Right Brain Redux Crash Course: Projects 24-26

Still playing catch-up.  We have a few projects to post for you today. First up is a Wild Card project from Jessica. We put in a couple of blank pieces of paper so we could do whatever we wanted.

Jess's Challenge Projects for #24-26

#25 Create something using recycled materials

Sometimes you just feel like painting on a popsicle stick... well, I do. It's not perfect or my best work, but I'm okay with that. (That's definitely a big thing for me.) --Jess

#25 Random Photography 

This is Jess's favorite barn to photograph. She really has an eye for capturing it. It sits around 3,000 feet above sea level on a ridge forming the state line between WV and VA near the southern tip of WV (The road is the state line.) --Kev

#26 Art Based on Scripture

I draw while studying my Bible. God made me a creator, so I remember what I read better when I connect it with doodles and pictures. It's not about creating perfect pictures; it's about connecting with God on a level that resonates with both of us. --Jess

Hebrews 12:15- "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

Kevin's Challenge Projects for #24-26

#24

Today, I drew "Create and draw a new character". This bear will be the main character in a children's book I wrote with my son today. He is inspired by my son's teddy bear.

#25

"Create a newspaper blackout poem". This one is pretty random as far as poems go. To tell you the truth, I had a hard time wrapping my head around this challenge. Don't know if it was the lack of sleep the night before or if I just didn't get it. I can write poems, but the challenge of picking out words from an article... I think I could do a lot better, I'd just need to take more time and be more alert. Not being allowed coffee until they straighten out my heart is maybe one of the worst things about what I'm dealing with.

Here is the text of my "Poem"

No Choice! Go Home!

Racing for the exits

Blasted cat, Outrage! Ridiculous!

Oh, get over it.

The day is so backward!

Grow up. Unless you like ice cream

Ice Cream? Terrible

#26

Pulled a blank paper out today, so that's a Wild card. I got to pick what I wanted to do, so I decided to do my other idea for a t-shirt design based on a scripture verse. I do intend to put digital colors to this, maybe this weekend. The Verse(s) for this image are Ephesians 6:10-18, concerning the "Whole Armor of God".

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Right Brain Redux: Update

Right Brain Redux: Update Hey everybody, I know we haven't posted any updates in a couple of days. We will be getting the challenge back on track over the weekend. The reason for the lack of activity is our preparation for a big event this weekend. We are the Children's Pastors at our church, and this Sunday, Kids' Church is taking over "Big Church". We are going to be conducting the service in the main sanctuary, but leading the adults through the service along with the kids. It's been some extra work, but it's going to be awesome. More project posts coming on the other side! Kevin & Jessica Rose


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Right Brain Redux: Day 21 of 30-day Creativity Challenge

Right Brain Redux Day 21: 3 Weeks In, and They Don't Suspect a Thing

Jessica's project at this milestone: "Make something for someone else". 

Kevin's was "Post a picture of the most interesting thing you saw today".

Kevin: Now, I may be fudging a bit here, because I didn't actually take this photo today. I took it a couple of days ago. But I did not actually SEE it until today. It's a straight-down shot of a little two-prong ginseng plant my mother found when she, I, and mini-me were in the woods the other day (we didn't dig it, but we did plant the berries it had). Besides the fact that ginseng is, to me, the most beautiful plant in the woods, the way the picture turned out was very intriguing to me. To my eye, it almost seems as if the little 'seng leaves are floating above a printed paper backdrop of fallen leaves rather than an unruly pile on the forest floor.

Jess: My task: Make something for someone

I enjoyed making the Zentangles so much that I decided to do a bookmark for Kevin. It was small enough that I figured I'd be able to finish it. (Zendoodles take longer than I thought they would!) Also, he really loved my first attempt. He enjoyed finding all the little symbols and guessing what each thing was based on. I put the bookmark on a page of my notebook to take a pic of it. 

Psalm 121:1-2 "I lift my eyes up to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." 

