Art & Spirit by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"EMERALD & GOLD"

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#1106 of 1186 Paintings / Acrylic on Canvas  (8"x8")  Completed January 10, 2010


"FIRE & RAIN"

#1107 of 1186 Paintings / Oil on Canvas  (10"x 10")  Completed January 30, 2010


"RIBBONS OF BLUE"

#1119 of 1186 Paintings / Oil on Canvas (24"x 24")  Completed March 14, 2010

"APPLES & ORANGES"

#1095 of 1186 Paintings / Acrylic on Canvas  (30"x 36")  Completed December, 2009

From Unity's "DAILY WORD"

Family I strengthen my family through the power of love.

Sunday, November 22, 2015 A towering pine or mighty oak draws on rain, sunshine, air, and soil to thrive. Similarly, we grow through the comfort, inspiration, ideas, and enrichment we receive from others. Family is a vital part of our spiritual support system. Today I give thanks for my family and others who are important to me. As we gather for special celebrations, I embrace our similarities and differences. When we are apart, I enrich my relationships by reaching out. I strengthen our connection through simple acts of kindness, such as calling or sending a note. Near or far, I bless others with warm thoughts and prayers of gratitude for their presence in my life. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.–Galatians 5:22-23

Art & Spirit by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"GRIEF ABSTRACT"

#1150 of 1185 Paintings / Acrylic on Canvas (24"x48") Completed Oct., 2011  DESTROYED

"THE TOURIST"

#1185 OF 1185 Paintings / Oil on Canvas (30"x 24")  Completed October 31, 2015

"I used the photo taken of me in France last year to complete this painting.  Now I'm working on "Floral".  We'll see how it goes."

From Unity's "DAILY WORD"

Navigation I am guided by God within.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015 Centuries ago sailors headed across the seas without the conveniences of electronics to guide them and often with incomplete or inaccurate maps. Instead they had to rely on the sun and stars to navigate. If the weather obscured their view or blew them off course, they used their own wisdom and experience to regain their direction. Just as voyagers look to the stars for guidance, I turn within to the spirit of God. In prayer my way is made clear. I remember that if I ever feel blown off course, I need only return my focus to the presence of God within. Even in the darkest of nights, I know the sun will rise again, and I will regain my bearings and sail onward. So that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.—Isaiah 45:6

Art & Spirit by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"ROSES ARE RED"

#1117 of 1184 Paintings / Oil on Canvas  (24"x20")  Completed March 5, 2010

"GRIEF ABSTRACT"

#1150 of 1184 Paintings / Acrylic on Canvas  (24"x 48")  Completed March 5, 2011   Destroyed

"RAIN & FIRE"

#1107 of 1184 Paintings / Oil on Canvas (10"x 10")  Completed January 30, 2010

A MESSAGE FROM UNITY'S "DAILY WORD"

Being Divine love is the essence of my being.

Monday, September 7, 2015 Being productive is important—even necessary—to life. Yet constant doing may damage my health. It may also keep me from knowing my intrinsic value and experiencing love. I restore my well-being by taking time to do nothing. I let go of mental planning or worrying and center myself in the boundless peace of God. I release any belief that I have to do more or become someone better to be worthy of God’s acceptance and love. Divine love is all-encompassing and is, in fact, the essence of my own being. As I relax and simply be myself, I am revitalized. As I bask in the stillness, I experience my eternal oneness with the infinite love and peace of the Divine. “Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.”—Psalm 46:10

Massoud's Book & "Emerging Artist" Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"EMERGING ARTIST"

Painting #927 of 1181 paintings / Oil on Linen  (30"x 24")  Completed in May, 2007

"This is an exciting time of year for me.  Tomorrow, I will fly up to Minneapolis/St.Paul and then Friday, I will drive over to Diamond Lake in Wisconsin.  Hopefully, I will see the cabin that Karl and two of his friends built in the late 1950's.  Diamond Lake is in Cable, Wisconsin, 15 miles north of Hayward, Wisconsin.

It is Fall up there and October is my favorite month of the year.  

October is the month that my first born son arrived, my mother's birthday, Karl asked me to marry him and our marriage. . . . .  13 days later. "

I have just finished the second book by author and painter, Massoud Eghrari, MD 

It's even better than the first 

*****

Massoud's book is a collection of short stories, life events he has experienced.  He tells these stories in a way that we truly enjoy reading and don't want the book to end. 

                

Achievement I accomplish what I set out to achieve.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014 I am successful in life as I partner with Spirit. When I am spiritually centered, I invite divine wisdom and judgment to be my guide. I open to Spirit’s direction as I clarify my goals. I point myself toward a target and achieve even more than I thought possible. I allow myself to think big, set aside doubt, and let go of fear. With God, all things are possible. I listen to Spirit’s guidance, and with each step, I proceed in faith. In partnership with God, I watch as results are revealed in divine order and time. I celebrate each small success. If I diverge from my path, I reconnect with Spirit and carry on. With God’s guidance and my perseverance, I accomplish whatever I set out to achieve. For this purpose he called you … so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord.—2 Thessalonians 2:14

"CALL ME RED"

Painting #1103    Oil on Canvas  (30"x30")     Painted January, 2010           SOLD

THE DAILY WORD

Saturday, February 1, 2014

LET GO,LET GOD

I boldly let go and trust in God.

Holding on to the familiar may feel more comfortable than facing the unknown. Change can be frightening. Yet as I look back at my life, my breakthroughs have occurred when I was willing to let go of the usual routine, accept any temporary discomfort of change, and try something new.

With this in mind, I now set aside any anxiety about a potential change and trust in God. I let go of others’ expectations and follow my inner calling. I let go of the way things have always been and let God lead the way to something new. Releasing any fear of the unknown, I step out in faith.

