A new Experience

"It's here!!!! And I cried when I pulled the paper back! What a JOY to me!!!" 

I have painted and sold paintings and work before. I love solving a good graphic problem and having a customer walk away with satisfaction and excitement about their product and their new adventure. But a graphic designer's work is temporary. It is most likely, a box, wrapper, dated flyer or a digital image that can be deleted at any time. I understand this. It is what I enjoy about graphic design. It is temporary and you get a new project just around the corner. Try something new...say something different. It is all fun and the variety is exciting. I enjoy the temporal quality. 

I even enjoy this about paint parties!  Something From Nothing Paint Parties have revealed a side of me that I didn't really know existed. I didn't realize that other people might value my work. I didn't know that one painting would touch someone's heart so deeply she would say the words, "What a joy to me!"  I was more interested in someone finding out what abilities they had and the discovery of fun, peace and the thrill of pushing paint and pretty colors around on a canvas. To forget about the problems of the world for a few hours and just enjoy being with people...laughing, talking, getting to know each other just a little better!

This time my work went to a friend who has broken free from a long journey of verbal, mental and emotional abuse. She is a delightful person with the biggest heart and kindest words. When we had young children, we would talk on our cordless phones and enjoy each others thoughts, identify with the challenges of being a mom, and leave encouraged to keep up the work of pouring our lives into our families. I had no idea what she was experiencing or what she lived in the years ahead. She moved, we lost touch, our children grew. My relationship with my husband grew closer and sweeter. Hers was a nightmare.

I can't imagine what she endured. I don't know her story. I don't want to know the sin behind the pain this dear family endured. But with the grace of God she has emerged this entrapment with a new life and hope of happiness again. Not with another man, but standing on her own two feet while praising the Lord for His goodness and grace every day.

For this woman to say something I created brought her joy to the point of tears is so foreign to me. Even I, who loves art, is not moved to tears when looking at a painting. All I can imagine is that her life was void of simple joys for so long that she is collecting new memories that bring her happiness. I feel so honored that my humble painting will do this for her when she looks at it- every day more happiness, acceptance....joy...over and over...building and healing...for my dear friend. 

For my friend, may it bring you joy and hope for many days! And thank you for your gift to me!