Category: The Balm

  • There’s a World Outside Your Window

    There’s a World Outside Your Window

    This week, I painted windows from the inside looking out. Here in North Idaho, winters are grey, bleak, cold, and can be somewhat depressing, so looking out my window can just add to the dreariness. But I think there is something to be said about looking out the window…literally and…

  • Loose Flower Watercolors

    Loose Flower Watercolors

    This week was fun because I didn’t do any sketching beforehand. I focused on painting flowers in a loose way with not a lot of structure. I’m type A. So this was a little hard. But building on the foundation of last week with the envelopes I feel like I…

  • Envelopes with Valentine’s Day Vibes

    This week I did envelopes. Lots of envelopes with all the hearts and Valentine’s Day vibes. As I paint with watercolors, I really love how details and darker lines take the painting from its ugly stage to something with depth and interest. This week, I don’t have anything to say…

  • A Fourth Grade Teacher’s Creative Wisdom

    A Fourth Grade Teacher’s Creative Wisdom

    This week, I focused on hearts. I could’ve just drawn hearts and painted those, but I thought it would be cute and fun to add in our goose, Gerty, and a chicken. I loved using anthropomorphism- making the little animals come to life with human characteristics. It was fun to…

  • Not Yet a Masterpiece

    Not Yet a Masterpiece

    This week, I worked on snowy skies and landscapes. Woof. I don’t love any of them. Through this process, my goal is to be obedient to God. I had this yearning in my soul, and I believe He led me into this. But I also want to learn my style…

  • Quiet Evenings by Candlelight and the Space They Create

    Quiet Evenings by Candlelight and the Space They Create

    This week, I painted candles and ended up focusing only on the candlelight, which looked like a pepper. I told myself I would still share it because this is a process where I’m learning and growing. That mini watercolor took the longest. It pushed my skills, and I learned how…

  • The Season That Looks Empty: How Dormancy Shapes Who We Become

    The Season That Looks Empty: How Dormancy Shapes Who We Become

    I started having an increased interest in art during my senior year of high school. I needed an elective, and I thought art would be fun to take. On the first day of class, I took a seat in the front at a table with a little bouquet in a…

  • A Simply Act of Obedience

    A Simply Act of Obedience

    I had been yearning to do more art. Use my gifting to create. I’ve been doing lots of inner healing work through listening prayer and Rockhouse. This year, I asked God what He called me, and He said, “Healer of Nations.” Immediately, I thought, “Surely not.” However, every time I’ve…