Art & Spirit by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"I WONDER"

#831 of 1186 Finished Paintings / Oil on Linen (5"x7")           May 29, 2005 

"THE ROSE"

#502 of 1186 Finished Paintings / Oil on Linen  (30"x 30")           September 14, 1998

From Unity's "DAILY WORD" Spiritual Intelligence I am a spiritually intelligent being making divinely inspired choices. I am blessed with intelligence greater than my mental IQ—my spiritual intelligence. This deeper knowing guides me through any situation in life as I continue my life’s journey, growing in wisdom and understanding. My spiritual intelligence reveals itself as intuition. If I am challenged by a circumstance, I say “Thank you, God” because I know I have been given an opportunity to evolve spiritually. I meet doubt or uncertainty with patience and faith, remembering that all fruits ripen in their own time—just as the gift of spiritual intelligence continues to ripen within me. I have a growing faith that is enriched through prayer. I know this because I am a spiritually intelligent being making divinely inspired choices. God gave Solomon very great wisdom, discernment, and breadth of understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore.—1 Kings 4:29

Art & Spirit by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"THE BLUE VASE"

Painting #608 of 1182 paintings / Oil on Linen (40"x30")  Completed July, 2000   SOLD

"Here's Leo just after his bath.  He is so glad to have that over with."

Guidance I turn to God for guidance and understanding. Thursday, June 25, 2015 W e have information at our fingertips thanks to smartphones and the Internet. I may be tempted to rely on technology as my one-stop shop for help with every decision. However, for personal direction, I always start with the most important and reliable source of guidance—God. Spirit in me has the answer to every question. My process of asking for guidance begins with the release of any perceived limitations or stressful feelings. As I relax in the Silence, I listen with my heart, mind, and senses. My inner voice speaks lovingly and my guidance is clear. Centered in God, I am awake to the guidance I seek. O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.—Psalm 43:3

Destroyed Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"SUNDAY MORNING TREAT"

Painting #1035  Oil on Linen  (36"x 24")  Completed May 25, 2009 Destroyed

"TABLE CENTERPIECE"

Painting # 1056  Oil on Linen  (36"x 24")  Completed Sept. 3, 2009 Destroyed

"These two paintings (same linen canvas) ended up in the trash.  Painting over another painting never really worked out for me.  With hindsight, maybe I should have just left the first one alone, facing the wall and let the good fairies work on it."

Approval  / Monday, August 18, 2014

“I am whole and complete just as I am.

We all want to be appreciated and loved by others, but a need for approval can be a stumbling block. On my spiritual path, I learn that my priority is to be true to myself. I am an expression of God—in this form, body, and mind. I am all I need to be. By being true to myself, I may or may not garner the admiration or approval of others, but ultimately I will gain much more.

I pray to fully love myself as I am, to accept the love of God, to appreciate my gifts and the unique desires of my heart. I am here to live the life I have been given. As I learn to love myself more, my need for admiration and outside approval diminishes. I am whole and complete, just as I am.”

Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? … If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.—Galatians 1:10

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Black Background Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

Before

"ORANGE & YELLOW ROSES"

#1073  Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas  (30"x30")  Painted Black Background 11/2013

"This painting is hanging in front of me, here at my desk."

THE DAILY WORD

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

OPTIMISTIC

I anticipate God’s good.

Like the bird singing before dawn, I anticipate the good at hand. As I go about my daily routine, I expect the best. I maintain my awareness of the Christ Presence at the core of my being and acknowledge this same spark of divinity in everyone I meet.

I look for the blessing in every situation. Even challenges motivate me to bring forward my best self. In God, it is all good.

I am centered, optimistic, and I radiate a positive attitude. Christ in me is my hope, resource, and foundation. I live joyously and confidently.

As the day comes to a close, I give thanks for lessons learned, for love shared, and for the anticipation of new days to come.

