The call her Blessed

I Wisdom, I am called blessed because I have surrendered to God. I have excelled all other women, I will be praised because I have feared the Lord.

Gallery Tour:

Re-Stringing Pearls

Words learned by Solomon at his mother's knee:

Provers 31:27,28,29,30,31
"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her; Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Magenta Sky

I Wisdom have much to tell you in selecting a wife. She will keep the cold away from your door and you will be known in the gate. Her strength and honor is her garment. She opens her mouth with wisdom and kindness is on her tongue.

Gallery Tour, Wisdom is your tour guide. This is an impressionist painting with the New Mexico colors. Another one painted with mixed media and palette knife.

Re-Stringing Pearls, My Son, take heed to my words, a woman with honor and strength will be a joy to you. Your heart will rejoice. She opens her mouth and you can trust the words that will come forth, the law of kindness will be on her tongue, not only for you but for your children. Take Heed, a good wife is a good thing.

Words taught to Solomon by his mother:

Proverbs 31: 21,22,23,24,25,26,27 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and  purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them. And supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She waits over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Adobe 2

I Wisdom am your strength. I walk with God and you will know strength when you take God into your confidence.  He will give you the lamp to your feet and light to your path.

Gallery Tour: This painting is also part of the Santa Fe Experience Series. It encompasses the whole canvas. It feels tall and strong.

Re-Stringing Pearls: My Son, Strength beside you in a wife, will comfort you at night and will work beside you during the day. She will be generous and lend to the poor thus by giving you treasurers in heaven. You will walk as one, therefore as she prays for you, she will bring blessings upon you. She will be a good wife and you will know goodness all the days of your life.

Words Solomon learned from his mother:

Proverbs 31:17,18,19,20  She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

Adobe

I Wisdom, do not honor a lazy wife, she will bring you to ruin. A wife will compliment you, she will come along side to work with you.  

Gallery Tour: This is a mixed media and the palette knife adds texture to this adobe which is backed up against the  New Mexico mountains.

Re-Stringing Pearls: My Son, Pray for the wife of God's choosing. He has groomed you to be a leader. A godly wife will come along side and compliment your purpose. She will take up the slack and she will have the confidence to go outside of her boundaries to bring food for afar. I would like to think that the food that Solomon talks about is the heavenly food from afar and is made available to anyone who will ask for it. God says, if anyone lacks wisdom, ask of Him. A praying a wife is absolutely necessary for a complete home. 


Words Solomon's mother taught him at her knee.

Proverbs 31:13,14,15,16 " She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it from her profits she plants vineyard."

Northern New Mexico

I Wisdom,  am a voice for those who can not speak. Be careful the words you speak for others. Their life is in your hands.

Colors of Home

Gallery Tour: This series of paintings are of Northern New Mexico. They have pitched roofs. They are distinctive in themselves. The smoke opens the sky and brings the third dimension of background.

Re-Stringing Pearls: When you pick a wife, it is more than finding one who makes you happy. She will be wise and make right choices so that you feel safe. She will be a virtuous women, she will do you good. You will go to work and know she is taking care of your heart and your home with great care.

Words Solomon heard at the feet of his mother:

Proverbs 31:8,9,10,11,12 " Open my our mouth for the speechless. In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and no evil all the days of her life."

I Wisdom, will guide you through the Proverbs thirty-one woman. As you have walked through the proverbs, you will notice that the thirty-one women, who we all admire and idolize, is the culmination of the proverbs through the first thirty chapters.

Taos Pueblo

Gallery Tour - I Wisdom will now take you through the adobes of New Mexico. The home reflects who is inside. The blue doors are prevalent to what the families believe in, their traditions and also superstitous ways.

Re-stringing Pearls The Proverbs thirty-one woman is a collective composition of all the proverbs that proceeded this last chapter. Solomon is reminded of his mother and the things she said to him and warned him about. Take heed to my words, she is saying, you are the son from my womb, the son of my vows. Do not give your strength to women nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

Keep chaste in your heart, so that your footing will be sure and your way will be safe.  Your lifestyle will either tear down who you are or build you up. Strong wine or intoxicating drink will cause you to forget the law and pervert justice.

Words Solomon learned from his mother's knee.

Proverbs 31:l-7 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him: What, my son? And what, son of my womb? and what, son of my vows? Do not give your strength to women nor your ways to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of heart. Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more.

The Root of the Righteous Yields Fruit

I Wisdom, The fruit depends upon the root. Inspect the root, see that it is planted in Christ, see to it that it is watered with the rains from heaven, and feed with the manna  that sustains. This will determind what kind of fruit you will bear.

The root of the righteous yeilds fruit

Gallery Tour: This is a textured painting. The door is the same color as the sky, it feels like you can see through the house. The warm New Mexico sky over this adobe roots this painting in a way of life.

