growth ring tree series

This series came about as a result of a number of drawings my grandmother created while in her last years of life. she would explore her memories by talking them out while drawing hundereds of circles within circles on construction paper with oil pastels. this idea reminded me of the growth rings within the cross section of trees. from there, the organic oval shapes formed. a tree, of course, cannot grow without water and, as it says in psalms, we are like trees planted by streams of living water. i suppose it is whether we choose to accept the living water Jesus provides for us that determines the quality & depth of our growth. therein lies the series...the everyday of spending time 'drinking in' the widsom the Bible provides is the most challenging part for me...i'm looking for ways to creatively soak up that 'water'...whether it's listening on c.d., getting the new manga Bible we ordered just the other day, or rewriting what i've just read to really get it into my system and apply that Word to my life. this is what this series of art is about...and after that growth comes, the explosion of color it adds to my life...hence, the series ends in several abstract collages (see http://www.marymakesart.etsy.com/ and look for the little square pieces with tiny circles that are collaged onto the paintings) about water, light and color. it all starts with this little figure planting a seed in a place where it can really get the light & nourishment it needs to grow. it's staying & growing in that place that continues to be my hope.