My Life's Work...

A couple of days ago, I stood among the work of the ten years of my life, in a room being prepared to exhibit 50 paintings of the Savior's life. It was overwhelming what I felt. Countless memories came to mind of the people and the stories that were involved in creating these paintings and the immense gratitude that overtook me. I am not sure words can adequatedly express how I felt that day as I stood alone in that room. I don't know how talents are passed out, or what promises we make in regards to how we will use them, but I hope that my Heavenly Father and his Son are pleased with the efforts and the results that have been created these past few years and the many hands and hearts that have contributed.
Liz Lemon Swindle

Trials and Blessings

I noticed I missed putting away one of the grandchildren’s Christmas drawings that I have framed and hung at Christmas time--I think I will leave it up for a while. It quickly took me back to the season we all love and miss when it has passed. This was a difficult Christmas. My daughters and their families all came from the east coast and joined us and joined the family here. On Christmas morning I woke up with a dry throat and cough and by Christmas night I was very ill. The girls were here for 10 days and I spent 6 of them in bed. Discouraging! It seems my year has been filled with one illness after another ending with being diagnosed arthritis around Thanksgiving.

The one thing that those six days in bed gave me was a chance to talk to my Heavenly Father in a very deep and personal way. I was afraid of what the future might hold for me as an artist, but continually, I felt the calming peace that comes through the Spirit. I had time to reflect on the many, many blessings that have guided me in this work of painting my Savior and was safe in the knowledge that I had been promised that I would see it through to the end. I suppose the greatest gift I was given this Christmas was another chance to strengthen my faith and to voice my deepest desires to my Father of my heart and this work. He knows it all already, but it is important for us to speak from our souls and for Him to hear from our hearts where we are on this journey.

I have no idea what the future holds for these hands of mine, but I know with out doubt that he will help me hold the paintbrush if needs be to finish this work. I love what I do, I am happy with my life and thankful for my trials that bring me closer to my Heavenly Father. May we all have a year of conversations with Him and often.

Liz Lemon Swindle

Blogger's are getting involved as Affiliates in "RETURN TO THE FAMILY"

Return To The Family "Dinner Table Discussions"
Top Bloggers Julie Mac Donald of LeeLou Designs and Elisa Scharton of Mormon Mommy Blogs worked exclusively with Liz Lemon Swindle to put together 12 hand selected limited edition prints, each with a message. One print is sent out each month. The emphasis is on the family.
TO BECOME AN AFFILIATE BLOGGER for Liz Lemon Swindle:
affiliates4art.blogspot.com or www.foundationarts.com/createaffiliateaccount


TOP CHRISTMAS GIFTS:
Return to the Family "Dinner Table Discussions" Liz Lemon Swindle's Collectors Limited Edition:
www.foundationarts.com/p-24658-return-to-the-family-2011-limited-collectors-edition
From Hallmark Gift Stores, some of the hottest gifts this year:
Rudolop the Red Nosed Reindeer Storybook:
www.coppinsgifts.com/rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-recordable-storybook

Most popular game this year and a 2010 Toy Fair introduction Bubble Talk:
www.coppinsgifts.com/bubble-talk-game

The hot item for children that builds on the silly bandz craze and the Japanese erasers trend:
www.coppinsgifts.com/whompcharmz


Liz Lemon Swindle 2011 Collectors Edition Calendars and DVD are available at the following retailers
RETAILERS: Macys, Harmons, Hallmark, Deseret Book, SeaGull and Roberts (online at www.foundationarts.com)
Get VIP TICKETS to meet Liz Lemon Swindle at exclusive shows.
Contact cori.foundationart@gmail.com for TICKETS

Joseph Smith Memorial Building- 15 E. South Temple, SLC
Fri. Dec. 10, 6 - 9 pm
Repartee Gallery- 1110 E. Fort Union Blvd./above Desert Book
Sat. Dec.11, 11- 2pm
Repartee Gallery- University Mall Suite J-168, Orem
Sat. Dec. 11, 6 - 9 pm
Repartee Gallery- Bountiful
Sat. Dec. 18, 6-9

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To learn more about Liz Lemon Swindle's artwork, you can visit
www.reparteegallery.com.

To learn more about Mormon Mommy Blogs, visit
www.mormonmommyblogs.com.

To learn more about local Hallmark stores, visit
www.coppinsgifts.com.

