Wednesday, April 27, 2011

not too late.....


"Forgive"
acrylic on cradled panel 12" x 18"
© Teresa Kogut


....it is still the Easter season! Even though I have many deadlines at this time, sometimes I have an overwhelming urge (nudge from God, maybe?) to paint something "out of the blue". That is the feeling I had Good Friday and Holy Saturday....and the above painting is the result of that nudge. 

Good Friday evening, Ryan and I watched The Passion of the Christ. I saw it at the theater the year it came out and was deeply moved and disturbed. It is a realistic and graphic depiction of the suffering Jesus endured for all of us. I remembered when we left the theater (Kevin and I saw it with another couple) nobody said a word until we were almost home......that is how powerful this movie was for us. Ryan was too young then, but I felt this year is was mature enough to watch it with me. I kept looking at him through my tears to see how he was handling it and he did better than me.......girls are obviously more emotional. And, too, I think because as I watched this time, I was looking through Mary's eyes and trying to understand how she could witness the horrible torture her Son endured.....just thinking about it moves me. 

After the movie Ryan and I had a great discussion. When we go to church and see the crucifix at the alter or see paintings of Jesus on the cross, it doesn't sink in how abused his body was. It would be too grotesque to have a depiction of Jesus' bloody body on display at the front of the church.  But that is  exactly why we both like this movie....it gets our head straight about the intense abuse and suffering  Jesus' went through for us....all of us....and it also shows us the amazing courage Jesus had.

One of the incredible scenes that shows the love Jesus has for all of us is when he is hanging on the cross and asks God to forgive the very people that scourged, beat, whipped and hung him on the cross. It is very powerful to think God will forgive us as we forgive others......this was my inspiration for my painting "Forgive".

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

fun Easter pics....







Easter was wonderful as always.....this year, however, the weather was mild enough to have an Easter egg hunt outside without jackets!!! After enjoying a beautiful Easter mass, we headed to Kevin's brother's house for dinner. I am extremely blessed to be a part of such a wonderful, loving and fun family. The children in the above photos are my great nieces and nephews......I so enjoy being around little ones.....they make the day even more joyful. (oh, the bottom two are my furry children ;)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

a new home gift.....






I have been looking at my Pennsylvania Dutch style artwork and choosing the images that I think make great personalized gifts. The above image originally read "Live in Harmony".....which I love that statement, too, and could still be used when personalizing. Not only would this make a great housewarming gift but also a gift to a family for any occasion....wedding, birthday, Christmas. I will be posting this for sale at my Etsy shop today......or tomorrow as today is already slipping away.........

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

need a wedding or anniversary gift?


Tis the season for weddings! I have the honor of attending the wedding of someone special on April 30th. Witnessing this holy union between two people that love and honor one another enough to commit to a lifetime together always makes me think of my own wedding day..... my heart flutters, joy fills my soul and there is a twinkle in my eye when I gaze upon my husband. I am blessed to have found my soul mate and I'm thankful we are still going strong! 

I have many paintings that can be converted into wonderfully beautiful wedding or anniversary gifts. Above is an example of a painting where I removed the original quote I had painted and replaced it with a wedding quote and our names and wedding date. This print is an 11x14 available on my Etsy shop. If you see a print that you would like converted into a wedding/anniversary gift that is not already for sale at my Etsy shop, please email me (teresakogut@yahoo.com) to order.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

more missouri pics....

Ryan's bass caught in Uncle J's pond (love the cows on the horizon)


My puppy dogs...notice Daisy sticking her tongue out at me

wanna play? wanna play?

cute kitty

My cousin Shelly

Uncle J and Aunt Marsha (my Dad's sister)

My Mom and Dad <3

The whole gang at Lambert's Restaurant

My Love <3

Monday, April 11, 2011

spring break in missouri with family :)

Aunt Marsha's Garden

My Aunt and Uncle have a gorgeous home and farm in Missouri. This is the view on the south side of their home. You can see my Uncle's red barn in the background. It is located just across the street from where he grew up.

A new member of the family
Here is Kitty-Kitty.....I am more of a dog person, but I have to admit, this big kitty is special. She is the most friendly, cuddly kitty I've ever met. She just showed up one day at the farm and has stuck around. When we arrived with our dogs in tow, she never ran or showed fear.....shoot, the following day Buster and Kitty-Kitty were laying next to one another.

Ryan & Kitty-Kitty

Uncle J's new calf

new calf posing for photo

Trey & Ryan listening to music together

Ryan, Trey & Kyle comin' home from the gully

love the lighting in this photo

Kyle, Trey & Ryan (oh, Daisy, too)



Are you my Mother?

Friday, April 1, 2011


MARCH GIVE AWAY WINNER IS....

MARIE A. ASPERGER BEATTY VAT

Congratulations, Marie! I know you will love your new Legacy stationery products!  The April give away will be posted after spring break......what will it be next? Stay tuned.......