"Missed Stream" by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

"Missed Stream" was created in acrylics, on watercolor paper, for a painting challenge that I tackle every once in a while among other artist friends. I made a very thin top-glaze of white to make it a little more "misty" when I had completed the painting, breaking the rules about never glazing with white. Some times it feels good to go against other people's rules- as long as it doesn't hurt anyone. There are very few rules with art, since art is about creating. Creating what? Whatever pleases the artist, which should be the number one "rule" about art of any kind!
Isn't it great that we have a heavenly father who created us all uniquely! We were created to please him.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (NLT)

Native American Indian drawing by Sandra reeves Cutrer

Here is another one of my favorite Indian drawings. When I am having trouble with my paintings, I try to switch over to drawing. It is usually a little less stressful and calms me. Drawing is my first love!

I also go to my computer and google for answers to some of my painting problems I may be experiencing. Today I found a funny story. I have edited it only to shorten it a tiny bit.

Fun with kids
 

Dear Artist,

Yesterday I went to a local elementary school--grades one to seven.
Before the fun began I set up in the library, and two classes at a time came in to watch me paint and hear what I had to say. The school was in a new suburban neighborhood.  I told the kids that in situations like this I try to visualize nice places I'd been (he brought no reference materials!). I told them I sometimes started with the foreground and worked toward the back. Some kids were raring to ask questions. Sometimes five hands were in the air at the same time. I had to keep my answers terse.

"What is that you are painting?" (A mountain and a lake.) "Are those supposed to be clouds?" (No, it's the snow on the mountains.) "You put in the snow before the mountains?" (Sometimes.) "Why are you using that colour?" (It seems right.) "Do you paint other things besides this one?" (Yes.) "Can you paint people?" (I try.) "Were you always a good drawer?" (Yes, pretty good.) By now I was painting with my other mind. One class left and another arrived.

Students from Grade Six. These kids were primed to ask penetrating questions.

"Have you always done this?" (Yes.) "How long have you been painting?" (All my life.) "How old are you now?" (71.) "Do you think you have more time left?" (Yes.) "Are there some paintings you will never be able to sell?" (Yes.) "Which ones?" (The personal, family ones, and the bad ones.)

Some kids were interested in the concept of failing. "Have you made many bad paintings?" (Yes.) "How many?" (Thousands.) "What do you do with them?" (Most I throw out; some I hope to fix one day.) "Could you give me one of them?" (I'll consider it.) "Why do you bother with the bad ones when you already know how to paint?" (I don't know.) "Is this one of them?" (Could be.)
One class seemed remarkably concerned with economics.

"How much did you get for the first one you sold?" ($15.) "How much do you get for them now?" ($2000 to $50,000.) "What's the most you ever got for one?" ($100,000.) "How much do you make, anyway?" (Quite a bit.) "Are you rich?" (Fairly.) "How many cars do you have?" (17.) "Do you have a Lamborghini?" (No.) At this point a teacher interjected that they should stick to questions about art. And so it went. Eventually the final buzzer sounded. I was exhausted. I went home. I had to have a drink.

Best regards,
Robert
PS: "Every child comes with the message that God is not yet tired of the man." (Rabindranath Tagore)


I hope you enjoyed the story and my drawing.

Blessings,

Sandra Reeves Cutrer sandrasart777@aol.com
Sandra's Art Avenue

"Calling It a Day" by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

"Calling it a Day" is painted on an 11"x14" canvas board, in oils. $75.00 plus shipping.

 While walking on our beach jetty, i was blessed to catch this elderly gentleman on his way home. The jetty, made of concrete and beautiful slabs of granite, is usually full of fishing men and women from day break until late into the night. Many come with their portable A/C's in the summer, and heater's or Coleman stoves in the winter, to catch fish. There are always a host of nationalities represented here, and they all seem to get along great,sharing such a tight space. Many of us could use this example in our daily lives. How often people pull away from those "not like themselves" because of fear, or cultural differences, when we are all people made by one Father.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. We know we love God's children if we love God and obey his commandments.
1 John 5:1-2

Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
sandrasart777@aol.com
Sandra's Art Avenue

Commissioned Flag Painting by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

This was a commissioned painting, done for a birthday gift from a sweet husband whose wife works for the Texas Postal Service. The background is an American flag and a Texas state flag, with the American flag also flying from its flag pole outside the original US Post Office in that area, established back in 1926. Wow, haven't things changed quiet a bit since then!

Thankfully, some things never change... like God...

Hebrews 13:8 -  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.


But sometimes change is good... 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.


Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
sandrasart777@aol.com

"Wind in My Wings" Angel painting SOLD

Yesterday, I was working on an on going painting that I have put many hours into. I messed up, started most of the whole canvas over, and still wasn't happy with the results. So, I put it to the side (actually I hid it behind some things on top of my china cabinet) until I feel that I can deal with it again. Painting can be a tremendous joy when every thing is going like we artist plan, but it can become such a struggle and even cause heartache and tension when we have worked for many hours on something that just isn't working out. Life can be like that,too. I really don't enjoy stressful situations, turmoil, or anything in my day that gets me off of my "planned" schedule...but guess what? As my husband likes to remind me," That's life!" When things go wrong or the opposite of what I had hoped for, it only reminds me how really small and weak I am.When I am weak,God is strong. So, I stop what I am doing and I go to my Rock-Jesus- for strength and encouragement- whether it's for a painting that I can't seem to conquer, or a family crisis,health problem, or just feeling down about life's pressures.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus  Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

"Wind in My Wings" SOLD!

"Light of Grace"by Sandra Reeves Cutrer $325.00

"Light of Grace" is painted on a 16"x20"x1" wrap around canvas (all sides painted), in oils with added texture.
I created "Light of Grace" with a direction of what it might feel like passing from life to death to heaven " in the blink of an eye". She looks as if she may be thinking of looking back, but not quiet. Maybe she is wondering what wonderful things are in store, but still has some vague memory of her very recent life before such sudden changes occurred. Is the light above her the "grace" in my title? Or, is her name Grace? Is this about God's grace to us all? I will allow the viewer to decide that. FREE shipping inside the USA.

For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84: 11



Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
sandrasart777@aol.com

"King and Colors" in oil pastels by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

"King and Colors" is painted on a 14"x 16" pastel board with oil pastels. One of  few works that I've done in this medium. I really loved working with the oil pastels and hope soon to add few more pieces. He was such fun!
I love his bold colors and the look of thick texture in his mane. $100.00.00 NO shipping charges if mailed inside the USA!

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
sandrasart777@aol.com