Merry Christmas, from Jeffrey M Green, Artist

Dear friends,

Christmas time, especially the harried days leading up to it, can be quite stressful. All the rushing around can have us worn out. When things become this hectic, in order to fully appreciate the beauty of Christmas, we need to make an active effort to pause from this and reflect.

Christmas is a time for celebration and joy:

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy’. Mathew 2:10.

Did you know that another word for “good tidings” or “good news” is “gospel”? After all the darkness and pain of life, a Savior is given. This is good news today as well! We really can know that in our own lives, in our griefs, inner pain, and trials, that God is not aloof. The idea of God as distant and cold is a sad misconception that keeps us from His love. It is one that originates in our own cynical hearts, for it is truly not Him. He loves us so deeply that He gave of His very own Son. He loves us so much He went to incredible lengths to reach out to us.

There has been a saying among the church that has been around for years, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”. A local woman has made cards that read “Jesus is the Reason for Every Season”. How apt that is! God waits for us to come to an end of ourselves, to finally come to see how desperately we really need Him. Not as an occasional wish or addition to our lives, but as our lives entire. Not to blame for all our problems, for He is the hope and solution to them. So many questions today, so many arguments! All to keep the loving arms of God away, when we really need those glad tidings. Christmas is the joyful declaration of His offered gift of love.

The modern mind fails to grasp the utter holiness of God, thus missing the contrasted deep love He offers in a Savior, and the need we truly have, being sinful creatures before that Holiness. That an awesome Holy God of unapproachable light would bring us tenderly near to Him, in His Son, is a wonderful joy. What love! Love that is new everyday. Love that carries through trials of the deepest suffering, which renews again like a morning of beauty.

Do you long for God to love you? Do you have that deep emptiness that tells you there must be more to life than just existing? That can be painful to feel; but that empty feeling is there no matter what we do to distract our lives because only God can really fill it. Why do you think God would go to such great lengths, to send His Son to be born on this earth, suffer, and die? He seriously loves you that much. This love is my hope and prayer for you this Christmas!

Many suffer from sadness and melancholy during this season - I tend to struggle with that myself at times. It can wear us down and become a weight on our shoulders. We feel God is far away, does He really care that much about me personally? The glad tidings are yes. He loves us, He loves us indeed. He loves you now, He will love you tomorrow. Do we 

Jeffrey M Green






Website: http://jeffreymgreenartist.yolasite.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jeffreymgreen.artist

Blog ("The Artist's Corner"): http://theartistscorner-jeff.blogspot.com/

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.

Color

Colored pencils, the medium I use, have techniques unique to them. With any art media, however, the importance of color is universal.

When you view art, the difference between a flat-looking piece or one that has a richness to the eye is proportional to detail in hue. As we observe a subject, what may seem simple in color has depths that reveal they are not simple at all. Red is never just red, green is never just green, for example. Each color has many shades, varied hues within, and reflections of color from the environment around. There are sometimes unexpected colors within what your eye may see to be one overall color. The building blocks of what will portray specific colors may embody different hues combined. By capturing all this detail, we bring depth to an art piece. Art does not always require attention to minutia to accomplish this, many artist styles can show vibrancy in a few strokes. 

An example of color depth is in "Petals and Folds", above. The mind says "yellow roses", but if you look at the piece, you do not see plain yellow in the entire work.

Colored pencil drawing, from beginning to completetion

Colored Pencil Expressions

Colored pencils - an exciting medium that is growing in enthusiasm. In this slideshow see a selection of original Jeffrey M Green artworks. These are all drawings done in colored pencil. For more about the artist visit the website at  http://jeffreymgreenartist.yolasite.com/ or the Facebhook Art Page: https://www.facebook.com/jeffreymgreen.artist.

"Breathe", 11" x 14", colored pencils.

To breathe, to deeply take it in oneself – it is perhaps a universal response when near the ocean. This is especially true for me, as the shore not only invokes wonderful sensory memories in my life, but brings a sense of calm to my heart.

There are many joys in nature, many ways that God touches us through Creation. They show glimpses of His majesty and the wonder of His creative hand. Yet, the seashore seems to touch one quite uniquely. The breezes tinged with salty earthy smells, the rhythmic sound of the waves, the cry of seagulls overhead, the collecting of shells of every kind. As you gaze out over the water or walk the sand barefoot it all comes together to bring a special touch to the heart and mind. These are wonderful moments of solitude. Emotional moments of wonderment. That breathing in is the meaning behind the title of this work.