Artandicon's Blog

  • Holy Fire in the First Cathedral

    Revisiting a theme for a new painting. I’m in a different mood and this painting’s bright colors reflect this. Working on a painting over several days allows me to build my ability to concentrate over longer periods for reading or listening to conversations.

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  • Icarus and the Sun

    After a long dry spell due to attending to other important matters, such as the taxman and the excitement of my annual conference, I have returned to my studio with pent up joy for painting. While all of us need to take care of the business of everyday life, I am finding I move more…

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  • The Struggle is Real

    The art life is one of struggle, mirroring the spiritual “dark night of the soul.” We must give up our trust in what we know about art/God before we can truly experience art or God. Even if we achieve financial success, artists need to stay humble before both God and the creative spirit in order…

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  • The Benefits of Boredom

    Boredom is an opportunity for creativity and exploration, as well as independent thinking and direction for growth in both children and adults. “I’m bored” is the magic opening phrase for all creative practices. “Let’s see what you can come up with this…” is a great way to build authenticity and uniqueness in our children and…

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  • JOURNEY TO THE CROSS

    In the season of Lent, the forty days before Easter, Christians walk with Jesus toward the cross as he prepares for his death and resurrection. Luke 9:51 tells us, “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” Luke relates many of the miracles, parables,…

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  • How Do I Love Thee?

    Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the poet answered in her Sonnets from the Portuguese, “Let me count the ways.” On Valentine’s Day, some of the many ways people shared their love were by sending chocolates, flowers, and cards. Most of us think we are honoring St. Valentine, or at least one of the three third CE saints…

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  • SNOW, SNOW, SNOW

    The 2026 snowpocalypse known as Winter Storm Fern has come and gone, at least for the southern states. As I’m writing this, a lone lump of ice remains under the shade of the collapsed carport next to the barbecue area of our condominium complex. I returned from exercising and sat down to visit with the…

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  • Interbeing of Cranberry Apple Pie

    Sit a spell. Savor pie. Enjoy the moment. Breathe. You are enough. Enjoy this moment. It won’t come again. I have a recipe for your next cold spell. You can thank me later. Love, Cornelia

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  • Emotional Responses to Antique Art

    Sometimes we struggle so hard to paint the image before us—the form, shadows, the colors, and lines—we forget to also paint our emotional response to the subject matter also. In the matter of faith, John Wesley once said, “There have been many in every age and nation, who were almost persuaded to be Christians, but…

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  • Not Sad to See the Old Year Go

    Happy New Year to All! May 2026 be full of light and life, art and soul, grace and generosity, as well as Joy and Peace.

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