Amazing Grace was the People's Choice Award at the Durant, OK Magnolia Festival 2008 Art Show. The Texoma Arts Association organizes the show each year with many area businesses sponsoring the event.
It was fun to see Ernest Hooser's face as he saw himself in watercolor. His wife, Helen Hooser was one of my treasured mentors in watercolor for many years.  She passed away about 4 years ago but Ernest still comes to the shows and never misses a chance to visit with people or accept an invitation to sing Amazing Grace in Choctaw.  He always has a smile and a story to share.  I learned much about the Choctaw language while working on this painting. 

Amazing Grace is the third in a series of paintings of The Gifts.  A couple of years ago I was struck by the idea that God gives each of us gifts to be used for others.  We often think of profound gifts that people have but I suspect that God is just as delighted when ordinary neighbors and friends use their unique gifts in ways that bless others.  Being able to bless others with what we enjoy doing is a boom-a-rang thing.  The blessings come back.

If you are wondering --- yes, Amazing Grace is watercolor.  Several glazes were used to build up layers of transparent color.  The blue in the background has about 6 layers of warm colors and then cerulean and cobalt were used to create the brilliant opaque blue sky.  I then went back and "lifted" layers of watercolor to reveal lighter blooms of color below. The flesh was painted  first then after all the bright colors were added it was necessary to go back and glaze over the flesh again to bring the values up to the rest of the painting.  It was fun to paint.  The words on the painting are Choctaw and tell of honoring the Holy Spirit through teaching family and friends about the Giver of Life.
Ernest Hooser is a Choctaw elder (chahta akni) and friend to many (chi kanna) and spends a lot of time honoring the Giver of Life (Ima Nana Yukpa).
This blogging stuff is new to me so please be patient. I'm still trying to figure out how, what, when, and why!!

I'd love to hear from you with thoughts and observations.  Until next time keep talking about watercolor, art, and life.