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Right Brain Redux : Day 1 Projects

Today marked the first day of the thirty-day art challenge we set for ourselves as outlined in our previous blog post. Jessica's first draw from the Challenge Jar was to take a scribble/doodle drawn by our toddler boy and turn it into a finished drawing.  My first pick was to fill an entire page with doodles. Mini-me (our older  son) joined in as well, being allowed to choose between our projects. He chose to do the page full of doodles with me.

Jessica has titled her piece "Sad Flower". The first image is the scribble by Little, the second is her finished drawing. On a day when she draws out a simpler project, she intends to go back and color this one in. I love her line work on this. She gave Little a sharpie and a sheet of paper and let him doodle for a few minutes (Had to take it away when he started drawing on the high chair and his hand). Then Jessica let the paper stay on the table for a good part of the day, looking at it as she passed by, occasionally turning it to different angles until all at once the image leapt out at her. "Once I'd seen it, it couldn't be unseen."

It took a few minutes and a couple of false starts to get Mini-me to understand what I meant by a page full of doodles. The idea we went with was no plan. Just put your brain in neutral and draw whatever popped into it. He was reluctant at first, worried about it being "good", or if it was as good as mine. I told him that he didn't need to compare his work to mine. Only to himself and what he had done before. As he loosened up, he really got into it, and I think he turned out a wonderful piece. It's really a big deal for him to create something so abstract and unstructured, being where he is on the autism spectrum.  I was delighted when I looked at it after he went to bed and followed all the patterns around to the "Bad Wolf".

I began my piece in the top left corner and worked my way down and around the page.  I spent a little time trying to hard in that first crowded corner, but as I went counterclockwise around the page it began to flow a lot better. The last part came out less detailed (top right corner) because time was slipping away from me. I put my project off till the evening because I was gone a large part of the day, and then Little decided he didn't want to go to bed. Lately, he lays down when big brother does and goes right to sleep. Tonight he decided to fight it for over an hour, and I finally had to hold him for half an hour before he gave it up. I know that's not artistic information, but it is life with Spectrum kids. It's part of our process.

It's always surprising to me the things I find in the shapes when I start to doodle. I don't always end up with what I think I'm starting to draw. BEWARE THE BANINJA! (Bananas are ninjas. Really. You ever heard one sneaking up on you? That proves my point.)

Can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store!

P.S. If you have any suggestions for challenges, put them in the comments section.  We may just add them to the jar for the next round.

Jess needed our toddler to draw a picture for her challenge. 

Here's what he gave her to work with.

And here's what she produced from Little's drawing, "Sad Flower."

Our older son joined in on the challenge. He chose "Fill A Paper With Doodles."

Kevin's Challenge for Day 1: "Fill a Page with Doodles"

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Family Worship Center: Construction Outreach

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This video is a compilation of three #building projects. The first is an #outreach project to build a #cabin for a man who, before the completion of his new home, lived in an inoperable school bus. The second set of pictures is an outreach building project that is the first of what we hope to be many widow’s #cottages.





The third group of pictures is the breaking ground and beginnings of Family Worship Center’s Family Life Center. It will be a multi-purpose building to serve our growing children’s and youth #ministries. It will also serve as offices, a rec center, fellowship hall, and a place for church classes. The Family Life Center will be a central location in the #community for continuing #education classes, #GED classes, and an #adult #literacy program.

522change // Rebuilding

We're dealing with a lot of changes in our family right now. Art is once again on the back burner as we spend the next couple of months moving into and restoring a house. It's much smaller than we've lived in for the last four or so years, plus we've added one more family member! Tiny house living isn't for everyone, but we're committed to seeing this through. Even though we aren't specifically making jewelry, photography prints, or art in general, we still live strive to live creatively everyday. Check out our progress here...

522change // 52 to Change

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This Is Your Conjunction

Pastor Tim Dilena of the Brooklyn Tabernacle visits Rock Springs Church



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Pushing Through Towards Something Better

Post by Jess of The Backburner Studio:

I pulled drawing off the back burner last night. It's sad really. I hadn't picked up a pencil with the intent to draw for about four years now. 

My thinking was... 
I don't want to keep doing what I'm doing for the rest of my life. It drains nearly every ounce of creativity I have in me. Even so, with those last few ounces I have right now, I'll push through towards something better. 

