Falling Leaves by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

As the leaves fall outside and the days turn colder, I am reminded that life, and death, go on. Time stops for no man, as everyone well knows. I have been scanning my many (over 6000) family photos for the last 5 months, or so. A few days ago, I scanned one of my elementary yearbooks,then made a list of the names of those that are no longer living. It nearly broke my heart. How sad to see such a long list for such a small school yearbook! But, the sun came up this morning, and God's world still turns. Today, I will love those around me, smile at every stranger, and do the best I can to be a blessing to those around me, as one never knows when another leaf will fall.

This painting is sold, but prints are available at Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com

Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
sandrasart777@aol.com
Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com for prints of original work!
Artist of Texas
cfai.com

Queen of the Beast by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

I was excited today when I got home from a long day of running to and fro, to see that I had sold a print of one of my favorite paintings. I sell prints on  FINE ART AMERICA. It is a great site to buy prints of your favorite paintings, or photographs. You can purchase posters, cards, all kinds of good things on the website, including how to purchase originals if they are available for sell.

Many of us will soon be celebrating Thanksgiving. I am just so thankful for so many things, too many to list! I have been blessed beyond anything that I could have ever imagined, or asked my Jesus for. I pray that you,too, are blessed, and that you will enjoy the coming holidays with those you love!

Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
Sandra-Cutrer.artistwebsites.com for prints of original work
Artist of Texas
cfai.com
sandrasart777@aol.com

 $125.00 original oil painting-5"x7". NO SHIPPING CHARGES if mailed inside the USA!

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