July 3rd - “Happy 4th of July”

“Hatch Shell at the Boston Esplanade”

“Remember, be thankful, celebrate, and have a great week!”

"Find my paintings, or may my paint-tings find you!"
Douglas Auld
Copyright MMXI Auld, Ltd

Jun 26th “Cracks Below the Surface Appear”

“Stylized Beauty”

BLOG BURST:
"If you’ve been here before, you know I‘m constantly working on paintings. While some have their own opinion on what work is and what work isn’t, that’s another blog for another day. One of the paintings (not the one above) had the age old curse of cracks in a certain area. If you work with oils you know the rules and the curses. You just didn’t wait for the natural drying process. You dove back in because you hate to stop and put your expression on hold, and applied more paint. Soon you see them and you know corrective measures must be taken before you proceed or you’ve got to throw it away and start anew.

Some artists say I would never correct them and never have a painting which was perfectly correct. Others make the necessary repairs and move on without sacrificing the worthy expression that was originally created.

This week I heard and saw some cracks below the surface appearing in some conversations I had with different people. One person was expressing how sometimes they just could not understand their spouse as the meaning of things expressed kept changing. Another expressed how their child had told them that even when their partner was wrong they would never admit it as they were always right. Someone else told me that their in-laws were perfectly clear that they really wanted nothing to do with them.

Sometimes we know and see the cracks, but don’t want to deal with them. Sometimes we don’t really see what’s causing them. Sometimes we do not want to confront someone about them. Sometimes we seek advice and insight on what to do about them. Sometimes our council doesn’t have a clue about the cracks even when told about them. Sometimes we just throw everything away no matter the consequences to whomever or God’s commands or purposes.

Relationships deal with more than one person. James 1:5; “If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Remember, the answer will be according to His Word, not just something your family, friends, or the world tells you.

1 Peter 4:8; “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” If you are His, He will help you!”


POETIC PONTIFICATION:
“Great interaction builds up and doesn’t tear away
No need for life to have explosions waiting every day
The anger and the yelling never solved a thing
Living for the world to see; satisfaction won’t bring
It’s each other not what family or friends have to say
Pouring both hearts out to the King is the only way!”

“Paintings always require a close examination, some cracks can be repaired and others will continue to deface the painting. Check the other cracks in your life and remember you choose to be in love and to love. Have a great week!”

"Find my paintings, or may my paint-tings find you!"
Douglas Auld
Copyright MMXI Auld, Ltd

June 19th “Celebrate Dad”

“Happy Father’s Day!!”

"Find my paintings, or may my paint-tings find you!"
Douglas Auld
Copyright MMXI Auld, Ltd

June 12th “The Marriage Game & Sparks”

“NeverWhatTheySeem”

BLOG BURST:
"I’ve been working on about five paintings. You know “waiting for paint to dry”. I discovered a number of things as I always do. I try, as always to get a few takes in on different subject matter, especially reflective of the blog. I read an article on the net this week on “Spark Back In Marriage”. After reading through it, reviewing, and contemplating what was said, I wanted to illustrate how thing always seem to be with simple solutions. So with that in mind I did an abstract composite with overlays and blends dealing with a very meaningful subject to me which illustrated the title.

The article was informative saying first to “prioritize love”. Slow down, think about each other and spend some time together. Next was “get in your head to be happy with your mate”, write down what you are grateful for, appreciate them more. Reflect on your life. What brought you together? Focus on all the positives and don’t allow negatives in. It continued with do something together, like take a dance class. Review your vows. Tackle a joint project. Read or discover something together. And of course the suggestion that intimacy comes from having more sex.

Things are never as they seem and worldly suggestion will never fully satisfy a fallen world. A world that tells you “till death do we part” and answers with “I’ve lost my feelings”. Even in answers like these you see what the Prince of this World wants to do with marriages, especially Christian ones. If that created being can break up a marriage and take the kids off the track of following and doing the will of He who made us and created us, he’s accomplished his purpose. We the participants have all contributed to allowing this to happen from the choices we have made.

So choose the best sparks to your marriage, read the Word together, pray together, be together and prioritize each other together as you ask and seek with all your heart God’s leading and direction in your life.”


POETIC PONTIFICATION:
“I wish I knew what to count on and what not, before I chose
Most of the times our eyes aren’t open when they’re closed
There are no “mulligan’s” or “do-overs” in the marriage game
We don’t consider that a relationship is even going to change
We don’t honor, we don’t respect, and we don’t even care
If it ain’t leading us where others said; no need to be there
We’ve truly forgotten who’s we are and His priority on our life
Marriage is an ever evolving mix-up and we need Christ!”

