Ponies 
  On Golden Pond Blog 

Read about a Mother's love... 

When you wake this morning and read this blog...I greet you with  THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

So many of you apply yourselves diligently to life.  This includes your family, your job and your spiritual relationship with Him.  It is the spiritual relationship that burns the brightest lighting up the other areas of your life.  His Divine Light burns eternally. As your relationship with Him deepens, the light just burns brighter reaching out to others and lighting the way in your relationships with others.

Being true to the good and faithful to God, will bring more opportunities for divine inspiration. Your confidence grows in yourself and this reaches out to others. The new confidence will birth new ideas and those ideas will bring light and progress in the lives of others. 

So let His light shine and fill the darkness... 

I remember singing with my kids growing up, "It only takes a spark to get a fire going.  And soon all those around will warm up in its glowing.  That's how it is with God's love, once you experience it, it's fresh like spring, you want to sing, you want to pass it on."


Laurie  

'Master you handed over to me five talents; see I have made five more talents."  Matthew 25:20

White Poppies Floral Art Contemporary Flower Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'White Poppies'

9 x 12  Oil on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website  
Painted Ponies  
On Golden Pond Blog
 

A friend emailed me today in great pain. She had pulled her back cleaning her house.  She was hurt, mad and frustrated.  She thought she was doing the right thing, bringing order and cleanliness to the chaotic house. She had prayed about her day on what to do and was pulled strongly to do this... clean up the chaos and bring back peace and beauty.  So why did she get hurt doing this?


I told her I was right there with her.  Sure as I think I am going in the direction that He wants me to go, I stub my toe, or catch my hand, or something that brings tears to the eye and makes me stop and go 'WHY LORD, I THOUGHT I WAS DOING WHAT I SHOULD BE DOING.'

While I believe firmly in prayer and having discernment... it is obvious my decisions are not always right as I think they are.  Humans have this wonderful thing called a brain. It is capable of doing so much and has the ability to even convince us of things to do that we probably should not do.  Our brains are imaginative. Our brains are creative. We pray and those active brains do not shut down and as we are asking for direction, our problem solving part of our brain is firing off several different answers and we tend to take the answer we like the best.  (Not necessarily His answer.)  


Perhaps it is good that we pray and listen and block out the brain's static.  When an answer seems to come, how do we know it is His  or if it is part of that over active problem solving brain?  


Stay purposeful in your prayers and requests. Learn to listen and stay focused and shut out all the brains waves bouncing around. There is a difference in fantasy and divine possibility. Try to look at your requests and responses from the spiritual side to enable you to think out what the outcome might be with a chosen path.  Be open to see things in a new way and accepting of change.

When we walked yesterday morning, we took the same path as the night before. We had heard sirens galore outside late last night.  Those are sounds we never hear out at the lake.  Sitting on the porch swing, we counted six emergency vehicles screaming down the road across the pond.  On our walk with Paddy about 30 minutes later, we watched as a neighbor was brought out of the home and loaded into an ambulance.  There were ER folks everywhere, sheriff's dept, fire dept, the lake patrol and two unmarked vehicles.  They were still doing CPR on the man in the ambulance and we have not heard today if he made it or not.  That is life CHANGING.

Things like this make all those questioned decisions seem like nothing.  Our life is in God's hands.  Keep your life simple. Try not to complicate things. Learn to live with less and be happy with less. You will enjoy life more.

Laurie
 
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.”- Colossians 2:9-10

Paint by Reds Equine Art Horse Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Paint by Red'

5 x 7  Acrylic on Canvas

This is a fun experimental one this week, so it is a give away to the first request received.  THIS Free painting with free shipping has been claimed! It is going to Illinois.

Thank you. Watch ahead for more.
Sold but free.

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
Painted Ponies  
On Golden Pond Blog
When is it too Much? Read about it on Retired on Golden Pond 

I am not sure if I am running the direction of multi-tasking or writing about too many distractions.  On the Golden Pond Blog it was about too much TV watching.  When you think about it there are a lot of distractions in our lives and we seem to multi-task through most of them.  Things are different at our current house because we are still not set up all the way.  


