Sacred Art Blog

visit my shops

2016-09-07T18:17:00.000-05:00

For my jewelry from my silversmith studio:
www.etsy.com/shop/Janiemillsart

For my jewelry supplies:
www.etsy.com/shop/jewelsuppliers

Up the Down Staircase

2012-06-23T13:20:00.000-05:00

found on Steve McCurry's beautiful blog

Upstairs, Downstairs

Burma

For centuries, stairs have symbolized journeys, rites of passage,
transitions, and stages of life in art, literature, and music.

Tibet

My Soul. I summon to the winding ancient stair;
Set all your mind upon the steep ascent,
Upon the broken, crumbling battlement,
Upon the breathless starlit air,
‘Upon the star that marks the hidden pole;
Fix every wandering thought upon
That quarter where all thought is done:
Who can distinguish darkness from the soul
- William Butler Yeats

Stairs are climbed step by step.
- Turkish Proverb

Children’s stories tell tales of boys and girls discovering treasures upstairs in the
attic and fearing what is downstairs in the basement.

Afghanistan

Faith is taking the first step even when
you don’t see the whole staircase.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Burma

Morocco

India

Man, unlike anything organic or inorganic in the universe,
grows beyond his work, walks up the stairs of his concepts,
emerges ahead of his accomplishments.
- John Steinbeck

Jodhpur, India

My soul can find no staircase to Heaven unless it be
through Earth’s loveliness.
- Michelangelo

Mt. Popa, Burma
The stairway climbs a 300-foot lava plug crowned by Buddhist temples.

Serbia

Mother to Son
Well, Son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor –
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now –
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
- Langston Hughes

New York, September 12, 2001

Japan

India

Afghanistan

"Wish I Could Fly"

2012-04-24T12:45:00.000-05:00

New Oil Painting "Wish I Could Fly" by Janie Mills

18" x 24" including hand-built pine frame on birch wood panel prepared with multiple layers of papers, varnish and oil. Sanding back exposed paper floral designs. The result is truly an amazing array of texture, colors and subtleties.

"Hibiscus Dreams"

2012-04-24T12:31:00.001-05:00

New Oil Painting - "Hibiscus Dreams" by Janie Mills

18" x 24" including hand-built, pine frame on birch wood panel

Fresh Coat of Paint

2012-04-24T09:30:00.000-05:00

I just finished painting my laundry room. Every time I open the door to the room, it makes me feel happy. It makes me want to do a happy dance while doing wash. Now, that is really sick! :) I just read that painting only one wall in a room is now "out", so, of course, since I always like to go against the latest and greatest in design... I just had to go against the grain.

Milagros/Ex Votos

2012-04-11T11:17:00.001-05:00

Milagros/Ex Votos, a photo by shadowplay on Flickr- photographed in New Orleans.
To see Milagros for sale, see - http://janiemillsart-shoppe.blogspot.com/p/milagros.html

My first experience with Milagros and Ex Votos was a visit to the Santuario in Chimayo NM, many years ago. An entire room filled with crutches, braces, canes, etc. no longer needed. Prayers answered and faith shared. Witnessing this literal show of gratitude is powerful. It has forever been etched into my heart.

For Easter - Hill Of Crosses

2012-04-08T17:43:00.000-05:00

A Vintage Green Life: HILL OF CROSSES:

The Hill of Crosses is located in northern Lithuania

and over the years has become a National Pilgrimage center.

The tradition of placing crosses here dates back to the 14th century originally,

(I came across a few different dates while researching)

and probably arose as a symbol of Lithuanian defiance of foreign invaders.

In more recent times when Soviet Russia controlled it, the hill was leveled by

bulldozers three times...1961, 1973, and 1975.

The crosses were burned or turned to scrap metal and the area covered with waste and sewage.

Each time the Hill arose again when local inhabitants and pilgrims from

all over Lithuania rapidly replaced crosses on the hill.

Finally left in peace the sacred hill is now visited each year

by thousands of pilgrims, a good many of them leaving crosses,

some in memory of loved ones.

On windy days breezes blow through the crosses and hanging rosaries

producing their own unique music.

