Wendy Ervin Fine Art
  • Home
  • New! Latest Paintings
  • About
  • Paintings
    • Landscapes and Seascapes >
      • MONTANA
      • TUSCANY
      • SCOTLAND
    • Cityscape and Figurative
    • Flora and Fauna
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Blog

The story of how this all happened…the beginning:

7/25/2014

 
Just like almost everyone else "I can't draw" was my motto. My artistic expression was always in the garden or crafting and sewing. For years I admired beautiful paintings, and wonder how in the world? When the subject came up one day with a friend who painted glorious landscapes, her response was "give it a try," along with the caveat that the best step forward was to take lessons.


I sat on that advice for 2 whole years while the pressure of wanting to learn and being afraid to try continued to grow. It just so happened that about halfway down the road to my neighborhood was a small, private art studio. Every time I passed it, nearly every single day, I would feel both the desire and fear about taking the first step. Isn't it so hard to be willing to be a beginner, to take that chance and risk humiliation and failure? 


As a woman who aims to walk in step with God, to find my deepest meaning in communion with Spirit, this subject of painting had come up. Many times. Spirit nudges. I decline. "Not yet." "Too busy." "Maybe tomorrow." Until one day, sitting in my morning quiet (sacred) space there was such a strong sense of urgency to make the phone call, to get the ball rolling. Again, up came my excuses but this time I was met with a wall of what I can only call 'resistance.' It was as though the Spirit had nothing more to say to me until I made that phone call!  (bear with me here…)


So fine! I'll make the call! Probably no one will answer anyway. But someone DID answer (unusual) and not only did she answer, but she was there with a new art teacher at that very moment. And not only that, but when I stammered ineloquently that I wanted an art class for absolute and total beginners who had never even held a paintbrush except to paint a wall (yes, it was that bad), she said, in fact, at that very moment this was exactly the class they were planning to start and wondered how they were going to find students for it. To say that I was awestruck after that phone call would be an understatement of immense proportions! After we worked out the details I returned to my comfy couch and found an open space of welcome where the wall had so recently been and my heart surprised by the hilarious love God had just shown me.
Lynne Hunnex
7/25/2014 09:04:35 am

I lost the first comment in cyberspace so I am trying again. I am truly inspired by your story to try something but I am not sure what that is yet. I am amazed how the spirit can speak to us if we just take the time to listen. Just today I felt God seeing a beautiful yellow and black butterfly, humming bird buzzing in my face as if to say hello, a Deer and her two baby does casually walking by and just being aware of all that God has given us in the beauty of nature as I puttered in the yard. I am so thankful for these times and moments. When I start my new adventure I will reflect and remember your story. Thanks again for the inspiration. Love Lynne

Wendy
7/30/2014 02:32:12 am

Thank you for your thoughtful comment! And for trying again when it didn't post. I'm pretty sure people are reading my blog, but I do love the feedback, especially when you share what's on your heart & mind. Lynne, your yard is so beautiful and reflects both God's handiwork and Hunnex hard work :) I'm excited to hear what your adventurous journey will be!

Brad
7/27/2014 10:44:03 am

Thanks for sharing this. That is a great "testimony." I think of faith as always being exercised in the face of fear, otherwise, how is it really faith?

Wendy
7/30/2014 02:33:42 am

Thanks, Brad! We are probably faced with the need for faith and courage in big and little ways all day long.


Comments are closed.

    Hello! My name is Wendy and I am passionate about oil painting! Whether in the studio or out in Mother Nature, I get lost in the experience of capturing on canvas the moment and the feel of what I am painting. I pour my love and energy into every single piece of artwork and I hope it shows! This blog is a place where I can use words to talk about art, painting, life, faith, things that make me laugh, and things that inspire. I love every response, so don't be shy about leaving a comment...

    Archives

    April 2025
    January 2025
    October 2024
    August 2024
    June 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    October 2023
    April 2023
    December 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    April 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    Categories

    All
    Artist Workshops

copyright © 2013
  • Home
  • New! Latest Paintings
  • About
  • Paintings
    • Landscapes and Seascapes >
      • MONTANA
      • TUSCANY
      • SCOTLAND
    • Cityscape and Figurative
    • Flora and Fauna
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Blog