“Sweet Escape”
7″W x 5″H acrylics on 300 gsm archival watercolor paper
$20 Unframed

In the city where I lived there is the constant bustle of a typical city life.
The daily pollution for the senses.
I dreamed of a home where I can visit and stay sometimes.
A home that is far and peaceful. Filled with nature without a doubt.
Somewhere where I can rest and pray and paint quietly.
As I begin to search for inspiration I know I had to paint it.

Sweet Escape was painted in four days for about 20 hours.
Truthfully this was my first “ambitious” piece.
I am planning to sell {my painting} for the first time.
To get my work out there. To learn. To inspire people. To share the love.
One painting at a time.

After starting my painting journey back in 2011,
It has given me nothing but life.
Life will always have its challenges.
But one thing remains constant.
The love of Christ.
That’s what keeps me going.
Everything I do is for His glory.

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If you wish to buy or if you have any questions, please email me for details at lis[at]harmonythoughts[dot]com. This is open for local and international residents.

Note* 5% of the proceeds will benefit Project PEARLS.

“Irises” watercolor on paper

After painting in acrylics for quite a few days,
I forgot how watercolor should be treated.
Today this versatile medium reminded me that freedom is its name.
I let go knowing that I will be guided by my intuition– the child in me at play.
Boy, was it fun!

***
I need some advice from you–
Have you tried selling paintings (acrylics or watercolor) in watercolor paper?
If so do you spray fixative or sealants on your final work?
Do you put the painting on mount, frame or no frame before shipping?
What is your pricing strategy especially if you are just a beginner in selling?
Any tips on painting for selling?

I appreciate any information you share. Thank you so much!

Paint Party Friday Rocks!

“What I Live For” Mixed Media on Sketchbook

The thing that haunts me everyday is to create something.
Paint, draw and design.
I know I am not the best in the world at what I do.
Like you I also feel the negative vibes.
Sometimes I stay paralyzed believing in the “truth” that I am not good and that nobody cares.

But I still fight. I still do what I do.
Because to be an Artist is what I live for.

This is my calling.

Everyday I woke up to the sound of birds singing and the reflection of sunlight,
And I think to myself I want to paint that. I need to draw that.
To a photographer that might mean capturing the day’s beauty in a photograph.
To me it’s imagining the colors mixing together to create that beautiful rich sunlight,
Or sketching that raw shadow cast off by the bird.

Drawing my life has been a very enriching experience.
This calling to be an Artist is a blessing.
To be able to touch other people’s lives,
Inspire and move them…
And in turn uplift me as well.
Life has a way to do that.

____

Today I’m taking part in ‘What I Live For’, an online event organised by author Satya Robyn. People like me all over the world will be sharing what gives their lives meaning. In Satya Robyn’s novel ‘Thaw’, Ruth gives herself three months to decide whether she can find a reason to carry on living. There’s 75% off the kindle version today (99p / $1.49) – read more here: http://www.satyarobyn.com/?page_id=56

“In the Moment” pen and watercolor on sketchbook

Getting back to the groove of life means to start somewhere.
Anywhere. Anything.
This week had been full of just that.
I pour myself on art.
I pour myself on being a beginner again.
I learn and I had fun.
It doesn’t have to be a chore.
It doesn’t have to be perfect.

When I say pour I use time wisely.
No distractions of any kind.
Just me and my art.

I wouldn’t have done all that without the grace of God.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Thank you to all of you PPF artists for your wonderful support. I learned a lot from your words of wisdom last time.

“Countryside” acrylics on sketchbook

My creativity has been running low these days.
I need concepts to appear in a snap of my brain.
But to my dismay it gives me none.
Also I find it daunting to learn new things associated with what I love to do (art, design).
I wonder aloud to myself why so?
I love art but why am I feeling negatively tired and low spirited instead of positively excited and eager to explore?

Sometimes I do not understand myself.

But during those tough times I walk away from my table.
I breathe. Slowly and gently.
Thinking aloud and whispering to myself that this is just a phase that I need to embrace.
Maybe my heart is filled and choked with pressures, fears and worries.
It’s okay to walk away from the needed work.
Instead pour out those feelings unto paint and paper.
Ignoring rules and procedures.
Quick sketches.
Slap the paint.
Layer the colors.
Brush away.

The result is the painting above. Surrendered to God. Do what I can for the moment.

I need to know, what do you Artists do when face with such a conflict? Have you? Please do share in the comments below. I love to hear your words.

First painting on May 2011 (watercolor)

I am reminiscing my early adventures in watercolor painting.
The above is my first ever painting inspired by a tutorial.
I look back on all the experiments that I have done in the past and realized one thing: Passion
It propels me to be bold on my undertakings.
It motivates me to self-study.
It gives me permission to make mistakes and still continue.
It gives me power to make many paintings whether they are good or bad.
That kind of passion where it gives me excitement.
That kind of passion where it is not afraid to take risk.
Dream drives passion.
My dream is to be a Painter.

Today I am grateful to celebrate two years for Harmony Thoughts.
I am excited for big things coming for my dreams.
It is one loooooong journey of hard work, discipline and perseverance.
But the trip will be worth it.
Cheers!

All glory is Yours, Father.

My breakfast. Every single morning.
I’m not getting tired of it.
It’s like a habitual food.
It’s healthy. It fills me. It gives me energy.
I don’t think that’s ever going to change.

And oh, my Mom cooks these every single morning too.

Wishing everyone a happy week! God bless us all! :)

“Stumbling Ride” watercolor on sketchbook

I haven’t painted for almost a week.
So today I pick up the brush and did a quick painting inspired by a prayer card.
Keeping in mind that the important thing is in the DOING.
If you have experienced failure or made a lot of mistakes,
It’s perfectly okay.
That means you are working on your dreams.
That means you are progressing.
That means you are learning even more.
It’s okay to mourn for your loss, failure and mistakes.
Because it’s guaranteed that you will get up stronger, refreshed and more determined.

It’s true because I’ve been there this week.
And I thank God for allowing me to experience the pain of hurt and failure.
In the pain there is joy.
In the failure there is triumph.

No one is going to be stuck in the rut forever.
Unless you want to.

“Posso Farle” acrylic and watercolor on paper

Posso Farle means I can do it in Italian.
I tell myself everyday that I can do it.
I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me.
No matter how far the journey is,
Baby steps my dear.
No matter if the progress is slow.
Just paint.
Just design.
Just never give up.
Whenever negative thoughts start paralyzing me,
Draw, expel the negative energy through creativity.
Lastly if I don’t know what to do anymore…
Pause, breathe, cry, pray… pray.
Go outside.
The beautiful nature heals.
Thank you Lord.

“Home” acrylic on watercolor paper

For some reason when I pick up my acrylic paints,
All I can think about to paint is structure.
Like post, wall, bricks, pattern.
And usually I leave something atmospheric among the crowd.
Something alive.
Most of the time I don’t know the outcome of my painting (unless it’s planned).
It always just present itself.
Like watching a series where the events slowly unfold.
Leaving the painter nothing but excitement.