Hello friends! Happy Monday! Today here in Western Montana it’s a crazy 47 degrees and rainy, with new snow on the mountains! So nuts for mid-July! But I absolutely love rainy weather, the way every becomes so alive and green, cool and fresh. The fact that I don’t have to bathe in sunblock any time I want to go outside is also a bonus! While it has once again been MONTHS since my last post, we have so much to talk about! Our little family is preparing for Gus to start school soon, husband is looking to possibly change careers and is handsome as ever, and I am continuing my journey with my web-shop and ever-working towards a fuller picture of mental and physical health. The latter is the reason for my break in blog posting. I tell you, starting medications and therapy can be the equivalent of starting something like P90X after not working out for 10 years! Working out those emotional muscles can be so painful, but so rewarding! I am feeling more like myself than I have in years! I have been experiencing more ability in social situations, so much joy and freedom in my parenting. If you are going through a rough patch of your own, I want you to know it’s ok to ask for help! I have struggled for years with the idea of taking medication to help myself. As a young teenager, medication was how I was taught to handle all my issues, not looking at root issues for the sickness caused by depression and anxiety. By the time I was 18-19, I’d had enough. After years of searching for chemical assistance and finding no help, hitting wall after wall, I was set free by Jesus! Hallelujah! Two years later I found an amazing Christian counselor who helped me work through my emotions in a healthy way, furthering my success in the mental health arena! But now, almost 10 years later, I hit another wall. And my old exercises, mantras just weren’t enough anymore. Angry, depressed and ashamed, I hid away. I thought of it as a failure. I hated the thought that I couldn’t help myself through my will, through exercise, I couldn’t force myself to be better, think happier thoughts….but I’m living proof that those chemical imbalances do indeed exist. It’s not just all in my head. Finding an empathetic doctor was for me a massive step in the right direction. I hate going to the doctor, but as I am edging closer and closer to 30, I have found that my body and mind are changing, and so I also need to change the way I approach caring for myself. I do need some help. And that’s ok, friends. I am so thankful to find the help I need, professionals that work with me to find a solution. Now, before we move on to business talk, I want to know about your journeys, if you are willing to share, even just a little bit. What are you overcoming, where are you experiencing victory?
This week, with the help of a friend and her awesome camera, I was able to upload some new work to the web-shop, new sizes and refreshed pictures of old favorites! It was a very intense two day process, and I’m very pleased with the outcome! I’m also on “exhibition” for the very first time! Here in Missoula, at Body Kneads Massage and Wellness you can find three of my original paintings (two for sale) on display! :) Here’s a little preview! My work is on the right side…
Sharlyssa (the owner) is an excellent masseuse and health advisor if you’re local and looking for one, I’d totally recommend her*!
I’m also running my first sale on the website, with 15% off all print orders, commissioned works, and custom sizing through July 13**!
With all this going on, I wanted to share with you the making of the painting that is the inspiration to my vision of the future: Relentless Love. This painting started as a charcoal drawing, highlighting the unconditional love and unrelenting pursuit of God’s love for us. I got the image of a small hut located on a lonely rock in the middle of the ocean, all fortified against the raging waters. A place where one could be independent, hiding away from all others, alone with their false strength, pain, and anger. But God comes in, a storm like no other! A tempest so great, no walls or fortress can resist it. His love crumbling all the defenses we’ve put up, knocking down what we have made, to build us up with Him. As you can see, my skills in drawing are not the best, I needed the movement of paint on canvas to bring out the image in my head that I was having trouble putting on paper! This painting took me about 6 months to complete, as the layering of the waves in their complexity took a while to get just right!
The writing on the drawing says, “Sweet child, you are never so remote, my love will find you. No walls, no hidden fortress will ever be enough to keep out my love for you.” The picture on the bottom right is the finished official photo available for print at Relentlesslovecreations.com. My hope for the future is to share this unconditional love as far as possible!
*If you would like to contact Body Kneads about their services here in Missoula, Montana, please call (406) 240-3957.
**To take advantage of the sale, please use discount code JMRWJ2TS while completing your purchase.
If this painting speaks to you and you would like to purchase a print or see more of my work, please check out my shop at https://relentlesslovecreations.com!
If you would like to keep up to date with my artwork and shop, please like my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/relentlesslovemt and share with your friends!
Creation of Relentless Love and SALE!!! Hello friends! Happy Monday! Today here in Western Montana it's a crazy 47 degrees and rainy, with new snow on the mountains!
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