Beauty Refresher: Jonathan Rogers Writer / Teacher / Encourager

A Brilliant Writer, A Generous Guide

Jonathan Rogers is a rare combination: a great writer who is able to teach and encourage others. He curates and encourages a community of people who write (and some who still choke over calling themselves "writers!') at The Habit Membership. He teaches seminars, hosts podcasts, offers a free weekly writing newsletter (sign up here), and has a treasure-trove of writing exercises and grammar tips (for word nerds like me!) through the Habit Membership.

Jonathan is the author of the popular Wilderking Trilogy, and a spiritual biography of Flannery O’Connor, The Terrible Speed of Mercy. He is an active member of The Rabbit Room where many of his podcasts can be found. I met him a few years ago when he spoke at InSpero’s Art of Community discussion and led a writing seminar in Birmingham. I’ve been a fan ever since!

Link here to find out about his latest online six-week writing seminar on Writing with Anne of Green Gables which begins September 14.

Beauty Refresher: Tricia Robinson Artist

"Thou Shalt Not Postpone Joy"

That's one of my favorite phrases and no one paints and lives that out like Tricia Robinson. Her heart pours out in her painting. Here are a few of her words and images:

"Painter of happy. Believer in whimsy. Seeing God's smile in the everyday."  

“The Four” (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba) by Tricia Robinson

"When I am happy in the wonky instead of the ‘glossy pages of perfection,’ then the magic happens! I can laugh in the middle of the hard and carry a song in the healing. . .

When the painted flowers on the canvas are lopsided and my dining room table is leaning towards the middle, I can smile. There is wonky in my face wrinkles and there is wonky in my hair cut. . .

When I let go of the ‘performance’ and the ‘have to’ and the ‘shoulds’ and the culture of ‘southern culture’ and just say, “‘his is me,’ I feel like a bird just released from its cage. . 🌸"

“Be” by Tricia Robinson

"I love to draw girls and dresses and houses and flowers, just like I did when I was eight. And it is still wonky. I love fashion design. Just like I loved as a teenager. But I love wonky fashion design like Gucci… mismatched colors and fabrics... so beautifully imperfect. . ."

“Freedom Butterfly” by Tricia Robinson

Tricia helps us shake off the dark days and live happy. You’ll love following her on Instagram.

Beauty Refresher: Ruth Leslie Art

One of the best things about Instagram is waiting for a post from Ruth Leslie to see what she named her latest piece of art. It always makes me smile (and laugh out loud) and the art is always beautiful. She takes me to places I love—the wild beauty of mountains and beaches—and I also love that some of her beautiful art is small enough to set on my desk or on a shelf or in a group of paintings. It brings me great joy. And she loves hiking as much as I do. Okay, just so you can smile too, here are some of the titles of her “James Spann Series” of paintings: “Respect the Polygon,” “Suspenders,” “Lightning, Not Lightening,” and “Hair in a Biscuit” because like Spann says, “That tornado’s hanging in there like hair in a biscuit.” She and her family live in Maylene, Alabama.

No One Comes Inside by Ruth Leslie Art. Little Beehive Trail, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

From Ruth Leslie: This one’s called “No One Comes Inside” because yesterday the neighbor’s kid kept asking me, “Why won’t you let me come inside?” This was our conversation…
Him: Why won’t you let me come inside?
Me: Are you legally related to me in some way?
No.
Can I claim you as a dependent on my taxes?
No.
Are you quiet?
No.
Do you owe me money?
No.
Did you bring me some kind of food?
No.
Then I think we’re done here, buddy.

Ruth Leslie

From Ruth: Since I started painting, my biggest frustration has been the realization that there’s just not enough time to paint “all the things.” I am in complete awe and amazement of this incredible world created for us and I want to get all of it on paper. My family loves being out in nature; anywhere we travel, I always ask the locals, “Y’all got any hikes?” I take a million pictures and then try to paint them...memories in acrylic, gouache, oil, or whatever I can find in my cart. However, no canvas or artist’s brush could ever truly capture the Creator’s original brushstrokes. I find so much joy in my humble attempts at creating art and I cannot fathom how much joy our Lord took in His creation. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to get to share in this small way with others a glimpse of the beauty all around us.

Check out Ruth Leslie on her website and follow her on Instagram. It will make you happy.