“Paintings can remind us of the priority of our focus and need to always tend to what’s important. Hope you have a great week!”

"Find my paintings, or may my paint-tings find you!"
Douglas Auld
Copyright MMXI Auld, Ltd

June 5th “Fallen But Not Forgotten”

“Artistic Interpretation of Monet’s Field Of Poppies”

BLOG BURST:
"Many paintings depict interactive scenes and many scenes come from the natural surroundings around us, places we encounter. Many paintings have people as their subject, important people, everyday people, and people in settings, even people artists’ want to paint or people they were commissioned to paint. No matter what the subject artists appropriate something from their subject that takes them to a level of emersion. They see something; feel something and want to put that message before them in a communication medium that visualizes their own expression. The message may please or displease its viewer. The message may confront or passively be passed by without any reaction at all. If the encounter is engaging the viewer will run through a series of critics which will spawn a new thought process or they may even totally dismiss the works without any more thought or pursuit of more understanding. The question is “What does the artist want you to see?” Remember, they may not be talking to you at all but to themselves. It’s very experiential.

Life is experiential. As one boils from anger and then explodes spewing out words of condemnation, we live a life of experiences. Suddenly a Tornado shows up, then two, we are taken back by something so dangerous and out of place! As one experiences and comes face to face with that kind of danger, no one else who has not experienced it for themselves has a real clue what the true experience is or was like.

What is love? What is a true relationship? What is an encounter that is beyond a few moments? Some things were designed to be; other things were not design to deteriorate but because of outside influences deteriorate to the point of extinction. Often we don’t see the talk, the chatter, the outside influence, the negative attitude. Often we don’t see or want to see our own contribution to that deterioration. Often we refuse to change. Often we refuse to even acknowledge our own promises, and assurances. Often we are influenced by those closest to us. We soon forget right or wrong but make choices on feelings and mind-sets.

When a painting grips you and finds its way into your heart’s emotion it causes a reaction. Our society and many individuals haven’t experienced this because of today’s present attitude, today’s pressures and today’s goals and aspirations. Many just “don’t have the time” or “can’t be bothered”.

How many miss out on what was to be because of the struggle, the commitment, the path, the requirement. Viewed as just too great an obstacle to overcome, something too great to be required, too much work to correct, it’s just easier to get on and forget the rest. Suicide often seems to be viewed as a remedy which in reality is no remedy at all.

If you are struggling, if you are not finding the grass greener, love more romantic, passion more rewarding and life more meaningful, maybe you spent too much time on the phone and not enough time on your knees. He’s still there. He still wants His will and His ways to be followed. He also may require more than we think necessary, but in the final answer comes “not my will, but Your will be done!”

What’s your answer? What’s your view?"

POETIC PONTIFICATION:
“Sorry I didn’t spend more time engaged hearing all you had to say
Sorry I didn’t spend more time doing things according to your way
Sorry I didn’t see and hear your voice early morning and late at night
Sorry I couldn’t seem to understand what would bring it all to light
Sorry I didn’t listen, trust, and do enough every one of my days
Sorry for not thanking You more for being with me along the way!”

“May paintings move your heart to Him who can help your encounters with life! May He lead you this week in the things you encounter and need to make right. Have a great week!”

"Find my paintings, or may my paint-tings find you!"
Douglas Auld
Copyright MMXI Auld, Ltd

May 29th “Memorial Day Week - Remember & Act”

“Memorial Day 2011”

BLOG BURST:

"This week is different and we need to pause and remember
Time moves so fast, and many of us are no longer together
There were and are those that risked and gave their all
As our country needed them they answered the call
We have our freedom, way of life because of their sacrifice
Thank you God for them; they played such a part in our life

This week is different and we need to pause and remember
Time moves so fast, and many of us are no longer together
Families broken, apart, going their own separate ways
Still the love we’ll always have for them guides us everyday
Spouses of our youth, loves of our life, never to be replaced
Many gone their own way, others resting in a special place

This week is different and we need to pause and remember
Time moves so fast, and many of us are no longer together
Children born and raised, with us, or moved on somewhere
Sons and daughters, curses of life to meet and still care
Relationships built and growing; both separate and apart
Always be connected as you gave to them your heart

