The Gift of Friendship

Spent some time with a dear friend of mine this morning--stretching out the birthday celebrations as much as I can:) She and I met for a late breakfast, coffee, and conversation. What a treasure! One of the greatest gifts of my life is that of genuine friendship. If you have even one true friend, you must give thanks…and show gratitude…and celebrate the bond!

Not everyone we meet can be called a true friend. Along life’s journey, I have met some folks that were what I call “soul sandpaper” to put it nicely. You know those people that just kind of rub you the wrong way…but God still uses the encounter for His ultimate good--to knock off a few rough and jagged edges? The refining process is sometimes painful, but I try to keep in mind that I may be the “grit” in someone else’s life. I find that it’s best to extend mercy as much as possible because I never know when I will need to be the recipient!

But still, there are a few shining favorites out there… the ones who just get you-- and you get them too! Those are the people who can tell you what’s going on in their lives and you find yourself nodding in complete understanding. True friends serve as a life mirror. In them, sometimes I see who I am. Sometimes I remember who I was. Sometimes I ponder what I will become. And all the while, it’s so nice to know that God can use me to meet their needs as well. He sends each of us the exact people we need – at the exact time we need them – for the exact support or challenge we require. Now that is a gift worth celebrating!

To see more original works of art and related products like posters, giclees and fine prints, please visit http://www.sonstudios.com/

Live a beautiful life! ~Kim P. Bartholomew

Another Trip Around The Sun

As of today, I have made 39 trips around the sun. As I think about starting this 40th year of life, I hope, pray, and PLAN to make each day count. I seek to become all that God desires---in HIS strength, of course, not mine. Thank God for the promise of new mercies every morning, huh? I choose to be excited about marking another year. Why not? After all, my sweet husband, family, and friends have each been so loving and kind by celebrating my day IN ADVANCE! Over the past week, I received some beautiful and heart-warming cards... I enjoyed a surprise dinner party planned by my wonderful hubby… and I have been showered with delightful gifts too! I feel loved, and in turn I want to reflect that love right back. So here is to the next trip around the sun. And to all who will share the journey with me, I thank you in advance for making it such an adventure.

Lamentations 3:22-25 (New American Standard Bible)

22The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

23They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

24"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,

"Therefore I have hope in Him."

25The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,

To the person who seeks Him.

To read about this original painting, or to see more of my paintings and related products like note cards, posters, giclees and fine prints, please visit http://www.sonstudios.com./

Live a beautiful life! ~Kim P. Bartholomew

Second Chances? Absolutely!

My God is a God of second chances – no doubt about it! I have the perfect example…
For many years of my life I didn’t understand what all the fuss was about in the romance department. I read all the cards at Hallmark – I watched all the love story movies – I heard others talking about how “in love” they were and how their heart skipped a beat in the presence of their true love. I did not get it! I did not feel it! I thought it was all a Hollywood hoax – not a real life existence.

Through a series of poor life choices, I was living out the consequences of my sin in a painfully lonely marriage. And then, my glorious God rescued me from that miry pit. Did it hurt to be betrayed by my husband? You betcha. Did I feel defeated? Damaged? Unworthy of love? Broken? Did I think life was over? Yes to all. I thought life was over, but it was really only beginning. God plucked me out of despair and renewed my life beyond any Hollywood fantasy!

In my darkest hours, when I felt completely alone, God drew me close and taught me that HE is my provider. He is the Lover of my soul. He will never leave me or forsake me. Over time, God restored my broken spirit and made me strong in Him. Life began!

In His perfect timing, I met the man God designed to be my life’s partner. My husband is the best proof God could have provided me that He is indeed the God of second chances. What a gift! What a treasure my husband is! NOW I get what all the fuss was about. All the times that people would say, “When you know, you just know,” made perfect sense to me – finally!

So, when Philip asked me these questions…Do you know that I love you? Will you love me forever? Will you be my wife? My answer to those questions was – and still is – ABSOLUTELY! That was years ago now, but every day I have a choice… Philip has a choice… We all have a choice… Do I choose to love my spouse? Do I choose to honor my spouse? Do I choose to fully commit to my spouse? Yes, absolutely!

Because God has allowed forgiveness, and healing, and renewal, I can truly, fully, honestly LOVE my husband with God as my eternal source of that love. Not because I have to, but because I get to. And so, to the God of second chances - THANK YOU! I’m still amazed that I GET TO be Philip’s wife. Makes me want to shout – ABSOLUTELY!

Absolutely, 2010
Kim Bartholomew
Mixed Media on Paper, 13” x 15.5”

Description:
In this mixture of neutral and metallic media ranging from watercolor, oil pastel, acrylic, and ink, I created a montage of elements from all angles and components of my engagement ring and wedding band. This work of art is a personal reminder to me and my wonderful husband of the beginning of our lifelong love and commitment to each other.

Years ago, Philip surprised me with his presentation to me of these beautiful rings and asked me if I would love him forever. I responded, “Absolutely!” Being his wife is both my greatest honor and pleasure in life, and it is my heart’s prayerful desire to be the excellent wife so richly deserves.


Scriptural Inspiration:
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far about jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. (Proverbs 31: 10 and 11)

To see more original works of art and related products like note cards, posters, giclees and fine prints, please visit http://www.sonstudios.com./

Live a beautiful life! ~Kim P. Bartholomew

Spirit of Power

For a while now, I have felt that I am depleted of energy – of usefulness – of POWER! I desire to be a blessing to my husband – to my family – to my friends – to all the people God places in my life along the way.  Mostly, I want to be a blessing to my Creator – to please Him with this life He has given me.