We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.—Hebrews 6:19

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Reworked Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"LARGE BOUQUET"   Before

                     #1169  Oil on gallery wrapped canvas (48"x36") / outlined in Black 2013

"Painting a shiny black background on "A Large Bouquet" does not make this a better painting . . . . .  . but it is perfect for my home now.  I enjoy seeing the painting hanging above the bed in the master bedroom suite.

THE DAILY WORD

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

WORLD PEACE

The peace of God is accessible to all.

Many people have sought peace from the world around them, only to find that the world could not provide it. Yet when we realize the peace of the indwelling Spirit, we find our world is filled with the omnipresence of God—the presence of peace accessible at all times, in all places.

The peace of God becomes our own peace when we realize that nothing in all the world can disturb it. Having found the peace of God within us, we have the power to fill our whole world with peace.

The presence of God at the heart of my being gives me great peace. From this realization I live in the world. I see beyond conflicts to the presence of God, everywhere present and active. Peace is my reality.

  NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Oil Painting "Large Bouquet" by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"LARGE BOUQUET"

Painting #1169   Oil on Canvas    (48"x36")    Painted in June, 2012

(This painting was largely painted over with black gloss paint in September, 2013)

Friday, January 24, 2014

FAITH

I step out with faith and achieve my highest potential.

In order to live life to its fullest, I must be willing to occasionally embrace the unknown. This requires courage, pressing on even when fearful. Yet I have more than just courage; I have faith. Faith is steady, grounded, and filled with assurance.

I cultivate my faith in the fertile soil of Spirit. Infinite Substance is the source of all creation. Thoughts of faith fill my mind, and I use the creative power of words and actions to manifest my good.

I may not foresee the precise form in which new circumstances will be birthed. Yet I am assured that my highest good will be established. In faith, I step forward with joyful expectation into the next phase of my unfolding life.

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.—1 Corinthians 16:13

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Oil Painting, "Lady With Letter" by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"LADY WITH LETTER"

Painting #238   Oil on Linen   (30"x24")       Painted in August, 1995

Sunday, January 19, 2014

DIVINE ORDER

Here, where grace abounds, all is in divine order.

When life seems messy or muddled, hearing the words “all is in divine order” might be frustrating. Yet when clouds block the sun, the sun continues to shine just as brilliantly. Similarly, divine order does not cease when my world seems upside down.

I take a moment to turn my awareness away from the challenge and into the presence and power of God within. I breathe deeply to clear my mind and release any stress. As I continue to breathe in God, unsettling thoughts dissipate and disappear.

I am open and focused in this God-centered moment. Grace abounds and all is indeed in divine order.

Run at once to meet her, and say to her, “Are you all right?” … She answered, “It is all right.”—2 Kings 4:26

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Little Girl" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Little Girl Cutout"

Oil on linen on board   (48"x30")      March 18, 2013

"Obviously, I am playing.  I'm going to look at this for a few days."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Sold Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Pitcher Of Roses"

Oil on linen     (16"x12")                 SOLD   August 15, 2012 

"Many thanks to the nice couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary who bought this painting last week at The Brown County Art Guild Gallery in Nashville, Indiana.  I wish that I could find the better photo of this painting but just not having any luck."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Reworked Paintings, Destroyed Paintings by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Red Geraniums"  (Reworked)

© Nora Kasten

Oil on linen on board  (24"x20")    Reworked July 22, 2012

"Peach With Franciscan Ware"  (Reworked)

© Nora Kasten
Oil on linen on board   (12"x12")  Reworked  July 22, 2012

"Today, I did something that I almost never do and that is to rework a painting.  I go with the theory that it is better . . .    and saves precious time to start a new painting rather than try to fix a bad one.  But the two paintings above were reworked today and I feel better about them.   I removed two inches from each side of "Red Geraniums" before reworking."

No hope for the two paintings below so I destroyed them and they are GONE

"March Bouquet No. 1"  (16"x12")
Oil on linen on board

"Dried Roses & Blue Vase"  (12"x12")
Oil on textured canvas

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE