Face masks, social distancing, businesses and beaches closed down...

Global fear, death and uncertainty!

Zoom, face time, Marco polo and social media to keep connected. 

Then months later deciding to reopen and figure out what is the safe new normal? 

"Adapt" was a piece I created during our lock down. The first few weeks of the whole corona-virus for us were filled with house projects, (Building a chicken coup, gates, fences and planting bromeliads).  Family time consisted of puzzle building, games, slow mornings under the oak trees having our coffee and enjoying the beautiful weather. But then I had an itch to get in my studio. I knew I needed to create something to satisfy that itch. But I didn't want to use my usual style which is realistic and controlled. I wanted to use colors, textures and paint with my hands. Explore - play! So, I took out a 14" x 14" wooden panel and just started painting yellow and green paint on it, tearing tissue paper, stamping, building up texture.  I used a tree stencil freely cross hatching shadows then I added writing to the branches. The theme - what love is - it's patient, kind, not rude, hopes all things, believes all things. I tore more tissue paper and applied more color. This process went on for a few days as I had to let layers dry. 

A week went by and then I was ready to embrace my realistic style. All around my home I have orchids attached to trees and they were in bloom everywhere.  I snapped a picture  of one of my yellow orchids and proceeded to paint it with some difficulty. All that texture was making it challenging to get the realism I wanted. I was now using oils and would have to wait for layers to dry.  After a few weeks, I was finished, but not pleased.     The yellow was too much so I waited and pondered.  Then I got out cold wax which you can use with oils and started mixing it into different shades of white. The cold wax gives a thick paste consistency to the paint and it was filling in some of the uneven layers, which I liked. The white orchid just really popped out, now I was satisfied!

I work intuitively when picking a flower or colors. It is only after I finish painting I look up the meanings of the flower and colors which is always a thought provoking lesson. 

Here is what I learned. The color yellow is a color of happiness and optimism. It inspires thought and curiosity and boosts enthusiasm and confidence. The color green is a color of harmony and health. It inspires hope with promises of growth and prosperity. Seems like strange choices during the uncertain and deadly times we are in, yet I realized that this time has been a time of reflection as we enjoy projects and each other's company, lend a helping hand and prayed for those who were under such pain and loss. It seemed necessary to hold on to optimism. I think we were made to hope and look for the light in things. So witnessing Italy singing on the balconies, restaurants deliver food to the staff at hospitals, balcony Bingo in Sunrise, neighbors walking or jogging the streets and children riding bikes. The environment and wildlife also seems to be showing signs of restoration. All these brought a sense of optimism and harmony.

My  orchid was first painted in yellow and again I didn't look up any meaning until I finished painting the orchid white. Symbolism changes between cultures. A white orchid is associated with simplicity, open-mindedness and self-reflection as well as elegance and reverence.

This lock down time was a time of simplicity, open-mindedness and self-reflection. We all are evaluating what is necessary or of real value. The tearing of the tissue paper, the placing stamps and textures  - metaphors for us all as we navigate these circumstances. As we are getting bits and pieces of information and wait to see what the government and science decides is best; it is my hope as we open up that we have learned the importance and impact of relationships, the arts, the waiters, waitress, doctors, nurses and teachers have in our community.  We will  treat one another with deep reverence and compassion for the only thing we have control over is how we treat one another. 

Let us to adapt in love!

Slowing down to hear the whispers. That is what is happening to all of us as we are in timeout from our regular life. Our values are being challenged, redefined and sometimes shaken. In this time of uncertainty, we look for things that assure us of having some semblance of control; as we realize our lack of control and vulnerability, nature seems to be letting out a sigh of relief as it gets to rest from all our activity that we impose on it.

Nature, I love it and spend a lot of time in it. I especially enjoy all the different varieties of flowers. I am fascinated with the form, fragrance, diversity and shades of these delicate, vulnerable, voiceless beauties.  They appear in the most unique places as wonderful, generous, gracious gifts. I also enjoy planting and cultivating them.

