Drift
A poem by Dominique
Drifting into the space
between dreams and reality
Opening up the mind
to unknown possibilities
Breaking the chains of slavery
freeing yourself with love
We ask ourselves questions
in the deep dark
Am I meant to live this way
or
should I surrender it all to you?
I choose submission
-Dominique
Abandon::
a poem by:
Dominique Barrentine
Quietly I whisper my fears
To the Lord I give it all
My burden is nothing
Innocently I cry with faith
Hopeful of the future
My fear is nothing
Lonely I reach upwards
Inward I reach for the spirit
My reality is nothing
Honestly I try for love sake
Trying not to shake/break
My pain is nothing
Hopefully I teach love
Pouring into everyone
My life is nothing
-Dominique Barrentine
Walking Oy in the sunshine is one of my new favorite things. I recently started trading artist cards so I needed to walk down to the mailbox. So I leashed up my little Chihuahua and we went for a nice walk. Just because it’s nearly 100 degrees outside we aren’t going to stop having fun. So we enjoyed a leisurely pace and saw some lovely Oleanders along the way. I have one happy little hot dog now! 
White, Red and Pink Oleander seems to be constantly blooming around here. It has always been one of my favorite flowers. I find the delicate beauty mixed with its toxic nature to be balanced well. Even when the lovely blooms fade these delicious (or not so) green foliage is pretty to look at year round. Just don’t let your kids or pets eat it and you should be fine!
-Dominique Barrentine
Ps: if you like emotional stories about strong creative females check out the book, “White Oleander,” one of my all time favorites.
Revelations and Revolutions::
A poem
by: Dominique Barrentine
A child’s laugh breaks
The silence that overwhelmed us now filling the empty spaces
Between innocence and maturity perhaps something close to a tear
Sliding down and breaking
In the quiet darkness our minds wander to distant places, people, things
Revolving around appearances without any concern for truth
Don’t let the innocent disappear broken into the night
Embrace the uncomfortableness of change without fear
Step boldly into the space
The distance is nothing
Compared to the truth
We make the simple things complicated
We break ourselves instead of embracing those imperfections
Beauty lies in the cracks
Secretly we cry
Alone we die
Never giving ourselves the chance to fully blossom
Hiding the wrinkles and pretending on the outside
Waking alone without knowing where we are going
Giving up control seems impossible
Ancient habits controlling our every move
Pretending becomes a full time job and nothing seems right
Until we give up control we can never know the truth
The only way…
The truth, the light eludes so many but is available to all who seek reality
Wake up and abandon the life of sleep walking
Reach to the heavens with true weakness bearing this honest beauty for all to see devoid of fear
Know that you are loved
Hatred runs rampant in our country, infiltrating the hearts and minds of the people; if not combated hate will most certainly consume you. If not for love where would we be? Our homeland would be a dark place with no joy, no hope, and no peace.
The scripture I want to share with you and with everyone comes from 1 John.
Beloved, let us love one another because love is from God and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God. The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is Love.
1 John 4:7-8 new King James
My mission for pride was to spread the love of Jesus to a community that continues to feel judgement and hatred from the Christian community. I hand crafted these rainbows for the festival, attached, scriptures and handed them out all around Seattle yesterday. I talked to so many different people from various backgrounds and loved on my sister and her friends. The conversations I had were mostly pleasant and overall it was a very fun Sunday.
It breaks my heart that haters can spread their darkness and claim to be Christians. Jesus would be ashamed of this…
No No No NO NOOOO!!!!
A thousand times no.
Please stop this vileness.
God does not hate you! He loves every one of his children from the little innocent babies to the murderers and everyone in between. He despises sin… Which we all have. Including the men holding these signs.
During Jesus’ time there were thousands of religious laws that the leaders (not Jesus) enforced for fear of hell and damnation. But there is GOOD NEWS!!! God sent his beloved only child to this earth to form a new covenant… The past is left behind. Through His death and resurrection we are saved and made perfect in the Lord’s eyes so that when he looks at us he doesn’t see us or our sin but he sees his child on the cross.
When Jesus is asked, “So what laws should we follow?” His response was simple…
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind… Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37
This is so simple!
Love
Love
Love
It’s all you need.
I abandoned a few small art pieces that go along with this “God is Love” theme for others to find.
I’m sharing this experience of mine in hopes of inspiring other Christians to do the same. After walking the parade when we came to the Pacific Science Center they had booths set up like any other festival. There were some selling things and others giving things away for free… The scientologists had a booth as did the atheists, the satanists, the humanists, and others all had booths to spread their message… There was not a Christian booth… We were represented mainly by hatred filled people screaming and yelling, cursing the LGBTQ community to hell. This has got to change. Next year we should all go to show the love of Jesus.
