A pattern emerges.
As you read Genesis 1 you will see a pattern occurring ... God comes up with a plan and then the physical manifestation takes place. Things are created spiritually first (ideas, a need for a solution, inspiration) then they are created physically. That is what happens to me each time I create. Sometimes it comes easily and other times I struggle with that 'oh-so' very ​blank canvas... I battle, RESEARCH, create, discard, redo, RESEARCH, test out ideas, meditate, RESEARCH, pray, bounce ideas off friends & family and then slowly but surely the physical is made manifest. The struggle is worth it and a new baby is born. Strange how I quickly forget all about the labor pains!

Let me talk you through the process of creating Day 1 as it may help you with a project you are working on!
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​Procrastination.
To be honest I avoided it and decided to create Day 3. The third day of Creation was full of familiar imagery like grass, herbs, fruit trees and seeds. So I procrastinated tackling Day 1.

Deal with it!
Then the day came when I pulled up my big girl panties and decided that its time to create Day ONE. I had a blank canvas and an even blanker brain!!!
"The earth was without form and void... darkness was upon the face of the deep." Looks to me like Day 1 should be a big black square! Nope, not good enough...! So I researched, prayed, scribbled and repeated that process over multiple times. THEN wonderful things began to happen. Inspiration came. The Hebrew translation of the word 'CREATED' is shaped, fashioned. Using materials that are in existence God shaped and fashioned the earth. Out of chaos came order. The outer swirls represent chaos and if you look close you will find symbols that represent matter... solid, water and gas plus elements from the periodic table. All of these represent matter unorganised. The 3D outline rendering represents the spiritual plan of the Earth under construction while the lighter area is the spirit of God moving up the face of the waters.  
Each Day of Creation sits in a circle within a square. The square symbolises the earth and the circle represents eternity or Heaven. Therefore the circle and the square together depict Heaven on Earth... even the Garden of Eden.

Voila!
I am very proud of that art piece and over the years have come to know that persistence develops your creative muscles. Don't give up... order WILL come out of chaos.

​Thanks for reading. Would love to hear your comments.

I watched the beautiful state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II with a heart full of love and respect for an amazing woman. The services at Westminster Abbey and Windsor's St George's Chapel were touching, respectful, dignified and full of the Spirit. It had extra significance to me as I acknowledged the deep meaning behind the heraldry and the symbolism. The whole occasion was full of things ancient and divine.

My desire is to share with you some very important information. I will do that over the coming months but let's begin with this...

Throughout the funeral service you could not miss the Royal Coat of Arms and the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom (the banner of arms) the latter of which was covering the queen's coffin. They hold great significance as you compare them to the emblems of the tribes of Israel.

THE EMBLEMS OF AN ANCIENT ISRAEL
Following the division of Israel into two kingdoms (ca. 922 BC) unique emblems were needed. The traditional lion of Judah was given a crown as the emblem of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The unicorn, a horse with a horn (wild Ox), was used as the emblem of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, led by Ephraim.*

King David was not only a great leader, but also a poet and a musician. The Harp of David is often used in heraldry to convey the ancestral tie of royalty to David.*
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Emblems of heraldry in the British Royal Arms strongly suggest that leaders of both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah came to Britain. The state shield is supported by the Crowned Lion of Judah and the Unicorn of Ephraim. One is reminded of Isaiah's prophecy that in the last days "Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim."*

On the British Royal Arms are three other symbols of the tribe of Judah: the Three Lions couchant of Pharez-Judah, the Red Lion rampant of Zarah-Judah, and the Harp of David. Also, the shield is quartered, symbolic of the four brigades of Israel. The crowned lion and emblems of Judah within the shield imply that Britain is peopled by descendants of the tribe of Judah. Bible prophecies certainly raise the probability that British rulers are descendants of the House of Israel. 2 Samuel 7:16 records the prophecy of Nathan to King David in which an everlasting covenant was made, guaranteeing that the Royal House would continue to reign: "And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." We are also reminded of Jacob's statement in his blessing of Judah (Genesis 49:10): "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah." The British royal sceptre is another emblem retained from ancient times.*

*(Vaughn E. Hansen, 'Israel's Lost Ten Tribes-Migrations to Britain and the United States.) 

NOTE: British, Belgian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian monarchies also chose to have lions upholding a crown in their coat of arms.

CORONATION AND THE ANOINTING OF A KING OR QUEEN
As an important part of her coronation Queen Elizabeth II participated in a sacred ceremony where she was anointed Queen. Let's compare that to the sacred ceremonies in the Bible.
Judaism
The holy anointing oil (Hebrew: שמן המשחה, shemen ha-mishchah, "oil of anointing") formed an integral part of the ordination of the priesthood and the High Priest as well as in the consecration of the articles of the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:26) and subsequent temples in Jerusalem. The primary purpose of anointing with the holy anointing oil was to sanctify, to set the anointed person or object apart as qodesh, or "holy" (Exodus 30:29)
Originally, the oil was used exclusively for the priests and the Tabernacle articles, but its use was later extended to include kings (1 Samuel 10:1). It was forbidden to be used on an outsider (Exodus 30:33) or to be used on the body of any common person (Exodus 30:32a) and the Israelites were forbidden to duplicate any like it for themselves (Exodus 30:32b).*

*(Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anointing)

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The funeral was a very sacred experience for me as it touched me on so many levels. I am grateful for the continuation of Holy Ordinances through our ancestry and our connection with Israel and how powerful symbolism is in reminding us of divine matters.

I was focussed and determined! This time I was going to do what it takes to stretch myself spiritually, mentally and artistically to create a piece of art worthy of a place in the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City. The journey was full of research, discoveries, inspiration from on high and hard but enjoyable work. I am so pleased with the results and the jurors were too. The competition was steep (859 art submissions were competing against mine) and yet the jury selected mine to be part of the exhibition in the 12th International Art Competition! I am overjoyed.

​MY CULTURAL HERITAGE
Here is the background behind my design. I have a great love of all things ancient and spiritual and have been inspired by the illuminated script from the Lindisfarne Gospels. This cultural heritage blends dynamically with my skills as a professional graphic designer and artist. I add these elements to my deep love of the Saviour and His gospel and have created this piece, “All are Invited,” to illustrate God’s goodness and His love for ALL His children.

SYMBOLS
God uses symbols to teach His children using simple, familiar objects to represent deeper concepts that apply to all humanity and their connection to their Creator. Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son, followed this pattern by teaching through parables and symbols. Symbols are multilayered, providing insights commensurate with one’s level of spiritual maturity. As one matures, the ability to understand grows. 
Symbolism is a universal and timeless language. It brings color to the world of visual expression and takes us beyond the literal. Symbols transcend cultures and expresses the language of the heart and of the Spirit relative to life’s experiences. Despite the varying interpretations of symbols, eternal symbols will ultimately lead all to God.

UNITY, SEPARATION & RESTORATION
The concept of “symbol” as unity, separation and restoration provide a construct for our journey through life. Unity is God’s love in our premortal existence. Separation is leaving our earthly home and learning to rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Restoration is embracing the Savior’s Atonement and eventually returning to God’s divine presence, once again in perfect unity.

I am currently working on more art pieces using symbolism to tell a story. I will post as I complete them.

The images above are 1. my initial sketches  2. the finished art piece 3. a handbound book explaining the symbols