So many times I get asked, why the art? What does this have to do with abortion recovery?
Artists are spiritual. They have to be. To create worlds for people to get lost in. Whether through media, writing, sculpting or expressive art. I have created a world of healing using my artistic gifts to help others. What are you using your artistic gifts for?
In my fine art life drawing classes all measurement of life begins with the plumb line. The plumb line is our standard of living. In drawing, when we get off the page and can’t find our way back, we return back to the plumb line; to refocus.
Another definition of what a plumb line is to an artist:
In my fine art life drawing classes all measurement of life begins with the plumb line. The plumb line was the center point markings of the artwork you are creating. In drawing, when we get off track of sizing the parameters of the display; the model; the artwork or landscape we are creating, we always return to the plumb line. The plumb line was the center point of the masterpiece that we are creating. The plumb line that we have positioned on the paper or canvas is our starting point. When we lose our way, we always return back to the plumb line of the drawing or painting and restart, refocus to the point of beginning.
In Christianity all measurement of Christianity begins with the Bible. The Bible is our standard of living and all measurement of our Christianity begins with the Bible. When we wander away from the our course in life, we return back to the Bible; to refocus.
For me it was art. For you it might be something totally different. Some passions, some undiscovered talent, some dream, that you laid down, dropped or gave up on because of the abortion.
I did a self portrait at the end of Lady Liberty book. This picture comes from a self portrait drawing I did of myself in 2004. It is a graphite drawing I completed by looking in the mirror at myself. I would like to explain the process of how I used my plumb line for that drawing. First, I stood, from a distance and measured by holding my plumb line back and forth between my fingers, then holding it straight in front my easel. Next, I used my plumb line to measure and center my head considering the overall paper size and where its going to be placed on the paper. Then, I stood in alignment to the easel, constantly looking back and forth in the mirror on the wall, positioned by the easel, at the same height. At the same time sizing my head, then marking the dimensions on paper. I begin sight sizing by looking back and forth from the image in the mirror to marking the paper with my graphite pencils. I then continue aligning, sizing, sight sizing and keeping the same distance as I work at the easel. I break it up by stepping back from the easel to look at the drawing from a distance. The process took about 3 hours for it to come together to produce a portrait on the paper, that was attached to my easel. The picture is hanging in my studio. When I was publishing the book, I had them copy this image and size it down a little bit to fit the Lady Liberty book. I guess you could call it my signature.
There was a time that I hated myself so much that I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror. After I went through healing and forgave myself, then I was able to look at myself in the mirror. I learned who I was In Christ. Now, when I look at myself in the mirror I see Jesus Christ in me. I no longer hate myself. I now see myself the way God sees me as a Woman of God, an Ambassador for Christ. Now, I am able to look at myself more accurately and see myself and my facial features more in-depth and appreciate myself rather than hating myself. I am thankful God made my facial features.
I list two definitions of what a plumb line for your reference.
Quotes: Plumb line definition:
1. A cord with a lead bob attached to one end, used to determine perpendicularity, depth of water, etc. Compare (def 1)
Quotes: Plumb rule definition:
1. A device for determining perpendicularity, consisting of a narrow board with a plumb line and bob suspended from an upper edge.
I’ve also included a new image of my self portrait with my plumb line picture in it. My plumb line is the rolled up cord attached to the small yellow rod. I used to have a fishing bob attached to the cord but it broke off. Now, I use a weighted metal screw that works great. Where do you need to refocus in life today? Where do you need to realign with God?
Thanks for reading,
Live, Life, Liberated.
Julie Weber