Painting of the Day

I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." - Psalm 16: 2

I am not an authority on roses at all, but my favorite ones are those that are pink tinged with yellow.  These were just poking their heads out from a darkly shaded patio, hence the dark background. 

Roses on the Covered Patio, by Debra Rutherford

9 x 12 acrylic on canvas

Painting of the Day - February 27, 2013

Don't you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?
 - 1 Corinthians 3: 16

Do you ever stop doing something that is healthy for you, because the distractions of this world shove it aside?  I got off track with my daily painting, and it did not feel good.  So its good to be back. 

If you have a daily practice that is life-giving to you, take it like vitamins and don't let distractions, self-doubt or anxiety rob it from you. Everything will get done that needs to be done within Gods perfect timing.  Ask God for His peace.

Peace in the Desert, by Debra Rutherford

6 x 9 acrylic on watercolor paper

Art of the Day

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him..... Romans 15:13

 

I confess.  I have failed to paint for two days now.  My excuse is that I am on the road and all I want to do is drink in the beauty.  Today our journey brought us to New Mexico and a wonderful peace settled around me as the vast desert and mountains came into view.  The sunset turned the mountains a deep purple near Albuquerque and streaked the sky with orange.  The highway traffic did its part adding twinkling headlights to the darkening ground. 

 

I decided to share with you someone else's art I saw today.  I took this snapshot at a rest stop in New Mexico. It is called "Prayer Sticks" by John Geldersma.  From the angle I took you can see a map of the world reflected from the opposite wall.  I hope all believers will join me in remembering to pray for our country and for the world.

"Prayer Sticks" by John Geldersma 2007

Carved and Painted Wood Installation for Art in Public Places Program, New Mexico

 

Painting of the Day

When Jesus spoke again to the people he said "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8: 12

I received such a good response from my Zinnias and Bees paintings that I will be painting more of them from time to time.  Today's painting is a miniature.   Its snowing and sleeting loudly on my windows tonight, but this little painting takes me in my mind to a quiet warm sunny garden.  Ahhh.

Bee on a Zinnia, by Debra Rutherford

2.5 x 3.5 acrylic on watercolor paper

Painting of the Day

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10: 31

I love to try new things, so I can learn something.  For example, I have never tried to create a loose impressionistic still-life painting like this one.  I thought it would be quick and easy - just a few fat strokes and a few highlights, right?  Well, I have a new respect for painters who do this type of work. 

 

Gravy Bowl and Apple, by Debra Rutherford

8 x 10 original acrylic on canvas covered board

Painting of the Day

For this is the message you hear from the beginning:  We should love one another. - 1 John 3: 11

Today I painted 4 miniature paintings called ACEOs (Art Card Edition Originals.)  I only learned recently that there are collectors for these 2.5" x 3.5" paintings.  Some are artists who want to trade with other artists. Others just like to collect them like baseball cards.  You can see other artists ACEOs on E-bay : )

Painting of the Day

By day the Lord directs his love, by night his song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life.
 - Psalm 42: 8

Today I painted a cactus to go in my "Arizona series." I think it looks like its singing.

 

"Sing in the Desert" by Debra Rutherford

8 x 10 acrylic on canvas covered board

My Mural Work

Today I began studying the Gospel of John and writing down all the things that Jesus said about who he is.  Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life.   Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." - John 6: 35

I have decided it is time to show the mural work I have done.  My latest mural was for my grandson.  I designed it referencing photos from a book about our National Parks.  The background is a scene in Yosemite. There are three deer, a bear, a fish, an eagle, a squirrel and two wolves in the painting.

My first mural I created years ago at the Tulsa zoo for the Australian Tawny Frog-mouth bird exhibit.  Here are the mock-up panels I presented to the art director at the time so that she could choose which scenes I would put together on three walls.
As you can see, the panels can be rearranged so that you see more plants or more rocks.  Unless the exhibit at the zoo has changed, my signature can be found at about eye level toward the front on the right.  It was great fun to paint large like that!
I am ready now to take on more mural commissions.