Here is a list of bloggers that are participating in Liz Lemon Swindle's "Dinner Time Discussions":
www.mormonmommyblogs.com
www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com
www.thebinghamdiaries.com
www.casualbloggercommunity.com
localcommunityhotspots.com
welcometomychaos.com
wheredidiputthat.blogspot.com
www.makeit-loveit.com
thebackorderedlife.blogspot.com
isherthelove.blogspot.com
thedressupdrawer.blogspot.com
makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com
goodncrazy.com
sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com
greenjellowithcarrots.blogspot.com
thebarrelblogreviews.wordpress.com
becauseireallycantgetenoughofmyself.blogspot.com
pitterlepostings.blogspot.com
betterinbulk.net
momza.blogspot.com
iwishiwasindixie.com
www.fyi-tipsformoms.com
www.bradenbell.com

Return To The Family

As Liz Lemon Swindle's publicist I get the opportunity to share with you the many projects that Liz is working on as well as endorses.  The most recent project "Return to the Family" was the combined efforts of 3 mothers who also have experience as Bloggers.   If you are a Blogger who is looking for a worthy message to share on the family this may grab your attention. In "Return to the Family, every month a participant receives a painting with a list of core values and principals. The objective is to create a "Dinner Table Conversation" by showing the painting and discussing what each person thinks the painting represents. (December's painting "O Holy Night" is shown above.)

As Liz state so eloquently, "We have spent so much of our time trying to give our children everything, that we have left them with nothing."   The hopes of this campaign is to help bring families together at dinner and to open up conversations that will teach, inspire and increase solid family ties.

For more information on the "Return To The Family" campaign along with our Bloggers Affiliate Program please contact me at cori.foundationart@gmail.com or go to:


RETURN TO THE FAMILY
http://leeloublogs.blogspot.com/2010/11/return-to-family-project-with-liz-lemon.html


Cori Dyer
Foundation Arts
Marketing/Publicist
801-310-3464

Bringing Peace Into the Home

Bringing Peace Into the Home is a campaign started by Liz Lemon Swindle.  Liz is an international artist whose desire is to teach and inspire through art. The Editor behind this campaign is Gina Bagley. Gina writes, "Does putting our kids in time out really work?  I was giving this some thought one day and came up with the idea of "Time Out with a Twist". Instead of taking two arguing children to their rooms I decided to put them in front of a painting of Jesus that hangs in our home.  I then told them to look at the picture of Jesus and talk to each other about what it meant to them. I saw a difference with these two children.  I have since looked for art to put into my home that teaches and inspires.  Art is an incredible way to teach lessons to children and even ourselves.  Often when I need a break I will sit down and look at the painting of Jesus on my wall and spend a quiet moment or two learning a few things about myself."

Do you think by having art in your home that has purpose and meaning can make a difference?  Tell us what your thoughts are and if you have had any inspiring stories with art that you are willing to share.

Notice in the two pictures above. Simply by placing an inspirational piece of art with this already beautiful decor immediately brought about a new feeling, with more purpose.  Look for areas in your home where you can place beautiful art that will teach, inspire and add purpose.  A great resource is Foundation Arts.  Get on this site to see the wide variety of inspirational paintings and gift ideas that will truly inspire and bring peace and purpose into your home and to those who you care about.

The Parables and Michael & Liz Make New DVD

I recently attended one of Liz's photo shoots on "The Parables".  What an amazing experience.  No one could hold back the tears as we watched the models come to life as they portrayed their roles so well. The 2 models enacted Christ and a modern day version of the lost sheep that seemed so lifelike and real that you were in awe while observing.

Just the other day Michael McLean came into the studio with an idea for his Forgotten Carols.  He had written a new song and wanted to put several of Liz's painting of Christ, his birth and life on a large screen to be shown in a slide presentation as the Forgotten Carol's closing number.

We now have Michael's new song along with Liz's beautiful art work in a brand new DVD titled "Arise and Shine Forth".  If you would like a sneak peak of this amazing DVD you can see the actual video by going to: CLICK Foundation Arts


Gina Bagley
Editor in Chief 
Foundation Arts

Dinner Table

When I was growing up my dad would come home from work and we would all gather for dinner. We talked of things that happened that day. I did not know then how therapeutic that was. It was just something that we did every night. Now I look back and it was there at the dinner table where questions were answered and strength was given.

Today I come home from work and we all gather for dinner. I love to hear what happened to my children during the day. I love to listen to them complain and laugh about funny things. It is there that I often sense a child has had a rough day. I am hoping that they too receive answers to their questions and strength to their souls. It has become a tradition in my home as it was when I was young.

I discovered recently that many families don’t eat at a table but in front of the television. How sad to lose those moments of answering and strengthening. If there was one thing that I would use it would be the time when the family gathers for dinner. The time to teach and discuss and strengthen is between bites of roast beef and potatoes. Just a thought, but maybe telling a story of Jesus with a picture that shows it all would give the strength to our children that  they need today.