Isaiah 55:1,2 Come to the Living Water, all those who thirst. Sitting on a rock with my feet in the water, listening to the sounds of nature in the cool shade of a mountain stream, sensing Gods manifest Presence, causes a powerful sense of worship. And worship takes my eyes off of myself and helps me to remember who God is. I am so thankful I am His child and He is my Father.
Every act of creation is a type of communication. I tell my students all the time that painting is visual communication. We, as artists, tell a story of the mystical, the divine in each painting. And that has been true since the earliest times in art history. This story of Truth, goodness and beauty transforms me and hopefully will transform the viewer. Sharing with others my vision of the natural world that was created "in the beginning" brings me joy when others say they can feel the natural elements, hear the water rushing over rocks or smell the wet grass. My paintings are not just about technical skill but a reflection of divine order, the spark of Life and the Spiritual vibrations and frequencies of our Eternal God.
The true purpose of art is to awaken the soul. If art brings a sense of awe, or tears, or a link to the divine, then the artwork is successful. Art should document God's Presence. When there is a sense of this beauty, this mystery, then for that artist and for that audience, the future is bright!
The word inspiration is derived from the Latin word to breathe. My inspiration is the God breathed creation of water that flows from the Source of all Life. Just like water flows, the Holy Spirit moves the artist when they are in the flow of creating art. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will breathe life into me as I worship Him in His Creation.
This painting was commissioned by a friend, and the reference photo was taken from her barn loft. Thanks, Melissa, I really enjoyed working on this view of the Appalachians and beyond. The barn has a lower floor for stables and an upper level as a guest house with a stone fireplace and an elevator. Betcha never have seen anything like this before! And my painting will be displayed over the fireplace in the most elegant barn I've ever had the priviledge to visit!
"The one who delights in the Lord shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water whose fruit ripens and whose leaf does not wither. For whatever He does shall prosper." Psalms 1:3 God gives us many promises in the Bible. His Living Water is enough to give abundant Life now and Eternal Life in the future to those who delight in Him..
