Rosie Huart

Connecting Art & Spirit

an art workshop and retreat

Maria Stein Spiritual Center

Maria Stein, Ohio

April 30-May 2, 2010

The theme of grace was the weekend's creativity practice as we explored

the creative expression of grace through visual art.  Participants each had a blank

book in which to incorporate text and images.  The Book of Grace is a derivative

of the Book of Hours.  I directed the participants through meditation, reflection,

creative writing, painting and sharing.  It truly was a weekend filled with grace.

As a result, next year's connecting art and spirituality retreat is in the making.

Book of Hours

I made a copy of this book for each participant.  It is a

reminder of the hours in a day and a time to offer silent prayers. 

Permission was granted for printing by www.gratefulness.org. 

An example in the Book of Hours is Vigils:  The Night Watch—

before the day's noises begin, when it is still perfectly quiet.  "In the stillness

before my day begins, I open my heart to the gift of this hour; gratefully

I listen to the silence."

The prayers in the Book of Hours are:

Vigils: The Night Watch

Lauds: Coming of the Light

Prime:  A Deliberate Beginning

Terce:  The Joy of Living

Sext:  Commitment and Fervor

None:  The Shadows Lengthen

Vespers:  Lighting the Lamps

Compline:  Completing the Circle

“I believe art is foremost for the artist who creates it. You do it for your soul, and if the rest of the world gets something from it, that's a bonus.”  Marion Boddy-Evans

The above piece was selected for the cover of "Presence Journal," a publication for Spiritual Directors International.  It will be released September, 2010.  It is titled "An Unfinished Life."  It was a piece I did in memory of a friend who died while in his youth.  The poem I wrote and read at his eulogy.

To see beauty

And know that

Life abounds

In all majestic form.

For this I am grateful.

These bookmarks were so much fun to make.  Snippets of lace, paper, ribbon, glitter

made up the ingredients of these Valentine gifts.  My children, grandchildren

and friends are the recipients.  Valentine's Day is one of my favorite

celebrations.  A time to remember those

I love and who I treasure.

Every day is a day to

celebrate

LOVE.

Soar

I submitted this piece to the American Watercolor Society juried exhibition this winter.  Even though it was not accepted in the show, I acknowledge the spirit it represents.  Soar symbolizes the gulf that lies between the void and flight towards wholeness. Traveling her path involves a leap of faith and trusting the journey of a lifetime.

Keeper of the Word

In thinking about my resolutions and goals for 2010 I am wanting to make changes like so many people.  I've decided the importance of being happy.  So often I identify myself with what needs to be done, what I haven't done and even what I have done.  More often than not these thoughts like to persecute, condemn and judge. 

The above art piece "Keeper of the Word" that I created years ago signifies the importance of words and the power of words.  I've decided my next art piece will be titled "Keeper of Thoughts."  Sometimes it happens that I will be intrigued by a title and that is what will motivate me to create. 

My new thoughts will be about what feeds my soul, gives me life and how do I nourish myself.

"The discipline to exercise is to make a decision that nothing is more important than that you feel good, and that you are going to find thoughts that feel better."  Abraham

What new thoughts might you give yourself in this new year?

Sometimes we realize old ways of thinking and believing do not give the results we would like.  Thoughts emerge and slowly letters become words.

This piece was created as a result of daring to think in new ways.....

ways that might change one's life.  Can

you dare to think different thoughts?

A New Thought

The Meeting Room Series

I love my meeting rooms.  It's where important things happen and where important things are said.  It's where I get to listen to my own voice.  I first noticed the meeting room when I told my young friend to look into my eyes because I had something to say to him.  I told him what he meant to me and that I would always love him no matter what ever happened.  He died within 2 weeks.  Where are the meeting rooms in your life where you say important things?

Messages of Truth

Waking from slumber

I gather thoughts as flowers

That love and yield peace.