Lens of Grace

Lens of Grace

16x40"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #206 - My previous painting lead me to explore creating trees in a new way. I recently read that painting is really about where you are in the moment and discovering new insights along the way. I continue to find joy in colour relationships. The complementaries used in this painting may make it a bit bold for some people. I haven't lived with it long enough to know whether or not I like it yet.

Following Intuition

Following Intuition

6x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #205 - This tree portrait depicts a grade nine student who I have taught for several years. She is self-regulated but more than that she has "grit". I can picture her in my minds eye and what I see is a person who keeps going and going. She never quits despite the fact that her projects may not turn out. Her passion for the arts enable her to persevere and find success.
 

Open to Abundance

Open to Abundance

6x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #204 - I'm just playing around with colour and shape. I think the colours in my middle ground are too dark in value, however, it is what it is.

Intention with Action

Intention with Action

6x20"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #203 - This tree portrait depicts another self-regulated grade nine student that I teach. The words "courage" and "talent" come to mind when I think of her. She is a gifted artist who is always open to learning new skills and giving back to the community.

Look for Clues

Look for Clues

6x20"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #202 - This tree portrait depicts another self-regulated grade nine student of mine. The words "humble" and "present" come to mind when I think of her. She is an intelligent, gentle, and gracious young lady who is always eager to learn.

Action with Faith

Action with Faith

6x20"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #201 - This tree portrait depicts a self-regulated grade nine student of mine. When I think of her the words "growth" and "energetic" come to mind. She is a passionate student who constantly wears a big smile and is always ready to learn.

Autumn's Celebration

Autumn's Celebration

12x24"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #200 - Yay me! I've painted 200 paintings since I started this blog. I'm still investigating landscapes because they still don't come easy ... and the natural landscape is a beautiful subject to paint.

Peace of Minds

Peace of Minds

16x16"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #199 - Do you remember how good everything felt when you were a teenager? That’s because the small structure inside your limbic system called the nucleus accumbens (reward center) actually got bigger when you approached adolescence and then got smaller again as you reached adulthood. Therefore, literally nothing will ever feel as good to you again as it did in your teens. Consequently, this intensity lures adolescents to rewards that impel them to do exciting and risky things. Despite the fact that adolescents are healthier, stronger and smarter than children, injury and death both increase between 200 and 300 percent between childhood and adolescence.

My painting depicts a warm and calm environment. A responsible and informed society has ensured that all young people have been supported and encouraged to develop self-regulation skills. A practice called Mindfulness has enabled adolescents to develop the ability to control their thinking, emotions and behaviors. 

No Worries

No Worries

16x40"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #198 - In Age of Opportunity, Steinberg states that the best health education programs are successful at changing adolescent’s knowledge about risky behaviors but not in altering their behaviors. He claims that in the USA billions of dollars are spent every year on programs that teach young people about the dangers of smoking, drugs, drinking, and having unprotected sex but all have little effect on how young people actually behave. Most current health programs change what adolescents know but not how they act. Adolescents need more than information to deter their risky behaviors because they are at a point in their development where they are easily aroused and have difficulty controlling their impulses. Programs focused on helping adolescents build their capacity for self-regulation are much more effective in reducing their risky behaviors.

My painting depicts a young person who has been raised with the practice of Mindfulness. He is curious, energetic and playful. The ominous sky depicts that the dangers of the world are out there but this young person has the life skill of self-regulation. At any moment he can control his thinking, emotions and behavior to avoid perilous situations.