Tutorial-painting eggs

2012-03-13T11:17:00.000-05:00

How to paint eggs by Tracie Lyn Huskamp

Underwater Museum-Cancun, Mexico

2012-03-02T13:49:00.000-06:00

Absolutely Brilliant! Definitely on my bucket list!

2012-02-27T13:47:00.000-06:00


http://confettigarden.tumblr.com/

Mostly, I am grateful.

Free Valentine printable

2012-02-13T11:50:00.001-06:00

Will you gift chocolates to your

sweetheart tomorrow?

Here is a little freebie to make it even more special.

Click to Download and print your own chocolate wrappers.

Christmas projects

2011-12-12T21:36:00.000-06:00

Just finished some Christmas projects. Making a book paper wreath was fun.

Prayer

2011-12-09T11:17:00.001-06:00

"Prayer"

Altoid tin container by Janie Mills for display or to cradle a dearly loved rosary.

I love this depiction of a Madonna, a Mother, a Woman in quiet communication with her maker. Simple text with the word "Prayer" is added. A tiny pink candle lights the way. It was perfectly sized in it's partial use when taken out of an old box of birthday candles. I wonder what stories it could tell?

See this link on how it was made:

http://janiemillsart-images.blogspot.com/p/nichos-and-altars.html

Day 9 of "A Virgin a Day" hosted by artist, Rebecca Brooks. You can join us at:

recuerda mi corazon

Love Springs Eternal

2011-12-08T09:09:00.001-06:00

May you be surprised at finding beauty in the midst of ruin.

Day 7 of "A Virgin a Day" hosted by artist, Rebecca Brooks at:
recuerda mi corazon

I created this nicho using a vintage Italian Holy card of a Madonna in adoration of a rose that appears to have sprung up in the midst of nothing. I couldn't keep from thinking about how many times I have been surprised at finding beauty in the midst of what might have been viewed as ruins or despair.

See more detail at http://janiemillsart-images.blogspot.com/p/nichos-and-altars.html

Vintage Prayer Card

2011-12-07T14:38:00.001-06:00

This is today's pick for Day 7 of "A Virgin a Day" hosted by artist, Rebecca Brooks at: recuerda mi corazon/
See more of my prayer cards on My Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/janiem/madonna/

New painting

2011-11-02T11:32:00.000-05:00

"Delilah"

16" x 20" Oil on canvas covered board.

Sorry - Not available-

Just breathe

2011-09-11T23:42:00.001-05:00

"All the masterpieces of art contain both light and shadow. A happy life is not one filled only with sunshine, but one which uses both light and shadow to produce beauty." -- Rev. Billy Graham

New painting - "Siren Awaits"

2011-09-02T15:37:00.000-05:00

"Siren Awaits"

Just finished a new painting. This is an unstretched, raw-edge, oil painted, canvas with tab attachment to hang on dowel. It's a biggie at 40" x 50".

How many of you recall your Greek Mythology? First one to reply with the correct answer to the meaning of Siren will receive a "trifle" of a gift from me.

Work in Progress

2011-07-19T22:00:00.000-05:00

I have a couple of paintings

I am trying to finish up.

This vintage photo was my inspiration-

Meet Miss Fussbudget

She is still on the easel. Her arm and hand has to be fixed, so she can become real. What do you think so far?

Honoring Those Who Gave The Most

2011-05-30T18:37:00.000-05:00

The SON has risen

2011-04-24T00:01:00.001-05:00

The SUN has risen

via

and our footsteps have run their course with only an 

echo to be heard.

BUT

THE SON 

HAS RISEN 

via

and you have been invited to sit at table 

in order to partake in an endLESS feast

under a canopy

of amazing grace.

Thanks to Castle Crowns and Cottages for this inspiring post.

Paper Peonies

2011-04-15T15:48:00.000-05:00

These gorgeous peonies are made of paper.
The artist Lisa Yuen shows how to make these flowers here: Part One and here Part Two.

Click this link---> to go to the Peony petal Instructions. The link in the supplies list below takes you right to the printable template.

