The Hands and Feet of Jesus

This party of 5-6 (4 kids plus mom-and dad once too!) was back in the new year for new projects!   When they arrived on their first cold January morning I was told they were all very excited to be painting again.  The feeling was mutual!  I love working with this crew!  It's like a painting playdate made in heaven!   

For this project, mom was wanting a painting to hang in their classroom for homeschooling.   Their school is named "The Hands and Feet of Jesus," so what better way to symbolize that than by painting with them!   This project would be bright, colorful, and vibrant....just like children who love Jesus are!   

Here are "J" and "E" getting started with a texture lined background.

"E" did an excellent job, especially at mixing the colors :) as ANY 4 year would and should!  So "J" finished up on his side to add those textured, un-blended lines!  Thanks "J"!

Next we added the "GRASS."  This was my first time painting and stamping feet, and I would definitely call it a success.   "L" went first and was a little ticklish!

Ready for your other foot "L"?  Then clean up in the sink!

Next up was the MOST ticklish of the quartet, "J"!   This was painting with action!

Oh boy!  Would he SURVIVE!?  ha!

While he recovered, I scooped him up for washing....Thanks so much mom for these awesome photos!RELIEF!

After "J", "E" surprised mom and I with his calm and collected approach to the paintbrush on his feet!  Still smiley, yet chill....

And then, last but CERTAINLY not least, was little "K" who is ALWAYS ready to have her hand or foot sploshed with paint!   In fact, I'm pretty sure she now expects it when she sees me!   A very willing participant!

And that's a wrap for day one of the painting!  The following week we worked on the rest of the masterpiece!

Session 2:

For session 2:  "L" was up to paint in our tree trunk.  She is so steady and careful!  Awesome Job today!

We added in some fun shades to the tree to have it look textured as well.

Today was a snow day (well, a cold day) which worked PERFECT since educator dad could come and see what these painting sessions were all about, and well, "L" could paint his hand for the picture too!   Awesome!

Then I smashed it down while mom captured the moment of the dad stamp!

And. Complete!

Now mom was up for her part!  Thanks again for being so patient with me as I stared at the canvas to figure out placement!  :)  "L" was such a great hand painter!   I helped stamp mom next to dad, which was just awesome to have them represent on this painting!

Next up was "L"....and she got to choose 3 colors for her stamps!

First one!

Second one!And 3!

Now "J" chose out 2 of his fave colors and he was up!

1.

Then "K's" turn!   I LOVE these pics!!!!

MY FAVE!!!!!

What a fun way to spend a winter day!

And stamp!

Just TOO CUTE for words "K"!

Finally, "E" was up with his colors....

And stamp!

Pretty fun stuff!

The last step was the lettering painted in by me, and then....ta da!  These cuties posed with their frame ready masterpiece!  That. was. fun!   See you soon troops!

Can we do silly???  I think you can!!!

Happy!

In Memory of Debra (Debby) Rozman

"You are going to love this girl!"  said my dear friend Jen, who booked Emily's painting sessions as a gift.  And as always, Jen was spot on right.  I do.  I adore her!   I would like to introduce a new, dear friend, whose beauty shines inside and out.  She looks so much like her mother, who I know had a huge influence on her beautiful, vibrant personality and faith.   Emily, I loved working with you, and I feel so honored to have helped you on this painting in honor of your mom.  Here's her story in Emily's words:

My Mom died five days after my wedding day.  

She and I had spent our whole lives giggling and guessing and praying for the man I would someday share my life with.  She knew me at my worst and still saw the best in me.  I was so excited about including her in the next adventures in my life of becoming a wife and mother when, in an instant, she was gone.  

July 29th, 2014 will be 5 years since she died.  Some days the pain is still as raw as it was on day one and other days it feels like five lifetimes ago.  The ones I mourn her loss for the most are my children.  Now that I am a Mom, I understand much more fully the infinite value of my Mom, and the unconditional love that she would have given my husband and my boys.  

Growing up, our family would do family canoe trips.  We started doing it while all four of us could fit in one canoe together – my sister and I in the middle, Mom in the front and Dad in the back.  As my sister and I grew, we had to expand to two canoes – Mom and my sister took one, Dad and I in the other.  On one of these trips, somehow near the end of the river my Mom and I each ended up riding solo in our own canoes and were lagging behind the rest of the group.  We were about 100 feet from the take-out spot when she and I both noticed a larger off-shoot of the river that pooled into a dead end.  It was filled with lily pads and water lilies.  I thought it was the most amazing sight and I told my Mom I was going to paddle over and pick one of the water lilies as a memento.  She stopped me and told me I couldn’t because it was an endangered species and there would be a fine if I was caught.  I was bummed – it felt like one of those moments I would never get another chance at.  She saw the disappointment on my face and, after a moment’s consideration, she took off towards the lily pads with a determined look set on her face.  About halfway there, it suddenly began to rain – a downpour, not just a drizzle – but she kept on going until she picked the perfect flower and triumphantly paddled back to me.  That act may not seem significant to anyone else, but it meant the world to me.  It was more than just a flower; it was a Mother sacrificing her comfort for the sake of her daughter.  She treated me with this kindness every single day of my life.  

In honor of her memory, I painted this image to represent who she was to me – a warm, wise, spunky, woman who loved with a selflessness I pray I can emulate every day I have left here on this earth.  

In the words of Proverbs 31:28, I arise and call her blessed.

Emily found a beautiful photograph that she loved and hoped to paint its likeness.  It is of a tip of a canoe and paddle floating through water and lily pads.  It also had a reflection of the sky in it as well.   It was a beautiful image and she did an amazing job painting it!   Here is the first session process:

We got the base colors and background in the first day, and would be building on this as we continued meeting, and talking!   Emily, I loved our painting sessions!  You are so easy to connect with!  I could also tell from this first meeting, she would have a beautiful result when it was completed!

Session 2:   Today Emily added more detailing to the canoe and started the lily pads.  I told her that today was the day she stopped fearing painting!

You can see my sketches in this picture of where the lily pads would be placed.

Here you can see the photo image that Emily chose to base her painting on....

AH!  Looking even MORE amazing!

Session 3:   Today Emily completed the lily pads and started the oar.  I loved how confident and brave she got with mixing, and adding color and shades with the lily pads.  I just LOVE THEM!

And for our final meeting, she did some more shading on the oar, and small touch ups to complete this gorgeous image.   Then I told her I was taking a picture of her today, and she laughed because of all the sessions, today was the day she didn't wear make-up.  Emily, you'll have to forgive me for forcing your pic, but in my defense, it should be easy because you are so gorgeous naturally!     Then it was another AMAZING painting out my door for her to enjoy.   Glad I have picture images, and a wonderful new friend from this process!    God bless you Emily!   I hope you smile every time you see your painting, and remember your beautiful mom!  It was an honor to help you create this painting!