CLARISSA AND APOSTLE PAUL

"Sailing" Painted by Clarissa, enhanced by Mommy Malu.

Apostle Paul said, "To keep me becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh... to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"  2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Many people have asked me why Clarissa doesn't go to school anymore.  "What about her social life?" they ask.  How I wish she could do both, go to school and be home schooled at the same time.  I must admit that I envy other children with special needs who are able to talk, run, read books and even have jobs.  There were times I, like Apostle Paul, questioned God why He had given Clarissa a "thorn in the flesh." Apart from having Down syndrome, Clarissa's hearing impairment has hampered her learning abilities.  Because she is also bipolar, her mood swings have been so erratic for years now.

The artist while recovering from chicken pox.

In spite of her disability, I thank the Lord for giving Clarissa the gift of art.  Through her disability and weakness, we experience God's power being displayed.  Through her limitations, we learn to turn to God to seek pathways for effectiveness.  Clarissa's weakness not only helps us develop our character, it also deepens our faith and walk with the Lord, because in admitting her limitations, we affirm God's grace.  The Lord granted her a way to communicate not through words but through painting.  Her paintings speaks to us, touches our hearts and teaches us to be grateful.  

"I see a boat!"

This is one of the 18 paintings that Clarissa made while confined at home for two weeks because of chicken pox.  Initially, I was so confused trying to figure out what the painting is about.  But as I stared for a long time, I began to see a figure of a boat.  In fact, I think it looked like the boats we see sailing in the river in Hong Kong.  Quickly, I googled a picture of the boat and yes, it does look like it!

It's amazing how God make our minds and hands work together and be able to communicate with each other.  He is truly amazing!  To God be all the glory and praise!  

CLARISSA AND JESUS

My daughter Clarissa's new series of abstract paintings is a reminder to us about the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.  When she began painting them last month while confined at home due to chicken pox, I noticed that she did not paint one cross but three crosses representing Jesus in the center and the two criminals beside Him.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him:  "Aren't you the Christ?  Save yourself and us?"  But the other criminal rebuked him.  "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?"  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."  Luke 23:39-43

As we read these verses, we learn that we have a choice to believe and accept Jesus Christ or be like the other criminal who insulted Him.  These two criminals were about to die but one of them turned to Christ for forgiveness and Christ accepted Him.   This proves that good works does not save us.  It is our faith in Jesus that enables us to be saved.   We can trust that God is merciful and will forgive us  if we make the choice to receive Him as our Lord and Savior.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

Make that choice today and receive the free gift of eternal life by saying this simple prayer from your heart:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for loving me.  I confess that I am a sinner.  Thank you for dying on the cross to pay for all my sins.  Please come into my heart, forgive my sins and be my Lord and Savior.   I accept your free gift of eternal life.  With your help I will turn away from all my sins.  Thank you for forgiving me and for giving me eternal life.  By your power, I will live my life to please you.  I love you.  Amen.

If you just trusted in Jesus Christ, you now have the assurance of eternal life.

WOMAN AND A YOUNG GIRL

Clarissa caught a virus and is feeling sick

Recently, I blogged about my daughter Clarissa's latest paintings entitled "Abstract Attack."  Little did I know that she had a virus called "chicken pox."  Looking back and reviewing her photos, she started having red spots while doing her first abstract painting.  But this didn't bother her at all.  She continued to paint, enjoying the freedom to do whatever she wanted to do with her brush.  By the time she was done with her fifth painting, her chicken pox marks were full blown.  No wonder she laid on the floor, feeling weak but still stroking the brush.

Clarissa painting on the floor under yellow light

Days after, she starts a tantrum, cried and wailed due to boredom.  After all, who wouldn't be when you're confined inside the bedroom for five consecutive days?  I gave her the liberty to paint once again with a tray of acrylic paint by her side.  As I watched and observed her paint on the floor under the yellow light, I began to play with my imagination.  I saw an image of a woman in white long skirt and orange blouse entering a door.  From another angle, I see a woman facing a young girl with a door behind them.  Whatever it is, I thank God for giving me the eyes to see Clarissa's art works from different dimensions.

When I emphasized the image of the woman, this is how it looked...

Unfinished art work of Clarissa

Many people have asked me how my daughter is able to make beautiful modern portraits and now abstract paintings.  "Only by God's grace!"  I believe that the Lord created my daughter Clarissa to be born with a special gift in art despite her disability because He wants His name to be glorified through her.  I never intended to post my daughter's art works to boast about her "abilities" but to share how God is able to use her "disabilities."

Jesus' disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
JOHN 9:2-3

ABSTRACT ATTACK

Ever since the Down Syndrome Association's art exhibit at Rockwell last February 16-19, 2012, my daughter Clarissa has not been able to paint because of the many activities of DSAPI as we celebrated Down Syndrome Consciousness Month.  The seminar we conducted, "Ang Pera Na Hindi Bitin" for parents of special needs children, the art exhibit at UST Special Education Dept. and the parenting talk I gave at the Paco Catholic School kept us busy and pre-occupied.  

Clarissa's second abstract painting enhanced by Mommy Malu.

Yesterday, I brought out all of our art materials and set up an easel for Clarissa with the hope that I can encourage her to paint.  To my surprise, my daughter quickly painted the canvas directly without sketching her usual modern "mala-Picasso" portraits.  I did not bother to correct her or tried to persuade her to do her usual drawings.  Instead, I watched and quickly grabbed my camera, took pictures as she held the brush and stroke it on the canvas.  I was in awe!  I didn't realize that she can do abstract paintings!  Previously, my daughter painted a few portraits that look like Jesus Christ.  This time, she paints crosses.  Perhaps she had an encounter with Jesus Himself and has seen Him as well.  Is it possible?  

"With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible." MATTHEW 19:26

All glory and praise to God!

See the master at work....

Clarissa painting her first abstract art piece.

Clarissa about to finish her abstract painting.

Clarissa's painting with a little finishing touches by Mommy Malu.

Clarissa's thrid abstract painting enhanced by Mommy Malu.

February is Down's syndrome consciousness month | ABS-CBN News

February is Down's syndrome consciousness month | ABS-CBN News

Ngayon buwan ng Pebrero, ginugunita ang Down’s Syndrome Consciousness Month. Dito nabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga may down syndrome na ipakita ang kanilang talento at patunayan na kaya rin nilang mamuhay nang normal. Bandila, Pebrero 24, 2012, Biyernes

William Mobley: Breakthroughs in Down Syndrome Research

LOOK UP FOR DOWN

Malu Tiongson-Ortiz and her daughter Clarissa

The Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines will have an art exhibit at the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati, from February 16-19, 2012, featuring art works of children with Down syndrome.  Clarissa Ortiz, one of the young artists was not only born with Down syndrome but also hearing and speech impaired, and physically handicapped.  But God is good.  He gave her eye to see colors and hands to draw faces.  Her works have been exhibited here and in the U.S., two of which are now displayed in a house in Beverly Hills, California.  It's amazing how children with special needs like Clarissa can paint beautiful Picasso-like portraits in acrylic and oil pastels.  Clarissa's Mom, homeschool and art teacher Malu Tiongson-Ortiz, is a Fine Arts graduate from UST major in Interior Design.  She cleans and enhances Clarissa's art works.     

In John 9:3 we read that when Jesus was asked by His disciples, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind (handicapped)?", Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."  

Clarissa is God's instrument in displaying His mighty works.  Through her, many people's lives have been touched.  "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Matthew 19:26