Painting En Plein Air: Finding Peace with Paint

I painted en Plein air with oil paints for the SECOND time ever! In this episode, I painted at Rockledge Park in Grapevine. This location was absolutely beautiful! We met my cousin at the park and she and my dad and I painted together! For this painting, I used oils on a gessoed panel (links…

Read More

Painting En Plein Air: Focusing on God’s Beauty

Hi! I’m Alyssa, the middle child of the Strauss family! I’m so glad you are here! Welcome back to my Art and Faith series! If you are new here, I’ve been beginning a journey learning how to paint en Plein air, which is the French way to say “painting outside.” Beholding the beauty of God’s…

Read More

The Beartooth Highway – A Drive with Incredible Beauty

I love planning trips, and at this time of year, I’m dreaming about them! Last year Andy wanted to go to Yellowstone National Park for his Senior family trip. When I made the plan, I mapped our route to stop at Mount Rushmore, and then stop for a couple of days at a remote cabin…

Read More

Dallas Holocaust Museum: An Upstander for Human Rights

As I read through Corrie ten Boom’s The Hiding Place again with my thirteen year old daughter, the incredible suffering many experienced during the holocaust of World War II humbled me once more. Sometimes it can be challenging in our comfortable worlds to remember how blessed we are. Visiting the Dallas Holocaust Museum is a…

Read More

Seattle Spotlight: Chihuly Garden and Glass & Space Needle

I am a sucker for a garden. Everywhere we travel, I try to find a local garden to explore. When we went to President Clinton’s library in Little Rock, AR, I saw some of Chihuly’s work displayed there. It also is featured in Atlanta’s Botanical garden which is incredible! So when we were heading to…

Read More