September 2010 in the Hudson River Valley, Herd on the Hudson, A Challenge to Jump by Texas Artist Laurie Pace
©Laurie Pace Graphics One Design 2023
Herd on the Hudson
24 x 36 inches Oils on Canvas
SOLD
by Laurie Pace
Herd on the Hudson painting was the top feature of the Million Dollar Jumper Competition in Saurgerties, New York in September 2010. It was an exciting five days of competition in one of the most beautiful places in New York in the Hudson River Valley. We drove up from East Texas to enjoy the festivities and Kimberly and Don Conrad flew in from Denver to join us. We were allowed access to areas by the jumpers to film and photograph the horses, we attended many of the extra curricular activities, and we met up with other artists and painters living in that area that we knew from online at The Daily Painters. It was a tremendous trip. The Conrads joined us at an open field concert by John Fogerty where we sat under cloudy skies with soft rains and occasional bursts of stars. We spent hours driving the country side for views of the Hudson River Valley below and toured some of the older homes there in the Valley.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning.
― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning.
Obstacles and Change in Our Lives Brings a Challenge
Situations in life often create obstacles in our personal lives where we hit a dead end and cannot find a way around it or even through it. Often we try digging deeper inside of ourselves seeking that force that drives us to achieve the impossible. Or so we think.
But where does this type of self motivation come from? Is it purely selfish, rooted in our desire for success and recognition? Or can we find inspiration and fuel our motivation through a deeper connection, one that stems from the spirit of God and gratitude for His grace at all times?
1 Corinthians 3: 16 “Know that you are the temple of God and that the spirit of God dwells in you.”
When we cultivate a sense of awe in God and His generosity, our perspective shifts. We begin to see our self-motivation not just as a means to satisfy our own desires, but as a way to honor the blessings we have received and respond to the divine invitation to be our best selves. Our motivation becomes an offering of gratitude, a way to celebrate and make the most of the gifts bestowed upon us.
2 Timothy 1:14 “Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”
In times when we face circumstances beyond our control, it is easy to feel powerless and defeated. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that we are presented with a remarkable challenge – the challenge to transform ourselves through the Holy Spirit. Rather than allowing ourselves to remain stagnant or overwhelmed, we have the opportunity to rise above the circumstances, drawing on our inner strength and resilience through the Holy Spirit. We must adapt our mindset, perception, and behavior to align with the situations at hand. It is not about forcing change upon the world around us, but rather, adapting and evolving allowing God to work through us. We are ensured of change through Him as our inner resource to navigate gracefully by our faith and acceptance of Him working within us.
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:7-8
Through this spiritual Godly intercession, He gets a hold of us; we are able to discover a sense of peace and strength within ourselves. We learn that our own self-motivation cannot be the driving force for any success; it is through His beautiful love for us He provides exactly what we need in every situation. As we allow the moving of the Lord within us, we find that our self-being is shaped and molded into something even greater. He is greater than us. Embrace the awe of God's presence. Let your motivation be fueled by gratitude for His grace and generosity.
As you navigate life with grace and acceptance, you will discover a profound sense of peace within yourself – a peace that comes from knowing that your motivation is an offering of love and gratitude to the Divine.
John 14: 15-18 “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
Follow the Spirit of the Paint... with Laurie Pace
Laurie Pace - A Texas Artist
Laurie is an international artist, her paintings are collected in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, DuBai, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, St Thomas, Romania, Greece, Croatia, and Ecuador.
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© Graphics One Design 2023
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