Daughter’s of Light
We sat in darkness and waited. I could hear the waves crashing in; I could feel the sand on my toes. It was early, oh so early. But, what was to come would soon make our lack of sleep worth it.
And suddenly, like a triumphant melody, the sun peered over the horizon and gave way to the beauty that was before me. Light had illuminated the ocean with the most magnificent of colors. And, by that light, what I once could not see, I could now see.
“The light shines in the darkness…”
Just as the sun penetrated the horizon that early July morning, the Son penetrates our hearts every day. No matter how dark, no matter how barren, His light will always overpower our sinful hearts.
And, this is where we begin our Advent series: with the understanding that Christ will ALWAYS win. Always. No matter what.
This year's advent study journal has a story. Just like you, it has been created out of passion and love. see your hom journal cover come to life:
Day 1: Elements of a new design always come from everywhere and anywhere - scraps from earlier drawings, tiny doodles and zany scribbles... plus some major inspiration from the world of fashion and textile design. All of it together is like "dreamboard" for the look I want to create: my favorite part is playing around with ideas before settling on a core concept.
Day 2: Once I've got a basic idea for the design I want to create, it's time to start sketching. I still keep all the "dreamboard" elements nearby; throughout the whole process, staying close to what inspires me helps keep the design coherent.
Day 3: Pattern elements in pencil on paper. It's probably the most important part of the design process because it's giving me the underlying structure for everything that will be added later... like a blueprint!
Day 4: With the basic pattern complete, it's time to add a graphic overlay - by hand - that will serve as a unifying compositional feature. Remember the little heart-doodle from Day 1? Well today it's taking center stage!
Day 5: Yet another layer of details and extra shading for depth... it's a slow, meticulous process but it will pay off in the long run.
Day 6: Things are about to get interesting! After a full grayscale, the first colors to emerge for the new palette are pale yellow and shimmery gold...
Day 7: In the details, I always have to think about the end result: I want this design to be luminous and almost "glowing" and one way to achieve that is to add an underpainting of bright yellow in some areas. Since watercolor is transparent, the yellow will show through other colors, creating a warm visual effect.
Day 8: Next up in the layering process: adding touches of blue and lavender to increase tonal depth and definition...
Day 8: Next up in the layering process: adding touches of blue and lavender to increase tonal depth and definition...
Day 10: And now for something completely different... after all the tinted layers of blue and lavender, it's time to go back over the same areas with a semi-transparent coat of the perfect shade of bronze: not too red and not too yellow. The effect will be full-on fabulous!
Day 11: Almost finished! Just a few more special details to add, like this edging technique I often use - all these little hand-inked lines add a subtle "sharpening" effect, just like the digital filters on different photo apps... PS Monday is the big reveal! Don't miss it!
Day 12: One last look at final details... tomorrow the finished design will be revealed!
About The Artist
Marta Maria is an international designer, makeup artist, and author: American by birth, French at heart, and currently based in Italy after several twists of fate (and faith). As a survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence, Marta Maria has made it her mission to create a welcoming online community, aka "Messiharts" - where fellow survivors and friends from all walks of life can find a safe space to share life and celebrate the unusual, unique, and often messy beauty that begins in our broken places. Constantly exploring the boundaries of belief and the origins of creativity, her career has followed an unlikely path in the face of incredible odds, weaving together a lifestory of healing and hope with a God-given love for art and fashion.
The Study
Merry Christmas everyone! What a day filled with love, joy, and peace! I hope you have enjoyed and are still enjoying your families and friends brought together through Christ.
Tomorrow is the day. We have been waiting with expectant joy for so long to celebrate our Savior's birth. Yet really we have only waited a short few weeks – Mary, the mother of God, waited months, offering her body as a sacrifice for him.
There is a lot of darkness in the world right now, and many are afraid. The news constantly shows violence. TV shows and movies are permeated with broken relationships, immorality, and twisted views of love and beauty
Reflecting back on the story about Matthew from yesterday, I can't help but thinking, if he didn't help that woman, then who?
Usually, when we go to the movies, we sit through a series of trailers that advertise movies coming soon.
There was a time in my life where I thought that I would be a prisoner of my own fears and anxiety.
Today’s passages come from tonight’s Evening Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours (also known as the Divine Office). For those who don’t know, the Liturgy of the Hours is a series of prayers dating back to the times of St. Benedict.
This particular Psalm is a favorite of mine. It reminds me that no matter what happens, I can always trust in the Lord and take refuge with him.
Today’s passage from Sirach tells us not to give into our sorrow, anger, or jealousy. It’s not an easy thing to do, even in this holiday season. Some people have to deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder, which affects their mood this time of year.
Have you ever had something that you seriously looked forward to? Think of graduation or your wedding day or a certain birthday. The anticipation for Christmas is one that most of us can relate to.
Waiting is inevitable in our lives. We wait for the mailman to come, we wait for dinner to finish cooking, we wait in traffic, or we are waiting at the doctor’s office. We are constantly waiting for something in our lives.
I have said it in a previous post, but I am going to say it again- I love when we see foreshadowing in the Bible and in our faith. It truly is God’s little ways that give us hope for the future as if he is giving us blueprints to follow.
Growing up in Southern California, I don’t quite remember Daylight Savings Time affecting me as much as it does here in Pennsylvania. When Daylight Savings Time is coming closer a few things happen- the days start becoming shorter, the leaves start to fall, and it. gets. colder
So yesterday may have left you with a little questioning of how else we can prepare for the birth of our Lord, and how we can fully ‘prepare’ during Advent.
Its funny to read the introduction to my last post and then to introduce this post, it seems very contradicting. Growing up, in an effort to help us prepare for Christmas and to fully embrace the Advent season we didn’t decorate until days before Christmas.
For all those that know me personally, and not just through the social media beat, they would know that the time from Thanksgiving to the Epiphany is my favorite time of year.
I often wonder what God saw in Paul, on his murderous journey to Damascus. Paul expressed no remorse, yet God was merciful. He proved to have greater plans for Paul than Paul did for himself. And Paul, however blinded (quite literally) to his fate that day, came to recognize this.
Three months ago, my husband and I lost our first child. We were eight-weeks in, joyful with anticipation, delighted. After three long years, God had finally called us to be parents.
I once heard it said, that when we have debt, we are a slave to that debt. As a barely-out-of-college loan holder and new homeowner, that alluring phrase has caused me great anxiety over the years.
The summer before my senior year of college, I knew the man I was supposed to marry. It was confirmed pretty clearly to me through our 2 ½ years of dating. Yet, that August I found myself perpetually teary eyed and emotional over our break-up that I “so didn’t see coming.”
We sat in darkness and waited. I could hear the waves crashing in; I could feel the sand on my toes. It was early, oh so early. But, what was to come would soon make our lack of sleep worth it.
To Our Heart of Mary Women's Fellowship Family