Are you an artist?

Doing my normal walk through the neighborhood park the other day, I was stopped by an older man asking me if I was an artist. With a black tshirt and jeans, I think I looked like just a regular person, nothing particularly outstanding, I thought, that would identify me as an artist.

This man, G, then went on to say how he had just moved back to St Louis after getting into trouble, and trying to start his life over. He said he wanted to start a painting company and painted the murals for St Louis Center in the past. He then pulled a worn out thick Bible from a grocery bag he had sitting by him on the park bench. He said he's in his 60s and jusT starting life over and grateful to God for giving him another chance.
As I listened to him talk, it reminded me of how amazing it is that anyone can start over anytime and God is a God who is in the business of meeting us where we are. His optimistic outlook with no friends and no job but with alot of hope to start over was inspiring!

Now to Him who is able to do incredibly more than all we ask, hope, or imagine,  be glory and honor and power forever and ever, Amen.

It's Not The Same

Walking through the Loop the other day, I was stopped by a man with a cane and a cup asking for money. He talked about his story...his life..going to school as a young black male, and not having the same opportunities as other kids. He had to drop out of school to help his family. After having served in Vietnam, he came back with brain damage and was not able to find a job. He talked about having hope in Jesus, and then gave a me a hug. You never know who you are going to meet...everyone has a story.

ADULT ART PARTIES

READY TO HAVE A NIGHT OUT WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS 

OR A COUPLES NIGHT OUT?

Evening Art Parties.

No Experience Necessary, except a desire to HAVE FUN!

Jessica will have art samples of different styles and teach you painting techniques.

YOU provide the space and maybe some yummy snacks, and Jessica brings all the things you will need to express your creative side!

    

Get a group of friends together and create your own party!

ONLY $30 a person. If you get a group of 8 or more together, YOU, the host, get a free painting!

SO....

What are you waiting for? 

**Call Jessica at 805.402.1118 or email at jessicagushart@gmail.com to set up a party**

(All parties need at least 4 people)

FACE PAINTING

!CUSTOM FACE PAINTING!

      

ARE YOU HAVING A PARTY AND NEED SOME UNIQUE FACE PAINTING?

Let Jessica know your theme for a custom face painting party.

She is available to do any designs including tribal designs, glitter/jewel embellishments with designs, animals, and more!

Contact Jessica at 805.402.1118 to add some pizazz to your party.

(Jessica accepts cash only at a flat rate of $20 per hour +mileage costs; call for a quote)

SUMMER ART OPPORTUNITIES!!

SUMMER ART CLASSES

**All classes: 1 hour/ $15 per hour**

Contact Jessica: 805.402.1118 for more information

5% of your payment goes to support the Salvation Army Summer Youth Programs

(http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/youth-camps-and-recreation)

CRAZY CREATE (Deadline to register- Sunday, July 3rd)

Have fun learning different art skills to empower you and bring out your unique self. 

Ages: 6-12 years

Dates:July 4th-July 8th / 9-10am

• Day 1:My Vision Board
• **Create a vision board using collage materials to describe all the things you like about you!
• Day 2: I am Unique
• **Create a painting that represents the things that make you unique. 
• Day 3: What I Wanna Be.
• **Talk with other kids about what you want to be when you grow up. Create a puppet that looks like you in your future as an adult.
• Day 4: Move to the Beat
• **Listen to different types of music and create your own group dance to the beat. 

WEARABLE ART (Deadline to register, Friday, July 8th)

Ages:6-12 years

Dates:July 11th-July 15th / 9-10am

• 
• Day 1: If you Were a Superhero
• **Learn how to create a wrist cuff from recycled materials that expresses the unique things about you...your superpowers!
• Day 2: Junk to Treasure
• **Create a 'junk' collage of your name out of recycled plastic, bottle caps, chip bags, and things you use every day. It's amazing what you can make with trash!
• Day 3: T-shirt braiding
• **Braid recycled tshirts together to create belts, headbands, or jewelry.
• Day 4: Soda Can Jewelry
• **Help recycle and create your own soda can medallion necklace with your name engraved on it.
• 
  

I know who I am

"I know who I am," said the lady at Home Depot as she rang up some plants I bought the other day.
"It hurts to stand on this floor all day. I am glad I have a job, but maybe I need another one, to work in my purpose. I don't mean to be snobby, but I know who I am, you know what I mean? Maybe I should open my own business." As I listened, I saw life in this woman, and purpose. I shared with her how anything is possible with God. She smiled saying, "I receive that blessing."
Do we really know who we are? Thankful someone does:) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10.

"I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2

Lowe's

As I go into Lowe's the other day to get paint...I had to wait like normal. Well, I'm expecting that since it's near dinnertime and the store is full. No big deal.

An older gentleman in the paint department is helping many people, and when he is finished and walks over to help me, he apologizes over and over again, how sorry he is for not being quick enough. "I'm trying to get better." 

I tell him it is ok, no need to rush. 

I can't tell you in this city, how many times a Black man will apologize to me or the time a clerk called me to checkout first at the grocery store, when there was a Black gentleman in front of me!! It makes me feel so sad and strange because it feels like it puts me on a higher level and I do not deserve any special treatment. I'm thankful God sees us as part of His family. 

