To All My Artist Friends

If you're a Christian and an artist pursuing a career in the art field, why not pursue God first and ask why He gave you the gift you have? There are no two gifts that are alike, so we're pretty safe in knowing that we have a unique and specific calling. Don't you want to know what that is? We will never be satisfied in our creative endeavors until we are in alignment with what God wants to do with that gift. When we stop trying to make a name for ourselves is when God can finally do His work through us. Who knows, maybe you were created to be the next C. S. Lewis or Rembrandt of our generation? But until we sacrifice our desires for what God's plans are will we ever become truly fulfilled and successful.

What Do You Have to Trade?

While looking through my collection of paintings this week, and realizing that they're not doing any good just sitting in a garage, I decided to distribute to my friends the ones that I'm ready to let go of. Some are from when I lived in San Diego, others are from when I first moved to Lancaster in 2006. They all have a story to tell and the stories have been kept silent for too long.

So, for the next few weeks I'll be uploading these paintings one at a time to my blog. I will let them go to a new home in exchange for what you have to trade. It may be something small like a book or a bottle of wine, or maybe theater tickets, a canoe or a service that you could offer from your business. Be creative! This is an incredible opportunity to own an original piece of art.

When you see a painting you'd like, list the painting and your item for trade in the comments section below. I'll choose the best one and announce the winner on the blog. Don't forget to check back regularly.

"Naivety"

40" x 40" | Acrylic on canvas

This is a pretty old painting, but it still gets me every time I look at it. How dangerous it is to think we know it all. It is a privilege to have people speaking into our lives, especially pastors and mature Christians who have way more experience than us. So don't ever take people like that for granted. Every day we make a choice to respond to what the world has to say or what the Spirit says. What a waste of time to listen to the world. Speaking from experience, it's truly not worth it in the end.

"Flow"

18" x 24" each | Acrylic on canvas (framed)

I painted these pieces within the first couple months of moving to Lancaster from San Diego. My heart was aching for the chance to just drive to the beach (which I lived minutes away from my whole life) to breath in the fresh air that could calm me in a matter of seconds. To watch the beauty of each breaking wave and the seagulls flying above was therapy for me. I could now understand why they said Southern Californians are so laid back. It's a completely different world over here on the East Coast, but I'm okay with that. Still, I needed to get back to my roots of finding beauty in God's beautiful creation everywhere, enjoy His peace overwhelming my soul and just go with the flow in the midst of uncertain change. 

"Seeing Through"

16" x 20" | Acrylic on canvas

What do you see when you look at this girl? Is she crying or laughing? I loved using this painting as a conversation piece to ask why people saw the emotion they did. Was there something in their life right now that made them see her as crying or laughing? Maybe they needed to see someone enjoying a good laugh to lift their spirits and that's why they saw what they did. Either way, it drew a lot of emotion from people and I loved being able to witness that.
-TRADED ALREADY-

"She Sells Sea Shells by the Sea Shore"

16" x 20" | Acrylic on canvas board

For the love of the ocean and the beauty of wet, colorful shells.  
-TRADED ALREADY-

"Shield of Faith"

36" x 24" | Acrylic on Canvas

This painting was done for a sermon series based on Ephesians 6:10-18, where we are called to put on the full armor of God in order to take a stand against the devil's schemes. This one is a reminder to always put on the shield of faith in order to fight off all attacks from the evil one. As soon as you see them coming your way, you have the power and will be given the strength to fight them off with the Spirit's help before they penetrate your heart. Stand firm and pray in the Spirit on all occasions.

Some Pinterest Inspiration

Being a visual person, I finally figured out that if I'm ever in need of inspiration these days I just check out the images on Pinterest. I found one idea for a menu board that helped me come up with this project. I am in love with it now. It truly helps me be more intentional about my day and making it fun and purposeful for my kids. I just select new activities for us each day under "Mommy & Me Time," "Just Me Time," and "Creative Time." We've had so much fun already!

Monster Party!

My son is really into monsters right now, especially feeding cookies to the ones in his closet. So, why not encourage his creativity in thinking they're fun monsters instead of scary ones and make him a monster cake for his birthday this year? I never thought it would be as much fun as it was, so I'm planning on having a play date sometime soon where all the kids get to create their own monster cupcake! All you need are different shapes and colors of candy, marshmallows, icing pens and you're set!

The Visual Gospel

Scarlet Steps this year far exceeded my expectations and I have no idea how we're going to top it next year. The gospel was presented through a variety of impressive mediums, styles, and expressions but all with one intentional message -- God sent His Son, for you and for me, to die on a cross. He was then resurrected by God as it was predicted by the prophets in the Old Testament, and those who believe in Him will have their sins forgiven and will be with Him forever.

To see the Gospel presented in a visual way like this was amazing. Each piece of art was well thought out and deeply moving. There were descriptions of the artwork next to each piece so you got an insiders view into the artist's creative process. Below is the piece I did this year.

 "For All Who Fear Him"

Acrylic on Canvas

My painting below is based on Acts 10:34, 35 where Peter realizes how God shows no favoritism to anyone. Christ died for every sinner, no matter what culture, gender or background.

For more pictures of the event, go to our website at www.scarletsteps.com

Scarlet Steps 2012

I just completed my painting for this years Scarlet Steps. It wasn't easy, and many times I wanted to throw white paint over top of it so I could just start from scratch, but I persevered through it and allowed it to become what it was meant to say. It is nothing like I had sketched or planned ahead of time, so that's what made it frustrating. But it became something I could never have thought up by sketching it out. So, I'm hoping this is one of many future paintings that I just allow the Spirit to help me develop as I go.

The painting is based on Act 10:34, 35. If you want to see it, come check out Scarlet Steps on April 6th at the Quilt & Textile Museum!

FRIDAY, APRIL 6TH, 2012 • 12-9PM

Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum
37 N. Market St. Lancaster, PA 17603

www.scarletsteps.com