Painting Goat

I thought someone might get a kick out of this photo. There are several goats at our nearby Houston Zoo who are now trained to hold a paint brush and paint their hearts desire on a canvas! It gives me hope. Heck, if a goat can do it ( I've also seen a couple of elephants painting on canvases a few years back), then surely we humans can take on the challenge! I have been super busy these last few months. Between summer vacation, traveling to 7 states, major surgery, and working long hours for a few family members, I am exhausted by the end of the day. I think the goat has given me renewed hope that I really can go back to my studio (hopefully soon) and pick up those paint brushes as if no time has elapsed since I last painted. I have several paintings left unfinished, and I hope they will be my best pieces of work yet. If not, I will have to pay a visit to the Houston Zoo and talk to the goats.

Blessings,
Sandra
sandrasart777@aol.com
Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com

"Akechita", Portrait of a Warrior, a Work in progress by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

Although it has been several weeks since I worked in my studio, as I recover from major (and have I mentioned super painful) surgery, my heart is out in my studio, while my body seems to be slow in recovering. As I turned the page on my daily prayer and scripture calender this morning, I recalled some of the times in my past when I thought I didn't need anyone in my life, as I seemed to only be able to depend on myself at times to get things done. I am totally an "A" personality, and very determined to do things "right" (which really boils down to doing it my way) or die! Well, God can put us on our backs very quickly to remind us, in his loving, patient way of course, that we are not self- sufficient. We must depend on him, and look for his guidance, everyday. When we don't, we are showing our haughty pride and  need to soar in self-sufficiency. God's word tells us that he hates a haughty look, among many other things. Ouch. Pride and self-sufficiency is not only unhealthy, but nothing near to why God created us to begin with. We need God. We need that connection that prayer brings us with him, and others- like family, our spouse, our friends, or neighbors.We should care and be cared for. There is no room in a Christian life for haughty pride and too much self dependence. As our example, Jesus,God in the flesh, showed us that we need him, and we must show love and be loved.

Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.

Blessings today,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
sandrasart777@aol.com
Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com

Light of Grace by Sandra Reeves Cutrer 16"x20" $325.00

I am finally coming back to my blog after weeks of being away. We took a nice vacation with our older granddaughter, only to come home and have to deal with some major surgery for me. Thankfully,my husband took off of work to care for me. I don't know what I would have done without him. I don't think I would have made it! It was an extremely painful recuperating period, at times I did not think I would heal, or even survive. The pain seemed to be so extreme at times that I would cry out in tears, and an almost out-of-body experience, to God for some relief. I had moments of thinking that I would not live through this, as the pain was so horrific. Hopefully soon I will be back in my studio to create some new work.
When we are at our weakest it puts perspective on who is in charge in this life- surely not ourselves.
Light of Grace- $325.00. No shipping charge from this site- if mailed in the USA.Includes insurance & signature confirmation when received.
Hebrew word and meaning:
enosh: weak or sick — This word indicates our true state even though we don’t like to admit it. We are frail human beings apart from the strength of the Lord. It doesn’t matter how strong we think we are or how self-reliant we are, or how much we feel we are in control of our life, God will allow something to happen to us to remind us of our frailty. God wants us to recognize our own weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Blessings,

Sandrasart777@aol.com
Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com for prints of original work
Artist of Texas
cfai.com

"Green Light" $75.00- still life by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

Using a very limited palette- one green,yellow,red, and blue. I really enjoyed the challenge of this small still life. Painted in oils on a gallery wrapped canvas measuring 8x8x0.5 inches. Green is my favorite hue. I pretty much enjoy all shades of green (except maybe army green). This one was set up with more overhead lighting in an already sunny room- north light. Still lifes are a pleasure to paint, putting  me a peaceful and relaxing mood. Bell peppers have such a wonderful aroma. When I was a child I use to search for them in our small garden, or frig, so I could eat them raw. Last week in our local market they were stocking such bright orange and yellow ones. I have never seen such a vibrant array of  bell peppers before. I need to go back and purchase some for future still life work. What fun! $75.00

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh (Jesus) and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Blessings,
Sandra
sandrasart777@aol.com
Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com for prints of original work
Artist of Texas
cfai.com

"Day Lilies" by Sandra Reeves Cutrer $150.00

Its rare that I dream about my paintings, but I awoke this morning knowing that I dreamt about this painting named "Day Lilies" last night. I don't know if  it's because I've missed painting and blogging for nearly three weeks, while our granddaughter was visiting and traveling with us, or because the heat is so terrible here, that I am wishing for a cool spring day like the one in this painting represents. I have visions of all of the work that I will get done, the wonderful ideas are floating around in my head, and heart, just waiting for me to pick up my brushes,load them with paint, and apply them to my canvases. I just hope I will be able to paint them as I see them in my mind's eye. So many times my paintings never go the way that I want them to, but rather how my brushes want them to. There are times that I feel that I own magic brushes, and other times they are misbehaving sticks with hair, making me work harder at figuring out where I am going with a piece.Such is life. It seems, right when we think all is well, our plans and dreams are like "ducks in a row" BOOM! Things go awry, causing us havoc, pain, sadness, or upheaval that leads us in a totally new and different direction than what we had planned. If we are Christians, living for Jesus, asking  his will in our daily lives, we need to stay opened minded to his plans and not our own. Although he expects us to plan, be organized and productive in our lives, he also lets us know when we may have gotten off track and puts us on another road, leading us toward being the best that he knows we can be. Don't buck-up and be offended, Jesus knows what we need, when we need it. He is a "right-on-time" God!

Blessings,

Sandra

sandrasart777@aol.com

Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com

Artist of Texas

cfai.com

Native American Indian Drawing by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

Drawing is such fun.One of our beautiful granddaughters is here with her Pop and Nana for a good 2 weeks or so. We are having a blast, shopping until we drop, sleeping late, riding bikes, and looking forward to going on a trip to the mountains . I have promised to take some time this week to help her improve her drawing. She will be learning to shade, value lessons, composition, and how not to hold a pencil tightly, making hard lines where none should be. I am hoping she will be a great artist, along with her dream of being a veterinarian.

Have a blessed summer, and keep God first in all that you do. That is the recipe for true joy and success.

 "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." As the people celebrated God and shared with those in need the joy of the Lord came upon them.Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV

THIS DRAWING HAS SOLD!



Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com
sandrasart777@aol.com

God decides all things, not us!

According to the news, tomorrow is predicted to be "the end of the world" so says a few pitiful souls who haven't studied their Bible (with lots of prayer and fasting for wisdom). The word of God says that only God (the father of all) knows the time and hour of his coming. Don't fret, and don't believe those who predict it, for they are wrong in doing such a thing. But, instead, worry about whether you are right with God today, for you could die at any time and it will be the "end" for you,at least on this earth. You will face the only judge when HE decides, not men.
A few weeks ago, I thought Ms Bella, our sweet kitty, was too sick to live. I prayed and cried, but had little faith after watching her suffer for weeks. God doesn't always heal, as I know this first hand from losing a child to cancer (who, in my opinion, was way too young to die), so my faith was very shallow. I got my husband to take her to the vet, with the intent of having her put-down. Well, as you can see in the photo, it wasn't her time to "go", no matter what I thought, no matter how little faith I had. God made a way where I saw no way. It was such a simple thing for Him, but so hard for me. After all, I had to let go of fear and trust her maker. She is now healthier than she was before she got so sick. God knew exactly what she needed, but especially HE knew what I needed even more!

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.Hebrews 11:6

Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
sandrasart777@aol.com
Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com