Pigments & Ponderings

                                        Left: Ocean Jasper in natural light.   Right: Ocean Jasper under cross polarized light. Photo credits see footnote 1.                Lessons from a Common Gemstone (& why I'd rather be a Jasper than a Diamond)        Did you know that some of the most precious gemstones (diamonds, rubies, garnets) LOSE their brilliance under “pure light” and the more common, less precious ones become vibrant, reflecting all the colors of the rainbow, under that same light? I learned this amazing truth after the following scripture kind of baffled my mind.   Revelation 21, 10  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11  Having the  a glory ...

Pattern for Avoiding Deception Doctrine & Covenants 52:14-19 I chose this one to accompany this topic because of the dark surrounding the flowers... I call this acrylic "Trusting the Light".  It reminds me of just that... to not fear the evil around us, knowing that Light will always triumph over darkness  And when we focus on the Light and let it shine through us, the world becomes a little brighter, filling with a little more hope!  We can bloom amidst the darkness! I love that the scriptures are full of patterns and recipes for a protected, joyful and abundant life!   Doctrine and Covenants 52 shows us a pattern for avoiding the ever-increasing, cleverly-laid deceptions that are so prevelant in our day.  As I read, I realized I have so many things to repent of and to work on but was grateful to have such a perfect, straight forward "pattern" to follow.  This is what I learned: 14   And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all thing...