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.- Romans 10:12

Sorry I'm Walkin' by You!

On a nice day in St Louis, as I was walking from the bus, an older gentleman crossed over the street to the sidewalk, apologizing for '"walking by you." I was surprised with the comment and told him it didn't matter to me because we are both people and just walking. I felt sad that a black man in this city apologizes that he is walking by me...a white woman when there is nothing that makes me better than anyone else, but made me remember as a white woman, I do have privelege, we do have divides here, and I am constantly aware of it.

He went on to say he was so upset because his girlfriend wouldn't stop talking and yelling at him and made him so mad, that he had to leave so he wouldn't hurt her. He talked about recently being released from 'the pen' and how he just wants to be happy.

I asked him what he thought would make him happy, and shared with him that I am not always happy...shared about life...that there's no good in me (as he stopped and looked me in the eyes), but that I have joy no matter what the circumstances....that God in me gives me joy and any goodness or good stuff in me is from Him. He says, "I'm saved"..and I talk to him about how I'm not into 'religion,' but real life joy, real life relationship with Jesus because of what HE did for me. He stopped, looked, and listened... this man who was much older than me that I look up to just because of his wisdom of age...my brother.

Learning in Prison

The other day, at my early morning bus stop, met a woman who was headed to her parole officer for her meeting. She shared about her time in the prison system for 3 years and the lack of development, education, or growth opportunities for people in there. She had a lot to say about her thoughts about what happens to people when they try to re enter society. We just had a bill passed that bans the box for felony convictions on hiring applications, aiding in more job opportunities for those out of prison and reducing crime.
Seventy percent of people released from prison commit another crime within three years, and part of this recidivism rate is due in part to how difficult it is for them to find a job.

Read more: http://nationswell.com/states-reduce-crime-rate-by-removing-check-off-box-on-job-applications/#ixzz46Ih8yqtW

http://nationswell.com/about-us/

MORE STORIES

• 

  Bridging the Opportunity Divide

  Would Your Opinions of Criminals Change if One Cooked and Served You Dinner?

  At a Texas restaurant staffed by ex-offenders, young men ditch criminal backgrounds to roast, toast and sauté high-end cuisine.

Read more: http://nationswell.com/states-reduce-crime-rate-by-removing-check-off-box-on-job-applications/#ixzz46IgwdiUC

What would you do? I challenge you.

A man...yelling and cussing out a woman with two kids as she walked down the street. She was asking him to get away. He continued following her, harassing her. Neighbors came out to their porch steps...to watch. No one intervened. What would you do?

A woman...at McDonalds...with 10 kids to corral on her own. Looked stressed...yelling and cussing at the kids. She pushed one and the security guard says..."There is nothing we can do?!" Yeah right. What would you do?

G.U.S.H ARTWORK

WEARABLE ART:

 "HOPE"

vintage hand stenciled/ painted clutch

$25

"FORGIVE"

vintage art handbag

(front view)

$25

(back view-"Forgive Each Other As I Forgave You."

SALE: $20                                                                                          SALE: $20                                                                                                                                
"Coffee Shop"                                                                                 "Fiesta"

Handpainted                                                                                   Handpainted

Dr. Scholl's Red Leather Sandals                                                  Dr. Scholl's Pink Leather Sandals

"Pave New Ground"

$30

-Mixed Media 12x18 painting-

"LISTEN NOW!"

$25

-Recycled Art: A message for the World!-

"Heart...open"

$50

-Acrylic on 18x24 canvas-

The Show Me State

Well you never know who you are going to meet in this city. I stopped by Subway the other day to get dinner and the cashier was a very animated, talkative guy.
'I just moved to St. Louis for a girl that I had known for 4 days and we broke up over a football game. "Can I get your number? I love God, I'm not on drugs, and I haven't been in jail" I laughed to myself, thinking, "Really?" His coworker looked at him, shaking his head, and told him, "You act like you're on drugs." He then starts talking about why he likes St. Louis. "Show me God and show me the money!" I ask him what he means and what he says made me appreciate the quirkiness of people and also the awareness of God, whomever you are:
"God is everywhere. Today is 1 billion lottery. Make sure to get your ticket at the gas station." He kept talking and talking as I walked away, laughing. 

Grocery Store Joy

Grocery Store #1: It was a normal day grocery shopping, but I had to stop in to see my favorite checker, Miss A. This lady always has a smile and looks much younger than her age of 60. I tell her it's good to see her and ask how her day is. She smiles, then comes out from behind her checkout stand to give me a big hug, while her boss looked at us strangely. You just never know who you are going to meet...her joy was contagious!

Grocery Store #2: Another day, another grocery store. Another checker, Miss J, looked much older than her age of 70. I told her she had a great smile and she said she had to smile because 'no one smiles around here.' As she checked out my vegetables, she talked about how she needed to spice her life up a bit and try different vegetables. She then found a crescent roll package that someone had left that was broken. You could see the dough popping out of the can. Miss J laughs and says it looks like a food sculpture. She is still laughing as I walk away. Finding the funny out of the ordinary made me remember to do that in everyday life!
-A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22