Laveda D. Rockford

  Revelation 14 The Redeemed or The Ransomed by Laveda D. Rockford  Here is a new update on my painting. It is a work in progress but coming along nicely. These photos do not do it justice. If you knew the process of oil painting, you would know how difficult it could be at times and wet paint does not photograph well. Many of the old masters kept paintings that they were not finished with because it wasn't exactly what they had in mind and had to step away from it to think about it or paint a commissioned piece. Then when they returned to it, it became something more. I can relate to that.  I catch myself looking at a painting that I have not signed yet and have ideas to make it better. That is the kind of painting I am talking about. I think painting a commissioned piece is just as hard but at least you know what you are going for in the beginning. My paintings are not like that. I have an idea what I want to paint on some of them, and then there are others that the can...

  Painting, Writing, and Gardening   First, I will begin by telling you a little bit about my new painting. When I paint, I really have no idea what will go onto the canvas. I trust the Holy Spirit to guide me, and this painting is hard to understand unless you know about future prophecy . I am calling it The Redeemed or The Ransomed . It takes time to paint an oil painting on canvas, but the rewards are so much worth it. Second, I have started writing my third book and the conversation between the Prince and private investigator Wade Hamilton is remarkably interesting and, if I may say so myself, good! People used to tell me all the time not to complement myself, but I am the only one who cares about it at the moment, and I consider my remark as marketing. I have read other authors give remarks about their books and this goes right along with their comments and marketing strategies. So please be considerate. My birthday was this past week and with everything going on...

  Laveda D. Rockford at home First Things First I have to share this photo with you. The photo below is a new painting that I have been working on. And let me tell you, it is not easy when you work with oil paint. I am not in a hurry to finish it because of that. It just reminds me of how faithful God is and it was something that I needed for myself. It is like a reminder of where God is and what He is up to. We, the human race, are not forgotten by Him. There is a verse in the Bible that says He is patient and kind not wanting anyone to perish. If that is how God is, why would we be any other way? When I pray for people, I pray only good things for them. My heart is right and I am serious about that. Some people would say that I am naive to think that I could have an influence in this big old world, but I have seen things that are evidence of the opposite. I can be effective in someone’s life. Those that I know and those that I do not know personally. And those that I do not know ...

  Cooperation for the Better of Human Existence Have you noticed that we are in the year 2026? As I look at the days that we are living in, it is only fair to ask why we have not found a new way to exist together. Yes, we live in a fast paced, modern society, but what does that gain us if all we see on the news is another shooting? It is so sad to see things like that when all I want to do is reach people intellectually. What happened to cooperation for the better of human existence? When “they” say we have advanced, advanced to what? Where is all this hate coming from? Yes, I know, the Bible says that at this time the devil will know that his time is short and he will go around “like” a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour. I actually used that verse in my first book. But I had no idea that I would be living in these days watching a world that I love come apart at the seams. And when I say that I love the world, I do not mean that I love the world more than God. But I l...

  Beauty Before and Beyond painting by Laveda D. Rockford In honor of the Cherokee Nation, I would like to introduce you to my newest painting, Beauty Before and Beyond .  This painting is a representation of the educational history of my Cherokee ancestry. The two Sequoyah trees are in honor of Sequoyah who started developing the Cherokee syllabary in 1809, and the first Cherokee newspaper, The Cherokee Phoenix, that was published in 1828.    On the eastern side of the United States of America, the resilience of the Cherokee people could be seen through the Cherokee syllabary. Sequoyah was illiterate and uneducated according to the standards of the day. However, this brilliant man fashioned and formed the communication that was dearly needed. Though its future seemed to be doomed when they were forced to walk through fields, forests, and across the river into an area unknown to them called Oklahoma. Would they survive after the Trail of Tears ? Yes, the ninebark in...

  work in progress  small part of my new painting  painting by Laveda D. Rockford  oil on canvas The Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a wonderful plant to grow. The color of its leaves makes its crown look majestic in the morning sun. Heavy dew can cause the leaves to shine when the sun rises above them. This is another small part of my painting that I have been working on. I hope you enjoy this painting. I can’t wait to share the finished piece with you all.  oil on canvas by Laveda D. Rockford 

