Anna Marie Discovers Hidden Art

Where Do You Discover Hidden Art?

2012-01-20T20:22:00.000-08:00

Walking the streets of Chesterfield in Derbyshire, England, Jack and I were intrigued by the artistic expression surrounding the "Twisted Spire."
Shops on this back street were so lit up with color. It looked like a painting.

Bright colors make me happy!
I find hidden art in a doorway, a sign, a cobbled street and a twisted spire!

Graveyard Art!

2011-12-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

One day, wandering around an historic cemetery, I discovered this amazing grave. It was lovingly made by this young man's family. The stones stacked around the head of the grave are engraved with remembrances from his dad. Every anniversary of his birthday, his dad comes, and adds another loving comment on the stone. The gravel is filled with toys from the son's childhood. I was overcome with grief for a person I never had the privilege to meet, but felt connected to by the deep love expressed through the family art.

Cave Art

2011-12-07T13:32:00.000-08:00


Queen's Watchdog formation in Longhorn Cavern Underground hidden art.

Proverbs 4:23: In my paraphrase,

Set a watch over your heart. Guard your heart. For your heart determines the course of your life.

This watchdog, hidden in the bowels of the earth, reminds me of the need to have the Lord Jesus be the guard over our hearts. The best watch dogs I have ever known, were my little dachshunds. They rarely went outside, preferring the cozy couch in the middle of the living room, usually hidden from view under a blanket. But at the slightest sound, unheard by my human ears, they would snap to attention, and begin to bark sounding the alarm. No one ever surprised us!

In the same way, when we hide the Word of God, nestled in our hearts, alive in the Holy Spirit, there is no way the enemy can surprise us. All of our senses snap to, and we are protected and secure.

I love how the Lord made this limestone creature, as a reminder to us. Let us guard our hearts, as the Queens' watchdog guards the cave, as my dachshies guarded our home!

Anna Marie Discovers Hidden Art: A Gate to Make You Happy!

2011-11-26T16:40:00.001-08:00

Anna Marie Discovers Hidden Art: A Gate to Make You Happy!: I love beautiful iron gates. This is perhaps the most elaborate one I have ever seen. It just makes my heart rejoice! The psalmist said, ...

A Gate to Make You Happy!

2011-11-26T16:40:00.000-08:00

I love beautiful iron gates. This is perhaps the most elaborate one I have ever seen. It just makes my heart rejoice! The psalmist said, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving in your heart!" I have to tell ya, if I had a gate like this at my house, I'd be thanking the good Lord every time I went through it!

Beauty for Beauty's Sake!

2011-11-23T10:42:00.000-08:00

Hidden from most eyes, is this lovely mosaic. I was enthralled that the city of Manitou Springs, CO, would care enough about a funky concrete bridge to dress it up for the few who would venture down to the creek.

I am sorry it is not a better view. That was as close as I could get. It was a grey, late-winter day, otherwise I may have waded the creek for a closer look.

I should not be surprised at the desire to place beauty in obscure places. We get it from our Dad, Abba.
It is in our DNA!

Have you ever climbed a mountain and stood in a place where, possibly, no one else has ever stood?

The beautiful flowers and crystal clear streams will take your breath away! I still remember the first time I saw a lone flower, hidden in an alpine field that only few would ever find. I realized, God is like that. He has to create beauty, because He is beauty. And, He loves to surprise us with those intimate moments; the impression He put it there just for you!

I am getting the bug in my britches to go exploring for more hidden art! Blessings!

Seriously? Can We Find Art in Everything?

2011-11-15T19:48:00.000-08:00

I'm a Frayed Knot!

Beauty From Ashes

2011-11-13T13:13:00.000-08:00

After driving through the extreme devastation left from the terrible fire in Bastrop, TX, looking at mile after mile of black, creosote-looking poles that once gave such delight as tall, majestic pines, I spied this crazy, fiery car. It said to me, " Beauty from ashes."

Bastrop will be beautiful once again....

Art on the Go!

2011-11-09T16:07:00.000-08:00

					There are beautiful surprises to be discovered....even in ordinary, everyday places.
Bus Stop Art! Downtown, San Antonio.

2011-11-06T11:49:00.000-08:00


"Art is like a window; it focuses our view of life, and bids us fling wide the portal, and breathe!!" ~ amsheffield

Female Form

2011-10-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

Reflection on Form

Who's Blue Period?

2011-10-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

A good pun is like good art...it makes you smile or weep.

God's Hidden Art: Reflections!

2011-10-08T04:24:00.000-07:00

God hides art for us in obscure places, for us to seek out. Walking with a friend, I saw this wonderful reflection of a Maine lighthouse. The rocks appear to form a window, through which we see what looks to be an impressionistic painting. The pool of water was as clear as I have ever seen. Joy!!!