At the last house,  if I was cooking I either had the TV on in the kitchen for noise, or the stereo playing with music. You might even throw in a phone call or two because I could juggle all three things, cooking, listening and talking at the same time.  


When I am on the computer I am balancing email, websurfing, blogging, working in Photoshop, fixing things on the website and talking on the phone. Sometimes the Itunes is going and sometimes TP has the TV on in the living room for more listening.  When I climb into bed early at night, I have a book I am reading, a sketch book for sketching in, my ipod, and the TV is always on for Terry.  Oh, I forgot, I even has a SKUDO book I like to work in to keep my mind sharp.  Wait, how about those folks driving next to you out in traffic? Music is on, the cell phone is plaster to their ear and they are driving. Not too safe is it?

What kind of self control is needed to slow down in our lives?  How can we even begin to enjoy the true beauty of ONE thing at a time. When you do ONE thing at a time, you can put in one hundred percent of your best effort. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT. Wow, impressive. 

Could you go through one full 24 hour period and NOT multi-task? What if it is just a personal challenge?   How do we ever come to prayer alone with just God if we continue to multi-task at this rate?  


When was the last time you sat down with your spouse, partner, family and shared a meal without the TV or music playing?  Now Terry and I do that at least once a day if not twice.  We grown to enjoy the togetherness and the intimacy of praying over the food without the distractions and then sharing conversation as we eat. 

Try it today.  Cut back on the multi-tasking and chose one thing at a time to put your attention to it.  I believe firmly we are doing too much and enjoying life less because of it.

Laurie  

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”- James 1:21

The Dance Contemporary Horse Painting Equine Art by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'The Dance, Tribute to Onyx'

30 x 30  Acrylic Overlays on Canvas

This is the beginning... It may evolve more this week....

Commission Painting SOLD

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website  
Painted Ponies  
On Golden Pond Blog

Lead me Lord...

"Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord,
by the light of truth
to seek and to find the narrow way.
Be my way; be my truth;
be my life, my Lord,
and lead me, Lord, today."

I came across this song on the internet and truly felt the words calling to me. There was a media player there and I was able to listen to the song.  It was not the one I was seeking in my mind; The one I sought was an old hymn from church.  

"Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness;
make thy way plain before my face.

For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,
that makest me dwell in safety. "

Both songs express it so well... be it the light that leads you  or just God making the way plain right in front of you... His way is the truth and the light and He will keep you safe.

This has been a week of unexpected prayer requests.  Ministers serving in Africa,  friends in need, readers of this blog with prayer requests, birthdays, family members of friends having emergency surgeries,  etc.  When I leave this computer at night and head to shower and climb into bed, it is usually nine or later.  When I start in the mornings it is usually about 6:30 or seven.  Terry and I hold you all up in prayer together at night, once again in the morning together and then through out the day I stop and go through my 'heart list' on my on several times. 

The path for most of these folks was unexpected when it came to health and surgeries.  Those are the things we cannot prepare for other than to know He walks with each of us through the trial.  When we have others praying for us  it is wonderful and you literally cannot have too many folks praying for you.  Vicky was talking about the hospital in Mt Pleasant was so good about doctors praying over you with the nurses before and after surgery and then even in your room.  Doctors kneeling beside your bed with a nurse on the other side, holding your hands and offering up prayers for healing.

We are in this together... and together we hold each other up in prayer, in sickness, health, in good times and bad times... together, always in prayer.

I spent most of today working on the painting above.  This was for a special horse owner up north and her beautiful horse Onyx.  She did not want a representational painting but one that captured energy and color and personality.  I told Terry I wanted to start flying to take pictures of the horses myself so I could personally meet them.  

Enjoy your dance today.

Laurie

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.”- John 15:10

pp Crowded In Ponies Abstract Equine Art Horse Mixed Medium Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Available to purchase and ready to ship.
See Slide Show below of the painting.