Re-stringing Pearls, My Son, We so easily look at what people have or do not have, but it is not that which they possess but what possesses them. The scripture says, "Possess your own soul." Learn to dig into your heart, it has been regenrated by the power of God. You can trust your heart as long as you surrender to the Lord.

You want fruit from your employees, it will come from God. Lean not on your own understanding, trust the Lord and you will bear fruit of righteousness from your people. They will trust you, be loyal to you, work hard for you and watch your back. Isn't that all a boss could ask for?

Words Solomon learned from his mother's knee

Proverbs 12:12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit. The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will come through trouble. A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth and the recompense of a man's hands will be rendered to him.

The House of the Righteous will Stand

I Wisdom, a man is seen by the way he treats his things. Whether it is his home, his animals or his servants. Submit yourself to Wisdom and learn how to respect others and things you possess.

The House of the Righteous will Stand

Gallery Tour: Another painting in the Santa Fe Experience Collection. This is done with a palette knife, it is the texture, color  and the roughedness that speaks in this colloection. These adbodes seemingly rise out of the dirt of the earth. It is made of its own kind, "Earth".

Re-stringing Pearls, My Son - It is not how big your house is, how modern, how impressive, but it is the heart of the house that will speak to others.  It is the people in the house that makes the house. If your heart is right with God, your house will stand. That can mean where you live or who you are.

The way you regard animals speaks volumns about you. You are so kind and caring and generous to the animals you have been given. You are also kind to tose who are under you and you have brought out the best in them.

You are hard on them, maybe it is because you expect so much from yourself and thereby expects so much from others.

Words Solomon learned from his mother's knee.

Proverbs 12:7-11, The wicked are overthrown and are not more, but the house of the righteous will stand. A man will be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised. Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, than he who honors himself but lacks bread. A righteous man regard the life of his animal. But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

Crowning Glory

I Wisdom,  will show you how to be a crown for your husband to wear proudly. Choose my ways, I was in the beginning with the Father, I understand His principles. Follow His principles, you will find life and those around you will also find life. Wickness leads to shame and will bring rottenness in his bones.

Crowning Glory

Gallery Tour: I Wisdom, am your tour guide. I love this painting for the texture, Even though the heaven is dark, it feels like glory is coming down upon the house of a wise woman. This is another one of The Santa Fe Experience Collection.

Re-Stringing Pearls
My Son, Home is everything. This is where you learn, grow up, become yourself. If the mother of the house is wise, she will crown her husband and everyone in the home. If she is not wise, she will bring death to those who inhabit her house. Find a wife who will bring glory to you.

She will be a crowning glory to you, if she receives that which is from heaven. Choose one who walks with God and she will not bring rottenness to your bones.  

Words Solomon learned at the knee of his Mother:

Proverbs 12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband. But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

Rooted in the Past

I wisdom will teach you how to be a good man and obtain favor from the Lord. A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous cannot be moved.

Rooedt in the Past

Gallery Tour: This adobe is rooted in culture, tradition and community. They will not easily be moved. It looms tall in the minds of its inhabitants. It is bigger than the size of the painting which they live in. This painting is one of the Santa fe Experience Collection. It is a mixed media. It is painted on a 300# watercolor paper and is painted in acrylic and oil 

Re-Stringing Pearls: My Son, Righteousness is a root situation. It is not tying an apple on the tree and calling it a fruit tree. The tree will produce the fruit within. Righteousness comes from within, within the heart and the soul of who you are. Be careful to allow your heart to bring the fruit that is planted in you. In that it will be exactly what others need. From one apple comes many seeds and will produce an orchard.

Words that Solomon's Mother taught him.

Proverbs 12:2-3 "A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. A man is not established by wickedness but the root of the righteous cannot be moved.

Community of Terre

I Wisdom, will weigh your motives. I walk with God and I know the beginning from the end. I also know your end. Do not tip the scales, do it God's way.

Community of Terre

Gallery Tour: Living in a community is the way of life for the Taos Indians. They compliment each other and add to each other's betterment. They live with balanced scales and respect for each other. This painting has the same components. The varied colors add to the stacked adobe houses. A variation of colors makes a division in otherwise terre (earth) colors. It all adds to a delightful painting..

Re-Stringing Pearls of Wisdom:

My Son, Job cries out to God, "If I have walked with falsehood, or if my foot has hastened in deceit, let me be weighed on honest scales. That God may know my integrity."  There is something about just weights. Make sure all your dealings are right in God's eyes. He weighs the heart and the things of the heart.  Job was found blameless through all his sufferings and it preserved him until he met the Lord face to face. He had nothing to hid.

David said that the one who gets riches in haste is not innocent. That tells me a lot. There is a motive that is not right, even it seems right. Check out your heart.


Words Solomon learned from his Mother's knee.

Proverbs 11:1 - Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord. But a just weight is His delight.