This week is different and we need to pause and remember
Time moves so fast, and many of us are no longer together
Mother, father, sister, brother how they influenced our living
Some are with us some are not, but they were always giving
Struggles and time influences all the choices, what can we say
Leads us to reflect on how we’d do things differently today

This week is different and we need to pause and remember
Time moves so fast, and many of us are no longer together
How you doing; what’s going on, how’s things for you; we say
Do we really hear what we’re saying and how precious is today
Not enough said, no forgiveness; just too much caused by pain
Time moves on and soon we’ll join the dust as life truly wanes

This week is different and we need to pause and remember
Time moves so fast, and many of us are no longer together
Connect with those you loved, care for, forgive, and love
Contemplate where you’ve come from and God above!”


“Pause”, “Remember”, and “Act”, you won’t regret it. Have a great week!”

"Find my paintings, or may my paint-tings find you!"
Douglas Auld
Copyright MMXI Auld, Ltd

May 22nd “Just –OK Marriage”

“Family at the Beach”

BLOG BURST:
"Many families are fortunate to have kids. Many are fortunate to have time together and have it be meaningful. The painting above is and impressionist expression of a memorable time together for a family that once had meaning.

In her article “The Curse of the Just-OK Marriage”, Caroline Campion explains in author Pamela Haag’s most recent book “Marriage Confidential” that she had an OK marriage to a wonderful husband but questions led her to survey 2000 other people, all of whom came to the same conclusion she had about her “feelings”. “After years of kids, years and the relationship, myself as well as those I surveyed haven’t felt fulfilled and are left with the question is that all there is? With all the romantic ideas, experts in compatibility and of course the feminist revolution shouldn’t marriages be better. It seems like they are not.”

Here it is again, the world looks for worldly solutions. Unfortunately Christians don’t offer much of an alternative because they also are wrapped up with worldly judgments and looking for worldly solutions. One group is totally selfish, misinformed and has a knowledge base that says the women’s movement should make a difference. The other group has the solution but for some reason can’t or won’t get their hearts to work with their heads in disobedience.

The Bible says Christians are to be salt and light to the world! Instead we’re asking for their advice and worse we’re following it. How many Christians actually believe what they promised? How many Christians stand up, communicate and stand by their conviction? We’re too busy talking on the phone and making plans with our siblings to ask and be with our partners. We’re too busy listening to others who are selling out their relationships. We’re too busy worried about ourselves and how the world sees us to face any bad news and work through it with God. Basically we’ve sold out to the world, turned our backs on our relationships with our partners and our relationship with the Lord. How much do we pray together? How much do we study together? How much do we communicate with each other before the Lord. We’d rather malign or take a poll about our spouse than sit down and have prayer and a real conversation. We’re more interested in going to dinner at the relatives than dining before the Lord and seeking His advice and putting Him first. As long as we can get away, have what we want, play and feel good we’re fine, thank you very much.

But we’re not fine are we? We’ve broken our vows. Said and committed wrongs toward our mates; judged them on how they repented; and sought out some so called expert to tell us that the partner of our youth has some brain disorder.

Jesus says come I will give you rest. Come and I will give you wisdom. Come and I will heal your brokenness and create something new and wonderful. But we don’t even hear it anymore! We’re too busy wanting to go on with “our own life” which by the way was purchased by Jesus for His use, whether in sickness or in health, hurt, pain, brokenness, even death; all for His honor and His glory not ours.

So the memories and the unfulfilled marriages go on or come apart. It’s our will and not His. Yet, we’re in church the week after the divorce with the “new” friend. It’s a total mockery! When will we Christians wake and get right? When will we Christians set our pride and anger apart and get before Him and ask Him what He wants? We already know His answer and it’s not what we want to hear so we’ll go to the beach instead.

Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus and live! You won’t have to find or worry that you’ll “feel” unfulfilled by your marriage, or by your relationship to God."


POETIC PONTIFICATION:
“Time moves on and only some thoughts will last
Everyday words and prayers are made on your behalf
What’s keeping you from your relationship with Him?
Pride, selfishness, something you don’t consider sin
Never really seeing what was truly going on each day
Never finding the answers to help you on your way
Man has his plans, but God’s plans stand firm!”

“Paintings can have a special connection between artist and the viewer. God wants a special connection with us, an unbroken one. Have a great week!”

"Find my paintings, or may my paint-tings find you!"
Douglas Auld
Copyright MMXI Auld, Ltd