I don't want to be "afraid of what it takes to give it all away" or keep "doing just enough to get by." 

[Lyrics from "Just To Get By" by Pillar]

I want more, and my Heavenly Father wants more for me too. 

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" --Jeremiah 29:11

Some of my previous work:

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Decluttering for Christ: Day ... err... 13!

Progress looks slow-going right now, but I know the "behind-the-scenes" sort of work is going on.


My husband has been furiously listing items on Ebay, and we're really seeing the payoff! It's a huge blessing from God for sure. There are items that he has listed before in the past that didn't sell, that are now selling for way more than we thought they'd bring. I absolutely believe the way things have been working out to be blessings. We've continuously prayed over our situation, financial situation especially, and we have faith that God is guiding us through all of this. Medical bills, debt, financial bondage, and financial stress, prepare to meet our Master!


"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."  --Matthew 6:24


We're organizing our house, but it's actually helping to declutter our minds and hearts. All of the chaos of belongings got in the way of what was important. A year and a half ago, we moved into this house and loved all the space. In just a few months, we were claiming we needed more space, and that we may have made a mistake in not buying a bigger (thus more expensive) house! Looking back now, I thank God we didn't buy the amount of house the bank said we could afford. Our lives couldn't afford it.


Read more: Bible Verses on Debt

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Decluttering For Christ: Days Two, Three, & Four

I spent most of this past weekend trying to catch up. Well, let me rethink that statement... I've spent the past 29 years trying to catch up, and this weekend was no different! :)

I trdeught about posting before pics; rwever, the house was so atrocious that I couldn't bring myself to do it! I'll just post the final results. You'll have to trust me that the difference is night and day!

I feel hope in this process. My husband and I discussed what we should do and how to get it done. Having an idea of what we wanted to accomplish and a general time-frame was important for us to discuss. It's important to be on the same page about the project.

We agreed that we needed to go through the kitchen and get rid of excess glasses, dishes, flatware, plastic containers, (especially those without lids or even the bowls in some cases) dish rags, etc.

In the living room, we decided to sell our current, matching set: sofa, chair, and ottoman. We have a sleeper sofa shoved back in the office that is a junk pile resting place at the moment. We will put in in the living room and keep the other chair and ottoman set that we had. They don't match in the sense that they are part of the same furniture line or collection, but it's our style for sure. That's what's important, you have furniture that fits your lifestyle, tastes, and of course, your room. Ours did not fit our room at all.

In the master bedroom, we decided to sell the dresser and move the desk out. The desk has a new home in the dining room area. It's serving as a family computer/ homework area. This arrangement has multiple advantages. The space in our bedroom is at a premium, so we gain so much more room in there. The computer acts as a family hub now for pictures, family files, etc. Our son has access to the computer, but it is restricted and supervised access. That is a key advantage. He is nearly 8 years old and very impressionable. I can easily monitor his computer time and activity, while he enjoys the priveledge.

To replace the dresser in our bedroom, we have a closet unit that we purchased on clearance at Lowe's. My husband put it together in an afternoon, and it's wonderful! I recommend something of this nature for anyone. We don't have a very large closet at all, but it maximizes the space we do have. The one we purchased has four, deep drawers that we'll now share for folded clothing and such. These sort of items we've pared down as well. All worn out or unneeded bras, underwear, socks, tees, etc. will be thrown out or donated. What can be put on hangers, we've done so.

Going through our clothes has been an intense process, especially for me! I have gone through them several times actually. Each time, removing more and more pieces that I thought I needed to keep in the last sort. I think it's been important for me to do this and stay diligent in doing so. Otherwise, I might not pare down enough. It's easy to have that notion "oh, I'll fit into that soon enough" or "oh but my friend gave me that, I can't give it away," but you have to understand, it's about simplifying. If you honestly don't need it or wear it, then it's time to get rid of it.

I had no idea just how many articles of clothing I had! It's sad really, that people in this country, in our own towns, go without proper clothing. Meanwhile, I have a closet, dresser, and even boxes in storage full of unused items!