Magenta Morning in New Mexico

I Wisdom will teach you to be generous. As you give, you get. It might not come in like kind but life will come to you as you open your hand and feed others. When you withhold it leads to poverty.

Magenta Morning in New Mexico

Gallery Tour - The Lord is so generous to wake us to magenta skies. This northern New Mexico home is alive in color. This painting was painted on a 300# watercolor paper and is done in oils. It is also a part of the Santa Fe Experience Series.

Re-Stringing Pearls You are very generous my Son. I see your heart and it is full of kindness and caring for your employees. In the end it is not about how much gold you have acquired but how much you gave.  I will never be rich in this world's riches, but I am rich in friendships and treasures in heaven. It will never compute in the world's eyes, but we do not live for recognizition from the world, but from the Lord. He is very pleased. He is keeping our riches safe.

Words Solomon learned at His mother's knee

Proverbs 11:22-27

As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one  who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich. and he who waters will also be watered himself. The people will curse him who witholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

Honor at Home

I Wisdom, a gracious woman retains honor, she will teach her children to honor her but also honor themselves by making right choices. He who sows righteousness will have a sure reward and righteousness leads to life.   

Gallery Tour - This body of works hangs in the Santa Fe Fine Art Brokeage in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The bright colors, the southwest theme and texture makes this painting what people are looking for when shopping in Santa Fe.  It is a mixed media, on 300# paper in oils.

Re-Stringing Pearls of Wisdom, My Son, honor yourself by making wise decisions. Do not pursue evil, it will only bring death. Look to God, and delight yourself in Him,

Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished. If your heart is right, do not be afraid of men. even though they stand  hand in hand, bringing accusations against you, they will not go unpunished.

Words Solomon learned from his mother's knee

Proverbs 11:16-21

A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches. The merciful man does good for his own soul. But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. The wicked man does deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death. Those who are a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord. But the blameless is their ways are His delight, though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

The Shepherd

I wisdom, you can test your heart by your actions. A man devoid of wisdom depises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace. 

The Shepherd

Gallery Tour, Wisdom is your tour guide - I painted this painting when my children were young. Many times when my children were in danger, I stayed close to the shepherd. I lead them on my knees. This is an oil painting and it was inspired out of the need of allowing the shepherd to break one of my lamb's legs and carry him close to his heart. I learned to walk very close to the shepherd during that time, I might have learned more than my lamb and maybe the lesson was for his mother.

Re-Stringing Pearls of Wisdom
My Son, Immediate justice is not always the right way or wisdom. Survey the situation, if there is an offense, pray for our neighbor, then you will gain understanding. He hurts himself more than he does anyone else. Be slow to act and fast to forgive.

His enemy is within himself. He needs your help. Pray for him, he isn't able to do it for himself.

Words Solomon learned at his mother's knee.

Proverbs 11:12-15
He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace. A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. Where there is no counsel, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. He who is suety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being surety is secure.

Yucca

I Wisdom, need to tell you how much God abhors false scales and takes great delight in just weight. The Lord is taking care of orphans and widows and anyone who can not stand up for themselves. God's holiness is the perfect weight. Learn from the Lord what He expects.

Yucca

Gallery Tour This yucca painting was done in the 70's. We were living in Las Cruces, New Mexico and I painted many yuccas with the Organ Mountain in the background. It was done with a brush only. Usually today, when I paint anything as rough as this, I always use a palette knife.

Re-Stringing Pearls! My Son, As prickling as Cactus' are, they are a balance in their environment. Unbalanced scales are an abomination to the Lord. As you govern your team, make decisions for them, keep in mind, the weak and the strong, the likely and not so likely, the introverts and the extravert's. Do not be partial in your judgment. There are those who have more talent, more skills, even more pleasantly attractive to you, be careful that you judge each person with God perfect balanced scales. You might discover that some you would discard is exactly the one you need to finish a task. When others are not tooting their horn, you have to learn how to hear the clear sound of their particular cry.

Words that Solomon learned at his mother's knee

Proverbs 11: 1-6 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.

High Mesa 2

I Wisdom am the fear of the Lord and will prolong days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.  The wicked will perish. How many ways can the Lord say it?The wicked will not inhabit the earth.

High Mesa 2

Gallery Tour This is the second in a series painted for Classic Ramada in Albuquerque, NM. This one has mosiac tile embedded into the acrylic. The mosiac gives an illusion of buildings and a town. It is painted on a 3X4 foot masonite board.

Re-Stringing Pearls My Son, There is something about long days shortened. The wicked will perished and their days will be shortened, and it says they will not inhabit the earth but their perverse tongue will be cut out. I truly believe God's holiness has the final word on each and everyone of us. He only allows the  wicked to go so far, just far enough that His will is done.

Love righteousness. The righteous will never  be removed, and the mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom.