Let me share with you the creation of “Surrendering Whispers”. I had planted these irises in a few different locations around my studio months before they bloom and at their appointed time they bloomed. I snap pictures and arranged them on my canvas. Wanting to try a new technique for the background I pulled out my burnt umber, raw umber, oranges oil paints and preceded to stipple and layered these earthy colors onto my canvas.   Check out the first background image.       

Then painting the bamboo and irises. It was an interesting painting,

but the background and delicate petals seemed to fight each other.

As I took time out to ponder where to go from there I finally decided to paint over the background with shades of grey. Much better! There was a sense of stillness and peace. I thought it was done. So, I started to photograph the painting inside my studio, but the lighting needed to be brighter, so I went outside to photograph it. Much to my delight the sun was in the west shining through the eureka palms and cast wonderful shadows of movement onto the canvas. The shadows enhance the movement of the irises. With joy I immediately got my paints and started painting those shadows.

I chose to share this painting with you because I see some parallel life lessons to what is going on because of this Covid-19 virus. First, we can use this time to lean in and listen to what our inner voice is saying to us, challenge, redefine and shake loose some of those things in our lives that aren’t really serving who we would like to be. Second, uncertainty has and is always a part of our lives. So let’s be present every moment and enjoy every day as a wonderful gift. Looking for the beauty in it. Third, we only have control of our attitudes. Our attitudes are like seeds. They eventually grow so let’s be intentional.

Fourth, even when we think something is finished stay open to unexpected wonders.

Enjoy the glorious dance of life!

“Iridescent Iris blooming bold and bright 

How your amazing color catches all the light 

Then the wind whispers forcing you to move 

Lessons of lovely surrender display a glorious grove!” 

The "Eclipse of the Heart" is an encaustic painting done on a 12" x 12" wood panel. Encaustic paint is best used on a hard surface that can take heat. It is a mixture of bees wax and damar varnish. This is a fairly new medium I have added to my creative pallet. I love the fact that it is compatible with oil paints, oil sticks, pan pastels, Indian inks and gelato sticks. 

This painting was inspired by the solar eclipse that took place on Monday, August 21, 2017; all of North America was treated to an eclipse of the sun. As I listened to all the chatter on the TV, internet and Facebook of where people would be, how they would observe this infrequent occurrence, the warnings to take care to protect their eyes,  I pondered on the verses in Genesis one, "And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters". And God said, "let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them before signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth."  "- the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night and start.  - And God saw that it was good." It sadden my heart that amidst all the chatter I didn't hear how awesome the Creator God is, who had orchestrated eclipse. 

Image of the path from the Eclipse of August 21, 2017

Therefore, "Eclipse of the Heart" is my tribute to God's love as it hovered and hovers in creating, forming and fashioning the earth, sun, moon. and even wooing our hearts to Him by His faithful provisions that the earth provides.

As I contemplated how to started this painting I decided to write on the wooden panel words of affirmation to God. Then I applied three layers of clear encaustic paint to the whole panel. Fusing the layers together.  Next I applied white encaustic paint to the top half and the green to the lower half. I chose the colors quite intuitively. The white sky depicting the purity and the green for renewal, hope and adventure. It gave a sky and earth feel to the panel, but it didn't illustrate the Creator God verses His creation earth.  So I added the small green circle and the large gold leaf heart. I decided to add the purple edge adds to symbolize God's royal reign whether one recognizes it or not. I chose to create the gold heart not fully closed and to have rays of gold pouring forth from it symbolizing God's unsearchable ways and sovereignty.

The definition of eclipse is obscuring of the light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the observer.  So what thing is obscuring the light of His love by placing its presence as dominate in your heart? It will only be a matter of time that that will pass and then the light of His love will fill your vision again!

Paradise on Earth… What does that spark in your mind when you hear that? Mojitos on the beach?

