Emerald Revelation

Emerald Revelation

"How many of these stones overlap in the two lists?" asked my husband. He has been helping me consider how I will frame and display my paintings that I have been working on during this painting challenge. Of all of the stones mentioned in the Bible, the two lists of stones in Exodus 28 & 39, and in Revelation 21 are the stones I want to feature in grouped frames. I was surprised to find that I hadn't made myself complete lists - I just kept going back to the passages each day... so today I made the lists. Well, it looks like I have 7 more paintings to complete (and find acceptable) before I finish! WHICH is fine with me, I might add. I have really enjoyed this challenge. It has been so very interesting to research these stones (mostly gemstones) and learn about ancient language and usage and so on. I have just loved it.

N/A
6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel 
ready to frame  
 
I have been so aware of beauty this month. This morning, I walked in our woods in the rain, and was fascinated by how the value contrast is accentuated - the dark trees look almost black, and the sky looks white by comparison. And all of the leaves looked like they just got a shower. Which, technically, I guess they did! And it sounds and smells different, too.

Last night, the purple gray clouds were highlighted and backlit by a big peach-colored thunderhead. It was amazing, and actually the whole sky had colored streaks in it. It made me ask GOD whether HE feels like HE should use more neutral colors - as so many artists seem to stress. Well, there were neutrals today. 

My neighbor is starting to harvest his corn, and the field has hollow brownish gold tunnels with dark, dark floors that seem to lead nowhere. The dry stalks tower higher than my head, and the whole field feels like an adventure just sitting there, waiting on me to try it out. It was beautiful, even in ALL neutral colors. 

I am thankful for beauty.

Revelation 21:18-19 The building material of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone:
the first foundation jasper,
the second sapphire,
the third chalcedony,
the fourth emerald,

Reference photo for emerald