God blesses us so that we can bless others. God has shown me that truth, and I vow to keep it in my heart and mind from now on. I am so grateful for his blessings, and the least I can do, is not hoarde them, but rather, pass them on.
"God can't get to you what he can't get through you."
--Pastor Benny Tate of Rock Springs Church in Milner, Georgia

To be continued...

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Decluttering For Christ: Day One

We've been struggling for the last few months with keeping things organized and clean at our house. It's felt like at times, that we spend more time maintaining and organizing our "stuff" than we do being a family together.

Letting things take over our lives has been a gradual process. My husband and I were married almost two years ago. When he moved in, the house he, I, and our six-year-old son shared was barely over 700 square feet in space, and not near enough of that was closet space! Combining our lives was challenging to say the least. We thought when we moved into our new house last spring, that things would be easier. However, once we started bringing in things that had been in storage all that time, it quickly became a cluttered mess as well.

Lately, we've been drawing ourselves and our family closer to each other and closer     to God. It's important to my husband and I that we raise our son in a strong, Christian home with solid, Christian values. The more we pray and study on what to do, the more both of us are coming to realize... we just don't need the excess!

So now the new challenge is where to begin. He and I both have been discussing it for the past week or so. We've talked all around how to start, and I've even already begun to start with going through my clothes. I tried to do a bit of quick research online about how to get started; however, my ADD always kicked in and I found myself on Facebook writing a message to a friend, checking my email, and searching for a wedding gift. What "research" I did get done though, I didn't really find anything specific to decluttering in order to simplify one's life in order to draw closer to God. Thus, this blog entry emerged!

I don't know how long this will take us. I've never been a "get it done in 30 days or less" sort of person. It's like trying to eat healthier. You can't commit to a diet. You have to commit to a lifestyle. That sort of commitment is what this endeavor is all about. We're changing our lives.

I can't shake this belief deep within my heart too, that this is what God needs us to do so that he can use us. Furthermore, in doing this for God and for our family, we can move forward in faith and accomplish his purposes for our lives.

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The Ultimate Artist

I seem to be drawn to taking many landscape shots... usually moreso than any other types.

I think it's because I am always so awed by God's handiwork.

God is the ultimate artist for sure.

"Desperate" by Fireflight

Lyrics:


Seek and you will find, they say
But I've been looking everyday
For a way past this wall
That's in front of my face.
I'm on hands and knees
Searching for my faith.
I know there's so much at stake
But I don't know if I can take
One more pat on the back saying I'll be okay.
Can't you see me whole life is in disarray?
You've got me desperate.
I know You hear me,
Would You give me a sign?
Reel me in before I've fallen in line.
You've put me on a path I don't understand
I'm standing on a ledge waving my hands.
You've got me desperate (do You see me?)
Desperate (do You hear me?)
Desperate (will You help me?)
You've got me desperate.
I know You're my only hope
The only One who truly knows how it feels,
what it's like when it all starts to fall
You're the One I can trust who hears when I call.
You've got me desperate.
I know You hear me,
Would You give me a sign?
Reel me in before I've fallen in line
You've put me on a path I don't understand
I'm standing on a ledge waving my hands.
You've got me desperate (do You see me?)
Desperate (do You hear me?)
Desperate (will You help me?)
You've got me desperate.
Some things I'll never figure out
Until I let hope erase my doubt.
You've got me desperate.
I know You hear me,
Would You give me a sign?
Reel me in before I've fallen in line.
You've put me on a path I don't understand,
I'm standing on a ledge waving my hands.
You've got me desperate (do You see me?)
Desperate (do You hear me?)
Desperate (will You help me?)
You've got me desperate.
You've got me desperate. (Oh do You see me?)
Desperate (do You hear me?)
Desperate (will You help me?)
You've got me desperate!

Fireflight - What I've Overcome

This song speaks to me so deeply...







