Sparks in the Kiln: Paintings

A few paintings I've done this year for gifts.

This is the painting that I was wishing for an easel.

Sparks in the Kiln: For the Bride

One of my sweetest most cherished friends will be getting married next month to a pretty great guy.

A few weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night and thanks to my handy dandy addictive smart phone I got a message from our friend Cameron giving me heads up that Chelsea's shower would be at the end of the month. She wanted to give me enough time to get my act together, so that I could send a gift along ; ) . Thanks Cam!

So I lay there, thinking what to get the bride and groom. Something meaningful? Maybe off of their registry? Pottery? I wanted it to be something they would have for a long time, a reminder of how God brought them together and to let Chels know just how much I love and appreciate her.

The idea I had looked great in my head! I kept thanking God for such a cool idea and then I sat down to paint. I'm not sure where the original idea went, but I truly feel like the end result was a God inspired idea for the bride and groom. I love them so.

As far at the process of making this piece goes: I am terrible at drawing, terrible. If I could take one art class, it would be basics in drawing. I often have ideas in my head, but feel I can produce them due to my lame drawing skills. So this piece, was a bit of a stretch for me and it most definitely isn't perfect. I had fun making in with Chels and Sean in mind and for me that is all that matters.

If you are wondering what the border is: Ephesians 5

p.s. the lighting for pictures was terrible!

Sparks in the Kiln: Art for Baby Noah

A cherished couple we know is expecting their first baby. Every baby is a miracle, Noah is most definitely a miracle. We have been praying for this little guy for several years and are so thrilled for him to arrive in October.

I asked if I could create some art for Noah's room. I asked the couple for some of their favorite scriptures regarding Noah and their pregnancy.

I wanted to create something that would grow with a growing boy, nothing too babyish.

Here is the end result:

Sparks in the Kiln: Love Art #3 by Jed

Welcome to Love Art #3!

Love Art auction #3 is finished!

The winners are:

#1 The Socci's

#2 Philip

#3 Grandma Bekah

Please email me at Sparksinthekiln@gmail.com for details!

Thank you all so much for your bidding and kind words.

Jed has been blessed!

This Love Art is quite unique and very dear to me, allow me to explain. I have the privilege of mothering Jed. This little guy is your typical 5 year old boy who loves Star Wars, Legos, Nerf guns, wrestling etc. 100% boy! Beneath all of that, he's full of enormous love. This little guy loves better than I do. Actually I wish I were more like him when it comes to his love for others. At 5 years old he has a huge burden for orphans, prays for those at war around the globe, and makes sure his Mum gives money to the homeless.

As we all know, our world is a big fat mess. This is something that try as you may, can not be hidden from an inquisitive little guy like Jed. As much as I would love to keep my son in a bubble and paint a picture of rainbows and gum drops, the world we live in does not allow it. Jed is too smart to be fooled, he knows things are a mess and with that come the questions. So Jason and I tell him what we think he should know and allow him to see what we think should be seen regarding the natural disasters that have taken place, the wars etc. We use these opportunities to have good discussions with him about God, life, death, people etc. We use these moments to instill in him a heart and a desire to help and think of others and take the time to pray as a family.

With all of the recent disasters, we have had many Jed initiated conversations about those affected by the disaster. We often ask Jed "So what do you think we can do to help?" Here are some of his answers "We can pray." "We can send money to help build new homes." "We can buy them some things, like toothbrushes and beds."

So here we are, Love Art # 3. We thought we would enable Jed to do what his little heart loves to do. . . GIVE. This is our way as parents of allowing Jed to give to those in need. We also want him to know that "size matters not" and that even at the age of 5 you can still give to, help, and bless others.

100% of this auction will be going to

Samaritan's Purse

to help with relief aid in Joplin, Missouri.

We have chosen Samaritan's Purse for two reasons: 1. During times of great loss and tragedy they meet both the physical and spiritual needs of those affected. 2. Jed really likes that they are named after the good Samaritan in the bible. In his words "Samaritans are people who help other people who need help!"