Crowding In Ponies
24" x 24" (61.0cm x 61.0cm)
SOLD

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website  
Painted Ponies  
 
On Golden Pond Blog
Catch up with us on our adventures out in the neighborhood! 

Slide Show of the painting:

Do you find yourself often never satisfied?  The truth is despite the feeling of not being satisfied, you need to find contentment.

Look at all the famous athletes out in the world.  They play to win and are motivated with a passion to play.  What rocked me this week, and I don't know his name as I don't follow basketball, but I do know he left Detroit for Miami and his reasoning was not to play a better game of ball but it was to WIN.  Last time I was involved with students and games or sports, winning was secondary.  The joy once again was the journey or how you played the game.  You could play it for fun, for learning, for competition, but enjoy what you were doing.  

I suppose this player got tired of loosing with Detroit and I do not even begrudge his changing teams; it caught me off guard when it came across the news that he left to play to WIN. He was tired of losing.   I truly wish he might have phrased it differently.  That my friends, is hard to explain to a 10 or 12 year old.  Wish he might have been quoted as wanting to play with a more competitive team offering the opportunity of championships.  Words, part of the word game.


To weave this into a lesson spiritually is to look at Paul. He was driven to excel and reach out for Jesus teaching others... and he learned spiritually to find a balance.  While it is often hard to be satisfied with your own spiritual progress and relationship with the Lord, be content to be there in Christ right now and trying to build the relationship.   Paul pressed on to his goal even while in prison. He wrote of being content with the circumstances that had occurred and trusted God's plan.... yet in the same breath he was committed to pressing onward in his relationship with Christ.


Learning to balance our contentment with a desire of excellence is important to spiritual growth and in every day growth in our lives. It is important with relationships here on earth.  For example, often in a marriage after many years, you grow content and you do less for the relationship.  It is so important to keep pressing on to care for the other person and keep that relationship advancing inside that contentment.  

Give your life in commitment to God; be content as you strive daily to strengthen that relationship with Him.

Laurie  
 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

The White of an Angel Equine Horse Art Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'The White of an Angel'

30 x 30  Oil on Canvas

SOLD

Contact me for Commission work. Laurie

 © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
Painted Ponies  

Find out why Debbie Lincoln is without Electricity and Power on our blog Retired on Golden Pond
On Golden Pond Blog

I had email from Debbie Lincoln yesterday as they were in Colorado and heading into an area with out all the expected amenities.  That alone set me thinking about what are our expected amenities from God?  What do you expect from Him?  

Everyone has a different view of the Father and their own personal relationship. I do believe if He cares so tenderly for those little birds of the air, He cares for me.  When times get tough, He provides. It will not all come in one big chunk like the lottery, but it will be there, bit by bit and exactly what we need.  

Reading in the bible in 1 Kings, Chapter 17, it is so simply laid out.  Elijah has traveled to Zarephath and God told Elijah that a widow would care for him and feed him.  When he arrived he found the woman gathering sticks and he asked her for water.  When she brought him a drink, he asked her to bring him a bit of bread. She told him she had none, but she was gathering sticks to take home to cook for her and her son.  She told him she had no cakes and only a handful of meal and a tiny bit of oil.  Elijah told her not to fear and go home and make him cake from what she did have. Then she could make some more for herself and her son.  He told her God was instructing this; she did as Elijah said and fed him and her son for many days.  The meal in the barrel never ran out and the oil did not fail.   A few weeks later, the son fell deathly ill and the woman cried to Elijah for help.  Elijah took the boy from her and carried him to the place where he was staying and laid the boy in his bed and prayed to God to allow the boy to live.  The Father returned the boy's soul to his body and he revived immediately.  Elijah took him back to his mother and she was sure then that Elijah was a man of God and that  his word was indeed God's word.

I think often it is easy to pray and ask for something that is not in His plan.  I do believe the trust comes in acceptance of what is truly needed at that moment and not what is needed tomorrow. 

He will revive you today and restore you with abundance that will not run out... believe and it will be as you need it.

