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"Why Do I Want to Create Art?"
written: August 21, 2016

To give JOY & HAPPINESS to others. To share a gift/talent that God has given me. For my colors to "shoot" or "splash" around the world because I LOVE ART. I LOVE CREATING ART and am passionate about using God's gifts/talents He gives us. I am all about IMAGINATION and CREATIVITY. Because I know we ALL still have our inner child, for there is where we KNOW GOD best, and, share our authentic selves and true love. I have much still to learn. May I always be a student, regardless of my age.

What I Want With My Art:
August 21, 2016

*to make people happy and smile...an emotional connection
*to evoke a memory or a story
*to travel to folks around the world
*to have commercially produced gift items and merchandise
*to be a brand and have my art be embraced universal color for all

July 11, 2016

Sometimes, there are no words to dull the ache that fills our souls. One moment there's a stillness, then suddenly, as the changing tide, a rush of emotion, a turbulence takes over and swirls everything inside.

Questions all a flutter, like a butterfly...which way, that way, this way, up or down, to and for...all mixed up, a jumble, like knots, twisted all inside.

You know other look at you...a glare, a stare, a sigh, wondering why there are still tears or aches or pains from thy. No matter, I gently remind myself, they know not what we've truly gone through...the tears, the loss, the aches the pains...all upon us like a frost. Chilled from the inside out, trying to sort through grief, emotions, loss and too suddenly, doing without. Without their love, their smiles, their tears, their stories shared with us through the years.

The rhapsody of our lives unfolded line by line, expressing not the calmness we'd hoped throughout that time. A clearing in a pasture, needed to rest
our weary souls, but God had something else composed. His "lines" were all so foreign and cut to our very core. We are big squiggles now searching for new "balance" and wondering how it goes when our lives are NOW so different, no one really knows. We must trust you GOD your faith truly restores.Guide us through our darkest hours of these MOST CHALLENGING EVER last 4 years. You have changed us from the inside out, I feel like I've been in RECOVERY and that I'm seeing the RAINBOW! There will be more "life storms" know, but, without the rain, we'd never experience the awe and beauty of the colorful rainbows. And so, we carry on...new chapters, new beginnings, new seeds planted, new life and prayerfully, continued growth, in your word being, hopefully, walking examples of your light and love, even with all of our faults. Please let your LOVE glow through us and create beauty from these life storms we've experienced. In your name, I ask and pray that you lead us and help us never to go astray. -Ann Lutz

March 26, 2016

They say the home is where the heart is and that for sure is true. The dirty laundry gathers, the clutter and the weeds too. Yet, quickly...

We spend our lives making memories with those around we love. We take for granted those special moments, never realizing that they are gifts from up above.

As children we yearn for adulthood, a "grown-up" body through and through. A wish that is granted all too quickly, but our soul remains the same...the one that skips a rock or swings from branches from the trees, that one that draws a picture to show Grandma and to get a real big squeeze.

Our SOUL is LOVE and COLOR. It knows JOY and laughter too. What makes us watch a butterfly or plant a seed or two? And do you hear the call in Spring as nature beckons us forth?

The winter is behind us, the grief still looms within. The birdies us, the grief still looms within. The birdies all have food now and thousands fo seeds have blown with the wind.

The clutter will remain, the weeds are flowers too (said Fred) and so they'll mingle together in my garden for I do not have the energy for them too.

Our lives have changed forever...family gatherings with all to few. The ones who have gone before us, are HOME at last with you.

Help us tend our "garden" Lord. Teach us to be TRUE. Guide us through our suffering and the "rivers" of our tears too.

Remind us of our childhood, awaken our "song" within. Help us nurture each new flower as each one grows tall, but reminds us it was once a seedling, after all. before it bloomed colorful and bright in the warmth and sunlight.

We are all on this journey and as I pray and pray, may you help each soul, including mine, be like a beacon of your light. UNIQUE in your creation, as our soul whispers from within, "go forth through your fear, be courageous and stand tall, share God's grace, love and mercy with ALL. Then your garden will flourish and your COLORS will be bright until I call you HOME, sometime in the FUTURE, day or night. " -Ann Lutz

So, what's my art story? We all have a story no doubt. Creating art allows me to escape while never leaving the spot in which I stand. It is indeed a "window" to my soul. I read that it's a portal into the artist's life and their unique experiences." I can talk, I have always had plenty of words, believe me. Being of Irish descent, I love to tell a story. But, color, textures, design, lines...they are their own language. I see in pictures, not words. My prayer is that God continues to guide my hand and my brush just FLOWS!

Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." I feel that is so very powerful. There is a light within each of us and we must choose to let it SHINE!

We have had 7 losses in our family this year. Nine losses in the last 4 years. We all experience LOSS. There are ZERO words to describe the pit in your stomach, the surreal life you feel you now live. Some were older, some were younger. We were BLESSED to have them all. I've been asked, "How will you get through this?" A dear friend reminds me...one moment at a time. I have scattered thousands of seeds in our garden. I BELIEVE in HOPE, LOVE, NEW LIFE, NEW CHAPTERS and growth. There are layers and layers of grief. I believe in HEALING. I believe in God's eternal LOVE and MERCY. I believe I am to use the gift He gave me. My response to friends and acquaintances: "I will paint my way through this!" One painting at a time. I will escape into each one with abandon and ask God to make my COLORS DANCE and SING on the canvases.

Our lives have been turned upside down and inside out. The anguish has been real, the tears have been like rivers. But, many times there are rainbows after a storm. We have been blessed to see them more than once this last year. It is a reminder to us of hope, love, joy and color.

Our yard is a soothing sanctuary where I tend to my flowers, feed the birds and absorb the beauty of nature that surrounds us all. Each bird sings a different song...each is so UNIQUE! May we too have the courage to find our "song" within us and sing, paint, dance, share our talent, gifts or passions.
As we "peel back the layers" through the hurt, the pain and the suffering that we all experience in this life, we are left with our LIGHT, our SOUL, our goodness, our gifts. Therein lies our "AUTHENTIC" SELF. That self knows that this world is truly just a snapshot of our eternal life. That self knows WE MUST LOVE, share and give to others, pray, find peace, know forgiveness and share mercy in order for us to reach our next life- to go to our REAL HOME! to be with the ones we love that have gone before us.

Picasso once shared, "Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life!" Perfectly said and I couldn't agree more. I've felt "dusty", tired and heavy hearted. Painting lightens my spirit and renews my soul. I feel plugged into JOY and enthusiastic about life again. It will NEVER be the same, ever, here on the Earth. But, one day I hope to see their smiling faces again. I hope to feel their love and sense their peace everyday for the rest of my life. I will miss them forever, but will try so hard to honor their memories by the life that I lead and the way that Richard and I raise our children. God, please bless
us on this journey. I know that we are not alone and that your love will guide us. I am thankful for these last few months of peace and quiet. My "tank" was on empty.

I have felt uplifted and enlightened these last months and am embracing this new chapter in our lives. My art is a genuine reflection of my soul. Thanks to all who have shared their encouragement, support and pearls of wisdom. I am so very grateful for those gifts and your prayers. May your lives be filled with JOY and COLOR. Colorful Wishes, always, Ann Lutz