On to next week

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This has been an exhausting week trying to fit everything in. I need a break, so I'm going to take one and go visit some of my artist friends living a little south of me, visit some small towns and take some photographs. It's a shame that we have such severe drought conditions. Georgia is usually really green by this time of the year and around here almost all our grass is yellow and the trees are struggling to hold their leaves. Further up north from me they have banned all outdoor watering completely because they are afraid of running out of drinking water!

I'm still making progress on the portrait of Carley Ann although I have to admit a bit of fustration not being able to paint alla prima like I do when I paint outside en plein air. Still it's been good for the sprit to do something different and draw on different skills. You can watch my progress here: http://paintinglessons.blogspot.com/

Organization of past works is also moving a bit slowly, but still making progress, so that's good. I wish I had dated my paintings at least on the back.

Cast Shadows

Anna Claire Franklin, Easter 2007 , Age 10 months

Carley Ann Franklin - Easter 2007 - Age 28 months

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As artists we are always concerned with shadows because we have learned that shadows tell the story of the object we are painting. If you are trying to paint a shadow it helps if you squint to fix your eyes on the shape. By squinting we simpfly the shape and don't get bogged down in details.

As Christians we are also concerned with shadows, our shadow and God's shadow. You see, just as in art, our shadows are important because it tells a story. In my mail box this moring was a message from my Sunday School prayer group leader, Marilyn who asked the question at the end of all the prayer requests, "In your daily lives, what type of shadow do you cast? Does it point to God or elsewhere?" This is what I am thinking on today.