Familiar reflections through strokes of grace
Artist Deb Gamel’s work features original artwork on canvas focused on God's beauty in landscapes and seascapes captured in acrylic paint. Her work inspires the viewer to reminisce about those places so often forgotten in today’s busy world.
Having received no formal training, her talent is born out of a passion for the beauty she sees around her every day. The whisper in the woods or the roar of the ocean moves her to capture those places so familiar to us all — those places where God brings us peace and comfort.
A storm is building.
The air is heavy, waves are rising and lightening cracks across the sky.
Overhead, an ominous darkness is taking over the land and sea, broken only by the blinding strikes of angry electricity, illuminating the distance clouds. The peace and calm of the day have fled.
How quickly our world can change without warning. Storms in life often develop just as unexpectedly, leaving us confused and astonished.
In times like these we seek our Beacon in the Storm, We seek a high place, out of the darkness, built on a solid foundation and strong against the wind. Perhaps it is your faith, your family or a friend. We all need a Beacon in the Storm from time to time.
May you be blessed to be the Beacon in a Storm for a friend or even a stranger.
Keep your light strong so that others may see as they seek shelter during their storms in life.
The cooler days of fall have finally arrived bringing the joys of the brilliant foliage, hay rides and the fall harvest.
Pumpkins are essential to so many of the fall celebrations, including carving contest, pumpkin pies and fall festivals. All of these are celebrations and so many more are made possible by the farmer and the pumpkin harvest. So thank you for all the care and long hours you invest for our love of the pumpkin harvest.
The midnight air, high in the mountains is crisp and clear, unpolluted by the city noise or smells of civilization.
The stillness in the moonlight is filled with the sweet smells of the pines and the chill that sinks down from the snow still clinging to the highest peaks. Here you can see forever and dream even further.
A lone canoe rest on the edge of a peaceful lake, anticipating its next voyage across to the other side.
But for now, it rest in the perfect balance of nature.
The sun sets on the end of a perfect trip, spent in harmony with nature where the cares of this life have been washed away in the river, leaving only peace and tranquility to fill ones heart and mind.
The Cahaba whispers many wisdoms if we will only listen. This beautiful waterway quietly works its way through the barriers of life, never ceasing its pursuit to create and control its own destiny, regardless of the obstacles of life, renewing its strength where necessary. The river always flows forward, never looking back; never judging or playing favorites.
On the river, solace and the freedom from the demands and worries of your day is yours but the obligation to adapt to forces greater than yourself, or be overwhelmed by them, is required. Avoiding the rocks and paddling when the water stands still, allows us to renew our faith, trust our instincts and reset our priorities.
Time spent kayaking the Cahaba among the rare lilies gives you time to forget the worries of your day.
Floating through the gentle waters and navigating the rapids allows us to renew our faith, trust our instincts and reset our priorities.
While only a short distance from the busy streets, deep in the woods, the Cahaba is a world away from the stresses of this life but only a thought away from our next adventure.
Yak, yak, yak
I set the soapbox on fire and sunk the ship, now the Yak has even more to talk about...
The gentle breeze blows across the shore of the deserted island, as the mountains rise high in the distance and twin palms line the narrow beaches. The deep rich forest is lush with ferns and vegetation that shelter the wildlife that run free, living as nature intended.
The breeze carries the songs of the birds and the smell of the salty air. The crystal clear water reflects the warm sun and reveals the beauty of the sea life surrounding the island.
Today, as every day, the days pass slowly with every moment cherished. Coconuts ripen and drop to the shore, rolling to rest or being washed out to sea. Everything is consumed or is returned to the earth, nothing is wasted, nothing is left behind, and even the footprints of the seagulls who have come to hunt for crabs will be washed away, leaving everything pristine, just as it was created.
Off in the distance the lights of the Port City shine across the sea.
The city, seeming so familiar, but unnamed, is a city of light and hope. It sits on the edge of an unfamiliar nation. It is an entrance to a land of opportunity, a land of mysteries, and a land of greatness, built by the Creator’s hand.
Many have found their way here and call this place home but the voyage to the Port City is an individual journey and each must find the way. The travel may be filled with stormy seas, uncertain winds and long days. However, those who have made the journey proclaim that the rewards are great with discoveries of untold glory, finding eternal peace.
Should you choose to venture this way, may your sails be strong, your weather fair and your journey blessed.
The sands of time blow across the centuries, changing the landscape and the scenery but never losing their grain.
The sands are tiny crystals that move with the wind and gather together to create great structures.
Even at their size, they can erode great stones and create great dunes, but they remain tiny crystals, individual and unique, in beautiful complexity.
Stay true to yourself, no matter what you may conquer in life.
Many days have passed on the open ocean, surviving storms, preva iling winds and the searing sun, but port is in sight under a high moon.
I am coming home.
A gentle breeze guides me in. I long for the land beneath my feet for my house is built on a rock. The rains will fall, the floods will come and the winds may blow, but it will not fail me, on solidrock I will stand.
The eagle nest on the edge of Freedom where there is room to soar. The valley, shrouded by blue skies and surrounded by majestic mountains, nestles the waters of life. The days are timeless and life is untamed.
Here, life is simple and honest, and the cycle of life continues as it was meant to be. The warm wind blows across the open plain and Freedom breathes life into the hopes of all who find their way here.
The Master’s hand colors the sky a brilliant orange as the sun sets behind the pines. The day is fading but the sky explodes just before the darkness as a celebration of a warm summer’s day, now past.
The earth will sleep embracing the darkness with rest, just as we must also rest to face the dawn. Tomorrow waits to reveal the mysteries of the Masters plan.
Finally, the long hot summer has passed and there is a nip in the air! The first snow has arrived, covering the ground in a carpet of bliss.
Cooler days and longer nights have intrigued the bucks to find the does. The crisp air excites God’s creatures with a sense of adventure and a drive - a drive to survive and thrive.
Long lazy Sunday drives took us down many roads in life. Spring picnics and summer stops beside the stream where the children played in the edge of Cattail Creek.
The water, still cool as it flowed from the mountains in the distance, was clear enough to catch crawfish or minnows that slipped through our hands and delighted the squeals in a moment of bliss.
Moments that made time stand still and youth a cherished memory.
Deep in the woods unexpected treasures are found. As the seasons change, the beauty of the colors explode, lasting but a little while.
The everlasting waterfall rushes consistently, through the woods and rocks, full of energy and life. The sound drowns out the troubles of the world while the cool water refreshes our thirst and senses. The winds are washed clean in her mist and the temperature falls. Soon the seasons will change again and she will be tempted, but will never surrender, to freeze. Her strength will outlast the rocks and soil around her as they yield to her will over the ages.
Her elegance and endurance inspire all who visit.
The peace found deep in the forest endures to renew us, even if our visit is only for a little while.