Words learned from the knee of Solomon's mother

Proverbs 10:26-32  As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy man to those who send him. The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened. The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.  The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not inhabit the earth. The mouth of the righteous brings for wisdom, but the preverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

High Mesa 1

I Wisdom, have life. As the righteous your tongue will be like choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is worth little. The tongue speaks that which is in the heart. You can not hide your foolishness. You will be found out.  The blessings of the Lord makes one rich and He adds no sorrow with it.

High Mesa 1

Gallery Tour, I Wisdom will be your tour guild. Come with me as we wander in and out among paintings by Betty Slade. This painting along with a whole series of paintings were commissioned by Ramada Inn Classic in Albuquerque. This is a three by four feet on masonite board. Mosiac had been enbedded into acrylic paint. The hotel wanted a southwestern theme with a contemplary style in peach, purple and aqua colors. The mosiac tiles has the feeling of houses or buildings. Simplicity makes this large painting easy on the eyes and perfect for the foyer. It says a lot with very little design.

Re-Stringing Pearls of Wisdom. Son,  Simplicity is the best policy, "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking." I am begining to see how little is much. This is rare for me, as I love bright colors and I push my life to excess and I write many words and speak many of them also.

You have a knack for speaking with few words. I do not know how you learned that, but it is a virtue. You have learned how to count your words.  Some things I can not teach you, because I have not yet learned them. Be patient with me.

Words from Solomon's Mother:

Proverbs 10:19-25
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many but fools die for lack of wisdom. The blessing of the Lord makes one rich. and He adds no sorrow with it. To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom. The fear of the wicked will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the whirlwind passes by the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foudantion.

Windmill in the Desert

I, Wisdom will give your lips understanding, but a rod will be for the back of the fool. I will store up knowledge for you and your wealth will be a strong city.

Gallery Tour: A windmill in the desert. This is considered a sky painting even though it is a little more than half of the painting. The sky is the dominating feature. This one has been painted with a palette knife on canvas that has been glued to a masonite board.

Re-Stringing Pearls of Wisdom, My Son Wisdom comes from within, it comes from the heart and shows on the lips, just as the windmill pulls the water up from the ground. The wind blows upon the blades and turns the windmill, but the water is hidden under the ground.

A fool, no matter if a rod is taken to his back, he will remain a fool. There is no wisdom that comes from his heart. Wisdom is a heart condition. Knowledge is a mind condition, but wisdom comes from God and God only looks upon the heart.

Allow the Holy Spirit to blow upon you, as the wind blows upon  the desert, keep your heart pure so that wisdom will be upon your lips.


Words Solomon learned at his Mother's knee
Proverbs 10:13-18 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty. The labor of the righeous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin. He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray. Who ever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Rain in the Desert

I Wisdom, will show you how to preserve your name in righteousness. The name of the wicked will rot along with his dead body. A prating fool will fall, but he who walks with integrity walks securely. Be secure, follow wisdom.

Rain in the Desert

Gallery Tour: Another palette knife painting. The rain from heaven brings life to the painting and opens up heaven, but the barren desert remains. It is the nature of the desert to remain as a desert. The golden tip on the smoke tree brings the contrast, between cold and warm, light and dark.

Re-Stringing Pearls of Wisdom: Water in the desert will burn up, just like the treasurers of the wicked. It will come for a moment, even a good name will come for a moment but will rot after the truth is revealed. The desert will always be barren even when the dew form heaven falls on it. A prating fool will always be a fool, even when dew falls upon his lips for a moment.


Words Solomon learned at his Mother's knee
Proverbs 10:6-12 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the righteous is blessed. but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall. He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. He who winks with the eye causes trouble, but a prating fool will fall. The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

Aspens in the Snow

I Wisdom, will show you how to gather riches. You must keep a diligent hand, Treasurers of wickedness profits nothing. No matter how much the wicked labor, their profit will come to nothing.

Aspens in the Snow

Gallery Tour: This is a palette knife on canvas glued to masonite board. The warmth in the sky balances out this otherwise cold painting. In the Proverbs, there is always the comparison to the wise and the foolish or the dark and light. This painting is predominately cold, with a slight contrast of warmth.

Re-Stringing Pearls of Wisdom
My Son, everything is about choices. Solomon wrote with the same contrast, you can be wise or you can be foolish, it is your choice. Solomon warns the wicked who gathers treasures without profit. It is labor in vain. The deligent will gather riches in the summer and is a wise son. Summer to me, is the time when life is easy, trees are full of sap, fruit and leaves. It is much easier to gather in the summer than in the winter, when the harsh winds blow against your roots and strip you of all that you have gathered.

Words Solomon learned at his Mother's knee

Proverbs 10:1-5 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, but he casts away the desire of the wicked. He who has a slack hand becomes poor,but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in havest is a son who causes shame.