Snuggling with a book and a cup of coffee in your pj’s?  Or to be truly seen and loved for who you are flaws and all? Living here in south Florida, vegetation, is considered tropical paradise. It is part of why our state is considered a relaxing place to get away and enjoy! You only need to take a walk to see what I mean.

I was over on the west coast of Florida visiting my sister (sister ya ya time). A time when we both looked forward to hanging out under the palm trees by the ocean sipping on a mojito and being sisters. Later in the day we went by her pool and there was a magnificent bird of paradise. I snapped a picture and looked forward to painting it. Back at my studio a week later, I started to paint the Bird of Paradise. The colors were so vivid and rich that I decide I needed some contrast. Checking around the studio I came across a tropical pink dogwood plant (also known as Mussaenda ‘Queen Sirikit’ named after Queen Consort of Thailand, the longest reigning head of state in the world an amazing women. If you would like to read more click on this link https://www.pattayamail.com/news/long-live-majesty-queen-sirikit-182966 ). I loved the soft, white with a touch of pink leafy petals. They were a perfect contrast to the bold rich colors of the bird of paradise. It is funny how contrast is pleasing to the eye and heart on some accounts and others are repulsive. Further along the painting I realized everything was on the lower half of the canvas so, I wanted to also draw your eye up and around the flowers… adding bamboo with its smooth greenish blue hues seemed to finish off the composition.

As I create, it is an intuitive process.  Maybe it’s like decoding a Morris code message, you must listen carefully to each stroke. I find plants and their meaning just as interesting as all the colors, textures and details. It is like messages of love, hope, assurance, encouragement all right in front of us.  The Bird of Paradise started the journey and it’s appropriate that it symbolizes paradise, freedom and joy. Which characterized the visit with my sister.  This flower’s message is to stay open to new possibilities and seek your freedom wherever you can find it. Explore the world with a sense of optimism and excitement. The contrasting pink dogwood plant's message inspires life for us all to care for those in need and our preservation of our planet. Then there is the bamboo a plant that is as hard as steel, flexible in the most raging storm and has an amazing root system which keeps it grounded. For me that depicts my relationship with my sister. We have gone through many wonderful and difficult situation and still we are grounded together for our roots are strongly knitted together. We have learned to be like steel when it comes to loyalty to one another and flexible when we don’t always see eye to eye.

May you find your Paradise on Earth and if you need a visual reminder to stay open to new possibilities then my picture is available for purchase click here www.lyndasaulsartist.com/works

Deciding to purchase a hibiscus bush full of buds and some flowers it was just lovely. I love the burst of colors and the wavy petals like Mexican dancers’ skirts and the pistils resemble small pinatas. This painting was inspired by a culmination of much effort and time, not so much in the painting but it’s journey to bloom.

Planting it by the eureka trees/bushes at my studio. A burst of color amidst the greenery but months later it wasn’t blooming and looking very leggy. So, cutting it all back, fertilizing then expecting those lovely flowers. But more delays! Soon the rainy season, some flooding and then small white bugs everywhere on the plant.

Off to the nursery I would go to seek professional help. Well come to find out hibiscus plants are prone to these white bugs called mites and they love to eat the buds and leaves. Also come to find out my plant was leggy because it needed more sun.

I purchase the correct product to rid the mites and was told they would require constant care to keep away. I decided to move the plant to a sunny side of the studio garden. During the transplanting process I came to find out that the eureka roots and hibiscus roots had really grown together. It was a struggled to pry the hibiscus away with as little damage to it’s roots as possible but not very successful.

Well I know enough about gardening that I was putting my already sickly plant in more danger of perishing, but I had hope if given the right amount of sun, care and patience I would enjoy its beauty and have my reward of its blooms. I didn’t want to just cast if off because my ignorance had caused its hard journey and I hoped to redeem it. Patience and providence finally blessed me. There she was dancing in the wind. Lovely and carefree, her beauty displayed made me dance along with her. Gratitude filled my heart at how resilient God has made His creation.

