Brenda Stichter, artist

Encourage One Another The idea of peace and rest has been in my thoughts for the last several days' painting times, and the theme of this one follows closely with my painting entitled 'Peace (Be) With You'. See more about this painting  here. Again the circles in the painting have been placed in places of peace - supported by the shapes around them. In spite of the rough texture of the background, they are at rest.  Hebrews 3:13-14 (AMP) But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day,  as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened  by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) and share in all He has for us,  if only we hold our first newborn confidence and original assured expectation  firm and unshaken to the end. 11" x 14" acrylic on watercolor paper Leave comment or contact me directly to purchase.

Wrestle This 5 x 7 acrylic reminds me of a struggle, a battle, and I wish (as I often do) that the colors reproduced better here! In response to 'circumstances' of my last two days, I am entitling this piece 'Wrestle'.  5" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper (matted to 8" x 10") Leave comment or contact me directly to purchase. Eph. 6:10-12 (ESV)  Finally,  be strong in the Lord and in  the strength of his might.   11  Put on  the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against  the schemes of the devil.   12  For  we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against  the rulers, against the authorities, against  the cosmic powers over  this present darkness, against  the spiritual forces of evil  in the heavenly places.

Peace With You Ahhh. Peace. I started this painting quite a while ago, and will tack that early blog post on the end of today's post, but I now have more to say about this painting!  The primary color scheme here is complementary, which can be strident, busy, and confrontive. Hardly the choice to communicate peace! But most of the circles - primarily the smaller ones - are in positions of 'rest' in the work. Although there is much crowding, confronting, and complicating, the circles are at rest.  This is peace.  John 20:19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week,  and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews,  Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”    21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you;  as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”     26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them.  Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and sto

Vine I am still contemplating the ideas from John 15 about the vine.  Curves have not been my 'favorite' approach, but recently I have started to try to work with them more. While in North Carolina for Art of the Carolinas, my husband and I went to an antique store, and I realized that the things that caught my eye were all gracefully curved items, so I decided to try to apply this concept to my paintings. John 15:11 (AMP) I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness  may be of full measure and complete and overflowing. 6" x 11" acrylic on panel

Abide And the third Vine series painting, this one called Abide. As is probably obvious, the last three vine paintings can be used as a triptych, or individually. John 15:9-10 (NASB) Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love;  just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.  NA 11" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper

the Vine The second in my short series, this painting is entitled 'the Vine'.  I love the combination of the greens with the purple accent! This color combination has always been a favorite with me! John 15:5 (AMP) I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me you can do nothing. 11" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper

Vitally United In response to John 15: 1-11, I am starting a short series on 'the Vine'. The concept of the life being in and from the vine (or in Scripture, the Vine, representing Christ) is an encouragement as well as a challenge to me. John 15:4  (AMP)  Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. study 11" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper Leave comment or contact me directly to purchase.

Abstract 005 This painting was done on my second day of workshops at Art of the Carolinas. One of the many things that I learned is that I still need to do 'my style', even when participating in workshops. I found my work to be unsuccessful the times I didn't work from this concept, and much better when I did! This painting was my first trial of Matisse acrylics - new paint and new colors. So far, I really think I like them. I will be working more with them to see how well I can manage them.  Also, I have noticed that although I do not always post full meaning behind each painting, I think that much of what I would like to communicate still comes through. I hope that my 'world view' is consistent throughout everything that I post! 11" x 14" acrylic on watercolor paper Leave comment or contact me directly to purchase.

Abstract 004 Today is my first day home from Art of the Carolinas in Raleigh, NC. My husband (SUCH a wonderful man!) took me there for my birthday this year, and I took several workshops and bought a TON of supplies! I have a full day of catching up ahead of me, but wanted to post this 'teaser' of work to come! Check back in the next couple of days for a lot more new and exciting work and news! 20" x 26" acrylic on watercolor paper Leave comment or contact me directly to purchase.

Workshop 1 Today I am celebrating my birthday (thanks to my WONDERFUL husband) at Art of the Carolinas, and here is a workshop painting. I will be doing 4 workshops, and today was kind of breaking into the workshop genre for me - I have never really done this before! I learned a lot already, and can hardly wait to get home and put it to work! I hope to have things from which I can remember concepts, and techniques, and come up with new works. What a treat it has been! Sorry about the photo quality...  NFS 11" x 16" acrylic on watercolor paper

Three Pears Some friends who have been watching my paintings for quite a while may recognize this one, called 'Three Pears'. I love the depth of color and the different treatment revealed in each pear on the painting.  study 11" x 11" acrylic on watercolor paper Leave comment or contact me directly to purchase.

Consider the Lilies 'Do not be anxious' is the main idea in the passage that inspired me today for this painting. Matthew 6:25 - 33 talks about putting first things first - seek first the kingdom and righteousness of GOD, and leaving the 'details' to HIM.  For me personally, the idea of not being anxious is very significant lately. While I have all I need - and more - it is so easy to worry about the future. It is way too easy to see the trouble on the horizon. So I am choosing to put first things first. Seek HIM first. Consider the lilies... Matthew 6:28 (ESV)  And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,   29  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.   30  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you,  O you of little faith?   SOLD 11" x 14"

Jer. 29:11 My post for today is a little painting I did for my daughter... and actually it is a great reminder for all of us.  My daughter has always been the one to try new things, jump in to big challenges, travel to scary places - she loves adventure.  As she is about to graduate from college this year, I want to remind her that it is still a great time to dream big and trust GOD with the details! Jeremiah 29:11  (NASB)  For I know the  plans that I have for you,’ declares the  Lord , ‘plans for  welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a  hope. NFS

Abstract Triptych 3 In spite of a day of traveling, I was able to paint this little abstract triptych which came to my mind in response to Jeremiah 15:16 (NASB)  Your words were found and I  ate them,  And Your   words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;  For I have been   called by Your name,  O   Lord   God of hosts. Abstract Triptych 2 Abstract Triptych 1 acrylic on boards 3 panels - 7.25" x 7.25" Leave comment or contact me directly to purchase. Abstract Triptych