Laurie Pace - Fine Artist

© Laurie Pace        Graphics One Design 2026 Celebrating Life Oil on Canvas  SOLD   by Laurie Pace   Self-Interest vs. Selflessness — A New Year’s Perspective The start of a new year naturally turns our focus inward. Goals are set. Resolutions are made. We ask ourselves what needs to change, what we want to improve, and what we hope to gain in the year ahead. None of that is wrong. Reflection has value. Growth matters. But quietly, almost unnoticed, culture often nudges the question in one consistent direction: What’s in it for me? That question has slowly shaped the way relationships are viewed—evaluated by usefulness, convenience, or personal benefit. When relationships stop meeting expectations, disappointment follows, and detachment feels justified. How Culture Shapes Our Thinking We live in a time that rewards self-focus. Personal fulfillment, personal peace, personal success. Relationships can become transactional r...

© Laurie Pace        Graphics One Design 2025 Rock Hard Oil on Canvas  SOLD   by Laurie Pace   Boundaries — Godly Wisdom vs.  Emotional Impulse Boundaries are often misunderstood. Many see them as walls meant to keep people out, when in truth, godly boundaries are designed to protect what matters most. They are not about control or fear, but about wisdom, timing, and discernment. In relationships, emotional impulse can feel convincing. Feelings urge us to open up quickly, explain ourselves fully, or move ahead before understanding has time to settle. Wisdom, however, invites us to slow down. It asks us to listen, observe, and wait. Scripture reminds us of this careful balance: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”   Proverbs 4:23 When to Open Up Opening up is not wrong. Vulnerability is necessary for meaningful connection. But wisdom teaches us that timing matters. Trust is built gradually...

© Laurie Pace        Graphics One Design 2025 Never Fear Oil on Canvas  SOLD   by Laurie Pace   Why People Disappoint Us — Imperfection, Expectations, and Grace  (But God Never Does) I n general, people disappoint us. That reality touches every kind of relationship—friendships, family, and even marriage. Often, disappointment doesn’t come from cruelty or bad intent, but from something much simpler: human imperfection. Imperfections in relationships often appear as surprises. Habits we didn’t expect. Differences in how things are handled, ordered, or valued. We enter relationships—whether friendship or marriage—with hope and positivity, yet eventually discover that everyone carries flaws, weaknesses, and unresolved issues. That discovery is not failure; it is a part of each of us, living and growing. Some people handle imperfections with grace and resilience. Others fall apart when expectations collide with reality. Wh...

© Laurie Pace        Graphics One Design 2025 Work in Progress Oil on Canvas  Commission   by Laurie Pace   The Heart of the Matter  Life is a work in Progress In every relationship—whether a friendship, family bond, or serious partnership—two people are often drawn together by shared interests, emotions, or experiences. Connection comes naturally. However, discovering a safe place within that connection is not always easy. "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." Psalm 56: 3 Trusting someone with your heart and your most precious inner thoughts requires vulnerability. It takes courage, wisdom, and time. Many people believe trust should come quickly, but in reality, it must be built carefully. Human nature, influenced by emotion, desire, and personal gain, can easily guide us off the right path. We are imperfect beings, and without discernment, we may place our trust where it does not belong. Scripture reminds us th...

© Laurie Pace        Graphics One Design 2025 Merry Christmas Limited Foresight and a Faithful God After watching The Bishop’s Wife this morning, I was struck by the moment when the angel leaves and the minister is meant to forget the visit ever happened. It reminded me of something I once heard in a faith-based reflection—that we are limited in foresight. We do not truly see what lies ahead for ourselves or our families. Only God does. While we plan and hope, our Father alone holds the full picture of what is to come. That truth feels especially present at Christmas. The birth of Christ came quietly, without human certainty or control. Mary and Joseph could not foresee the full story, yet God’s purpose unfolded perfectly. His power is seen in creation, in His providence, and most clearly in Christ—power not meant to overwhelm us, but to guide us as we live and apply His Word daily. When we trust God’s foresight over our own, we find peace even in uncertainty. Th...

© Laurie Pace        Graphics One Design 2025 Christmas Eve: The Promise at Sundown Lake Cypress Springs - Photography by Laurie Pace  “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” — Isaiah 7:14 “ Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” — John 14:27 As the sun sets on Christmas Eve, I am always drawn back to the miracle of Christ’s birth.  There is something sacred about the quiet of dusk—the slowing of the day—that invites reflection. Long before Bethlehem, long before the manger, the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of our Savior. More than 700 years before it came to pass, God promised a sign, and He kept it. Christmas Eve has always held deep meaning for me. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, our family faithfully attended Christmas Eve services at our...