Sure there are things that may or may not make you feel uncomfortable such as light drug use and heavy nudity… But should we let that stop us from ministering to this community and forming bonds with people who are not like ourselves in some ways? We are all the same in the end.
So I ask you this… Does it really matter who someone loves?
Personally I don’t condone casual sex because of my history and also other reasons. But there are seasons in everyone’s lives… Some people have seasons of casual sex, others have addictions and other afflictions. Everyone should feel comfortable going to Church, worshiping the Lord, and forming a personal relationship with Christ. Leave the rest up to God…
Gay people are people…
They have bodies
We all have hearts
Let’s try to use them
That would be a start
White, brown, black, blue
God loves you
No matter what you do
You cannot escape
The love of God
All encompassing
All inclusive
And gender neutral
Love is love
Is love
Is love
God is love
Another part of my mission was to share the brand, “if not for love.” This nonprofit started by Esther Little helps support refugees. For every t-shirt bought you also supply a shirt to a refugee. I passed out these stickers and a couple bags. If not for love.com
Thanks to everyone who helped make this Pride perfect! A special shout out to all the service men and women who made sure things stayed safe for everyone. We had so much fun. I look forward to doing more next year…Who knows maybe we can have a Christian based booth to help combat the enemy in the LGBTQ community?
-Dominique Barrentine
Beauty: A short poem
By: Dominique Barrentine
4:09 Tuesday, June 14th 2016, California
Beauty
Beauty
Oh Beauty
How you haunt me
Everywhere I go
My beauty, you follow me
Are you a blessing
Or really a curse
My body a vessel
Temporary shell on earth
One day will I escape
No more empty stares
Cat calls will be silenced
We never asked for that
How come you cry out
It’s not me that you see
But my body, my beauty
It’s not real
It’s not me
I am more than my body.
-Dominique
ADULT CONTENT WARNING:: This blog post concerns sensitive material concerning rape and may be triggering or offensive to some people. I am outraged and deeply saddened when I hear of cases such as the State of California vs. Brock Turner. Our legal system is demented when rapists are given a slap on the wrist. How is it that so many people can look the other way? Unfortunately rapists are all around us. The sex offender registry is a joke. We need new judges, new laws, and steeper consequences. I think the book should be thrown at this kid and all others like him. Rape is wrong.
When it happens to other people
They say how sad,
They say poor thing,
But when it happens to you it’s different,
It’s everything.
How can they sit there and tell me to get over it?
This pain inside is unreal.
They say that it gets easier but how long will it take?
If I continue on with this inward struggle I’m afraid I might break.
I try my best to hide it.
I cry silently.
Stifling the sobs and inside screaming.
Compartmentalization has become a full time job.
Enjoying anything is difficult.
Sometimes I hate myself so badly.
I wish I had fought them off.
Almost all of the men I knew abused me…used me…
I forgive them.
Why can’t I forgive myself?
I feel betrayed and alone.
Often I hide it with a smile.
I try and I try to be whole and happy.
But something is lost when you’re rapped.
I pray for my healing because I don’t feel strong enough anymore.
I am a Christian now because I needed a savior.
The pain inside me is constant and excruciating.
Try as I might I cannot ignore it for long.
Tears roll down my cheeks without my permission.
“I’m over it.” I say out loud.
It has been so long.
Why am I not over it???
I cannot get over it.
What should I do?
Oh God.
You are the only one…
These are not tears but prayers of salt and water leaving me and releasing the pressure.
I tell myself out loud to breathe.
Tension is the devil and pain is only a tool being used to cripple and silence me.
The fear and paranoia is from the enemy.
I pray for protection and peace.
It makes me so sad…
…to look around and see others suffer the same ways.
I know I am not alone in this.
Sometimes that makes it worse…
I feel for all of those in pain.
I feel this deeply.
It hurts to know others are feeling this violation and pain.
Others, all over are experiencing it right now and I cry out for them.
Oh how I wish He would take it away.
One day perhaps when we die I can see the true reasons why.
For now I try not to cry.
-Dominique Barrentine
Swedish meatballs
You won’t be able to resist these savory, inexpensive, easy meatballs that you can whip up in under an hour. Who says cooking needs to be difficult? If you are in a hurry or watching your grocery budget this is a perfect recipe for you to try. Really try it already!
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup diced/minced onion
1 egg
1/2 tbsp salt
1/2 tbs pepper
1/2 tbs garlic powder
Any additional spices you desire
2 tbsp oil
2 cubs beef broth
2 cups milk
1/2 tbsp salt
1/2 tbs pepper
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
4 cups egg noodles
1 cup shredded Parmesan
1/2 cup parsley
Directions
In a large bowl combine beef, bread crumbs, spices, onion, and egg. (Hint: I estimate on spices based on personal preference.) Heat oil in the bottom of s large pot, medium, high heat. Take a golf ball sized spheres and brown the meatballs(12 or so) in the oil for one minute, flip and a second minute. Add beef broth, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Give it a stir. Bring to a boil then add noodles. Stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and the noodles cook. Add Parmesan and parsley, perhaps peas. Enjoy!
