In the Strength of the Lord

... all things are possible.  I will be at BYU Women's Conference Aril 30 and May 1 on the third floor of the bookstore, with prints of this painting for sale.  (Small and paper, so very affordable.)  Come visit!  I will be hanging out with 5 other women artists (including my sister) and various authors.  I'm excited, I hope to see some of you there. 

Full Skirt

"In the Strength of the Lord" all things are possible.

Nurture and Endure

 This is my final installation as the painting has been finished for a week and I'm antsy to show you and get on with all the other stuff I've been doing. A garden was mentioned in the comments on what would you put on your skirt. I used it to express nurturing, which I feel like I am constantly needing tap into kindness and selflessness to do. The tree is symbolizing family history.  And, the bees/wasp nest, of course, are about hard work.  One last thing, the landscape has an uphill climb which could represent endurance as we work hard to become better at all we do.  

Butterflies at Dawn

A lot of your comments had to do with needing strength from the Lord when it comes to being parents.  I used butterflies to represent children.  My sister uses this symbol a lot for her kids.  I think it has to do with their ever-changing and metamorphosing.  They are hard to capture and hold on to, every time you turn around they have grown and have new ideas.

I have also painted in the sky which is a bright, clear dawn.  I am often outside while the sun rises and relish the serene, clean feeling a new day comes with.  Not to mention its peace and beauty.  Every day is new and ready for you to make the best of it.

Work

Man, I have a lot of work to do.  I can't seem to get caught up with cleaning, organizing, emails, phone calls, the list goes on and on and on... and on.  The clothesline represents chores.  If you make a list of all the things you are "supposed" to do every day, there are simply not enough hours available.  Not to mention all the "other" things that are what I actually want to be doing.  There are too many things I want to do and too many things I know I need to do not to keep trying, be organized, and put all my energy into getting it all done.
"Lovest thou me?... Feed my sheep."  I was asked to bear my testimony on missionary work in church a couple weeks ago.  I was a total blank.  I had to think really hard to come up with two to three minutes worth. I went with going back in time to review all the missionaries, of all kinds and callings, who brought the gospel to my ancestors.  Not only did it give me warm, fuzzy appreciation for these people, it was also a good awakening to define what, when, and where missionary work takes place.  I am better than I thought, and totally capable of doing more.  "Arise and gird up your loins, take up your cross, follow me, and feed my sheep" D&C 112:14.

Home

My existence revolves around house and home.  This is where I started with the diorama on her skirt.  I try to make my home peaceful and beautiful.  I want it to be a place where my family wants to be and where people always feel comfortable.  The door is inviting, the smoke from the chimney makes it feel warm and cozy, the dove represents the spirit and it is surrounded by lilies representing Christ.  Home is where I need continual and constant strength, and I know I cannot do it alone.  You can keep making comments on the last post about what you would put on your skirt.

In the Strength of the Lord

The theme for BYU's Women's Conference this spring is "In the Strength of the Lord."  When cookin' up an idea for a painting to go with this theme, I couldn't help but add "all things are possible."  Which begs to ask, what things?  I painted the figure of a woman presenting "all things," as she turns to the Lord for strength.  I have a few ideas laid out, but I would like to know for what things do you need strength?  Go ahead, leave a comment, I dare you.