Four paintings completed this year!

This painting is the first of a series of five that will be together, called "Trust Me".  After finishing "Broken Hallelujah", I was desperate to paint in colour, and dashed this off in two hours (with a slight adjustment the next day).  I was amazed at my increased confidence both in mixing the paint and in applying it.  All those months (4) of black and white seem to have done some good! (c:

Painting: Broken Hallelujah

Broken Hallelujah

(Song by "The Afters")

I can barely stand right now.

Everything is crashing down,

And I wonder where You are.

I try to find the words to pray.

I don't always know what to say,

But You're the one that can hear my heart.

Even though I don't know what your plan is,

I know You're making beauty from these ashes.

I've seen joy and I've seen pain.

On my knees, I call Your name.

Here's my broken hallelujah.

With nothing left to hold onto,

I raise these empty hands to You.

Here's my broken hallelujah.

You know the things that have brought me here.

You know the story of every tear.

‘Cause You've been here from the very start.

Even though I don't know what your plan is,

I know You're making beauty from these ashes.

I've seen joy and I've seen pain.

On my knees, I call Your name.

Here's my broken hallelujah.

With nothing left to hold onto,

I raise these empty hands to You.

Here's my broken hallelujah.

When all is taken away, don't let my heart be changed.

Let me always sing Hallelujah

When I feel afraid, don't let my hope be erased

Let me always sing Hallelujah.

Let me always sing Hallelujah.

I will always sing

I will always sing

Here's my broken hallelujah.

Loved

This is my second painting.  It's the first time I've painted people, and I'm thrilled with it.
The little girl is unconcerned with the conversation being held over her head.  She is content to be held, knowing she is loved.  The love she feels is an extension of the love between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

First painting finished!

It is done!

This painting is worked in acrylics on a 15"x30" canvas, and took 36+ hours over 10 weeks to complete.  I have been greatly encouraged by the responses to it.  I especially enjoy telling people to have a close look at the pine tree on the right and then watching the moment when they are close enough to read what is hidden in the bark.  These are the scriptures relating to this picture, such as Psalm 91:1-2, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."

Ever heard of semaphore?  It is the signaling alphabet that sailors used, generally with a flag in each hand, where each position of the arms represented a different letter.  I have incorporated this into the painting, so that the people on the path spell words using semaphore.  They say, "God is my salvation".

This painting also depicts some of my part to play in God's scheme of things: the gracious princess (in red near the first entrance), welcoming the refugees; and the warrior (in red and white with sword at side) welcoming and prepared to defend any who are pursued by the enemy.

I would be interested to know what you see in this picture; what it speaks to you.

The painting is currently on show at our church cafe.  I have started preliminary work on the next picture, which won't be a landscape and will be completely different! (c:

Developing a gift.

I have recently discovered that painting is something that I really like to do.  The Lord has been strongly encouraging me to pursue it, and now that I am in full agreement with Him, I am seeking how best to do that.  I am currently spending quite a few hours each week painting, have nearly finished my first 'real' painting (it's on a 15"x30" canvas and has taken over 30 hours so far), have subscribed to a couple of NZ artists' sites to get free online lessons and newsletters, and joined an artists' forum...!  Now considering whether I should pursue a highly-recommended online art course - either a Beginners' 1-year course or the Full Course of 4 years (approx. NZ$2300 in fees for the 4 years).  Hmmm, yes, I can see myself doing that, even through possible and probable life changes.  But is that way what the Lord intends, and when, how, etc?