Rachel Smith Maher ~ Artist and Poet

Twelve Noon on New Year's Day.  Happy 2014!  I absolutely love New Year's Day...its a new beginning, a fresh start.  Its a chance to grow, learn, change, appreciate, and love...just a little bit better, a little bit more, than the year before.  Building upon all that I learned, I journey forward into this budding pathway.  I have some new things I want to try, some new thoughts I want to think.  Join me in this voyage we call life...the adventure of a brand new year!   AND, as is tradition at Dragonfly Arts, the first painting of the year ("Comes the Dawn" pictured above) is given to the first person who asks for it...free!  (This one is painted on aquaboard and is 5"x7") My email is dragonflyartsofmaine@yahoo.com 

Dan Fogelberg's most famous Christmas song is Auld Lang Syne, of course.  "Saw an old lover in the grocery store...la da da da Christmas Eve..."  But he breathes new life into this 19th Century Christmas hymn and it has become one of my all time favorites.  You can find it on his "The First Christmas Morning" CD--highly recommended--as a collection of beautifully written or resurrected pieces that point to Christ, the whole reason for Christmas.  Enjoy!  In the Bleak Mid-Winter In the bleak mid-winter, the frosty wind did moan The earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone Snow had fallen softly, snow on snow on snow In the bleak mid-winter, oh so long ago Our God, heaven cannot hold Him nor the earth sustain Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign In the bleak mid-winter a stable place sufficed For the Lord almighty, Jesus Christ Oh what can I give Him, woeful as I am If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb If I were a wiseman, oh I would d...

There are mountains in my mind.  Some I climb up, some I climb down.  When atop the thrilling peak, I can see distant lands and times.  When in the valleys, I see both sides more clearly as I wait patiently in the shadows for guidance.  My hope is that I always have the courage to take one more step--whether up or down--and remember that my Savior is with me always.  I've been listening to a "new" album on my turntable...here are some words of wisdom from one of my favorite musicians, Dan Fogelberg:   The higher you climb, the more that you see The more that you see, the less that you know The less that you know, the more that you yearn The more that you yearn, the higher you climb ~~18"x15" $325 framed

Four new tubes of paint + one new brush = a happy day of painting!  New Year's greetings a few days late...but better late than never.  In this sunset painting, I was inspired by the dark tree shadows contrasting against the pink/orange glow of the setting sun on the snow.  Just beautiful!  A new year means a fresh start, new goals, new fun--and many new paintings!  I am pleased to be back in my studio after a holiday break, connected to my passion, and ready to see what 2013 brings!  I am grateful to my Lord who has provided this opportunity, and promise to steward it carefully!  And, as is tradition at Dragonfly Arts, the first painting of the year is available for free to the first person who asks for it!  

The Wisemen heard the Good News and wanted to worship the New King. They asked, “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2) They searched, and found their King…but it was not what they expected, to say the least. The star led them to a house where they discovered the Boy Child and his mother Mary. No royal robes, no golden crown, no throne, no palace. Did they turn around, assuming they were mistaken? Did they look at the night sky, seeking another star? Nope. They bowed down and worshiped. And opened their treasures. And offered their gifts. (Matthew 2:11) To the little Child who was their King. Have you ever encountered such a scene…where things did not turn out the way you planned…they way you hoped…the way they were supposed to? Feelings of discouragement, despair, anger and frustration seem warranted. But God’s ways are not our ways. He asks us to look at the Wisemen, and worship anyways. To open th...

In Northern Maine, where I was raised, Aurora Borealis (aka Northern Lights) was a common sight on many a Winter's night. There was a mystery to the night sky that captured my attention and fueled my child-like wonder. It was only on those darkest nights, far away from the city's lights, far away from Summer's sun, that the purple, yellow and green would dance across the sky. Life always has a parallel to Nature. It is only in those darkest of times--the Dark Night of the Soul--where only True Light can shine. If it weren't so dark, we would not be able to see the light...it would go unnoticed in our busy lives. But thankfully, ironically, there are troubled times that help us enjoy the good times even more...difficulties allow us to see Love shine even brighter. ~~this painting is in a private collection in Maine~~

The snow fell deep last night. Luckily it is the fluffy kind, which makes heading out to the barn a bit easier. Snowflake and Daisy will want their oats and daily apple treat. They don't mind the cold, as long as there's fresh hay in their stalls. Love my horses. Love caring for animals. They don't ask for much, and give love so freely. Wonder how Snowflake got her name? She's my favorite. So unique in her markings. Guess that's kinda like the flakes that fell last night. I can see each outline of the few that stick to my mittens. I heard somewhere that every snowflake that has ever fallen, or will ever fall, is unique--there will never be another like it. Mind boggling, considering how many snowflakes fall every winter! Which leads me to wonder, and imagine, how every human is unique and an individual...fearfully and wonderfully made. Am I loving and caring for the humans in my life? Am I appreciative of their special qualities? Could I be more patient, more under...

Can a snowfall be cozy? Sure, if it's Christmas Eve in New England! The flakes come twinkling down all fluffy and frozen. After hauling in the fragrant evergreen, and shaking the snow off our feet, we'll sit down to some steamy hot cocoa. That's about as cozy as it gets! When I was very little, my Dad and I would hike into the woods and select a nice fir tree that we thought would please Mom and look the best in our living room decorated with antique bulbs, homemade clay snowmen and plenty of tinsel. I recalled those moments as I painted this winter scene. Cozy, isn't it? ~~~This painting is in a private collection in Maine.