tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52891883316617861242023-07-18T01:02:18.801-04:00The creation and display of art #101Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-82468206579791774452008-03-30T16:01:00.002-04:002008-03-30T16:53:02.912-04:00Ask and you shall receiveThe problem with this is that you always get what you want. But not always the way you thought it would come. <br />Let me begin this story by telling you that as I have said before that just recently we have had our youngest leave the house and move to NYC, He has called us with great excitement about all the new things he is doing and how much of an asset he is making himself to the Co. Great joy of joy, an answer to any fathers prayer life. But 25 years. I know God's time is not our time. <br />So the greater part of this story is about me. During the week I did a major dusting and cleaning job at the shop. By the time I got home I felt like I was going to die. <br />My hope was that a good hot shower would get the dust of my face and hair and I would be fine. But as life would have it I was up all night with a painful burning chest.<br />I the dark ours of the night I asked God to help me provide for my family, and to help me see what is important. The reality of our store is that at one time I had four to five part timers. Now I have my self, one full timer, and a part timer who has been with me for years but is moving towards a better job with my blessing. <br />When I got out of bed, I had that sick feeling that this was the beginning of God testing me. Can I really let go and let God do something for me? So I got to work<br />even though I knew in my heart of hearts that I was not staying . I did what I had to <br />do. Gave my full time helper the news that I would not be around for at least two days. He would be working the weekend alone.<br />I then saw a Doctor who read me the riot act about lung protection. And spent two and a half days thanking God for providing for my daily needs. But still not sleeping and still in deep chest pain. I'm sill in some pain, but sometimes I believe it takes this kind of wake up call to really believe. We don't work alone. God has a purpose.<br /> God is always watching over us.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-54229749980332163732008-03-19T14:48:00.002-04:002008-03-19T15:35:38.796-04:00Leaving the nest.When a man decides to marry and share his whole life with one wife, there is nothing more beautiful than that. That is a rich and full time in his life. Then as time would have it we bring<br />children into the world and the next thing you know, you are now transformed by the grace of God into a family. Being a family brings different corporate responsibilities to us than just being<br />a married couple. Not to mention the daily drama that can sometimes occur.<br />I am writing about these things because our youngest, our son has just moved from home. Now by this I don't mean leaving the house to stay with friends in the next town over, I mean he has<br />taken it upon himself, to grab life and start to really live away from home. Now, New York City is really not that far from home but this brings us to the end of 28 years of teaching children daily almost, how to live. Either by example or by word. Not an easy task in this day and age. And as our youngest leaves our home for the great unknown, my wife and I, still with the greatest of love for each other, look at ourselves and sometimes shed a tear that an era has come to an end, and look to God in praise that we have done well. And wait, for farther instruction.<br />If a person were to ask me what advice would I give at the end of the day, I think I would have to just plain say, there is no blue print or instruction manual that comes with your child when we bring them into the world. Each day is new and different. Yes there are indeed things I wish we would not have done. But I have forgotten those things long ago so don't go asking. And yes there are things that happened because of other people in our lives that I wish my children did not have to deal with. But in the end God is in control of all that happens and when we raise our children up to him in prayer, he is listening. And it is God that rules the universe and our children's lives and ours. Only he knows what will be the next chapter in our lives and only he<br />knows what new mission field he will plant us in.<br />God bless you all who have been a part of the great adventure of our lives. There is more to come, I'm sure of that.<br />Jesus has Risen indeed.<br />RobertRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-81519454613441025542008-02-09T14:04:00.000-05:002008-02-09T15:11:03.481-05:00Knitting and our cultureAs the holiday ended and winter settled in, I found myself surrounded by knitters. I have come home to new scarfs almost daily. This seems to have happened almost overnight, but I'm sure that there has been a lot of this going on that I or my household has not been aware of.<br />In the same way that when we started home schooling,<br />very quickly a whole new world opened up to us. A world that seemed to allow time to breath and enjoy God's moment. We home schooled for a short season in our family life, but gained new friends and a greater understanding of the world view of public education. We also gained a closer relationship to our children. Praise God.<br />But back to knitting.<br />The basics are simple, or so they say. I had beads of sweat coming off my head as a friend tried to show me what was suppose to be a very basic stitch. But once you get the feel of the yarn and<br />the needles then it's off you go, with projects galore. The tools are simple, and the finished project becomes a piece of your own fashion wear. Or if your heart is drawn to the basic needs of the world, you can donate your work to organizations around the globe that have ministries for orphans in cold climate regions or to rough and tough sailors who sail the oceans and just wish for a little love from the mainland.