Yet, I’ve really struggled of late. Over the past few years, I’ve undergone a career transition… that is to say I left secure 14 year tenure as an art teacher to start my own online gallery. It has been SLOW going, and it has left me searching. Who am I? What is my purpose? What am I supposed to be doing? How can I contribute financially to our family? What happened to my career?! I’ve searched my soul, and sadly I’ve found that I put a great deal of stock in WHAT I DO – to the point that it has defined WHO I AM as a person.

I know better, truly! Intellectually, I know that no job is the measure of my self-worth. I am a child of God! I am blessed beyond measure – loved beyond deservedness – treasured and provided for beyond my hopes. Praise God for my husband who supports my dreams, encourages me as I pursue them, believes in me even when I don’t, and thanks me daily being his wife!

I don’t know what God has in store for me – not a clue. All I know is that I am HIS and He is mine. So, I will look to Him as I continue on in His strength, not in mine. As I press on, I claim the promises I find in is Word and I trust Him for the results.

Description of Composition:
This little painting packs a powerful sentiment. Its composition was developed by layer upon layer of the symbolic cross and dove. Radiating from the central crimson cross (representing Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on Calvary) which is overlaid with the downward pointing white dove (representing the descending Holy Spirit which indwells the soul of the believer) are repeating contours echoing both symbols. The repetition creates almost a wavelike pattern starting in the center of the painting and billowing toward the edges.

It was my intention to emphasize the unstoppable force of the Spirit that emanates from the heart of a born again believer. May this painting be a visual reminder to us, when we find ourselves in a fearful hesitation, that God has given us His Spirit of POWER!

Scriptural Inspiration:
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6 NIV)

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:16-21 NIV)

To see more original works of art and related products like note cards, posters, giclees and fine prints, please visit http://www.sonstudios.com./

Live a beautiful life! ~Kim P. Bartholomew

Aroma of Christ

Scents– wow can they bring on a flood of memories! It’s hard to explain how the smell of a vine ripe tomato can take me back to my grandmother’s kitchen…or how the smell of freshly cut grass puts me back on the golf course with my daddy…or how the whiff of a particular cologne makes me long for my husband's embrace. There is immense power in aroma!


Today I’m reflecting on the aroma of Christ. It is my heart’s desire to be a pleasing reminder of the love of Jesus to all I encounter. To anyone who may be reading this…I pray that God will send you a beautiful, fragrant reminder of His love for you today. Whether it comes to you in the form of your mother’s perfume – your baby’s gentle shampoo - or your grandfather’s aftershave, revel in God’s gift of scents. And let us be reminded of His pure love for us all.

Live a beautiful life! ~Kim P. Bartholomew

Description of Painting: This little jewel box of a piece depicts a perfume bottle with the stopper loosened – allowing the fragrance within the bottle to permeate the surrounding area. The plumes of the perfume fill the air in what becomes a cross shaped pattern. The four tips of the cross are punctuated by jewels for further emphasis. The stopper of the bottle is heart shaped and jeweled as well--the symbolism denoting the beauty and life that Christ brings to our hearts with His presence. The bottle itself is tipped over to remind the viewer that we are to pour out our lives in loving service to Christ and to those for whom we are to be “the aroma of Christ!”

Scriptural Inspiration for Painting:"Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man's counsel is sweet to his friend." (Proverbs 27:9 NASV)

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV)

To see more original works of art and related products like note cards, posters, giclees and fine prints, please visit www.sonstudios.com.

God's Sovereignty

Thinking about loss – and hurt – and grief today… My heart breaks for those who are in so much pain they can’t breathe – and can’t see why they would want to. There are times in this life that make no sense to me. And yet I’m so grateful to know The One who created the universe and holds it all together. Even when I’m asking God why, why, why? - I am reminded that He owes me no explanation.


Still, He comforts us until He chooses to reveal glimpses of His plan. He never fails to work it all for good to those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose. And so, as we weep for our losses, and struggle to find purpose, let us continue to praise Him through our tears. He hears, He sees, He knows. He holds us while we cry, and He loves us beyond measure – as only He can.

Femininity

This latex and acrylic on wood panel painting is called Femininity.  Measuring 24” x 12", the composition is composed of a swirling mass of both matte and shiny shapes that create a subtle contrast within the neutral metallics of the palette. The patterned painting is open for interpretation, but has a definitive femininity that speaks softly of sophistication and elegance.  The painting is framed in an aged metallic painted wooden frame, and it is equally lovely displayed either vertically or horizontally.

Creating this piece was enjoyable from start to finish!  While some pieces require a battle and must be conquered, this one seemed to flow from my fingertips.  The process was nearly effortless...and quite relaxing.  I'm reminded of that experience when I view it even now, and I hope it brings joy to all who observe it.

To see more original works of art and related products like note cards, posters, giclees and fine prints, please visit www.sonstudios.com

Live a beautiful life! ~Kim P. Bartholomew

New Adventure!

Blogging is a new adventure for me...I'm both eager and anxious.  As I fumble my way through, please be encouraged to provide helpful hints and suggestions:-)  Today I'd like to talk about who I am and why I'm doing this.  My name is Kim P. Bartholomew and I am one of three artists collectively called Son Studios.  Please do check us out at http://www.sonstudios.com/.  Hope you enjoy.  Live a beautiful life! ~~ Kim P. Bartholomew