1000 Gifts 541-560

541) Three generations of Ranger fans

542) A great weekend watching my son play baseball
543) Family
544) Refocusing
545) Online learning
546) Solitude
547) Friendships
548) Watching responsibility grow in my kids
549) My Dad

550) Help from my family after going back to work full time

551) Growth

552) Having enough

553) Challenges

554) Knowing there will be time to paint soon

555) Support and encouragement from others

556) Believing
557) Learning

558) Loving

559) Living

560) Dreams

1000 Gifts 521-540

521) Ice Tea
522) Liking where I work
523) A weekend to catch up on things
524) Fall
525) The changing weather

526) My nephews giggling
527) A visit from my dad
528) A visit from a cousin
529) Watching my son play middle school football
530) Poking bruises

531) Morning drives to work with my daughter
532) Telling my kids I am proud of them
533) The color pink
534) Old work friends
535) New work friends

536) Making people smile
537) Friday lunch with Duke
538) A family
539) Dinner with my Dad at Palazio's
540) Hearing my Dad's story

1000 Gifts 501 - 520

501) Physical pain
502) Empathy for others
503) Struggles
504) Endurance and strength in the midst of the next one
505) Annoyances
506) Persevering patience
507) Witnessing the mistrust planted by others indulging in gossip
508) Conviction and resolve to earn trust by avoiding it
509) Seeing a friend win
510) Watching my children succeed
511) Joy from investing in their lives
512) Independent kids
513) Laundry
514) A great Vipers Win this week
515) Trying your best
516) Seth Godin's blog
517) Appreciation for how Steve Jobs has changed our lives
518) Training at work
519) Online learning
520) A future

1000 Gifts 481-500

481) Starting work at CoServ
482) Making new friends
483) A 7 minute commute
484) Being worth waiting for
485) Being believed in
486) 6:30am football practice
487) Watching Caleb's football game
488) Fall
489) Kids bringing home good grades
490) Shopping with Courtney
491) Finding the perfect dress
492) Homecoming
493) Being able to trust my kids
494) My awesome husband
495) A cleaned kitchen
496) My sister
497) Family
498) Something to strive for
499) Time to read
500) Time to just be quiet

1000 Gifts 461-480

461) My last day at work
462) Well wishes from co workers 
463) Their smiles saying we are happy for you
464)  Me smiling back and knowing there are better things coming for them too
465) Motivating people (people who motivate me)
466) Motivating people (being able to motivate other people)
467) Laughing at jokes
468) Our kid's doctor 
369) Bronchitis
470) Folded laundry

471) Having just enough
472) Not more
473) Not less
474) A new book club
475) Women speaking beautiful thoughts
476) Insights shared 
477) Silence
478) Not even the sound of crickets
379) Liking the silence and not wanting it to end
480) Being still

1000 Gifts 441-460

441) Fountains
442) Watching kids eat ice cream cones
443) Making a tough decision, but knowing it is right
444) Finding home grown tomatoes 

445) Seeing a child's growing independence 

446) Watching father and son wrestling

447) Weekend

448) Courtney driving herself to Thoroughly Modern Millie
449) Ideas for painting
450) Duke's birthday
451) Nook friends to share books with
452) RAIN
453) Knowing what to do next
454) New e friends from Uruguay
455) Brunch with my dear friend

456) Celebrating long term relationships
457) Something beautiful
458) Something magical
459) A long suffering hope that will not die

460) Faith while waiting

1000 Gifts 421-440

421) Duke sharing my art with people in Uruguay
422) Their beautiful art work
423) Sharing my story
424) Helping my friends 
425) Friends helping me
426) Laughing
427) Caleb loving football
428) Courtney loving Thoroughly Modern Millie
429) Finally getting her schedule straight for junior year!
430) Finding a great company
431) with great people
432) who think like I do
433) A great interview
434) And a new job to start in 2 weeks
435) Courtney assisting with a dance class
436) and giving advice about dance shoes
437) to little dancers and their mommies
438) A freshly cleaned bathroom
439) The joy of inspiring others 
440)  with words and art

Lemonade Stand

I had to make a visual image or presentation for a leadership class I'm in at my work that communicated something that needed to change about the company I work for.  I tried to think about what I would most like to change about where I work... and there were so many things.... I couldn't pick just one. So, I decided the thing I would most like to change would be me working there.  I made resignation video.  My dream is to quit my job and stay home and paint all day long every day.  This video is for all the lemons out there who feel the same way.  Be apples...before you get all your juice squeezed out! 

