The Story of the art box

I just went to help my friend go through all of the things gathered over many years, preparing for a sale.  We traveled to Topeka to begin the process of weeding out her mother-in-law’s house.  Though she asked if I wanted anything, I really didn’t.  However, the following morning, in the midst of a cluttered basement, I spotted an old wooden art box.  My curiosity sparked and I pulled it out of it’s hiding place to peek into it.  There were old paints, a broken dish, not much…but my heart quickened to it and I told my friend, if the offer still held, I wanted the old box.  A bit surprised, she said, “It’s yours.”

I set the old art box on the counter and opened it that afternoon after returning home.  Yes, old paints and brushes and achipped ceramic dish.  I opened the hinged lid and there was an old pad of canvas paper.   I opened the cover to it and, before my eyes, was the original sketch of an oil painting I had done for my brother when I was in junior high school…41 years earlier!  And no, it wasn’t “like” one that someone else had done… it was specifically about my brother’s mind.  It shook me to the core and I just stood there and cried.  I have speculations of how it ever got to the Midwest, however it was here and it was the “kick” I needed to move me forward.

My journey forward has been challenging, frustrating, eye opening, heart healing and actually quite wonderful.  My heart is for you to see an “aliveness” in each of my paintings.  God’s love for us is so great that he will bring out the hidden desires and talents, develop them and bring delight to others through them.  I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I am!