So it has been almost two months since I have updated my progress, but a lot has been going on!  I have done quite a few more pics....here are two to tease you with.  I have also signed up as an artist with ArtPrize, so it is really official now :)  I have applied to a few venues, and am VERY impatiently awaiting responses!  I had started to get a little worried, until I realized that out of the over 900 entries so far, only 60 or so have connected with a venue.  Prayers are absolutely appreciated during this placement period.  I know deep in my heart that this piece will end up where it is meant to, it is really just a matter of quieting the doubting fears of my heart.  I think that this is at the center of every artist...with each piece that we make, we put another piece of ourselves out into the world.  It is always a bit terrifying awaiting a response from others, as it is not just a picture that they are critiquing, but a piece of the artist themselves!  

     On a brighter note, I was able to show one of the men his portrait!  If you remember in the last post, I mentioned that I had seen Torrin at Heartside and was hoping to be able to show him his portrait.....well, he was and I did!  IT WAS AMAZING!  I introduced myself and asked if he remembered last fall when we came downtown to take the pictures.  He vaguely did.  I asked if he wanted to see his picture and of course he did :)  When he saw it, his whole face lit up!  He spent the rest of the afternoon literally strutting around the studio!!!  Before that point, he hadn't spoken with me at all, but now everytime we see each other there is joking and kidding around.....I have made a great friend!  And did I mention, he is a pretty great artist also!  He is currently working on mini wishing wells that are made out of old boxes and mossaics....you should check them out at the gallery!  I cannot begin to express what this ENTIRE experience has been for me!  The people that I have met, and the change in my heart is amazing :)  

Are You A Follower?

So it has been awhile since I have posted!  Even though I am a little behind on the portraits, I haven't been doing nothing.....the letters to gain permission to use the lyrics have been written and mailed.....PLEASE PRAY FOR A QUICK RESPONSE!  I am really nervous about getting the permission.  I do have a back-up plan just in case.  There is another song, also called "Beautiful", by Mercy Me, a christian music group.  It also captures the meaning that I am trying to convey with this project.  So, now it is a waiting game......did I mention I am not really good at waiting?!

This week also marks the start of sign-ups for venues!  I have two or three in mind that I would love to get into, so your prayers are welcome for this part of the venture also!  I have started to work on the layout and thinking about the actual putting together of the pieces.  It is going to have to be done in pieces so that we can transport it safely, so we are thinking panels.

Now I would love to introduce you to Miciah and Torrin.  Miciah is the youngest of the people we met.  Torrin has actually shown up at Heartside while I was there one week.  I am really hoping that I run into him again so that I can show him his portrait!  How cool would that be!?  I am hoping to get two more done yet this week, so we will see how that goes!  Thank you to everyone who has signed up as a follower......my goal is to reach 100 by the time I sign up as an artist.  I have just over a month to reach that goal!  I really think that it will help me to secure a venue by showing the support that I already have for the piece!  Please please please, if you haven't already, please sign up as a follower!  It would mean a lot to me!

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!  I cannot believe how fast the time is moving now!

Two More Pics :)

The latest two people I painted are named Ock W. and Lazarro.  I love how the red just seems to pop off of the page :)  I spent my Friday afternoon down at Heartside again, and had a wonderful time!  I started to read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo this week, and was reading it while I was down there.  One of the young men was pretty interested in reading it, so after I finish it, I am going to lend it to him.  I also spoke to the director of the Art Program, Sara, and have found out that they can use the extra items that I had donated at the start of this project, so next week I will be taking down a large tote of things....further blessings! :)  Thanks for looking, and don't forget to pray for these men and the many others that are our neighbors!

Newest Portraits

     So today I bring to you Stan and Walter.......look at the joy in their faces :)  Stan is another that I just simply cannot look at without smiling, and Walter has that slow smile going on!  I am so very thankful that it has been such a mild winter in comparison to recent ones.  Last week as I walked the two blocks from my car to Heartside, I was reminded of just how mild it has been!
     I am up to sixteen portraits done, and while that seems like A LOT, I then realize that means I have 36 left to go!  WOW!  It has been a really great experience so far, and I still have so far to go.  The thing that is so amazing is that I am not tired of it yet!  Me, who is borderline ADD, isn't tired of this at all!  I will be working on two more yet this week, and also start drafting the letters to secure the rights to use the song lyrics and to start approaching venues.  Please keep me in your prayers as I start this next phase of the piece.....these are two VERY important steps to getting this to it's final stage of showing it!  Wow, when I think of actually seeing this done, and seeing others able to see and take something from this it is quite overwhelming!  Please pray for Stan and Walter, and if you think about it, say a small prayer for my next steps going as smoothly as the rest has so far!  Thanks for being a part of this!!!!

Scott

     So last Friday I went down to Heartside again!  I almost didn't get to go, due to car issues, but boy am I sure glad that I did!!!!  I had so much fun!  There is a CD player that was playing a jazzy cd, and each time that it started back up, there was a man who would just start to dance!!!  He started out just dancing by himself, but after a few minutes he must have decided it better to dance with a partner, because he asked me to dance with him.  Of course I accepted :)  So there we were, dancing around the art studio :)       It really could not have been a better day!
     I also got to know a wonderful woman who has a very similar style to mine.  She is currently making vintage collages on blocks of wood.  I showed her my copy of Somerset Studios magazine, and that was all it took to break the ice.  We chatted for about an hour, and I am looking forward to seeing her again this week!
     Anyway, here is Scott!  He has really pretty blue eyes, hence the color I chose for him :)  I will be back later this week with a few more pictures!  Until then, keep Scott in your thoughts and prayers!

This is Mark.  He looks sad to me, and while most of the others whom I photographed were happy and silly, Mark's expression looks honest to me.  It looks like he has seen much more in this life than I have.  But you know what?  He is still here to tell about it.  The question is, is anyone listening?  One thing that is really telling to me is that as I sit in the Art Studio at Heartside, people don't need me to get them supplies, they need fellowship.  They need someone to talk to, and to listen to them....really listen.  I don't have much money, but I do have a great ear for listening :)  I am really glad that I am seeing the value in that simple act!  If you think about it, say a prayer for Mark tonight!  

Short and Sweet

We had an amazing speaker at our church today!  His name is Todd Burpo, and he has been the NY Times Bestselling author for the past 62 weeks.  He and his wife almost lost their then 3 year old son, and instead, when he came back to them he told them all about Heaven!  What an amazing testimony he shared with us today!
The thing that struck me most, was when he said that we need to start praying for God to use us instead of being selfish in our prayers.  He then went on to say that if we pray this prayer, we need to be ready for when He answers it...and He will!  I have, in fact, prayed this exact prayer two times.  The first time landed me in Africa, and the most recent led me downtown to bless and take photos of the Homeless right here in Grand Rapids.
I am ready for where God is leading me in this, for I truly believe that this is from Him.  I also pray that I can be humble in my talents, the ones that He has given me, and do everything in my power to make this about these amazing people whom I am honoring with these paintings.  ArtPrize is merely the venue that I get to use to make this statement.  I am merely God's instrument in speaking to both the homeless and to the rest of us to notice them!  God, keep me humble!  Use my hand to speak your message!
I hope that you will be brave and pray this prayer.....be ready for where He will lead you....and DO NOT FEAR, for wherever He leads you, He will be with you!