Creativity in a Hillsboro Park

About a month ago, I wrote a post regarding a local art show that we held in the John Day area.  Paintings, sculptures, photography, books were among the displays of talent.  Sometimes life presents opportunities where you discover artists and artistic work that know no boundaries.  One such case was a recent discovery made at the Orenco Woods Nature Park in Hillsboro, Oregon.  In a corner of the park was a small grove of trees and upon closer inspection, distinct forms appeared in a whimsical style of odd faces.  They were sculptures made from saplings of trees and molded in a facial form that could resemble an ET alien!  But that is only through personal perspective.  I'm sure that was not the artist's intent but rather a place for visitors to roam through the structures and check out the park through the sculpture formation.

This placard explains more about the artist and his work.........

Patrick Dougherty has created many forms of stick work across the United States.  To view some of his art and find out more about him, his website is.... www.stickwork.net

I took a few photos of his wooden creations to share them with you.  You just never know what you will find in a park....

Until we meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, July 2nd.  God bless all your comings and goings during the next few weeks.  

The Chain Tree

I noticed this beautiful tree in all its May glory in blossom, as I was driving through a local street.  I stopped to admire it and took several photos.   I have since found out that it is called a Chain Tree, probably because of its cascading yellow blossoms.

This small tree grows about 10 to 15 feet high and its blossoms range from 6 to 10 inches long in a cascade from its branches.  These beautiful blossoms are short lived and last only for several weeks usually in May.  A gorgeous tree and deserves an admiring view.....

I determined that this was a tree to plant in my yard.... UNTIL....  I discovered a lethal fact about this wondrous tree.  All parts of this plant are poisonous due to its main toxin called cytisine.  Although mortality is rare, symptoms may cause distress with intense sleepiness, vomiting, convulsive movements, coma, severe diarrhea.  Caution is advised in using these plants in places where children, dogs and livestock can be in contact with the seedpods or foilage, both in handling or ingestion.

As I surveyed my yard, I noticed that I had some yellow going on in the yard that had its own beauty and safety too...   Yes, my springtime flower that pops up everywhere - to some, its a disgusting nuisance for a lawn.  To others, it has a beauty all its own and allowed to grow alongside the blades of green in a yard.

Enjoy your summer days that brings God's abundance of color through so many creations that remain hidden during our winter season.  It is amazing how nature comes back to life and does not disappoint year after year.

Until we meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, June 18th...

The Value of Community Art Showing

Talent abounds within our rural area of Grant County.   Artistic abilities shown through a painting, a sculpture, a photograph, or authoring a book, often are hidden until a venue brings attention to such creations.  One such venue was recently held in our area through an annual art show. This particular event provides artists within the community to exhibit their creations to the public. Their inspiration of heart is expressed through varied mediums and subject matter.

The Community Art Show is now in its 12th year.  I took photos of individual works displayed and wanted to share some with you today.   Because of limited space, I cannot show them all but wanted to give you, my readers, a sampling of art shown by our local artisans.  

Carrie Bellinger, Artist

Kathy Rogers, Artist

Patricia Ross, Artist

We were privileged this year to display bronze sculptures created by Hans Magden, as shown below.

This beautiful wood sculpture of a Bighorn Sheep was carved by Ken Justice.....

It was tough to choose among the beautiful creations displayed at the art show to put in my blog.  All were worthy of recognition.  These few selections highlight the manifold talents that exist in our rural community.

Join me at The Turn-Up Patch for my next posting on Monday, June 4th.  Until then, here is a quote by Julia Cameron.... "Creativity is a spiritual issue.  Any progress is made by leaps of faith, some small and some large"....

A Day in the Life of a Cat

Hi to my readers and blogger friends....

Two weeks have zipped by and I am sitting at my computer composing a blog that is already a day late from the scheduled post.  It's been a busy two weeks and I am hitting a blank wall as to what to write.  I do so admire those bloggers who write a daily blog that is always substantive and never seem to run out of material. 

Instead of something profound or informative, I have decided to share some recent photos of my cat.  Don't laugh!!  She is the furry critter that became my rescue cat and to whom this blog is named after...Turnup and thus, 'The Turn-Up Patch'.  Five years ago, when she became a part of the Clark household, she is still alive and well and is always a comfort as a valued friend.

