Continuing the Texas Longhorn Bull lay-in by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

 Continuing the lay-in for my large oil painting of my big Texas Longhorn bull. What a big guy. What a lot of paint! What fun!
My husband is carefully watching the progress of this one, as I think he has his eye on it for his office at work. Hmm. We shall see.

I think about the animals, and how time means nothing to them. They live for the moment. In total innocence. In so many ways I wish we humans could live our lives like that. Instead, we know too much, and will be accountable for how we live. I listen to music when I paint, and the song ,"Live Like You Were Dying" was just on my CD player. How would I change today if I knew I were dying? Such a strange thought, but we are all dying- everyday! We can never re-live today, yesterday, or 30 seconds ago. Every day is a gift- a present from God. Oh, how we should indeed live like we are dying, and live like we are accountable for each day- because we truly are!

You`re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You`re blessed when you follow his directions, Doing your best to find him. That`s right- you don`t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. Psalm 119:4

Blessing,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
srcartavenue.blogspot.com
sandrasart777@aol.com
Etsy.com
Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com for prints of my original works
Artist of Texas blog
CFAI.co
International Wildlife Artist blog

Starting the lay- in for a Texas Longhorn by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

This is the start of my newest painting, a Texas Longhorn bull. I'm painting him in oils on a large  gallery wrapped canvas.All the thick sides will be painted a dark hue, so there is no need to frame- just hang him in your favorite room!

I got carried away working and didn't take a photo of the bull drawn into the brown before I started putting in another layer of background and a little detail color.

It never ceases to amaze me as I "birth"a painting! I used to be paranoid if anyone tried to look at my work before it was finished. I think with time and experience that fear has left- well, mostly. If I am drawing something and I'm not happy with the drawing , then I don't really care for on-lookers. Oil paints are so forgiving and easily manipulated. I' m hoping you won't be disappointed with the final painting- I don't think you will!

Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person.

Blessings,

Sandra Reeves Cutrer

sandrasart777@aol.com

CFAI.co

Arist of Texas blog

Contemporary Fine Art International

Wildlife International Artist blog

Methai and Baylor,Asian Elephants (the finished painting) by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

 I finished  this painting today and feel that I have shown the beauty and family devotion of these great creatures!
Methai and Baylor, two Asian Elephants at the Houston Zoo in Texas, enjoying a cool drink of water from their new pond. Mother and son are painted on a gallery wrapped stretched canvas, size 12" x 12" x 1". All sides will be painted a dark hue, so  it can hang in your favorite room unframed or framed. Please scroll through my works to see all prices.

According to the Houston Zoo Elephant web site, "Asian elephants are the second largest land mammal in the world and one of the most intelligent animals on earth. Unfortunately, it is also one of the world’s most endangered species." This is so sad. I am thankful that there are devoted people,agencies, and zoos ( among other places) that are concerned and taking great steps to insure our future generations enjoy these magnificent Asian elephants!

Colossians 1:16-17 - For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (NIV)

Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
sandrasart777@aol.com
Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com for canvas prints,posters,cards,etc of my original work
Artist of Texas Blog
CFAI.co
International Wildlife Artist blog for CFAI

Lay-in 3rd part of Houston Zoo elephants by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

My 3rd lay-in . I didn't get much time today to work on this, and it seems I haven't been able to get back into my "groove" since all of my traveling- but at least there is a little progress.Progress. We all love it when we feel like we are accomplishing something worthwhile. But, all too often we can go for days,weeks,months or years without seeing anything we feel is a worthy accomplishment. But, we need to remember, God has a plan for our lives. If we put our complete faith and trust in who he is- the master, and yourself as the clay, God can do anything! Actually, God can do anything without us allowing him into our lives, but he can't and won't do what he'd love to do for us if we don't invite him to. There are so many people mentioned in the Bible, but compared to how many years it took to write it, and how  many people were on the earth, 99.99999% of the people were never mentioned. Does that make what they did less important? Does it mean they didn't accomplish anything? NO! Everything we do for God is an accomplishment. That's why the Lord tells us that everything we do, in word or deed, do it all for him. If you do, you will be accomplishing way more than you will ever know here- but in that other life you will see the blessed results of everything- small or great.

WOW! I don't know where all of that came from tonight! I had no intentions of writing a sermon here, but my fingers,mind, and heart flew as I felt compelled to write this for someone, even if it is only for myself. Every small thing is important to God!

He will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:45

Blessings,

Sandra Reeves Cutrer

sandrasart777@aol.com

sandracutrer.com

Houston Elephants- 2nd part of lay-in by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

These two Houston Zoo elephants have been worked on in TX and LA. I have been on the road for the last two (plus) weeks, making a trip from Texas to Louisiana for 10 days,back to TX (home) where I stayed 6 days after bringing home my good friend of 40 years, then back to LA to take her homeI stayed another 5 days, spending some more time with family, then headed back to Texas-again-this time home-sweet-home for awhile, I hope! Was that too confusing for you??? I know I was rather "confused" myself!LOL! I love traveling, but I sure missed my bed, privacy,art studio, and as I have aged, a routine/daily schedule (as much as possible).

I hope to finish this piece next week, as this weekend will be spent with my husband and resting from my fun,but hectic "vacation"!

Matthew 11:28-29“…Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Blessings,

Sandra Reeves Cutrer

Sandrasart777@aol.com
Artist of Texas blog
CFAI.co
CFAI.co International Wildlife Artist
Etsy.com
srcartavenue.blogspot.com
sandra-cutrer.artistwebsites.com for canvas prints, posters,cards,etc. of my original works

"No Other Love" a drawing by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

"No Other Love". This is an original 11"x14" graphite pencil drawing.

I took a photo while the child slept peacefully in her wonderful gift of innocence. How precious children are. How fast they grow-up,, and if we allow ourselves to become too hurried for them to get out of their all too quick state of baby and childhood, think of how much beauty we will really miss.Take the time today, if you are blessed enough to have a small child in your life, and enjoy their innocent explorations of this world, while they are still young and amazed at what we adults sometimes take for granted.

Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NLT)

Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
sandrasart777@aol.com
Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com   for prints, posters,cards,canvas prints of my originals
Artist of Texas blog
CFAI.co
CFAI International Wildlife Artist Sandra Reeves Cutrer

"Beach Dreams" by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

"Sisters and Friends" is an original oil painting on a stretched 16"x 20" canvas. These two charming sisters seem to have stopped their sand play, to focus on the incoming sailboat, and each others warm and loving company. $350.00. No shipping charge if mailed in the lower 48 states. Please contact me at sandrasart777@aol.com for more information about my works for sell.

I wasn't blessed to have a real blood sister, but God has given me a great sister-in-law, and a wonderful best friend, both have been in my life for nearly 40 years. I am enjoying a visit from my best friend and hate to see her leave for home soon. We allowed so many years to pass without too many visits because of our busy schedules, but finally decided that we needed to put our friendship first for a week, and enjoy each others company. What a great thing a best friend is, one that you can fondly call,"Sis"! 

He lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks.Psalms 107:41

Blessings,

Sandra Reeves Cutrer

srcartavenue.blogspot.com

Sandra-Cutrer.websites.com for prints of originals on canvas, posters, cards,etc.

Etsy.com

CFAI.co Texas artist

Artist of Texas blog

 CFAI.co International Wildlife Painter

Sandrasart777@aol.com