you are for me :: music love

watch this video on youtube - you are for me by kari jobe

*New Video* ~Evolution of a Painting (one)

i have absolutely no idea how long it's been since i made a new video to post here on the blog.....i do know its been way too long! lol! i think that maybe it partly had to do with the feeling that God was prompting me to do something i had never done before....incorporate another gift He's given me into my videos along with the art. and let me tell ya.....i got more than a bit anxious about it. so instead of just trusting God and going forward with it.....i stalled. don't we all do this....God tells us what He wants us to do and we go, "oh no God. you couldn't possibly want me to do that. i'm not good enough, prepared enough, etc." and what are we doing? letting our own insecurities stop us from giving glory to God by using all of our gifts.

so, after over more than a year of of God regularly reminding me that He needed me to do this, i'm finally letting go and taking another step forward on this journey He's intended for me. the voice you hear singing during the video is mine....yep, i've been singing since before i could talk, my mom would say. i've sang at church during my childhood, at music festivals around my home state, in talent competitions, and done the karaoke thing as an adult....but before last year, it had been over 12 years since i'd sang in front of anyone besides my family. i know God knew He had to ease me back into this, so He started with singing solos at our new church. i have received much encouragement from many members of my church family and it has helped me gather my courage for this new territory God has me going into....putting my voice out here on the internet....for everyone to hear.

i want to encourage you....to follow God's leading and prompting...even though you may not feel "ready" or "good enough". do it anyway. trust Him and know that He intends only good for you. God uses everyone to bring Him glory. for through the least, he can do the most.

this new video series will not only feature my singing, but also some video format experimentation as well....i'm sure you'll notice that i'm painting with one hand and filming with the other, in hopes to give you a "painter's eye" view of the process of creating a painting. i'll be filming this painting at different stages of its creation....trusting that God will lead it and me where He wants to take us. it is my prayer that God works though me, this broken vessel, to speak to your heart and spirit.

God's abundant blessings to you all!!! xoxoxo

"...I am like a broken vessel... Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." ~Psalm 31:12b, 24

Original song by JJ Heller (link to video of her singing this song live)

Video - In the studio today....an artsy tip

If you can't see the above video, visit this post on my blog

Don't miss out on my HUGE giveaway....comment on yesterday's post!!

New videos ~ Progress of a painting background (parts 3-6)

New progress of a painting video series

The idea came to me as I was starting another background underpainting, to film each step as I go. What you see is the raw footage, unedited, uploaded straight to YouTube from my iPhone. I'm holding my phone while i'm filming, so please excuse the camera movement. Boy is it hard to hold my phone and paint. lol! Here are the first three of six quick little vids (approximately 1 minute or less in length) showing each step in the progress of one of my background underpaintings I worked on yesterday. The part you don't see in the first video is where I used a tube of paint to write words on the canvas....I needed my other hand to hold the canvas still while I wrote....sometimes I wish I had three hands. lol! Enjoy :D