1000 Gifts 401-420

401) Positive comments from my kid's teachers... so far.
402) Seeing old friends at parent teacher conference night
403) A friend going out of her way for me 
404) Being in the right place at the right time
405) Rest when I am weary
406) Strength when I have none
407) A quiet evening to spend reading
408) Duke's hamburgers
409) Five sold paintings last week
410) Provision 
411) Perfect timing
412) Hugs
413) Coffee with friends
414) Amazing women I am thankful to be friends with
415) Conversations I leave feeling rejuvenated from
416) Perspective
417) Music at CBC last Sunday
418) Kids doing the dishes together
419) Time with son at 6:30 AM every morning
420) Sleep

Aspens for the Olsons Finshed

I loved finishing up these bright Aspen trees.  Ready for hanging in their new home for my friends the Olsons.  

Aspens for The Olsons (final)
by Cheryl Harris White
18" x 24" each (3 panels)
Acrylic

1000 GIIFTS 381-400

381)  Courtney's school getting a new drama and art teacher.  We are so thankful we made this choice for her high school years and looking forward to an amazing year.

382) Her developing leadership skills.  I love what a strong person she is becoming.

383) Caleb's great start as a 7th grader at a new Middle School.

384) His maturity and independence amazes me daily.

385)  My kids motivation to make good grades this year

386) Positive attitudes

387) Discipline

388) Paintings getting finished

389) Friends who encourage my artistic pursuits

390) Friends who challenge me to deepen the roots of my soul 

391) Hello Hugs

392) Another idea to paint

393) Sharing my art with people around the world

394) A new opportunity to share my art in Uruguay

395) Rest before a long night ahead at work

396) A Job for today.

397) My Nook Color!

398) Connection

399) Conversation

400) Looking into the straight in the eye of the future and feeling absolute calm.

1000 Gifts 361-380

 (Family Vacation)
361) Visiting my Dad in Minnesota
362) Seeing my kids chat with their grandpa
363) Two sunny, sparkling days in Duluth
364) Lunch with Dad at the top of the Radison and ice cream at Portmans!
365) The nicest man working at the awesome Schlotzkys downtown Duluth
366) Playing in the sand at Park Point 
367) Wading in Lake Superior... the water was so cold it made our feet numb
368) Peddling a 4 person surrey Lake Superior Canal Park 
369) Watching a boat come in
370) Sounds of seaguls
371) Skipping rocks 
372) Remembering summer days spend there with my mom and sister 
373) Gooseberry Falls hike
374) Going to the cabin in Cable, Wisconsin nestled in a circle of 50 foot tall pine trees.
375) Reuniting with cousins
376) Belly Laughter around the dining table
377) Seeing my kids play with cousins and making them friends
378) There is something so comforting and familiar about being around people who have known you since you were small.
379) Milking the last drops out of the summer with the Wisconsin side of the family...Doing a scavenger hunt, Pinecone Pete story, Big Foot, Keep A Way, Kick ball refereed by Duke, Toy airplanes and The hammock, Delicious food, Poolside chats...all memories made for keeps
380) The four beautiful deer bidding us goodbye as we drove away the last morning.

Aspens for the Olsons Day 2

Aspens
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Three canvases
18 x 24 " each

Day 1 Aspens for the Olsons

This is the beginning of a commission piece I've been needing to get done.  It is for a precious family that has been so encouraging to me in pursuing my art.  They needed three canvases to hang in a row above their couch in their living room... and they love Aspens!  I researched Aspens first and came across a few things that you may find interesting...

One was a poem sent to me from a friend  titled 

"Binsey Poplars" 

by  Gerard Manley Hopkins (1879)

My aspens dear, whose airy cages quelled,

Quelled or quenched in leaves the leaping sun,All felled, felled, are all felled;
Of a fresh and following folded rank
Not spared, not one
That dandled a sandalled
Shadow that swam or sank
On meadow and river and wind-wandering weed-winding bank. 
O if we but knew what we do
When we delve or hew— 
Hack and rack the growing green!
Since country is so tender
To touch, her being so slender,
That, like this sleek and seeing ball
But a prick will make no eye at all,
Where we, even where we mean
To mend her we end her,
When we hew or delve:
After-comers cannot guess the beauty been.
Ten or twelve, only ten or twelve
Strokes of havoc unselve
The sweet especial scene,Rural scene,

The other thing which really inspired me to go ahead and paint was this little story from a Tree Legend website   

Aspen 
Populus tremuloides 
This tree was referred to as ~Distinguished man or wood.~ In Old Irish, the word for ~wood~ and the word for ~knowledge~ came from the same root. The leaves of the Aspen tree were believed to tremble, hence it is also known as the ~Shivering Tree.~ The Greek word ~kepkis,~ which means ~shuttle~ was given to this tree because of the movement of the leaves. 