<br /> Once you get into the groove, I have witnessed with my own eyes, knitters are able to find peace in their place. I commented the other night, as I finally repaired an old but favorite sweater, in front of the TV, with very little skill, but great satisfaction, that now I understood why radio programs were so great. Here you are sitting working on a hand made projects, listening to the story or the music, at peace. You have to choose to either work with your hands and listen or just watch and sit. TV feeds us stuff we do not need. To find joy in simple things is what God desires for us. To slow down is good for life. You can not be full of stress and knit. You have to let go and find joy in the work. There is little desire beyond the basic tools of the trade. Yarn can come just as easily from the bargain bin as from the " I need that! what ever the cost " bin. Something you made with your own hands has more "BLING" than anything else. It is pure, and soft and feeds the heart.<br />It goes beyond all language barriers. Color is found in all of God's creation. Knitting I have witnessed brings peace to the creator and love to the receiver.<br /><br />Thanks for reading,<br />There are lots of organizations for giving your work away if you so desire. Keep up the good work. You are greatly loved.<br /><br />RobertRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-80691845998090555442007-12-16T15:27:00.000-05:002007-12-16T16:14:12.274-05:00Christmas / The Great ThanksgivingAs we enter into the last weeks of preparation for Christmas let us remember that in the rush for this day of all days that Jesus was born to die for us. What I present to you is from The book of Common Prayer used in The Episcopal Church.<br />Even today the words ring true to me, and help me to remember why I have chosen to walk the path to heaven.<br /><br /><br />"The Lord be with you.<br />And also with you.<br />Lift up your hearts.<br />We lift them to the Lord.<br />Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.<br />It is right to give him thanks and praise.<br /><br />It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.<br />Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your name:<br /><br />Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power of might,<br />heaven and earth are full of your glory.<br /> Hosanna in the highest.<br />Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.<br /> Hosanna in the highest.<br /><br />Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you , in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.<br /><br />He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for all the world."<br /><br />and finally<br /><br />" Christ has died.<br />Christ has risen.<br />Christ will come again."<br /><br />It is far too easy to let these ancient words fall out over the gums and not let the power of them<br />over come us with great joy and sadness. These words are to be read as if we are experiencing something that you want to last forever.<br /><br />May the peace of Christ be with all of you.<br /><br />RobertRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-4425965222573496612007-11-18T15:23:00.000-05:002007-11-18T16:26:32.107-05:00Who are you accountable to?The other day after having what I would call a full day, the notion of accountability came to mind.<br />Now, I have had the privilege of hearing many gifted teachings on this subject. And often the subject boils down to finding one or two people in your life that you can trust and share what is going on in your life. With the desire that knowing that you will have to confess to your actions, this will keep you pure and honest. This of course means that you need to pick your accountability friends very carefully.<br />Now what really got me started on this subject is the notion that when you are self employed, which I am, and in many ways most artists are, many people take on the notion that they are really free from the boss mentality and there is a freedom to do as we please. And in many ways this is true. But, as a Christian trying to live a life that is both transparent and true to God's word, I am bound to a whole new list of accountability partners. Now in talking this concept through it was suggested that what I had was a good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">beginning</span> for a piece of art. And that would be cool. But at this point I feel that a simple list will be just as effective. With all that said , here is my list of accountability partners.<br /><br /><br />When asked who am I personally accountable to, I as a Christian living in this world am compelled to answer with the following list:<br /><br />God<br />My Wife<br />My Children<br />My Government in all of it's forms, both national and local.<br />My Accountant<br />My Bookkeeper<br />My Employees<br />My Customers<br />My Landlord<br />My Suppliers<br />My Bank<br />My Creditors<br />MY Neighbors<br />My Friends<br />The Poor and Forgotten<br />My Self<br /><br />With all this said and on a lighter note.....so what gets you out of bed in the morning?