Yes, she is a little on the lazy side or maybe she just knows how to relax.  Here is a little saying called "Busy, Busy".....
                                    It's 8 a.m. and time to nap
                                    It's 10 a.m. and time to relax
                                    It's 12 p.m. and time to doze off
                                    It's 3 p.m. and time to zonk out
                                    It's 6 p.m. and time to slumber
                                    It's 9 p.m. and time to snooze
                                    It's 12 a.m. and time to sleep
                                    It's 4 a.m. and time to jump on sleeping human friends....

Pretty typical!  Anyone who has a cat as a beloved pet understands.
 

See you in two weeks at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, May 21st.


 

The Pinnacle and The Shepherd

One of many descriptive names given to Jesus is that of the Good Shepherd.  Various paintings depict the artist's interpretation of Christ as the Shepherd.  This particular one is rather powerful in explaining scripture in such a visual way.  As you look at this sheep alone and helpless on a pinnacle of rock, you can see fear in its inability to move for there is danger all around.  There is a paralysis of movement in such a frightening and seemingly hopeless situation.  A staff is being lowered by the shepherd to bring the animal to higher ground and safety. 

The shepherd's staff has two significant purposes .... (1) as a longer arm used to reach and catch .... (2) the curve or crook on the staff facilitates recovery of fallen animals.  The staff is symbolic of care in particularly difficult circumstances.

Obviously, the lone sheep is distressed in apparent separation and danger.  As humanity is likened to sheep, how often do we find ourselves in situations of peril that come from our own making or life's circumstances that entrap with no obvious escape.  We can become crippled emotionally, spiritually and yes, even physically if we remain in harms' way.  The Good Shepherd is always on guard in His provision of safety for His flock.   His reach defies the chasm of consequence.  His compassion is accessible to all in redemption out of ensnarement, placing you in His green pasture to nourish and restore.  Ezekiel 34:16 - I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak....

Take time out to view this video on Psalm 23 and sink deeply into the meaning of these words.  This is how our Lord and Savior would have us live as we allow Him to be the Good Shepherd over all our days....

You can also watch it on this link....    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLI8Sv8_HlA


You are invited to view my next posting at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, May 7th....

Faith and Time Capsules

Two weeks ago, I wrote about the unblemished love of God.  A love so perfect that it lays beyond the grasp of humanity in comprehension. In our limited awareness, it takes faith to walk into the mysteries of God without fully understanding.  "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." - 1 Corinthians 13:12

This scripture itself can be deemed a mystery, that our Creator God knew us before we were ever formed. He knew us - we were fully known - each one, before our time in life came into fruition on the earth.  He is the past, present and future and our existence lies somewhere in time capsules of living moments on earth.  As we struggle to search out God and know His ways, He has perfect knowledge of mankind, individually and collectively.  Faith is necessary to believe in the Divine, for God is beyond humanity's limited capacity in formulating His Being.  This commodity of faith brings us into the spiritual realm of revelation, where we begin our journey in knowing God in part.

We do have tangible expressions of God through His visible creations in all diversity.  From the depths of the universe with its multiple galaxies to our planet earth - all proclaiming the work of His hands in magnitude of His glory.   And He is so much more....

Come! and join me at The Turn-Up Patch for my next posting on Monday, April 23rd.   Until we meet again....

Unblemished Love

God is Holy being the Divine, the Sacred.  God is also Whole being the Complete, the Perfect.  He truly is without spot or wrinkle; undamaged and faultless.  Humanity is flawed, blemished and broken.  How can one be reconciled to the other?  What bridge brought the two together?  Could it be the unblemished love that came from the Timeless One to subject Himself to time as humanity knows it.  The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.  Infinity became finite to redeem and restore.  Jesus opened the pathway to oneness between the imperfect soul of mankind and the perfect Spirit of El Shaddai.  The veil in the temple was torn in two when Jesus gave up his last breath on the cross.  Jesus, the Sacrifice, became the power to split humanity's veil of darkness and be awakened to His resurrection of Light.

We have just celebrated Palm Sunday... the remembrance of the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.  People were shouting Hosanna, "Save Now",  waving palm leaves and scattering them on the ground before the donkey that He was riding.  Some of these same people were shouting "Crucify Him" not many days later. 

The song, "When Love Comes Riding By", is a reminder of a Savior who seeks to bring His  unblemished love to any open heart who would receive and become whole ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGzEJHv7-l0
The title of the song in the above video is "When Love Comes Riding By (Hosanna)".  Music and lyrics by ToddZero from his album Kid Heart.

Until we meet again in two weeks at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, April 9th.   Have a blessed Easter and may you experience newness of Life and Light in a new day of God's grace and mercy...