What I've Overcome lyrics

I've got this passion
It's something I can't describe
It's so electric
It's like I've just come alive

I feel this freedom
Now that my past is erased
I feel the healing
I've found the meaning of grace
(I've found grace)

If only You come see me yesterday
Who I used to be before I change
You'd see a broken heart
You'd see the battle scars

Funny how words can't explain
How good it finally feels to break the chains
I'm not what I have done
I'm what I've overcome

I know I stumble
I know I still face defeat
This second chance is
What will define me

So I'm moving forward
I'm standing on my two feet
I've got momentum
I've got someone saving me
(got someone saving me)

If only You come see me yesterday
Who I used to be before I change
You'd see a broken heart
You'd see the battle scars

Funny how words cant explain
How good it finally feels to break the chains
I'm not what I have done
I'm what I've overcome

I make mistakes and I might fall
But I won't break
I've got someone saving me

If only You could see me yesterday
Who I used to be before I change
You'd see a broken heart
You'd see the battle scars

Funny how words cant explain
How good it finally feels to break the chains
I'm not what I have done
I'm what I've overcome
I'm what I've overcome
I'm what I've overcome

Digital Art: Tattoo: Ultimate Love

Tattoo: Ultimate Love by ~backburnerstudio on deviantART

I've designed several tattoos for other people, but never had the guts to get one myself. I figured if I ever did get something, it needed to be something that really represented me and what I was about. So one night, I was playing around on the Paint program in my computer and drew out this design in simple black and white pixels. It just sort of manifested itself amongst the long night of listening to bands like Fireflight, Flyleaf, and Demonhunter. I couldn't sleep, so I just kept working on it... all the while, thinking about God, my life... faith... how he's always been there, guiding me... carrying me a good bit of the way...

After the drawing was finished, Kevin ran it through Photoshop and cleaned it up a good bit. I took that black and white, cleaned-up version and started playing around in Photoshop with it myself. This is what I produced.

One day, I may find a tattoo artist who can at least replicate the black and white version. If so, I just may get my first tattoo... one that represents me and my faith.

It's Not About Me

I always loved a fresh, new... clean notebook or journal. The only problem was that I sort of collected them. I began afresh with one and all hopes and dreams lay before me. All I needed to do was notate them everyday in my new notebook... my new beginning. The world was a blank canvas. I have found later in life, that I do this too with sketch pads. Why is the first day/ page so exciting while the remaining pages/ days dwindle to a ...  ??
... so many pages untouched.
I'd say, "This is it! Every day I will write. I'll fill up this book this time. It's my committment." Only, months later, the once precious treasure gathered dust as it lay under my bed.

I gave it too much of my faith. That misplaced faith in my notebook's power for a new beginning, belonged in God.

The Purpose Driven Life
--by Rick Warren


Day One: "It All Starts With God"

      For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible... everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. 
            -- Colossians 1:16 (Msg)

It's not about me. Wow! That's profound really. It's NOT about me. The more I think about it, the more it starts to click.

I've started over so many times...
Why do I crave a fresh start? Because I've messed up so many times.

It stands to reason as well, that I've continued to get it wrong because my methods and way of thinking were grossly inaccurate. So in that simple statement, I find profound new insite into my overall problem, my focus has been all wrong. It's simply not about me. It's about God's purpose and God's purpose for me. 

"You were made by God and for God- and until you understand that, life will never make sense."


egocentric- adjective 
1. Holding the view that the ego is the center, object, and norm of all experience.
2.
   a. Confined in attitude or interest to one's own needs or affairs.
   b. Caring only about oneself; selfish.
3. Philosophy
   a. Viewed or perceived from one's own mind as a center.
   b. Taking one's own self as the starting point in a philosophical system

It's natural to have an egocentric view to life. However, "the purpose of life is far greater than personal fulfillment... To discover your purpose in life you must turn to God's Word, not the world's wisdom."


I wandered lost in the darkness of discontentment for too long. I knew there was a path beneath my feet, but I had no idea where it led. It felt as if I were only able to see the path itself, just around my feet, and nothing more. With God, I know that my path is in his hands. My dad gave me something once that had this inscription on it:

"You may not know all the details of your journey, or clearly see where the trail is leading, but God will always give you enough light to take the next step." --Roy Lessin

I have faith that God will show me my purpose. I just have to keep in mind, it's not about me.