Jed has worked very hard to create three auction pieces. I only gave him the tools to create and painted the edges ; ). As he was painting, we talked about selling his pieces and raising money and this is my favorite quote "Yes!!! We're going to be rich, for those who don't have anything!!!"

Place bid in comments.

Please indicate which piece you are bidding on #1, #2, or #3

and include your name (anonymous bids will not be accepted)

*This Auction will end on June 10th*

* 12:00 a.m. (U.S.A. time) *

#1 Marble Love

Starting bid: $10

# 2 Jed meets Paint brush

Starting bid: $10

# 3 Bubble wrap: Joy & Hope

Starting bid: $10

Love Art Auction

• Place a bid! I will post the art for a certain amount of time allowing you to make a bid by leaving a comment. At the end of the allotted time, the highest bidder is the winner.

• If you win the bid please factor in $3 to $5 for shipping cost. I will cover the remaining shipping/packaging fees.

• The winners will be announced on my blog and will need to email me at Sparksinthekiln@gmail.com for my PayPal details.
• One last thing . . . spread the word for us, tweet, fb, blog!

Love Art #1

Here's the the story behind Sparks In the Kiln Blog:

I am a stay at home Mum of 2 boys. I'm not some big time artist. I love Jesus, people, and art and this blog is a compilation of my loves. I desire to help those in need whenever I can, this is my simple way of helping out.

I created this blog to sell/auction off my artwork. This portion of my blog I have entitled:

Love Art

100 % of my sales will NOT go into my pocket but be given to the individual whom I have dedicated my Love Art post to, in order to help them during their time of need.

How does Love Art work?

• Excellent question! I am not exactly sure! I'm going to give it a try and see how things go. As with anything new I'm sure there will be some changes to be made. All I ask is that you are patient with me and spread the word about Love Art. Remember I am a mum first, artist second :)

• I will most likely share with you the need, but not the names of those who are in need.

• I decided to sell my art because I feel it's a win win situation for all involved: I get to create. You get to own something or gift something. My favorite part, someone is blessed during a difficult time.

Love Art Auction

• Place a bid! I will post my art for a certain amount of time allowing you to make a bid by leaving a comment. At the end of the allotted time, the highest bidder is the winner.

• If you win the bid please factor in $3 to $5 for shipping cost. I will cover the remaining shipping/packaging fees.

• The winners will be announced on my blog and will need to email me at Sparksinthekiln@gmail.com for my PayPal details.

• I plan to post 3 pieces of art per auction.

So, if that all makes sense and you want to help out keep on reading. . .

My first Love Art is dedicated to a family I have known for many years. I consider their influence in my life at a young age one of the main reasons I can today stand before you and say that I am a Christian. I know that they said many prayers for me. I am so thankful for those prayers and for how they taught me about Jesus at a young age. In my teen years they poured love and hope into my angry and bitter soul. I am not exaggerating when I say their deep love for Jesus and for me, pulled me out of some of my darkest days.

This husband and wife have just experienced one of the worst tragedies a parent could ever endure. They lost their 36 year old son in head on collision. He left behind 4 young daughters. My heart aches for this family, words cannot convey how my heart has grieved since hearing this news.

This Love Art is to raise money for this couple to make a trip to see their daughter who is currently in rehab. After covering the cost of a funeral, the expenses of traveling to see their daughter are more then they can handle. I want more than anything for them to be able to hold one of their children in their arms.

Would you like to help out?

Buy some Love Art!

Love Art Auction #1:

Place bid in comments. When bidding please indicate which piece you are bidding on #1,#2#3

#1 Perseverance:

Fun, Bright, & Encouraging

Acrylic on 6x12 canvas

Starting bid: $3.00

#2 Love, makes you pretty.

Simple & chic

Decoupage, acrylic on 8 x 8 canvas

Starting bid: $3.00

#3 Love Each Other:

Simple words sum it up.

Acrylic on 3 4x4 canvas

Starting bid: $3.00

**This auction will end on: February 14th at 12:00 a.m. (USA time)**

(seems to fit the whole LOVE theme)

Next weeks Love Art will be 3 pieces of pottery :)

Please spread the word: blog, twitter, facebook.

I'd be so thankful for any support!

Happy Bidding!