as yet untitled, WIP

This one's for my baby girl, Nahlia.

It's been such a long time since I've written here, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been getting my hands into some colour!  Since my last post I've moved house and had a baby, but I was and am determined to not let my new duties completely over-ride my passion for painting.

I've had the idea for this painting since before my little cherub, was born in early April of this year, and I've been slowly putting paint to canvas.  Today it felt great to finish the background!  As is often the case, the photo does not show the true colours.  It's 'a little bit by little bit' painting, but I'm excited to have gotten this far!

Renewal

This is about what Jesus does is in my heart - He cleans up the mess, pulls up the weeds, and allows me to grow and bloom in His love.  That's what Easter means to me.

Dimensions: 76cm H x 61cm W.

Freedom

 The concept for this painting is freedom - the kind that Jesus brings into our hearts and lives.  This is a picture of what God has for his children (for me).  It's not simply about flying, it's about where I'm flying - in His kingdom (not my own!).  Also, it isn't something which is a future promise - I'm flying right now in His kingdom when I'm surrendered to Him and living in Him.

Detail of eagle - above. 

Dimensions: 44.5cm (H) x 75cm (L).

Fire

At the last Expressions night at my local church, I started this painting.  I had the impression of a wave of fire during Sunday worship a couple of weeks before, so I gave it a go.  I feel that this is what God is doing among the church right now, and that it is a beautiful thing.  The encouragement here is to embrace what God is doing, acknowledging the pain of His refinement and of our growth, but embracing it and enduring it nonetheless.  He does beautiful things in our lives if we let Him lead us through the fire.

The Apple Tree

I saw this picture while praying for a friend and at first I thought it was for her.... but after actually creating it, I was drawn into a state of meditation about it.  The apples are slightly heart-shaped and my thoughts were focused on them for a long time.  I felt very much like the picture is for me and speaks about how I am to love others - love being the fruit on the tree.  The tree represents what God has planted and grown in my life.

Blooming

I went to an ArtWorship Workshop on Saturday at the C3Centre in Nunawading, and it was great.  Lots of artists, mostly female, painting spiritually meaningful pictures.  Admittedly, it was a bit intimidating to be surrounded by so many talented artists!  But at the same time, it really encouraged me to see God raising up people to use art in the context of their relationship with Him.  I just love being able to express something of God's heart to other people through art, but He also uses it to speak to me as well!

So here's my effort from Saturday, 'Blooming,' using oil pastels.  It speaks to me about the fruit of the healing work that God is doing in my life - the pain is worth the peace that follows.

I've been playing in the rain.... not really!

Here I am with my first mosaic piece!  Thanks to Leanne, who showed me how and helped along the way...  I think I'll try and put a piece of mirror in it, that'll be nice.