If you want to see photos of the real light house, check out my Facebook page. Blessings, Anna Marie
https://www.facebook.com/photo

2011-10-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!" How often do we hear that? Yet, is it true? I think so. I find beauty in unusual places. I'll bet you do too. So often, as I wander through the town I find myself in, I see something that makes me stop, look and wonder. What did the creator, of this thing I am looking at, have in mind for me to see? Art makes a statement. Art allows the soul to soar. Creativity sends us to heights that we cannot arrive at any other way.

Art is also attacked by the enemy of our soul, and given over to the basest points common to man. But, I find that as I meditate upon that fact, I see the triumph that can be ours by choosing life, and love, and hope, and joy, and peace, and loveliness, and everything that raises us up to strive for more glorious heights than we could ever know without Art.

Keep looking! Keep seeking! Keep moving in the direction of Creation! You can see it! You can create it! You can soar! Blessings! Grammabanana

De Colores!

2011-10-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

Art is birthed even in the most difficult places. I have seen people living in cardboard box homes in the mountains of Mexico, yet they decorate their homes with the treasures at hand: flowers, greenery, bits of colored cloth formed by loving hands into flags or banners or some such drapery.

Driving through Joburg, as the locals affectionately refer to Johannesburg, S. Africa, my eyes were captured by the colorful fence in the above photo. The colors are happy and somewhat feminine in appeal. They shine in stark contrast to the razor-barbed wire looped upon the top of the wall. My sense was of a free-spirit, refusing to be cowed by the danger around them. The statement of the art seemed to me, "You will never break my spirit!"

I can't help myself...I am singing "De Colores!"

Art in Motion!

2011-10-01T12:34:00.000-07:00

Art in Motion

Art is hidden everywhere. We see beauty and creative expression in movement: The graceful arc of a ballerina's arm, the passion of a Military Band marching full of patriotism for their native land, the sighing of a violin bow across the strings of its mate. These glimpses of beauty can move us to tears, or cause us gasp in astonishment. This picture captures the glory of the Charreada, the Mexican Rodeo. The artistic expression of the skilled horseman and horse will take your breath away.

Each year in San Antonio, TX we celebrate Fiesta! This when the Mexican Rodeo is held here. You would be blessed to come and visit our great city for this event. Click here to find out info for Fiesta 2012!

Go Hog Wild!

2011-09-30T03:30:00.000-07:00

Do you ever use expressions that are very descriptive and then suddenly wonder what they really mean? Where they really come from? This sign was discovered on the side of a very unique record and tape business in San Antonio, TX. They specialize in hard to find music, of the heavy metal, punk and edgy independent kind. http://sanantonio.cityvoter.com/hogwild-records

As I was thinking of this piece this morning, I realized just how steeped in Christianity our country is. The expression " Go hog wild" refers back to the Bible. In Matthew 7:6, we are admonished not to throw our pearls before swine, because they will turn and trample them under their feet.

In Matthew 8: 28-34 we learn the story of Jesus casting violent demons out of two men and sending them into a herd of swine.

I was totally blown away when I realized the implication of going "Hog Wild!"

I have always been fond of the expression and have always like to act wild and crazy! But I certainly don't want to filled with demons or trample pearls! Looks like I need a new expression! LOL :)

Prophetic Vision!

2011-09-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

We long for paradise. This mural is located on the side of a dilapidated building; a business
long gone. Rather than dwell on the sadness, I choose to believe this artist's vision prophesies to the future of the building and the heart-wide-open future owner.

Anna Marie's Search for Hidden Art!

2011-09-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

This is my new adventure! Over the last couple of years I have been blogging, and have discovered a wealth of creativity in myself and in my fellow travelers, on this life's journey. Not too long ago, I began to realize there is art all around us. If you are like me, you may have been discouraged by teachers, and others in your childhood, when you attempted to express yourself through art.

I am not certain, when I had the epiphany of the creative gem in each of us, but I think it happened as I watched my grand-kids develop their artistic abilities. There is something so beautiful in the art of children.

I remember one day, I had wandered outside at our country home; our son and his family live out there as well, and there before my eyes was an enormous edifice built from lawn chairs, wagons, shovels, blankets and a stroller! I was taken aback at first. From the inside of this structure came the voice of our oldest grandson, "Grandma, how do you like my new house?"

I was enthralled. I could see a future architect in the making!

So, I am on a quest to find hidden art. I find beauty and joy in crazy signs, graffiti, odd yard art, garden gnomes and other imaginative entities. This blog will highlight these things.

I hope you enjoy the journey with me. I hope you are inspired to allow your creative juices to flow.

Blessings, Anna Marie