So, I snapped a picture and set out to paint this beauty in all its splendor! I loved the challenge of all the curved, wavy petals laying on one another and upholding one another. The bright cadmium hues against the aqua blue sky, expressing the sole triumph of bloom. Here are the paints I used in creating this painting ...

I was reminded that we are all created beautiful and with great potential. Many times, our life circumstances and ignorance cause our harm - stunting of our beauty. It takes effort and loss to uproot from those circumstance and pruning for the possibility of healthy thoughts. Usually there will be others close to us going through their own storms, fears and pain which will affect our journey to wholeness. Professionals and those who are loving and courageous enough to walk though encouraging and reminding us of the potential we hold till eventually we believe and move into the light of truth.

The truth - we are created to co-create no matter where we are in life’s circumstances, we hold the ability to decide. Cultivate what is true, honest, just pure, lovely and a good report think on these things. We too will be able to experience lovely blooms of peace, joy and thankfulness and others around us will rejoice with us!

“As you think, so you are.

As you are, so you act.

As you act, so you attract.”

                                    James Allen

It’s wonderful to live in a time where we have available to us so much knowledge via technology. It has opened opportunities for all of us to explore and experience things we would have not been able to see, right from the comfort of our own homes, schools or business. Awesome!!!

But since technology has become every day or familiar a sense of wonder is replaced with a sense of ordinary. It’s only when I take the time to think about technology a sense of fascination is stirred…how images and sounds can transfer from one location to another!

I love living in S. Florida because of all the tropical foliage. One is surrounded in an oasis of lushness and beauty. There is a vast amount of subject matter that inspires and speaks to my soul.

Painting is a way I get to stir up the wonder in the ordinary. It helps me stop, study, choose colors, placement of the image on my canvas and explore what I see. Such as what are the values of the colors, how do the shapes relate to one another, what textures do I see?

I love orchids and have attached many on my trees or have them hanging in baskets all around my studio. I am fascinated by their lovely pedals, and fleshy underground tubers.

Here are some fun facts about orchids.

They have over 20,000 different species and were considered exotic gifts of love in the Victorian Era since they could only be gotten in the Tropics. The Ancient Greeks believed if they ate the tuber it would determine their child’s sex. In China, orchids are regarded as emblems of integrity, elegance and friendship.  

Plus like all flowers their colors are symbolic of different qualities such as:

White for humility and purity, as well as elegance and reverence

Pink femininity, grace and joy

Yellow friendship and new beginnings

Purple royalty and admiration

Orange pride, enthusiasm, and boldness

Ok back to painting -

Normally I just work in oil on a canvas but for “Genetic Code” I chose to work on a wood panel and play around with some texture medium by Golden Gel Medium Soft Gel Matte mixed with Liquitex inks and Pearl Ex pigments, Blick studio grade acrylic paints and a stencil I got from Michaels.  It was refreshing and stirred up my inner child to get a bit messy and just play around. Not really knowing where it would all lead. As patterns immerged and the background developed it became my place of wonder and awe. The marbled aqua circle represented those things that hold together the things I cannot see with my naked eye. If it wasn’t for the microscope, I wouldn’t understand cells and the diversity they hold inside which forms life as we see it.

After the background dried, I started to sketch out the orchid using my oil paints. As the orchid started to come together it made me realize how this act of exploring different medium and being present to the process was the universe reminding me of the intricacy of all creation. That many cells holding all forms of life together working in unity to form and display their uniqueness and beauty.

The ordinary lead to wonder and worship of God as Creator - His greatness and design. As usually after I paint a flower, I look up the meaning of it and what its color represents.   I felt a kiss from God as I read the words reverence and humility. For that is what my soul felt as I stood back and looked at my painting. I had a sense of gratitude for the loving details placed here carefully crafted for all mankind’s use and enjoyment.

 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness” Psalm 107:8

What ordinary thing leads you to worship and have an attitude of gratitude?