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| "Stained Glass" 12 x 16 acrylic and glaze on canvas |
I didn’t win the “Faces of Humanity” competition this year. In fact, I didn’t
even make it to Honorable Mention. When you take a gander at the winners, you
will see why. The stiff competition was marked by the best of the best! The
quality of artists up and coming is a good omen for the future, and a reason to
celebrate art in all its glory and richness.
The seven
winners scattered throughout this blog will amaze you. The high caliber of the
sponsor is indicative of the obvious mastery of the arts by the winners. There
is a nice variety of medium, styles, and depth. A link to the winners is at the
end of this blog. I encourage you to go there and see all of the artwork and
the types of contests and opportunities that is provided.
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| First Place |
My humble
“Stained Glass” piece is finished. I don’t know why I felt compelled to do
this 12 x 16 canvas? But sometimes you need a break from your regular routine to
vary the pace and the style. Like a musical phrase, trying something totally
different is sometimes refreshing.
I will forewarn
you that my painting days are limited. My hands and fingers are going stiff on
me. They spasm and freeze into weird shapes after I type or paint for even
short periods of time. Perhaps when some of my other medical issues are
resolved, I will get my second wind.
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| Second Place |
I love those stores
that sell exercise equipment and athletic wear and supplies. “Second Wind” is
the name of one successful chain that makes the most of this niche. Everything
and everyone deserves a second chance. When you feel let down, think about ways
to revive your spirit and your stamina.
I find
reading in my off times stimulates my will and desire to start again. Observing
the strength of others vicariously can sometimes shame us into seeing our petty
problems and challenges as minor and insignificant. Even if we must “guilt”
ourselves into trying again, at least it gets us back in the saddle.
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| Third Place |
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| Fourth Place |
Many years
ago, Norman Vincent Peale wrote a small book titled: “Positive Thinking for
Every Day of the Year.” I read one page every day that corresponds with the
current date. Yesterday I read a related story about T. E. Lawrence of “Lawrence
of Arabia” fame.
“Lawrence
took a few of his Arab friends to London. What interested them the most was the
faucets in the bathroom.
“Watch,
Lawrence said, “All you have to do is turn that thing on and you have all the
water you want!”
When it was
time to leave, Lawrence discovered that they were trying to remove the faucets.
“What are you doing?” he questioned.
“We will take
these back to the desert,” they said. “We will never lack for water.”
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| Fifth Place |
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| Sixth Place |
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| Seventh Place |
“Lawrence had
to explain to them that the faucets had to be attached to a source of water in order to work.”
Peale
completed the story: “Sometimes we do the same thing. We try to get a flow from
faucets that are not attached.”
Are you
feeling empty inside and lack purpose and direction? What is the source of your strength and creativity? It’s
time to get connected!
Link to "Art Competition" Winners: http://art-competition.net/Faces-of-Humanity-2.cfm
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