The submissions theme for the 2012 calendar was Heart and Soul<\/strong>, “As technology speeds up and the world becomes more and more interconnected, are we feeling more at peace or more disconnected? \u00a0In the 2012 edition of the MFC, we want to explore what touches your heart and soul. \u00a0We are looking for works of art that clearly express what it is that you deeply care about in your life and your faith.”<\/p>\n Themes are really hard for me and always have been. \u00a0Even more-so if I am on a deadline (which I was…I started thinking about this on…let’s say December 15th and had to send in my entry by December 31st). \u00a0Throw in a bunch of work and social engagements in that time and it’s enough to make me thankful that I was able to paint anything at all!<\/p>\n So, I thought and I thought. \u00a0The Multifaith Calendar, in my experience, shies away from blatantly religious paintings (that hit at only one of the faiths). \u00a0Understandably so, since they are trying to have different religious traditions connect with each other. \u00a0Many of my religious-themed artworks would not fit with their style. \u00a0I have some loosely religious works in my arsenal<\/a>, but I’d need to submit a high-quality scan if chosen, and the one I thought might work is in the possession of a friend in New Jersey, who fell in love with and purchased the painting. \u00a0So that was out.<\/p>\n I started thinking about their prompt about ways we feel at peace and feel connected. \u00a0And I have to say that, although going to the farmer’s market is not really a religious experience for me, per se, it is one that makes me feel connected. \u00a0Connected to the community, connected to the people who grow the food I eat. \u00a0So, I started thinking that I should take the idea of painting a scene from the Farmer’s Market for this project. \u00a0I also thought of my love for stained glass, but not only for the glass itself, but for the reflection it leaves on the walls and floor when the light shines through. \u00a0But, I didn’t have enough time to work out that vision.<\/p>\n I also didn’t have enough time to go to my own farmer’s market. \u00a0And, it being the dead of winter, there’s not that many exciting things there (although, certainly, more exciting things than I imagine is available in the rest of the country at the moment). \u00a0So, I looked online and found a picture of a farmer’s market scene and decided to paint that.<\/p>\n I love the farmer’s market. \u00a0First of all, I love fruits and vegetables and do not have to be asked or shamed into eating a majority of my foods as or with fruits or vegetables. \u00a0They have so much flavor! … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.jsgreene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/farmers_market-300x243.jpg\" "\\"Farmers")
<\/a>And, here’s the finished, submitted piece. \u00a0I think you can probably click to make it larger, or you can click through to where it’s listed on my website<\/a>. \u00a0I am happy with how it came out, but I also think it could use some more work. \u00a0So, maybe farmer’s market scenes are in my future — I feel like I still have a lot to learn from them. \u00a0For instance, how do you paint a swath of color and, on the one hand, indicate that there are a bunch of fruits or vegetables in that color plane, but on the other hand, not draw out every vegetable? \u00a0That is a challenge that I haven’t solved just yet. \u00a0And people — people need to be in the composition. \u00a0But I am just so bad at drawing and painting people. \u00a0So–lots to learn and experiment with.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"