It is believed that the cross on which Christ was crucified was made from the wood of the Aspen tree. The tree was filled with grief and remorse at being connected with the Crucifixion. The Aspen was the only tree reputed not to bend but to tremble as a result. 

According to a legend from Germany, the Holy Family was walking in a forest and all the trees bowed. The only tree that didn't was the Aspen. Seeing this Christ cursed the tree, and the leaves began to tremble and have continued to do so ever since. 

The movement of Aspen leaves have been associated with women's tongues. Aspen is said to cure fevers, as it was believed to have curative powers. The nail clippings of the sick person were placed in a hole cut in the trunk that was covered again to seal the tree. This was effective only if it was carried out at night.

In the language of flowers the Aspen Tree symbolizes Lamentation; Sighing 

I began to paint . . .

Day 1 of Aspens
for the Olson Family
I'm not done yet...
                 ... more to come

A Conversation With My Canvas

For three weeks I have not painted... 
My well was dry and creativity would not flow.  


I waited... 


       and dead silence... 


nothing gushed forth to the surface.  


I could not force a drop, and the barren canvas sat lonely on my easel.  


                                       It cried out to me...

I know 
    I must.... 


         But what?    


                  What is worth painting?

Trees?  Just trees again?

                 Yes my Spiritual sister says... 

                                 "Paint the Aspens".

Yes, You will become ART... soon.

                             And you, all my friends, 

                                              Like my easel, You also have been waiting. 

Waiting for a post with a painting.  

I hear and you will have it soon  I am inspired and paint is flowing, and soon 

                            you shall see The Aspens!

1000 Gifts 341-360

An Artist's List continued...
341) Brunch w/ a friend I hadn't seen in 3 years
342) A spiritual sister
343) Timely words touching my soul
344) Aspen tree inspiration
345) Leaves trembling in the air
346) Colors shining in the sun
347) Encouragement in the dry spell
348) Friends who put wind in my sails
349) 1000 Gift group study sisters going to see my art
350) Beauty in nature
351) Created by our Creator
352) Pausing
353) Refreshing
354) Deep breaths
355) Learning to overcome resistance
356) Valleys ... 
357) that help us appreciate the view when we are through them
358) Focus, Drive and Inspiration to paint
359) Relief from the heat
360) My Dad's enthusiasm at our soon coming

1000 Gifts 321-340

An Artists list continues, a bit late this week.

321) Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentice
322) Discipline
323) Football camp
324) Courtney's audition
325) Hello Dolly at MCL Grande Theater
326) Our Anniversary, 21 years
327) Having Courtney help me in my art class last week
328) Encouragement
329) Plans to visit my Dad
330) Love in our home
331) Duke fixing our AC!
332) Electricity
333) Insight
334) Understanding why we give thanks
335) Catch ups with friends
336) Understanding loss
337) Understanding giving and receiving
338) Knowing God is good
339) Believing it also

1000 Gifts 301-320

An Artist's List Continues...

301) Daughter's homemade birthday wish to her little brother

302) Son turning 13

303) Students in my art class creating

304) Thick paint, heavy a canvas 

305) Wednesday evening dinners at CBC

306) Shots

308) My kid's friends

309) Enough work

310) Enough rest

311) The Acting Studio's summer student production

312) and the beautiful story it told

313) of grace

314) of redemption

315) and of love

316) Courtney's solo and beautiful gift she shared on stage

317) Laura's singing

318) Laughter and tears at the same time

319) Standing ovation, applause and cheers celebrating

320) The beauty of Les Miserables

Art Show at CBC

CBC ART Show Information

I will be showing some work at CBC next week.  I also still have 3 pieces on display at MCL Grande in Lewisville as well.

1000 Gifts 281-300

An Artist's List Continues...

281) Carpooling for Les Mis working out perfectly with my work schedule!

282) Singing

283) Music

284) An orchestra playing

285) and a beautiful show

286) Strength during a very busy week

287) Birthdays

288) Relationships

289) Rest

290) Pizza

291) Evening Quiet

292) Perfect Timing

293) My Wednesday night art class

294) doing stained glass window paintings

295) Home just in time to get daughter to her show

296) Listening to her sing in the car 

297) Energy

298) Tuesday night book study

299) Peace in the house 

300) Sleep

The Art of Gratitude

I am practicing the art of gratitude. If you want to know how to do this, or understand what the list I post every Friday is all about, then read Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts. It's very poetic, deep, truth telling, challenging and wonderful.