<br />Have a happy ThanksgivingRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-51660523103406379032007-10-08T08:24:00.000-04:002007-10-09T17:34:24.549-04:00Thinking at HarknessWe just had a tree loose all it's leaves on one side. It was a double tree. One side seemed fine and healthy while the second side became more bare as the weeks progressed. We knew we<br />had to remove the sick half so that the well half could survive. When we were finally able to have the tree work done, I watched and spoke as time allowed to the two young men who did the work. One of the young men was a forestry worker and was trained in the art of safely cutting trees down. The other was an arborist. When he spoke, he spoke almost as if the tree was human and he was a gifted surgeon. He spoke of the tree and it's outer skin and how all of the life of this great tree hung in the balance of the life fluids being able to travel from the root system to the leaves and back. I began to feel the pain of this tree and was glad that we had been gifted by God to live with this tree and enjoy it's shade. And gifted with these fine young men.<br /> When they finally began to climb the tree to begin the cutting, they climbed with great care, for their own safety and so that they could plan all the cuts that would be needed to cut but not harm the tree, or themselves. Each cut was done with great care and each part as it fell<br />came down just as planned. A very gifted process that required thought and skill. An art.<br />When the job was done the young men and I spoke more about the process and about how they had enjoyed the work. The joy came because they had been able to use all the skills that they had learned in school, and because of the trust that I had given to them to be free and do the right thing. They did not have tough bosses yelling orders at them. They felt our trust.<br />Often we feel more joy in life when we are living in trust and living truth.<br />To live in relationship when there is no trust brings with it pain and emptiness, and a lack of joy.<br />As I grow older and see my children move<br />into adulthood, I am blessed for the prayers that I have prayed for them. I have also learned that we need to be patient with God. He knows what he is doing, and if we will only trust in his love for each of us, he will bless us and our loved ones. What we never seem to understand is that God's clock is not our clock and we have to just let him do his work. We have grown to expect results instantly. The world around us (Gods world), is like a fine musical instrument, and has to be fine tuned to get the right note to play. This takes time.<br />He Loves you all. Slow down, enjoy the ride. God is driving the bus.<br /><br />Bob.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-46574024087376923412007-09-01T14:04:00.000-04:002007-09-01T14:22:46.972-04:00So we made it to Labor Day week-end again. We have had the joy of people in and out of our house since early June. We are both tired and blessed by these visits. God has provided for us all.<br />He has opened our hearts so that we may know how blessed we are in all that we do. This has been an awful summer all over the world and many disasters continue to erupt all around us.<br />May we never tire so much that we are unable to reach out and touch the lives who so need the love of Christ in their lives. And may we never forget that WE could possibly be the gift that<br />God desires to bless a life today. So with open hands we go into the world each day, doing small things in great ways.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-10626547321352311482007-08-30T08:03:00.000-04:002007-08-31T16:58:33.442-04:00Have you heard the one about the sheep?<span style="font-size:85%;">There</span> was this sheep by the name of ba . He does not remember far enough back to know how he got there, but he was usually never alone. He was surrounded by a bunch of other sheep,<br />and because he was so young his mom kept an eye on him and gave him a drink of milk even though he was beginning to get a taste for sweet grass. His Dad was a roamer so he was really not a part of his life, but there was this weird kid who had a stick and seemed to like being alone and carried this stick with him all the time, even at night when he would sort of try to sleep.<br />Ba was a part of a group of sheep, he over heard the word flock one time so he guessed that was the name of his group. They were a pretty dusty and smelly bunch to be around but it did not seem to bother the boy much. Most of their days were spent on the move going from one field to another eating as they went. And of course in the world of sheep what goes in one end comes out at the other end at the same rate. This was expected and part of the life of sheep. Ba found life to be pretty easy because the boy watched them day and night. And helped to keep them together . He watched over them so they would be safe from all harm.<br />One day he noticed that one of the other sheep ate too much and his belly began to swell with gas and he fell over. Well the boy with his special stick came over and put a hole in his side and saved his life. The boy loved his sheep and wanted no harm to come to them. He had a master<br />who expected him to care for them with his life.<br />Now some times sheep tend to wander from the group and then the boy has to go looking for the lost ones. Sometimes they are just a little out of sight but sometimes if they get out at night they can go far away. The boy knows that there are things in the dark that want to hurt his sheep. Once Ba saw the boy kill a wild dog with his stick in order to save the life of his sheep.<br />The boy also had a throwing stone that he could use with great accuracy to keep his sheep safe.<br />Bugs and flies are a problem for sheep also and to help his sheep , he would use his stick to groom the matted wool, and he would rub oils on our faces to keep the bugs off. The flies and bugs could drive us mad and crazy and we might hurt ourselves. We are greatly loved.