Wet on Wet

This is my painting.

This last weekend I had the opportunity to take an oil painting class. Did you know it takes 6 months to a year for an oil painting to finish curing? It actually takes up to two weeks to just be dry enough to touch - so imagine how long it would take to finish an oil painting if you waited for it to dry between each color!!! It would be a monumental undertaking! This class was a wet on wet class, meaning we painted the whole picture in one day. I was very excited about taking the class because I have never painted with oil paints before! The class was a 6 hour class and yes, 4 days later it is still a very wet painting!

I have to say I loved the class! There were about 14 of us, and 12 of us did the same painting with the same colors and instructions, yet each painting was uniquely different and beautiful.

Isn't it interesting how characters and personalities are like that too? A couple can have a dozen kids and raise each of them together with the same teachings, influences, encouragements, and family routines, yet each child is uniquely different, with their own special talents and abilities, strengths and weaknesses that build and create the family unit.

I love individuality and I love to paint! I love this form of expression. I find great joy in God's creations. I love how the light filters through the trees, mountains stand so firm, wind whispers through the trees and rustles the surface of glass-like waters. I love to look for the beauty of nature all around me. I don't have to look far to know that God loves his children - each and every one!