Laurie 

^"And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth"  1 Kings 17:12-14

On the Easel at Work Horse Equine Art Paintings by Texas Artist Laurie Justus Pace

ON the easel.... works in progress...

Contact me for commission work. Laurie

 © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website 
Painted Ponies  

On Golden Pond Blog
In the Retired on Golden Pond Blog, Read about serious discoveries for the older body working in the heat and take a gander at my favorite cornbread recipe.
 

Boy aren't we all works in progress? Some exceptions in every crowd believe they are totally complete and obviously have it together better than the rest of us.  Kim told me the words were self-righteous.  This blog is a confessional today.   I don't know much other in life than I continue to muddle along each day battling insecurities and control issues.  I have this huge sinful habit of wanting to fix it and make it right for everyone. I do not like stress or anger and I avoid it like the plague.  I definitely don't have it together and I make human errors all the time.  Mother was quite insistent as we were growing up that we ALWAYS look for the good in the person and the good in the situation. That can be difficult at times.


I am fallible and human; I am a woman; I loose my temper and I often cry watching the news at night. I fight unconditionally for those I love even when I should not.  Terry says I put myself in harms way often emotionally and that I care too much about everyone's feelings or what they may think.   

But he also said one of my strong points was that I was not afraid to get out in the human race and take a swing at life as often as I could.  If you never step up to bat, you never know... and even trying and failing is better than never trying at all.   If we never made mistakes in life we would never learn and grow.  I pray for guidance and I work hard to achieve goals, something also learned from my parents. I love to FINISH things.  Life would be horrible if I never had closure or if I never could get to the end of something.  That is probably another negative... we should enjoy the journey and not worry about the arrival.


This works on canvas too. Enjoy painting.  Letting go and allowing the spirit to work is way different than painting in the lines.  

What is your life like?  Are you a paint by number stepping cautiously through the composition and painting in the lines? OR, are you guided by the spirit, wearing a blindfold and trusting Him to lead, guide, guard and direct you?


Laurie

 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”- Jeremiah 32:17
 

Mountain Pony Equine ART Horse Abstract Oil Painting by Texas Contemporary Artist Laurie Justus Pace

'Mountain Pony'

24 x 36  Oil on Canvas

This is one just finished but I decided to offer it from the blog for a summer special. It is very rugged with color and drag and all oil with out impasto.

I will ship free. If you like it email me for the special summer pricing. I can also email you close ups of different areas on the painting, or a larger file to view.

SOLD! Thank you.

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

My Blog

My Website
Painted Ponies 
On Golden Pond Blog

Read how we got out of the "Jam".... Retired on Golden Pond

The Thought:  With the current economic status of our nation, all of us are paying closer attention to what we spend and what we do.  Credit use to be easy to get and signing up for a new credit card could be done on the spot right in the store and you immediately found yourself with $10,000 in new credit and you felt safe that you could go buy anything you wanted.


Safe?  I don't think so.  It obviously got to the point with many people they filled up charge cards randomly forgetting they had to pay them off.  Even then, just paying the minimum was sometimes hard.  Unexpectedly came the crises of the economic downfall, the slump in the market and the near death of the real estate market.   Many found themselves in a crisis situation of being employed. Feeding the family took precedence over paying those credit card bills.

Having good credit in a bad economy is tough and to even buy a house today the standards are the highest they have ever been.  For a while you saw commercials on every channel about repairing your credit, but credit repair is not something that can be easily bought.  Credit repair is something that has to be worked on.  My now adult kids fully understand why I was so overbearing about keeping your credit clean and tidy.  It is one thing pretty darn essential to making it through this journey here on earth if you live in a civilized area.


How does this apply to your life?  Are you living a credible life?  You can't buy a new credible life, it is something you have to work on, day by day. Sometimes you can find credibility hanging out with 'credible friends'....but eventually you face God with your life as it is.  Your service, your gifts, your giving and your words and actions all create your credibility as a Christian.   As a believer you represent Him.  His reputation is connected to us and it is our job to live our lives honorably to represent Him credibly to others.  Your testimony is your life.

Laurie  

"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."  1 Peter 2:12