Jeannette Cuevas Studio Journal

Unexpected Beauty

It’s a mystery to me why I am so drawn to painting cactus. I’ve always thought they were, for the most part, pretty ugly...and thorny. Somewhere along the way, I started thinking they were really beautiful. I think it’s amazing how a plant that is so dreadful can transform into such a beautiful thing at times. I love that about it. I think it’s that way in life, too. Sometimes the ugliest and thorniest circumstances, in time, give way to incredible beauty. I think of that when I paint cactus. It’s a good reminder and one reason I love painting them.

Blessed

There’s no north light coming through my studio window today.

But even though, it feels so peaceful here. A dreary, rainy day outside. But sitting here at my easel, my mind is far away from the fears that lurk all around beyond this place. Instead I see the light in the painting in front of me and it transports me. I feel so blessed to be able to do this for a living - painting the light in all God’s creations and sharing it with others. I couldn’t ask for a more satisfying and fulfilling endeavor.