America's War Artists - In Remembrance

Since 1917, the U.S Armed Services have commissioned official military artists to record scenes of war, their interpretations of the military in action, and even official portraits of military leaders. There have been many who served through different conflicts - and even today, there are official artists serving in the middle east.

Some of these artists were even responsible for creating the iconic pro-America, pro-war effort posters in WW II. Most, though, painted or sketched the action, the aftermath of conflicts, and even the feelings of their comrades. They served the country by documenting, recording, and commemorating the events and actions of our military. They too, are heroes.

As we pause to remember those fallen heroes who gave all for our freedoms, let us also remember those who recorded events through their artistic interpretations.

LANDING ZONE by John O. Wehrle, CAT I, 1966, Courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Army

Etchings on the soul

Bill Scheidt at the art show in Kerrville

There are few things that touch the heart like nature and an artist's rendering of the master's creation. Sometimes I look at someone's art and it goes straight to my heart. It can stir emotion and grab something deep inside. Sometimes art makes me cry, especially when it is something supernatural that transfers from someone's spirit onto a surface.
At times, one or two of my own paintings have stirred a tear out of me. I was blessed with a natural talent, and as I have developed my painting skills, I see more and more what is inside of me. Seeing that in a color rendition stirs my soul, and at times, I am overwhelmed with what comes out of my spirit onto paper or canvas.
I have been taking lessons from a western artist named Bill Scheidt. Our styles are totally different from each others, but he has a keen eye for color and translating that to canvas. That's why I went to him for lessons. He has also taught me color, value, depth, and light.Now, everything I see is through another person's teaching of his perspective. It's pretty cool.
I went to an art show in Kerrville today and got to talk with a few artists. Each one has their unique style, medium, and finished art. As I spoke with one of the artists, we discussed how there is no one right way to paint. We are each endowed with an ability to communicate through the talent we've been given, and as in anything else, each one has their unique way of expressing that talent.
Other people inspire me, teach me something new, give me a new perspective, and show me a different way.  I left refreshed and alive. I left enriched and encouraged. When I went back to Boerne, I spent some time doing a quick tree study on the deck of Texas Treasures Fine Art this afternoon. I have a painting I've been working on and laid down a couple of weeks ago, frustrated. I know now what I need to do to finish. Here is a picture of my art mentor (above) and of my tree study. More later. Peace.

A Note on Writing notes

People, for the most part, don't write notes any more. We have Facebook, instant messaging, texts, and less and less - email. (Remember snail-mail? It was my main way of communication for 3 years when I was mostly out at sea.) We have become dependent on technology to convey our thoughts and ideas, even a lot of our communication is no longer verbal, but digital. It seems like sometimes don't even want to commit to a phone call conversation, but rather send a text. Even in my work environment, where a few steps away from the desk would be sufficient to communicate a thought, some would rather send a quick email or even a text.Usually it takes longer to communicate by text than it would to actually make the call and talk. Tone is lost; inflection,  exclamation, and feeling is lost in a text. LOL does not really mean the same as actually hearing someone laugh out loud.

I guess it comes down to the fact that relationships take time and energy. There is always more to talk about, and when we engage one-on-one, there is always the danger that we might bite off more than we were ready for. Conversations are nice - moreso than the back and forth trading of information that text messages and instant messaging provide. Conversations take time, but they are not lasting. A note, however, is a permanent record of a thought, an emotion, feeling, or instruction.

A note of encouragement to a friend might be the lift they needed. Even so, it can be reread as a reminder of the fact that they are valued or cherished. It takes time to compose a thought and convey it to a piece of paper. It says, "I thought enough of you to take some time and express those thoughts here." It adds value and can strengthen a relationship.

I wrote my friend, Aaron, a note today - just to let him know what our friendship means. I have a lot more notes in me, and intend to write a few more in the weeks to come.

I guess there's another time to talk about communication in general, but I'll just stop here with my note on notes. LOL, and TTYL. I <3 U.

Broken relationships

Relationships are broken by choices, not by sin. If that were not true, our relationship with God would be trash. Grace doesn't turn the other way when we are stupid - it covers us and brings us back to right relationship, balance, peace, and wholeness.

I think the key to spiritual wholeness is understanding grace, compassion, and forgiveness. It's easy to turn our backs on someone, blaming sin or some offense. Justifiably, people can be offensive. Relationships are messy, at best, and they take committment and work from both parties.

Groups are an interesting dynamic - especially churches. Groups accept people as long as they fit the mold for the group. Churches preach grace, compassion, and forgiveness, but the group mentality turns its back easily when one of the members in is non-compliance or does something shocking or out of the ordinary.

Forgiveness and healing - especially to the offender, but also to the offended - start with grace, compassion, and forgiveness.One of the easiest ways I have learned to bring up those things is to know that I already have possession of those qualities - they are inside of me - and all I have to do is remember what I am like, what I have done, and what forgiveness I have recieved.

I challenge you today to think about a broken relationship, a breach of trust, or an offense. And then think about your response. Is it graceful? Is it compassionate? Is it forgiving? Is it bringing you to peace and wholeness, or is it separating you from balance and truly spiritual relationships? What's the right thing to do?

Much love. pt

Welcome

Thank you for visiting my new blog. I found out a long time ago I have a lot to say - some of it is pretty good, some of it is just freaking crazy, and some of just confirms my insanity. I've even discovered that I am not always right, but I don't really care. I have discovered I have learned more by listening than I have by assuming or voicing my perspective. I've learned that loving takes effort, but it is less stressful than hating. I've learned not everyone is loveable, but everyone needs love. No one deserves it, but if we got what we deserved, we'd all be dead.

I appreciate the effort you made to come read my blog. I hope you appreciate the effort I take to write it. If you consider yourself a friend, please drop in often. I think somewhere on here is a link to "follow" me. I will stop posting my thoughts (for the most part) on Facebook, and you'll find this blog a lot more insightful and intimate.

Sometimes I fail, sometimes I succeed. I don't mind sharing either, because I know how I am. I don't have all the answers, but I have a lot of them. I have a lot of questions too, and I find that writing things out helps me think, reason, and sort things out.

Painting helps me too. It's always been a way for me to get away, and to put something on paper or canvas that people enjoy. It's always been a little frustrating too, because although I have the talent, I never really took time to develop technical skills. I finally decided this year I would work on the technical part- composition, color, depth, application... and it's been good to learn a few things so I can develop my talent even further. As I complete a piece, I'll post it here. Maybe I'll even post some pictures while I am working on one. I love to watch a painting take form and eventually come together.

I needed to get some words on here to start this blog - so here it is. I will retire Beer, Barbecue, and Bible Study. It served its purpose, but it is time to start something fresh. So here it is. Again, thanks for stopping by. Please be comfortable enough to comment, and stop by often.