God's Kingdom

I was beyond thrilled (and, honestly, a little nervous) to be asked along with two other artists to create some paintings for my church's foyer.  What an honor!

The idea is that they will hang for a year and be auctioned off for missions fundraising.

The theme we were asked to consider was "Community."  My large painting looks at the community of Jesus-followers as representatives of God's Kingdom in this life.  How does it feel to be waiting on the Lord together?  It's like the Israelites waiting to return to the Promised Land:

By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 

Psalm 137:1

How about eternal life?  What is our community like then?

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb… The cow and the bear shall graze… They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:6-9

So I stressed a little and hemmed-and-hawed over the details, but I am so pleased with how they turned out. Believe me when I say that God's grace is evident in these paintings.  Here's how they look hanging in the foyer:

I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve my church and I am thankful to my God for giving me a life that allows me to really be an artist!

Christmas Present

I was happy to complete this house drawing for a Christmas present.  It is the second done for this family, this time of their current home.

I love a good series!

A Southern Home

My friends have the quintessential Southern home, both in style and hospitality! They won a house portrait from me at a silent auction to raise money for other dear friends living for Jesus in the mountains of Guatemala. I was so glad to draw this home with it's beautiful columns and amazing, big-hearted occupants!!!

Cotton

I was given my own choice of a Louisiana themed painting for an auction to support the families of men and women on deployment.

I love a Landscape!

Christmas is around the corner!

Please let me know soon if custom art is on a loved one's wishlist!

Louisiana Lovin'

One of the thing I love about doing commission work is that it pushes me to try things I've never done before.  I can also see the fruit of working at Painting With A Twist for 4 years in that I'm not afraid to try and I trust my skill.  Again, I can see my Lord's hand in this!!!

An old friend from middle school/high school asked that I do a grouping of 6 specific Louisiana themed paintings to make her Chicago home reflect her childhood one.  Can I paint a pelican?  Sure!  A magnolia?  Why not!  (With fingers crossed and a prayer!)

"Se ma mezon": Creole for "home"

Louisiana iris: state wildflower

Brown pelican: state bird

Bald cypress: state tree

"Union, Justice, Confidence": state motto

Magnolia: state flower

Thanks, Shea, old friend, for the opportunity!

Other friends, what can I do for you?

Gifts

I have had a nice break from sitting at my computer this summer.  Rather than designing and drafting homes, I've had multiple art commissions!

This first one really stretched me!  It has been a while since I've painted, generally, and probably since college that I've done a LARGE painting.  I was happy to create this barn painting for my sister to give to her husband for Father's Day.

This next painting was for my folks to give as a Thank You gift for their hosts in Colorado.  It was way smaller but, I found out, smaller isn't easier when it comes to getting in the detail!

Finally, this drawing was commissioned as a first anniversary gift as this couple sold their first home together.

I have really enjoyed sitting at my easel and trying my hand at various subject matter! 

 Stay tuned for my next post which will show you the 6-paneled piece that has occupied my last month.  

And, as always, let me know what I can do for you!!!

My Children

I'd like to share pictures I've hung in my dining room of my precious children.

This painting of one year old Liam was finally completed when he was five.  It's tough breaking out oil paints with little kids around!

So, I chose to do a drawing of two year old Larkin with her lovey (and the one time I got her into pigtails!).

I adore these kiddos and I thank God for blessing me so richly.

Let me know if your little ones need to be made into art and hung in your dining room.  I can help with that!