 

Painting of the Day

May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord. - Psalm 104: 's

Today's painting is from a photo I shot on the rocky road east of Apache Junction in Arizona. 

Meditation in the Desert, by Debra Rutherford

20 x 16 acrylic on canvas covered board

 

Painting of the Day

I call today's painting "Blood in the Garden."  Its is a cross-bred red and yellow Zinnia from my garden.  As we enter Lent I am reminded of the agony of Jesus Christ as he prayed on the Mount of Olives, in preparation for his impending suffering on our behalf, so that those who would accept his gift would have eternal life.

He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet not my will, but yours be done."  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. - Luke 22: 41-44

Blood in the Garden

acrylic on canvas covered board (12 x 16)

Painting of the Day

"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." -John 7: 38

Today's painting was my first attempt at "abstract" painting with pallet knives.  "River" is oil on cold-press watercolor paper (4 x 6.)   The colors I used are Titanium white, Naples Yellow, Cerulean Blue and Red Ochre.  It looks to me like a calm river ride to some some mysterious and beautiful place.

River

oil on paper (4 x 6)

Painting of the Day

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. - Proverbs 3: 3

Today I finished the sea lions I started to paint yesterday.  You can look at yesterday's post to see the progression of the paintings.  This time I referenced pencil sketches that I did at the Tulsa Zoo. 

Sea Lions II

original acrylic on paper (4 x 6)

 

Sea Lions III

original acrylic on paper (4 x 60

 

Painting of the Day

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity! - Psalm 133: 1

Oops!  I ran around doing other things today and did not get my daily painting completed.  However, don't you agree that two half-done paintings should count as one finished one?  Hopefully these two will be finished tomorrow.  Thank you for stopping in, and have a blessed evening.

Painting of the Day

And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. - Ephesians 5:2

Today's painting is a rather folkish 13 x 7 1/2 acrylic on paper.  Its a scene of a place I love to visit, Prescott, Arizona when there are arts and crafts on the village green (and corn dogs!)

 

 

Painting of the Day

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. - Psalm 136: 1

Today I painted from photographs of the Zinnias that flourished in my garden last summer.  For those of you, like me, who do not have a green thumb, throw Zinnia seeds on some dirt and watch them take over - even in draught!  The hummingbirds loved them, too.

Zinnias and Bees

Acrylic on paper

4 x 6

Painting of the Day

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. - Isaiah 40:28

Today's painting was a stretch for me, but a learning experience, so I'll share with you what I learned.

You will see that I have posted two paintings. The second one is the same scene in abstract design, as simple as I could force myself to do it.  After painting the flat colors of the second painting, which you might call a study, I realized that it would have benefitted me to create the second painting first.  The study would have shown me how to narrow my pallate of colors and target the parts of my composition that I wanted to have most importance.  After seeing the colors of the simpler study, I went back into the first painting with those colors and "fixed some areas that I was least happy with."  What I learned, and what many accomplished artists know already, is that it would be well worth my time to do a preliminary study before tackling the final painting.

If you are an artist and this is helpful to you, I would love to hear from you.

"After the Storm" by Debra Rutherford

Acrylic on paper 4" x 6"

 

Study for "After the Storm"



Painting of the Day

"Poolside 1" by Debra Rutherford

 

Welcome to my new blog!  I have made a goal to create A PAINTING A DAY!  This 4" X 6" original acrylic painting, featured on my gallery at debrarutherford.artspan.com, was just completed today.  It is a sea lion at the Tulsa Zoo.  Sea lions are my favorite zoo animal.  They are such adorable characters and, with their smooth lines, they are a joy to paint.  I hope you like it.  CHECK BACK TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT'S NEW!

My Bible verse of the day: 
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. - 3 John: 4