Tools and Materials:

20-pound recycled paper (20 sheets)
Blender
Silpat (I think plastic wrap would work too.)
Cookie sheet
Sponge
Rolling pin
Paper Peonies template
Acrylic paint (magenta and green)
Paintbrush
Acrylic varnish
Pearlizing medium
Plastic bag
Thin paper
Scissors
Glue gun
Cable wire
Floral tape
Paper Peonies How-To:
1. Rip 20 sheets of 20-pound recycled paper into strips.
2. Boil ripped paper in 5 quarts water; let cool.
3. In a blender, pulse to reduce to a paper pulp.
4. Place 3 cups pulp onto Silpat-lined cookie sheet; spread out.
5. Use sponge to soak up excess water. Let dry for a couple of hours.
6. Flatten with rolling pin. Let dry for one day.
7. Download and print template.
8. Cut 50 petals for each peony: 10 small, 20 medium, and 20 large.
9. Make mixture of 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon magenta acrylic paint, 1/3 cup acrylic varnish, and 1 teaspoon pearlizing medium.
10. Dip petals into paint mixture. Dry overnight on cookie sheets lined with a plastic bag.
11. Curl and wrinkle petal edges.
12. Make a pistil by cutting a 3/4-inch-by-8 1/2-inch strip of thin paper. Fold lengthwise. On the fold, make 1/4 inch cuts, approximately every 1/4 inch. Roll to resemble a paper decoration for a "lamb chop" end. Secure with glue gun.
13. Make a 1/2-inch diameter wad of pulp with a point (shaped like an acorn); let dry.
14. Take dried wad and glue (using glue gun) to uncut end of "lamb chop," pointy side down. Flare ends.
15. Assemble a flower. Using a glue gun, glue five small petals overlapping, surrounding the wad. Glue another layer of small petals. Repeat process for medium, then large petals, working in layers, until you have a full peony.
16. For stems, use the glue gun to glue the end of a length of thick electric cable wire to the base of the flower and wrap, then wrap in floral tape. Paint stems green with acrylic paint.
ResourcesRecycled copy paper is available at office supply stores. We used magenta acrylic paint from Delta, Iridescent Tinting Medium from Liquitex, Acrylic Glazing Gloss Liquid Medium from Golden Makes, yellow card stock or yellow/pink origami paper for the stamens, and a hot glue gun by Dremel. You can find cable wire for the stem at hardware stores.
Designed by
Lisa Yuen, www.paperbloomsters.com

A Matter of Faith

2011-04-07T08:23:00.010-05:00

A brilliant post by Steve McCurry:

Girl praying at a mosque, Kabul, Afghanistan

I have seen many manifestations of faith during my travels over the past three decades. Some have been spontaneous, some have been part of a liturgy, some have been prescribed rituals, some have been in magnificent buildings, others have been outside under a tree. Some people’s faith is embedded in the way they live their lives.

Shaolin monks training, Zhengzhou, China

“Just as the body cannot exist without blood, so the soul needs the matchless and pure strength of faith.” Mohandas Gandhi

Prayers and teaching, Peshawar, Pakistan

Sikh holiest site, Golden Temple, Amritsar, India

Sri Lanka

Prayer Flags, Lhasa, Tibet

Charlotte, North Carolina

Religious Instruction – Jewish child in Yemen

Srinagar, Kashmir

Brazil

Camino, Italy

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”

- St. Thomas Aquinas

India

Thrissur Pooram, Kerala, India

“Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark.”

- Rabindranath Tagore

Tibetan Prayer Festival in Bodh Gaya, India

Pilgrim praying with monks at the Buddhist Academy of Larung Gar, Kham Province, Tibet

“What is Faith? When your good deed pleases you and your evil deed grieves you, you are a believer.”

- Prophet Muhammad

Monk at Jokhang temple, Lhasa, Tibet

Tutorial-fabric flowers

2011-04-04T12:15:00.001-05:00

As found on Project Wedding:

Do you ever find yourself coveting those lovely fabric flower hairpieces at JCrew? Or maybe one of those beautiful ring pillows with fabric flowers on top that you see on Etsy? Or even a sweet little flower-adorned cardigan to cover up your shoulders on your wedding day?
Here’s a quick tutorial to show you how to make your own fabric flowers! The uses for these flowers are endless – attach a clip to one to put in your bridesmaids’ hair, string them together to create a cute garland for the pews, attach stems to create a fabric flower bouquet, or stick one on your clutch to match your wedding colors!