The Art Of Gratitude
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas
20" x 20"

This is a companion painting to Eucharisteo posted earlier and was inspired by the book study group I am participating in.  This painting really illustrates the theme of this entire blog. . . "celebrating color, light and life" and you may see more like these two in the future.

1000 Gifts 261-280

An Artist's List Continues...

261) Dinner w/ friends

262) Art class

263) Caleb's finger

264) The lady at the gate

265) Ice

266) 1 on 1 time w/ each kid

267) Squeezing hands

268) Joy

269) Two finished paintings

270) Art supplies just in time

271) Just a Warning

272) Vacation schedule

273) Summer 

274) The Color Yellow

275) My sister helping me get my website up

276) Cheesecake

277) Oatmeal

278) Birds and Crickets 

279) Help washing the brushes

280) Sharing favorite colors

Eucharisteo

Eucharisteo
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas
20 x 20

I Thank You God For Most 

This Amazing Day

by e. e. cummings (1894 - 1962)

I thank You God for most this amazing day: 

for the leaping greenly spirits of trees 

and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything 

which is natural which is infinite which is yes 

(i who have died am alive again today,

and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth

day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay 

great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing 

breathing any--lifted from the no 

of all nothing--human merely being 

doubt unimaginable You? 

(now the ears of my ears awake and 

now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

by e. e. cummings
(1894 - 1962)

A busy weekend

I must confess, I have been very busy this weekend, and quite lax in my posting, but I am so happy to announce one thing did finally get accomplished.  The first page of my website is up!  CherylWhiteArtSite.com  More to come on that hopefully soon.


The art show Saturday night was extremely energizing and I enjoyed friends old and new who came.  The art will still be up for viewing  July 9 through August 13, Tuesdays through Saturdays 1 - 5PM at the MCL Grand Art Gallery 100 N. Charles St. in the heart of Old Town Lewisville.  


The rest of my free time was spent trying to plan for the 2nd art class coming up this Wednesday.  The first class was last Wednesday and it has gotten off to a great start despite my being totally flustered by so many unexpected arrivals.  


What does this say about our culture? 4 students signed up ahead of time. I planned for a few extra guessing on 7 students for the first evening. I actually had 11 in the class (3 had to do a different project and a mother and daughter had to share because I hadn't bought enough materials for them all) and I had to turn an additional 9 more away who asked if it was alright for them to come at the last minute.  Stressful to say the least.  I did my best to accommodate everyone the best I could.  Once they got working, it went well and they all did a great job on their projects.  A challenge, yes, but a rewarding one and I was so thankful for everyone who was there.  I loved showing them how to make their crosses and seeing them create something beautiful. 


No pictures today.  I'm a little tired.

1000 Gifts 241-260

An Artist's List Continues...

241) Having my art accepted  to be in the 

Fresh Ideas ART SHOW 

Date: July 9, 2011   Time: 7:00 - 9 PM

MCL Grand Art Gallery  

242) Courtney's courage

243) Caleb and Duke on their way home from Orlando tournament

244) Veggies

245) The color orange

246) Idea for Eucharisteo paintings 

247) Seeing quiet confidence growing

248) A determined spirit

249) The texture of trees

250) Reunion

251) Family dinner at Red Lobster

252) A set table

253) Paw Paw doing so well after surgery

254) A Pool at Maw Maw and Paw Paw's

255) Brother and Sister bonding    

256) Firecrackers in the birdbath 

257) Independence

258) Fourth of July in Rockwall

259) A country worth fighting for

260) Freedom 

Fresh Ideas Art Show 2011

You Are Invited. . .

Everyone is welcome! Please come! 

Opening Reception 

 Fresh Ideas ART SHOW 

Date: July 9, 2011   Time: 7:00 - 9 PM

MCL Grand Art Gallery 

located at 100 N.Charles Street, between Main and Church streets, in the heart of Old Town Lewisville.  

More Art Show Info: If you can't come that night, The Art show will be up for viewing at MCL Grand any time  

July 9 through  August 13, 2011.

Administrative offices and art gallery are open 

Tuesday through Saturday 1 - 5 PM.

June Forest
by Cheryl Harris white
Acrylic on Canvas

Faith
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas

I entered these three paintings in the Anual FRESH IDEAS Art Show that will be held at the MCL GRAND Art Gallery in Lewisville.  This is a juried show, so not everything that gets submitted gets accepted into the show and I was really curious to see how many if any of mine would make it in. . . drum roll . . . AND THEY ALL GOT ACCEPTED!  I'm so happy.  If you are a blog follower, you've seen these before, but these are the three paintings that made it into the show. 

Last Supper
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas