  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life... John 3:16  ...For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17
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 Heart Bouquet, 5" x 5" I hope you had an enjoyable February! I’m part of these interesting online paper art groups, Guild of American Papercutters and All Things Paper. They offer lots of great resources on paper art, and on one of the recent Zoom calls, a guest speaker shared her process of working in all white paper. I’ve always admired this and finally got around to experimenting with an all-white piece myself!
My paper heart was inspired by some of the digital work I was doing earlier this month. I was experimenting with these free Procreate flower-heart stamp brushes I received from Teela at Every-Tuesday.com (below left). She along with Jennifer Nichols and Gabrielle Brickey are some of my favorite online teachers who provide free Procreate brushes, tutorials, and assets to their subscribers, as well as paid membership opportunities if you're interested, and teaching events and activities throughout the year. Many of their classes are also available on Skillshare. Delores Naskrent is another outstanding Procreate/Affinity teacher--I was a part of her online school for a year and a half. I work more in Photoshop now than Procreate (and haven't gotten into Affinity yet), but Delores offers a lifetime of experience in the business of digital art, surface pattern design, greeting cards, etc.. I also love Alaina Jensen's brushes, and highly recommend them if you want to try some really cool art effects like alcohol ink, acrylic pour, and all kind of traditional painting effects in Procreate!
Using the stamps is like having your own coloring book pages, and a great way to practice using the various brushes available! This also inspires me to create my own ‘stamps’. If you like to learn new things and are interested in a fun, relaxing hobby, check out some of these websites and the free tutorials and assets they offer and get started in Procreate. :) Like so many other art forms, the possibilities are endless!
I recently started writing devotionals. If you'd like a word of spiritual encouragement, please read on! The Most Wonderful Time of the Year? Yes, and no. Yes, celebrating the birth of our King of King and Lord of Lords-- the magnificent Lord Jesus Christ, who redeems our lives from sin and death. No, because we live in a fallen world with not-so-picture-perfect relationships and circumstances, and a mixed bag of experiences. Things seem to be amplified around the holidays. Especially when gathering with family, we have good memories and sad ones, victories and difficulties, surprises and disappointments. We’re living in a dark world, much like at the time of Jesus’ birth in the town of Bethlehem. As the lyrics of the song O Come O Come Emmanuel suggest, the Israelites were looking for a powerful, conquering King to save them, and the mystery of the Son of God being born in modest circumstances and living the life of a human was utterly unbelievable. What about our circumstances today? I used to think I was an oddball— the rare one who dealt with multiple family losses (through death, divorce in my family, or estrangement). Now, I’m finding many friends are also dealing with the unexpected loss of their loved ones as well. Some losses are more traumatic than others, but all require some type of energy and support to process through. Nothing ever prepares us to deal with death; It’s a thief and foreign to us, probably because when God created us we were never meant to die. Lest this blog post send you in a downward spiral, I wanted to make the point that it is in the very darkness that the Light-- Jesus Himself-- shines brightest, and with Him there is always hope (I Timothy 1:1). It’s in our valleys that we can become more acquainted with Jesus, the Lily of the Valley (Song of Solomon 2:1), as He seeks to draw us to Himself with his fragrant love. After numerous tragic losses, I came to find and cherish many references that refer to God as a perfect father, mother, brother, and sister (as well as best friend and bridegroom)! As the great I AM, He is all about relationships, always drawing us close to receive and experience everything He has for us. I'm glad we have forever to get to know Him! Somehow God promises to work all things together for good, even in our darkest times. One of my favorite names of God is the Holy Spirit referred to as “The Comforter” (John 14:26). Wow - a Holy Comforter! Imagine being wrapped in holy comfort! Another favorite scripture is “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 24:18. We have the promise of his nearness always, even when we’re crushed. God isn’t put off by our breakdowns or neediness, but rather He longs for us to receive and experience the overflowing goodness of His shalom (completeness, wholeness, welfare, prosperity, peace), that His Son, Jesus, died to give us. Let’s pray: Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, reveal yourself to me. I invite you into my heart and ask you to fill me afresh with your presence and goodness. Thank you that your shed blood cleanses me from all sin. In the midst of my tragic circumstances, I receive a holy Comforter hug. Thank you that you wrap me in your arms of love and meet me exactly where I am, especially when I’m hurting. Help me trust that You have a miracle for me. Amen! Thank you that you're working miracles in our dark times, Lord. Believing wonderful things are coming your way in 2025!  If you're interested in receiving daily inspiration in your Inbox, click here!
 Greetings and Thank YOU for reading my post! This is one of the greeting card designs recently submitted to CardIsle.com, a company that provides personalized greeting cards to retailers to sell with their online and in-store products. I've always loved greeting cards and this has been a fun world to explore!
Today, I’m thankful for the opportunity to share a little more of my story. My friend, the lovely and talented Emily Gilman-Beezely, suggested my name to CanvasRebel Magazine, and they reached out to interview me. Check out my interview here! Blessings to you and your family this holiday season!!  Purr-Tater does NOT like to be covered up, ever. I walked in on this last week realized I was witnessing a Thanksgiving miracle, LOL! :-) Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and cozy Thanksgiving weekend!  "To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant,
to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven." Johannas A. Gaertner German-American art historian, educator, writer, poet  We were, but happy! Here’s the Springboarders after setting up our show at The Stable Art Gallery this past Monday. Top L-to-R: Emily Gilman Beezley, Vicky Katzman, Liz Robles, Bottom L-to-R Jennifer Merz, me, Lydia Baldassarre (not pictured Dr. Joy Yoo).  We hope you will join us for our Artists' Reception Sunday, Nov. 13, 2:00-4:00 pm. • Meet the artists • Enjoy Incredible artwork • Shop for the holidays ...and enjoy homemade treats! We’re expecting a crowd, so please wear your walking shoes to walk a short distance if the Stable lot is full. Click here to download information sheet. This group has been integral to my art journey these last (almost) four years. Each of these ladies is special to me and I'm so grateful for this opportunity to show my work alongside theirs! I hope you will come enjoy the various styles and subject matter of our work!   Evan on Melbourne Beach, FL (with HDR), July 2022 • Celebrating our 15-year anniversary
Blessed Good Friday & Passover! PHOTO THROWBACK-- Good Friday, 2019, Swayze Mill Park, Hope, NJ I took this photo two years ago, right at the beginning of the pandemic. How time flies! These stormy, dramatic clouds remind me of the scripture that describes what happened in Jesus’s last moments on the cross. Matthew 27: 45-54 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Thank you, Jesus, for your powerful finished work of taking all our sin on the cross, and opening the door for us not only become God’s beloved children, but one with You. Yours is the greatest love story ever told!
May we always continue to experience your love and grace in a deeper way. Hoppy Valentine’s Day! From Mac and us!  Evan took these photos for me when I was down in Florida helping care for my Mom during Valentine's week in 2016. (The original post is here.) I hope you feel loved and have a wonderful week!!
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