<br />We were a safe flock because we trusted in the boy who cared for us. And his master was well pleased because of the boy who knew best what was good for us, and HE knew how much his master desired for us to be safe from the many things in the world that would hurt us. The boy had chosen a simple life but his master knew how important his love and care for us meant. A loving master, a healthy flock , the stars above, and food on the open flame is all that our shepherd boy needed for a good life.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-13921734255172733302007-08-22T21:40:00.001-04:002007-08-22T21:44:40.063-04:00Flash NewsJudith won an award at the Essex Art Assoc. Show. WOOOOOW.<br />We plan to be there as soon as we can on Friday. Hope to see as many of you as can come.<br />We WILL get pictures up on the site as soon as things slow done again.<br />Oh to be 7 again.<br />RobertRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-44368902325489288252007-08-08T17:20:00.000-04:002007-08-08T18:24:36.982-04:00A new sculptureA true story on how a creative person sometimes works through the process of creation. <br />It all began when weeks ago our local art association noted that the next show had a theme of "recycled" art. Whenever we do theme shows, most take a broad view and try to fit the theme into some piece of photography or a painting and place it in the show. Well since in my business I deal with lots odd boxes, I decided to take this project to task and do some sculpturing which is my first love, that is in choice of creative form. I love my wife, I know you know that.<br /><br /><br />So I began to gather box board materials and took last Saturday ( a day much to hot to be outside ) and started to sculpt something from these found and cut up materials, and white glue. All was well and fine until I discovered that almost five hours had gone by and I had reached a point that I could only at that time call a dead end. Which means stop and give it a rest. Walk away from it and see what you have in the morning. <br /><br />Mean while, I must regress and tell you that before I started this sculpture I had read Janet's blog about the burial of Jesus. <br />And at the time I had responded about how moving and powerful this piece of writing had been for me. That her written work had placed strong images in my head. Not a bad thing. But in the world I work in, beauty is the goal.<br /><br />Then while in church on Sunday without even a second to respond to the thought, it became very clear to me that the sculpture I was working on was meant to be a response to Janet's writing. This of course creates lots of issues which I am prepared to respond to. Like what do you do when the most powerful image that you have just created is just plan not pretty. <br />This is truly not a piece that you place in your living room and expect all your friends to tell you how beautiful it is. I have to tell you that this is a piece that repels me, just as the images repelled me in Janet's story. But knowing the truth is also freeing and I am at peace knowing that just as a photographer may have images that are not " NICE' to look at, that if we are true to our selves and we are creators, then sometimes we are going to create images that are also not "NICE". The quality of the creation is well executed, and when it is "DONE" it will stand the test of traditional , balance , shape, color , and form.<br />And I also know that just because I have created a not "NICE" piece. I does not reflect on me as a not "NICE" person. It is part of a longer complex story. A 3d illustration you might say.<br />Even as I am working on this piece I am remembering from my past that I have often found that I may start a project thinking that it will be beautiful piece, but what usually comes to the surface is a refection of more of the under belly of the world we live in. Which is both humbling and scary at the same time. I guess that at my age I just need to be true to my self and let the holy spirit run the show. I have no doubt he is a part of this piece. <br />I look forward to bringing it the next time we meet. I can think of nothing more to say, because both my sculpture and I <br />are in the middle of this creative process. <br />As a creator we need to allow ourselves the opportunity to get real and struggle with our thoughts, and our work.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-10620180533961170392007-07-20T17:02:00.000-04:002007-07-20T17:32:29.630-04:00The land as I see it.I told you there was more to come.<br />As I see it the land is divided into 3 kinds of dirt. Sand which grows very little and when it does it is for a very short season. Sand does not hold water and does not feed life into plants. The second is clay or mud which is so sticky that when it dries it<br />forms a crust. This is good for clay pots and water jugs but not for growing things, however it is very useful. And very good for constuction etc.<br />Then there is soil. Soil is full of life, it contains life and gives life. Because of it's life giving properties I consider it to be one of God's great gifts to man. One of the interesting things about soil to me is that in order for something to become Part of the life giving soil, it must die.<br />Really good soil is full of things that were once alive but now are dead. But through their death they feed and nourish new life. Good rich soil produces a rich variety of God's great gifts to us. Good soil is full of both large and microscopic living organisms. And the remains of things that were once alive. Good soil is just like life. It works to find balance. <br /><br />Reading Matthew 13:23 encourages me to continue to live the life that God lays down before me to live. And encourages me to continue to create in my life a rich soil of joy for Jesus, so that those who are near me will know that God is real.<br />Love you guys.