(Sin City) Saint : Iz What I Do

Ever meet one of those people who has a secret talent that no one knows about because they keep it in the dark and don't broadcast to the world like, "HEY! I DO BLAHDEEDAH!"? Or those random artists you've never heard of but apparently they're super good? Or that one friend that's really good at something and you want to smack them for hiding it after all this time?

Yeah... I kinda know someone like that.
In fact, I know this chick pretty well....
So well that, well...
I think I might be that friend. (x

Recently my roommates found out I can draw (mostly anime), and ever since then they have been pushing me, and "screaming" at me because I said I don't think I am very good at it. (They argue otherwise, and say I need to draw more.) Then again, I'm an artist, and let's face it: Most of the time, artists are their own worst critics. Especially we perfectionist-anal-artists.

I never really thought I was "fabulous" at drawing, or even that "good"; but, I'll admit, recently my skills have skyrocketed. Ironically, it wasn't until I moved to Texas (for school at CFNI), that they decided to do so.
Could it be because I felt God telling me to start drawing again after a dry spell that lasted over two years (minus one piece)? Mayhaps...
Could it be because I heard the Lord call me out on it and say, "Why do you condemn that which I have blessed you?" Uh, sounds familiar...
Or maybe it has something to do with a word of the Lord I received in July 2010, that has secretly burrowed itself in my heart, and, actually now that I recall it, it could help a lot of people if I put myself out of the picture and let myself be free...

The Lord has blessed each of us with some talent or another. My other secret talent (in the making) is shooting. I'm actually pretty dang good with a little 9 ruger pistol--which is ironic considering my history with guns is not been a pleasant memory. But the Lord has blessed you with that special talent for a special reason. Maybe you are supposed to reach the world, or even change the world with it. Maybe you're supposed to become that worship leader because you understand your job is not to be the "rockstar wannabe" but to bring the congregation into the Presence. Maybe your a fantastic photographer who can pull out all the stops and show that insecure little girl she really is naturally beautiful. Maybe you're a dancer so you can dance upon the steps of injustice, same goes for attorneys. (Somebody has to go after the truth rather than what sounds good or makes a bigger check.) Maybe you're really good at being a Mommy or Daddy so you can love all the kids--especially your daughter's friend who doesn't have a very good home situation and needs lots of love.

It doesn't matter if you know why or not you have talents, the point is are you actually USING them? Or are you, like I was for the past few years, hiding them? The Lord blesses us with talents to increase them, not to bury them.

“Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more. In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it. After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’” (Matthew 25:13-30).^{Whatever your talents, giftings, hobbies, those are not something that you just decided to pick up on a rainy day. Those are special gifts that the Lord has blessed you personally for a time and a reason. Just because you don't understand why or how doesn't mean you can horde it to yourself. Even if you don't feel like you can/are helping anyone with that talent right now, it doesn't mean God is not training you for a later time. I'm most definitely not the next Picasso, but compared to where I was when I first started drawing again 3 years ago I would say my talents have grown. Why? Because I practice, practice, practice. Practice makes perfect every time.

So keep practicing and keep smiling, and don't give up! Quitters never win and winners never quit. Giving up never got anyone anywhere except for regretting that they didn't try harder or stick with it to see the prize on the other side.}

-Saint

^{P.S. Here are some of my drawings in chronolgoical order: (ENJOY!)

**Any copying/reproducing of photos is prohibited without permission. Email me if you would like copies: nerdieblonde@gmail.com"**}

^{This one is the first drawing I tried out in Sept. 2009 since I was in Middle School and drew glorified "stick figures" and "kiddy-anime."}

^{[SIDE NOTE: During 2009, I was highly depressed, and expressed myself through my art.]}

^{November 2009:
Clearly my anime skills have progressed, sadly my depression had done the same.}© 2009-2012 NerdieBlonde

^{November/December 2009:}

^{My sister got engaged on Dec. 10, 2009, but I found out early from my (now) brother-in-law. This was my Christmas/wedding present to them.
"Congratulations A&A"}

December 2009:

Since it seemed I could draw again, I decided to draw my friends for Christmas gifts.

LEFT: Alex
RIGHT: Kay (with an "owl" on her shoulder)

December 2009/January 2010:
Bored and reminscing the time in Reno when I enjoyed myself and everyone called me "Alice" I drew this twisted version.
(PTL I am no longer into gothic/dark arstistry.)

January 2010:

Finally started to see a breakthrough in my depression, and started my journey back on the narrow road.

"For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son: John 3:16"

March 2010:

^{It was my friend Shane's birthday, he always called me "Alice" so I thought this would be appropriate. (Stunk on the Queen, but the rest isn't bad.)
"A Very Merry Unbirthday"}©2010-2012 NerdieBlonde

April 2010:

April/May 2010:
Fell in and out of love; as a result we have:
"LP&PC"

June 2010:

Right before leaving for YWAM Kona, I decided to try and do "people profiles" inspired by my Alex & Kay drawings.
In profiles, I draw the person (in this one, it's myself) and what they're about/what they like to do:

"Wild Imaginations"
©2010-2012 NerdieBlonde

July 2010:
It was during my DTS with YWAM Kona I drew these next two:

TOP: This is representative of me (FINALLY) leaving my past behind, and walking in victory with Jesus and into the new things He had in store for me.

BOTTOM: Journal cover for my DTS called "Awaken."
©2010-2012 NerdieBlonde

August 2010:

I found out I was to go to India for my 3 month outreach. I knew hardly anything about India, other than it was highly known for Human Trafficking young girls.

May 2011:

My friend is a photographer (JOA PHOTOGRAPHY) and for her birthday/thank you for a photoshoot she did with me, I tried my best to draw her.

June 2011:
While working Mission Adventures with YWAM Vegas, we were told to decorate the building with encouraging words.

(This is a personal dream for my hometown...)

(First time painting, hands drawn by Savannah Frost, UK)

August 2011:

(Throughout 2011):

The Lord has been sealing an identity upon me as a warrior so I drew this photo entitled:
"SIN CITY SAINT"

August 2012:
First time being able to draw all year, I decided to celebrate by drawing one of my most famous quotes:
"JOY BOMBS!"
©2012 NerdieBlonde

COMING SOON!
(TRUE LOVE's KISS in the making:

First time trying to draw realism over cartoons)

We'll see how this goes...

(Sin City) Saint

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Iz What I Do

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