Psalm 130

6"x6" Oil on Panel

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Psalms are ancient songs and prayers to God. They express every kind of human emotion. From our deepest longings and tragic failures to our hope in God and exhuberant praise, psalms are bold prayers that continue to give us a voice today. 

This psalm abstract was created just a few days ago. It embodies emotions fueled by coronavirus, lockdowns, and civil unrest, and an uncertain future.

May we learn be more like the psalmists and practice emotionally honest dialogue with God. Even when we have trouble finding the words, we can look to the ancient voices from the psalms to speak on our behalf.

Psalm 130

The Best of 2014

As the year comes to a close, it's time to reflect back and select my personal favorite paintings. Thanks to all of my patrons, fans and colleagues who have made 2014 my best year yet!

And the winners  are:

BEST ABSTRACT: O Master Let Me Walk with Thee

BEST FLORAL: Zinnias

BEST ANIMAL: Holy Cow

BEST LANDSCAPE: Fire & Ice

BEST LITURGICAL ILLUMINATION: The Word Made Flesh

BEST PLEIN AIR ADVENTURE (TIE): 

A Storm Rolled In

Moon Over Radnor Lake

BEST PORTRAIT: Mother & Child

BEST SLICE OF LIFE: Will

LARGEST PORTRAIT: Sisters 24x30

MOST TRAVELED (TIE): 

Breathe on Me Breath of God 6x6 - Paris France

My Eyes Have Seen Salvation - Singapore

MOST COMMERCIALIZED: Be Thou My Vision

NAILED IT AWARD: Pacifica

BEST OF THE BEST: California Dreamin

Be on the lookout for another 30 paintings in 30 days beginning January 1.

Happy New Year everybody!

Go Tell It

18"x24" Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

SOLD

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...

...let us walk in the light of the Lord!”

Growing up, my Cumberland Presbyterian church family richly embraced Appalachian carols during Advent and Christmas. The sanctuary, filled with evergreens and candles, was especially warmed by the heart-felt strains of fiddles, hammer dulcimers and the upright bass. The refrain “Go Tell It on the Mountain” ran through our hearts like a mountain stream and lifted us up to higher ground. 

For this Advent’s art, the image is a sunrise on Isaiah’s “mountain of the Lord.” The sun is breaking over the ridge and beginning to overcome the dark. Our diverse and colorful world, which once appeared as a mass of shadow, is being beautifully revealed. 

May we all climb up to the mountain of the Lord and be illuminated by the Word of God. May we shout that gospel Word for all to hear. May it echo all the way down to the deepest valley—over the hills and everywhere.

Azaleas

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

Today’s painting of Azaleas is dedicated to mothers everywhere.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Faith (Parable of the Mustard Seed)

30"x36" Oil on Gallery Canvas

SOLD

What is the kingdom of God like?

Jesus explains it to us using the imagery of a mustard seed. They are the smallest of seeds and produce trees large enough for birds to find rest in their branches. Jesus doesn't stop there. Later, in two gospels, Jesus uses the imagery again to explain the nature of faith. When his disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, he tells them that if they had faith as small as a mustard seed, they could do wondrous things.

This painting tries to illuminate both teachings. Here you can see the scale of this paradox. The great tree has grown form the tiny seed and is host to a diversity of birds. As our faith grows, we become something greater than ourselves. We become the shelter, nurture and sustenance for others. You can also see roots in the soil—reaching deep to underground waters. These represent the "behind-the-scenes" mysteries that nourish our faith. Our baptism and the nurture of the church gives our faith the best conditions for growth. 

We need not discourage ourselves for our lack-luster feelings of faithfulness. Our limitations and shortcomings are not what defines us as people of God's kingdom. It is only the miraculous grace of God that transforms us from mediocrity into sainthood. 

May your faith so bloom.