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Thursday, July 18, 2013

 Senior Project 2013
This exhibit was placed in the Spori building. The fallowing paragraphs explain the meaning behind the painting. 


Recently, Natalie Crossley was blessed to travel throughout the Middle East, and in particular, Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is known for its rich history and Christian art. One of the most common forms of art found in the Middle East are the beautiful mosaics. The mosaics, with their variety of colors and patters, can be symbolically related to each one of us. Each small tile is needed to ensure the integrity of the whole piece of artwork. In the world we all can be related to a tiny piece of a mosaic. Each piece is significant and each person is needed to complete a mosaic of the world.  There is something good that we can learn from every one.
Her goal is to open the viewers eyes of the people in the Middle East by helping them recognize more then the negativity often portrayed by the news.  She hopes that people will see that the Middle East is not just a world of war fare, terrorists, and hate but, is a beautiful country were dear friendships are made, where laughter is heard, there are good relationships develop.  In each of her paintings one can relate the image to themselves giving the observer the opportunity to see their personal worth in the big spectrum of life as well as the significance of individuals portrayed. Her goal for all who view her pictures is that they may be uplifted as they ponder their personal connection to the painting and those depicted within them. 







Over Looking the Old City
(Oil, 24 x 30)





Tradition
(Oil, 20 x 24)
​             An admiral trait of the Jews was their tradition and dedication to God. This painting is of a older man, revealing years of dedication to God. He posits this dedication through his wearing the traditional Jewish worshipful clothing. Placed on his head is a black leather box called a phylactery. Scripture from the Torah is placed inside the phylactery. The phylactery is worn on the head representing the ideal characteristic of always having God's words on our minds. This painting represents the dedication every one can have to God and the covenants one makes.





Valley of Zin
(Oil, 24 x 36)
Biblically, the Valley of Zin is the place where the Israelite Children wandered for 40 years in the wilderness till they were worthy to enter the Promise Land.  Just like the Israelites wandered in the Valley of Zin, many of us experience periods of time were we feel like we are wondering through our own wilderness/ trials, striving to be prepared and worthily to enter our “Promise Lands”.






Two Friends
(Oil, 24 x 36)
​            The theme of “two” can be traced throughout this painting. Representing the cherished bond between two individuals no matter the culture or race.  

“Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are—chaff and grain together—certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away”—Mulock, Dinah





Backgammon in the Old City
(Oil, 24 x 30)
Backgammon is a very popular game found in Jerusalem. It was not uncommon for tourists and other visitors to see several different games being played while walking through the winding streets of the Old City. This painting can represent the idea or reminder to us all of the importance to taking time for friends and family.

Friday, June 28, 2013

I have felt recently that i needed to do a blog of my art work.

Eagle Nebula:

This oil painting is an interactive piece. The oil painting was placed in side a box I had built, and a glass window was placed in front of it.  the window represents our dreams in life or our life goals.  As we make an effort to open that window and achieve our goals. we realize that the sky is the limit we can see and become any thing we really want to. as long as we take the effort to try. The reason why I chose to paint the eagle nebula is because there is a scripture in  were Isaiah that talks about as we have faith in God we will " mont up as if on eagles wings." and that we will be supported in our trials and troubles. In a nut shell, this pictures represents what we are all capable of, as we rely on the Lord for our strength.


Monday, April 30, 2012

First Sabboth in the Holy Land! (April 28)

I can not belive I am here in the Holy Land. I am just over flowing
with grattituded . Sometimes I wonder and think to my self " why me?".
My hope is to learn all that I can so that I can deepen my testimony
and retain /remeber all I can to help to lift those who may never get
the chance to come and live in the Holy Land. to be in the Jerusalem
Center is so wonderful it feels like home and has a similar spirit to
the temple.

I have so much to catch up on  but first I wanted to share about what
happened while I was schetching in the "biblical garden" .  I was
walking around the Center when i found a garden that had several
different wine and olive presses in it. in the midel of the gared was
an olive tree. I was so impressed by this tree that I sat down to draw
it.  while drawing I had several insights about the Savior in
comparison to the olive tree.

* the olive (as well as the grape) is very important to those that
live here. the olive provides food and oil for cooking and healing
..etc. similarly Jesus Christs provided us with spiritual nurisment we
need to survive.
* olive trees are alwyas twisting and truning . It seems they grow
with many branches all tangeld up together this weaving  creates many
dents and holes or impressions in the  core of the tree-- the trunk--
these imporessions remined me of the prints in the hands of Christ.
* the Twisting and truniong fo the trunk also remidmed me of the pain
Christ had to go through when he  carried our wounds  so that we might
live again.

These were just some of the things that came to my head as I was
sketching, I thought you might be insterested.

 In Chruch today it was wonderful! In chior we sang a song by Sally Deford called" My Greatful spirit sings" this is exactly how I feel. Tears are in my eyes as I sat in sacrament meeting preparing to take the  sacrament and looking over the Land where Jeusu walked. I tis such a blessing to see the Old city inforunt of me and to think about his ministrey and the to look to the left and view the mount of Olive and the Garden of Gesemanee, an dponder how muhc he Loves us and what he did for me there. and  them tp think about His resuerection as I look to the right to teh Garden tomb were he rose again so that I too can live again.

Yesterday was a really neat expereince. with a small gorup we wnet to the Garden tomb. it is owned by a English Cristain group that volenteer to care for hte grounds and give tours. O got to see the "Skull" on the rock  or Galgatha... and them near by I got to walk inside the tomb were they belive he was barried (no one really knows) don't wory I got pictures. :) there was such a wonderful spirit. I just Got so excited indside. and felt awe and reverence when I saw the tomb. but what touched me the most was there was a plack that one could read as they left the tomb. it read " He is not here, for He has risen!" what a beautiful praise! to know that my Redeemer lives! how sweet that sentence is! not only can I raise again too... But becasue he lives that means I can have the sure hopethat he will continue to help and lift and teach and guide me. Oh what Joy fills my heart to know that my Redeemer lives!!!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

 I can't believe that I have been blessed with the opportunity to go to Jerusalem.  I am thrilled to meat new people and learn new things.

 I am a little nervous about the plain ride and all the classes -- I hear that the classes are really hard, but that could be a wonderful thing! I have fond that I often love the classes that pushed me to be better. you really learn a lot about yourself when you have to expand the boundaries of your comfort zone -- but I think that things

 I have been pondering and wondering have I prepared enough to learn at the level Heavenly Father desires me to learn at?