I boldly let go and let God and see my life unfold in new and exciting ways.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.—Psalm 25:4

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

NORA KASTEN Artist Oil Painting "I Like Pink"

"I Like Pink"

© Nora Kasten

Oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas (6" x 6")  SOLD
Sheldon Fine Art in Naples sold this piece recently

"My son, Jett, had a slight setback last week-end but now is better than ever.  A sonogram last Monday shows a strong pulse in his left foot and toes.  What a blessing!

Carol Blackburn told me a while back that the agony of grief would not last forever and that one day I would experience an ah-ha moment . . . . . . I believe it came last week and I've definitely turned a corner in life.  The horrible black cloud has lifted and there is light once again.  I'm still telling Karl how much I love him several times a day and am thanking him over and over again for all he has given to me.  Somehow I sense his essence is still with me.  He's sure not replying to me but it just feels right and good.  Last Friday night, a week ago, I was sitting in Karl's chair and getting very sleepy.  I heard him say, in his kind and caring voice to me " Honey, you're falling asleep now . . . .  you need to wake up and go to bed".  Well, apparently, I was asleep and dreaming because when I opened my eyes and looked up to see him he wasn't there.  It doesn't matter to me if I dreamed his presence and voice or he was really there.  I felt such love and tenderness and hold it dear to my heart. 

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE 

"Emerald Drop Earring" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Emerald Drop Earring"

© NORA KASTEN, 2010

Oil painting on canvas  (16"x 12")

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Fresh Roses" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Fresh Roses"

© NORA KASTEN, 2010

Oil painting on canvas  (16" x 20")

"This painting was painted strictly by listening to the Inner Voice.  There was no setup and it all began on a blank canvas.  I hope you like it."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Poppies & More" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Poppies & More"

© NORA KASTEN, 2010

Oil Painting on linen on board  (22"x28")

"A new painting just signed and photographed this morning."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Red Dahlia" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Red Dahlia"

© NORA KASTEN, 2010

Oil painting on textured gallery wrapped canvas  (8 x 8 x 1 inch)

"This is the Dahlia that became a Hibiscus in the last painting."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Red Hibiscus" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Red Hibiscus"

© NORA KASTEN, 2010

Oil painting (mostly palette knife) on gallery wrapped canvas  (6"x6"x1")

"The setup for this little painting was a large red dahlia but not too long into the painting session, it was obvious it wanted to be a red hibiscus instead."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Ribbons Of Blue" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida

"Ribbons Of Blue"

 Copyright © by Nora Kasten, 2010

Oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas  24x24x1.5 inches

"It was fun creating this "Modern Expressions" painting today.  Maybe another one tomorrow."

MY WEBSITE:  www.norakasten.com

"Roses Are Red" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN

"Roses Are Red"

Copyright © by Nora Kasten, 2010

Oil painting on textured canvas  24"x 20"

"Early this morning I knew this painting was not going to be the one that I had planned.  After lunch I quit fighting the canvas and let the painting dictate to me the colors and the values of those colors.   Orange was the color that I didn't want to use but there it is and I'm happy with it.  This evening I've declared victory and will start the next painting."

Please visit my website for more paintings

"Potted Tulips" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN

"Potted Tulips"

 

Copyright © by Nora Kasten, 2010

Oil painting on linen  24 x 12 inches

"I painted this on oil primed linen with a limited palette of six colors.  After laying down color all over the surface, I completed the painting using a palette knife and thick oil paint."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Spring Tulips" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN

"Spring Tulips"

 

Copyright © by Nora Kasten, 2010

Oil painting on canvas  16 x 12 inches

"This painting is definately one of my Modern Expressions."  

NOTE!  "For outstanding (I believe) advice on use of COLOR in

our paintings, see Don Hatfield's Blog for today."

"Rejection" by Artist NORA KASTEN

"Rejection"

Oil painting on linen   (16"x12")

I scraped yesterday's painting and just didn't want to scrape today's also.  The title "Rejection" is apt.  The painting looks like I'm sad but it couldn't be further from the truth.  I am so happy because my good friend and artist, Cynthia Richards from Indiana will be here this evening.  Our visit will be short because they are traveling over to the east coast of Florida tomorrow.  We have sooooo much to catch up on.  We talk every week on the phone but last March, 2009 was my last visit to Indiana and our last get together.

"Hopefully, you will visit my website to view the paintings."

WEBSITE:  WWW.NORAKASTEN.COM

"A Small Bouquet" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN

"A Small Bouquet"

Copyright © by Nora Kasten, 2010

Oil painting on linen on board  (8"x10")

"Many more paintings on my website."

WEBSITE:  WWW.NORAKASTEN.COM

"Blue Lilacs" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN

"Blue Lilacs"

Copyright © by Nora Kasten, 2010

Oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas  (12"x12"x1")

"There is a beautiful blue that I'm seeking to put on canvas but I haven't found it yet."

WEBSITE:  www.norakasten.com

"White Roses On Blue" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN

"White Roses On Blue"

Copyright © by Nora Kasten, 2010

Oil painting on textured canvas  (24"x20")

"Please visit my website to view many, many more paintings."

WEBSITE:  www.norakasten.com

Framed Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN

"Ruby Gem" (framed)

Acrylic & Pastel painting on sanded paper on board framed  (44"x44")

I framed and hung "Ruby Gem" this morning in a passageway between the kitchen and family room.  Of course getting a good photo of it is difficult because of window and lamp reflections on it from across the room.  I like this painting and even my husband says it's pleasant to view but he might like it even better upside down . . .  . he doesn't like the abstract style. 

There are plenty of paintings to view on my website in the traditional style as well as my "Modern Expressions".

WEBSITE:  www.norakasten.com