<br />RobertRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-41368710651825729192007-07-17T08:34:00.000-04:002007-07-17T08:49:50.143-04:00Soil in the GardenLast fall I had begun a large pile of leaves and cut grass with the plans to plant a crop of potatoes this spring. But spring got the better of me and that plan went with a few others. I tend to let go of things that are not a real priority. Relationship is a high priority. The rest is just fluff.<br />But a few weeks ago I decided to throw a few bean seeds into the over sized compost pile and just see what came up. No my middle name is not " Jack". That was a weekend that we had recieved flower transplants from a family friend so I was deep into the farming and planting mode. From what I am seeing we should have some monster bean plants, if past experience of growing direct into the compost is any indicator.<br />Stay with me I'm going somewhere with this but I have to go now. <br />I will follow with my thinking on this subject soon.<br />RobertRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-51605320592571915582007-07-12T07:28:00.000-04:002007-07-12T07:54:29.412-04:00Tools in the GardenA few years back my daughter was on a mission trip in the Orient. When she returned, she gave me a hand tool that I will always cherish. What she gave me may not seem like much but I consider it huge when you put it in God's perspective. She brought me a hand forged machete knife. Now hand molding metal is not an easy task even in the best of conditions, but to have a blade made to by a man in the bush makes it even more remarkable. It has perfect balance just us one would expect from a tool with knowledge handed down from one generation to another. The culture and existance of this tribe depends on <br />the sharing of this knowledge for day to day living. No John D.s or mega sales from Home D. here, just solid oral tradition.<br />I knew exactly what I had been given. This was a gift from one father to another, brought to me by my daughter from half way around the globe. When I work in the garden, I like the quiet. I am always glad when I can turn off the lawn mower.<br />Working in the quiet of the garden with simple tools, listening to wild birds, witnessing Gods creation, and living by the traditions He has handed doen to us, is the best. This is His world we live in.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-28576777335144221152007-07-05T16:46:00.000-04:002007-07-05T17:12:05.846-04:00My Second Home.I seem to have created. Oh my gosh I've stirred up a mess for my self. Just to be clear, My plan is to continue to write for the EDGE....that is when I am drawn to some really meaty stuff that I feel the need to throw out to you guys. And the world I guess. But with Janet's help, God bless her ( really folks she is great) ...... I have also set my self up on this Blog so that I can just be creative and test the waters in the world of writing. So forgive me for being a little to impulsive about moving. I am an artist. We run with brushes.<br /><br />I'm still in sugar shock from the 4th. I hope you all had a day of great freedom. <br />This week-end I plan to go back to the garden and transplant flowers that may some day become beautiful photographs. <br />I am a lucky man.<br /><br />Bob.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-74327659931108240722007-07-04T11:02:00.000-04:002007-07-04T11:21:27.741-04:00FreedomSo what really is freedom?<br />Where does freedom start? Where does it end? and who except our all mighty God can be trusted with the freedoms we hold dear to our hearts.<br />Can there be freedom with out rules ? I don't think so.<br />After having spent a full day with two boys 5 and 7 years old I learned a lot about freedom.<br />It was so much fun to dig in the dirt and play in the garden, play with the simple things that we have been given. Even a broken leaky hose became <br />a joy on a hot summer day. <br />But the day even with all the love and joy and freedom came with rules. No running in and out of the house. No hammers to the head. Stay where I can see you. <br /> I think that that is the way that God feels about us. <br />These are my commandments. If you live by them then you can have all the freedom you desire. Well that seems O.K.. Right? <br />But the problem comes just as I found out the other day that the commandments seem easy enough, but then what about this and what about that.<br />And God says " I have told you how to live " and you will have plenty to do and you will be content. But then our flesh starts to itch and we begin to squirm and we see that the gate is open. Oh maybe it would be so nice to view things from the other side. Do I dare ? Who will notice.? <br />So what really is freedom.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289188331661786124.post-49491832881727737872007-07-03T08:51:00.000-04:002007-07-03T09:10:52.143-04:00My New HomeIn order to to maintain creative ( insane ) order, I have removed my self from " The Edge" and now will be writing <br />on my own. This blog will continue to ask questions, press at the walls , and try to open the prison door that we <br />some times find our selves in. Be prepared to be challenged by the things that drive me crazy, and or make me wonder. <br />Glad to have my own farm. As a husband, father, small business owner, American, pet owner, dreamer. I plan to enjoy my self and find better mental health by sharing with the people I love. Please sit back and don't be afraid to drive the plow back to the barn if you see rain coming, and by the way the sheep love to get out of the fence. There is always work to do, so be sure to find time to sit in the shade. That tree could blow over in the next storm. And there are alway hungery hands to feed.<br /><br />Enjoy the Forth. And remember. This is God's place, not ours.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807548655216951987noreply@blogger.com1