The Artist Ben Johnson

Years ago DH and I discovered an artist we just LOVED. We are not Art History majors or owners of a huge collection of priceless art, but we fell in love with Ben Johnson's work. His paintings evoked great feelings in each of us. Someone told us to buy art that evokes feeling in you, not necessarily what everyone else says you should buy. Our favorite art work in our home is our paintings of our children by Art Gallery Originals. Our favorite artist of things other than our children is Ben Johnson. (One day we also want to own a large Kennedi Benjamin painting as she is another great artist who has also become a wonderful friend!) When we first discovered him in 2004 in Martha's Vineyard, he was painting a lot of paintings of sheep. With our strong belief in a Savior who is known as the Great Shepherd, these paintings had both personal and spiritual meaning to us.


Imagine my surprise when DH bought our favorite painting from the Field Gallery for a surprise anniversary gift for me. I absolutely could not believe it! First of all, we were the proud parents of 2 year old triplets and a baby, so art was not a priority. I also could not get over the fact that DH was so thoughtful... or that I now owned a piece of Ben Johnson's artwork! It first lived on the wall in our Master bedroom just above our bed. It was a reminder of how the Heavenly Spirit holds us up each day, no matter what we are going through at the time. It was also a sweet picture of 2 people (sheep) who love each other, nuzzled closely together, with one supporting the other. I love it. Today it proudly hangs in our dining room!


I just read that Ben Johnson's new works will be on display beginning tomorrow at the Field Gallery in Martha's Vineyard. I wish I could go! He has some interesting new landscapes and still life paintings. He has been painting a lot of birds as his interests have turned towards Ornithology.


I think these 2 landscapes are also gorgeous. His paintings are so peaceful and calm. I just love them!

I hope you'll visit his website. However, if the painting of the 6 sheep is still available, please don't buy it! It's on my "Dream On, Baby, it's Never Gonna Happen" list!!!!

14 years ago tonight...

DH & I at ages 23 & 25 with our MARRIAGE LICENSE just 2 days before our wedding! We couldn't wait to be Mr. & Mrs.!




14 years ago tonight, I sat at a dinner surrounded by all of the people I loved most in the world. It's hard to believe that 2 of those precious people, D's Daddy and my grandmother, are no longer here. 14 years ago tonight was our Rehearsal Dinner. DH's mother outdid herself!!! D's first gift to me was a bear. She had miniature bears dressed in outfits to represent each stage of our lives and they sat on the states in which those events took place!! For example, newborn bears sat on the states of NC & Virginia, where we were born. Then, 2 bears sat on the state of NC in gear for camp. It was so precious. In the middle was a huge state of Texas, where we spent our first 3 years of marriage. A teacher and a preacher were there. It was too cute!



We were toasted by D's hilarious father and all of our friends and family. The toasts evoked laughter and tears. I'll never forget how nervous DH was when he stood up to toast me. You can hear D's father on our video saying, "D's a little nervous," and the crowd laughed. At the end of the meal, the pianist played, "When the Saints Go Marching In", a Louisiana favorite. Everyone got out of their chairs and we danced around the room. It was so much fun!!



Following the wonderful dinner, friends of my parents gave a dance by the pool. One of the hostesses owned a party design business, and she decorated in a full Texas theme with longhorns and everything!! We all danced and laughed and had a great time. Just before midnight, I told my handsome groom goodnight. I could not wait to see him on OUR WEDDING DAY, July 22nd!!! What a night THAT would be! It's off to bed for tomorrow is my wedding day... 14 years later!


Our last dance before our wedding day!! I love that you can see the clock and that it shows it was 11:30pm. I left right after this dance!