Materials:
Fabric (anything works – from silk organza to your old bedsheets) 
Needle 
Thread (in a color that matches the fabric)
Large circular object (for tracing around) 
Medium circular object(about ¼” – ½” smaller in diameter)
Small circular object (about 1” in diameter) 
Scissors

Process:
1. Trace the large circular object onto your fabric 9 times.
2. Trace the medium circular object onto your fabric 1 time.
3. Trace the small circular object onto your fabric 1 time.
4. Cut out all 11 circles.
5. Set small and medium circles aside. Take a large circle and fold it into quarters.

6. Place this quarter on top of another large circle.

7. Using a needle and thread, sew the tip of the fabric quarter onto the flat circle. Make sure you sew through all the layers.
8. Take 3 more large circles, fold them into quarters, and continue to lay them out onto the circle. To keep the flower perfectly balanced and proportional, make sure all the openings face the same direction. Sew each quarter as you lay it down. After all 4 quarters have been laid out and sewn, sew a couple times between the quarters to connect them together.

9. Fold another large circle into quarters. Place this directly on top of another quarter on the bottom layer, and angle it 90 degrees. Again, make sure the opening faces the same direction as the quarters on the bottom layer.

10. Sew the quarter onto the bottom layer.
11. Repeat this using 3 more of the large circles. This should form an entire top layer.

12. After the top layer has been completed, remember to sew between the quarters again.
13. Take the medium circle now and fold it in half.

14. Roll it up into a cone shape.

15. Place it flat against the top layer with the tip pointing toward the center. Sew the very tip into place. It should be able to stand upright when you are done.

16. Flip the flower over. Take the smallest circle fabric and sew it onto the back to cover up your stitches. If you are attaching a hair clip or headband to the flower, put it between the flower and the small circle fabric. Sew the circle into place with the hair clip headband sandwiched inside it.

17. Flip the flower over again and fluff it up!

Tutorial-Powder Puff Bingo Tag

2011-04-01T16:31:00.011-05:00

As found on 2 gypsy girls:
1. Stamp tag with a script stamp (Antique Linen). You only need to do the top and bottom since the bingo paper with cover the middle.

vintage photo for edges

2. Adhere paper bingo card and brocade trim to tag. (see photo above, I forgot to take one before I glued the puff on!). Set aside to make the puff.

To make the powder puff-
3. Cut at least 1 yd of creme tulle lengthwise so you end up with two long skinny pieces about 1 1/4" wide. Here's how I did it: I cut one piece of tulle 2 1/2" wide with my roller cutter (of course) and then cut that piece in half to get two 1 1/4" pieces. Don’t worry, it does not have to be perfect, mines not!

4. Lay the two pieces on top of each other and run a basting stitch down the center of the 1 yd length.

maybe I should clean the glue off my sewing machine?

5. Gently pull the string to gather the tulle.

adjust tulle so the ruffles are on one side of the stitching line

6. Cut out a 1 1/2" circle of heavy weight interfacing. Smear a bit of white glue over interfacing and add a piece of cheesecloth. Let dry.

7. Working in a circular motion, hand stitch the gathered tulle strip to the interfacing circle catching the cheesecloth in the needle. In other words, you don't need to stitch down into the interfacing.

Start sewing on the outside of the circle and work your way to the center. This is very forgiving, you don't have to be a great seamstress to try this and if all else fails, you can glue it.

8. Run a small piece of wire through a pearl. Bring the two ends of the wire together on one side of the pearl and twist once.

I cut up vintage graduated pearl necklaces to get the right color, size and look.

9. Thread the pearl through a metal bead cap.

You can see the bead cap is much larger than the pearl. I did that on purpose to make it look like the pearl is the center of a flower.

10. For the next step you will need a dangle of some sort. We started with a small dangle made with a jump ring, one blue bead and eye pin (a piece of wire with a loop at one end). If you have never done this before you might check out this.

11. I wrapped 24 gauge wire around an old ladies watch movement and added it to the blue bead dangle. Slip the jump ring onto the long wire with the bead cap as shown here.

12. Tie a bow and thread the wire through the ribbon knot.

13. Then using the long wire like a needle, push through puff.

backside of puff

14. Splay wire like a brad and clip off. It will be secure once the puff is glued to the tag.

finished puff

15. Adhere puff to the tag with liquid glue.