  Pink roses gradually fading to clear white in the light of a new day is what I am highlighting for you today. It is a small portion of my new painting. It is unfinished but I really like it so far. I would love to know what you think about it. I know that some of you are going through difficult situations and I want you to know that I am praying for all of you.  May God bless you and keep you healthy and safe. Love always, Laveda D. Rockford 

  Light, Beauty, Strength of Time   This bright sunshiny day brings beautiful sights during times of suffering. Why, you ask, can this be? It is a day of blessing among sorrow. The clematis with its soft unfurling petals soften the corner of the patio seeking sunlit days while filling what would be a rather lonely white lattice. It fills my heart with beauty, softness, and the knowledge that hope leads us on during times of uncertainty. Just a few weeks ago I was not certain if I would see this beautiful clematis bloom but here it is giving me encouragement through the season that I have been in. I will bloom, someday, metaphorically speaking. Then there is this, the non-fading red rose, Tiamo, carrying the scent of old-fashioned roses whose beauty is so understated until you get close and see its fashionable setting. What a glorious sight of this single rose. All of these flowers open the wedding season, which I was invited to one but was not able to attend but I ga...

  My third book is going to be exciting.  In The Case of the War  Princess, the FBI contact Wade about a case that they do not want to get involved with. A Princess was kidnapped and it would lead them in directions that would not be helpful at this time. After Wade speaks to the team, GIWADE accepts the assignment that will send them across the world. Quote:  Everyone in the room got up and walked out to get ready for this assignment. Gina, Wade, and Grace were the only ones left to man the phones and plan their trip. Silence and a feeling of peace were in the atmosphere giving them the courage that they needed to continue on. What a wonderful feeling when peace envelops you during the unknown. That can only come from God. Praise be to God that He is here. A Christian, mystery, crime drama. 

  The Breath of Gold In the land of glorious conifers, there are a few conifers with this special feature. God created this feature with His royal breath representing the gold color of the heavenly realm. The LORD my GOD sent this painting into my mind, and I must paint what He sends me. I saw it in my mind and painted it in one single day. I had a few touch-ups to do afterward to keep the clear, yet vision version of this painting.                 Isaiah 13:12                                  I will make humans rarer than gold, scarcer than Ofir’s (Ophir’s) pure gold.                 Revelations 21:21                   ...

  Mitten According To Mr. Kinder PART THREE: Short story by Laveda D. Rockford   Mr. Kinder watched them through his upstairs bedroom window. A smile, a laugh, and even a tear slipped from his eye watching this little boy with his mother enjoying the sunny late afternoon. Laughter when clods of earth flew once freed from the lawn to hit Mitt’s mother on the top of her head bouncing off and rolling to hide among the grass mounds around her. A tear slipped from his eye when Mitt’s mother decided to join him instead of the scolding that Mr. Kinder was sure to come.   Mr. Kinder decided to ask them over for dinner, thinking that Mitt’s mother had not had time to make it.   They arrived for dinner and Mitt told Mr. Kinder about his own story of finding treasure. Someone had lost a bottle cap from a soda. What a treasure it was for Mitt to have found the pop-bottle-cap.   It was a wonderful first meeting between Mr. Kinder and Mitt’s mother. Mr. Kin...

Laveda D. Rockford oil on canvas painting unfinished work in progress Mitten According to Mr. Kinder  PART TWO short story by Laveda D, Rockford continued: Mr. Kinder contacted a private investigator and asked him if he could find out how much his neighbors had saved for their future. Because of Mitt’s medical issues and special needs, his mother had not been able to save much. Mitt, on the other hand, thought that they were saving enough to buy a house very soon. There was one thing that made him sad. What if they found a house and it was far away from his one and only friend Mr. Kinder? Mr. Kinder was the glue that held his otherwise solitary life together. No friends to play with, no dad, just his mother. He loved his mother very much, but he needed Mr. Kinder, the male figure he so longed for in his life. Mitt could talk to Mr. Kinder about boy things and the concern that he had for his mother. And the adventurous stories that Mr. Kinder told him about allowed him to expe...