Anyone that likes pasta dishes with simple ingredients and a focus on nice meat would enjoy this recipe. I really love using ground serloin steak and only recently started cooking with it. If you are new to making your own meals this is going to blow your mind.
I hope you try this and enjoy these Swedish meatballs are TO DIE FOR!
-Dominique Barrentine
The following paintings were all completed by your’s truly within the month of May 2016. Upon moving to California I felt a sudden rush of inspiration. I continue to order canvases, painting everything that comes to mind. It feels like a whirlwind of creative energy flows in the breeze that picks up the grain and flowers in the hills.
Selecting which paintings to post today was tricky as I have started way more then I have finished in the last few weeks. At least I am capturing so many ideas to finish as time (and my hands) allow. It’s hot outside and the sun is shining.
Welcome summer and farewell to spring.
This first painting is called “Jazz Garden.” My dear husband helped me name it. When he saw the completed canvas he said to me, “It looks like music.” I agreed, then the name popped into my head. He wants to hang it in the music studio🎶🎵🎶
This was my second attempt at painting this idea…
This was the first
“Flower Tunnel” It’s an abstraction of what it might look like if by some miracle the viewer had shrunk down like Alice from Wonderland. I always loved that idea. I piled layers of acrylic paint on top of greens and blues. Perhaps I many continue to paint this idea several move times
Here is a drawing I did first
Experimenting with abstracted flowers and pointillism has been a common theme in my most recent work. The hills and trees with their natural beauty overwhelm me sometimes. I feel so blessed to live among God’s glorious creation.
“Iris Abstraction”
Our new home ha such beautiful irises. I couldn’t get enough photographs of them on my phone one morning just after they had opened so I decided to paint them. Going more with capturing the essence of the thing as apposed to a realist representation I painted without real planning or self input. I love giving over my hand when painting. It is not me but the creator inside of me…
“Blue Black Space Explosion” may just be a temporary name for this piece in not quite sure yet. I do know that I painting it first upon arrival. Using a rusted nail and dripping paint I hadn’t even unpacked my brushes yet. Even during our busiest seasons we should all remember to try to continue doing those things we love.
I love painting!
I stared painting space inspired pieces last year and I may post some of my first ones soon to add to my online collection of works. I’m looking forward to building from here.
“Untitled, Hot Space Abstraction”
Currently I’m really enjoying mixing my own acrylic paints, selecting colors and like in this one combining flat, iridescent, and neon paints as well. I plan on expanding this collection even further soon. Using multiple canvases like this also has been allowing me to create even larger paintings. 
Another angle gives you the idea how hanging differently makes this picture pop in various places. I love that most of my paintings couple be hung in a variety of ways changing the look of the art. 
“Orange Space Abstraction”
Like a fireball planet I created this piece mostly with warm bright yellows and orange, adding in gold for highlight. These have been so fun and I feel passionate about continuing on.
Comments, questions, suggestions, and messages of all kinds are much appreciated. I hope you enjoyed my favorite six paintings I completed in May. Hopefully I will take the time to post more… Perhaps even tomorrow? Who knows?!? I’m so random sometimes. Lol. Anyways
Thanks for reading, Bye✌🏽️
-Dominique Barrentine
“Is it time to go yet?” The cats said to their people in unison; they were done with this whole moving thing already.
“First you pack up all the stuff and clean the whole place, you let all these strangers in and now this?!” They complained looking around the room that has been designated the ‘Cat Room’ for moving day. This area has everything they need but when will it be time to be let out already?
Sir Charles, the male of the pair, sulks into the closet for some privacy. He throws himself down with a plop and begins to tear out the fur on his hind quarters. There is a hotspot on his hips where as a younger barn cat he got into a tussle with a raccoon and ended up with two broken legs. Somewhat crippled he tries to compensate or hide his pain from the others.
Princess Boo Kitty is the most well adjusted. As a ragdoll Siamese cat she tends to have a more relaxed attitude in general. I wouldn’t say she is particularly thrilled but she hasn’t lost any sleep over the matter. Her eyes blink slowly and calmly as she lays out on the ground before her humans.
“You better not forget us!” The cat says rolling onto her back like a kitten.
Then every time I leave the room they get into position. Charles in the corner of the closet were he can get some secure shut eye and Boo in her crate.
“I’m ready when you are.” She says each time you open the door.
So far so good. Soon we will be on to other things guys. Just wait until you see the new house.
-Dominique Barrentine
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