Brenda Stichter, artist

Happy Birthday, Lord Jesus!

Sparkling Sparkling, vivid color and exciting shapes are some of the things I love about today's painting. It is a new start (new technique) and an encouragement to continue to explore, grow, and learn.  Today I was working in my studio with my Lovely Studio Companion across the table from me, and I decided to give this technique a try. ( I am trying to regenerate my acrylic paint from the surface I use as a palette, and use the paint skins.)  I have thought it would be great to try it, but didn't feel like I was 'ready' - for some reason! But, with her encouragement, I gave it a whirl. And I have to say, I really REALLY like the result of this first effort! I found that I really love the paint skins that I (with the help of my Lovely Studio Companion) have retrieved, and I love playing with them. The ideas of refreshing and renewal, of delight and sparkle, of snow and presents, and of new perspective and attitude are some of the things I want to express.  I...

Where Is He? Another very simple painting for this Christmas season; this is called "Where Is He?" This painting is suggestive of the magi following the star as they searched for the Baby Jesus. It also reminds me of Christmas trees in the night. I was thinking of a pile of colorful gifts, too, as I painted.  Matthew 2:2 (AMP) Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east at its rising and have come to worship Him. 8" x 10" acrylic on watercolor paper Leave comment or contact me directly  to purchase.

Swaddling Cloths It is fabulous to get back into the studio when I have been unable to paint for a while! I have had this painting in mind for a few days, and finally had a chance to work on it this afternoon (with the help of my lovely studio companion, pictured below!) The name of this painting is Swaddling Cloths, which comes from the Christmas story as told in Luke chapter 2. My hope is to portray the humble, earthy wrapping cloths covering the eternal, magnificent GOD - Who wrapped HIMSELF in skin and bones.  Luke 2:12(ESV) "And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 8" x 10" acrylic on watercolor paper Leave comment or contact me directly  to purchase. My lovely daughter (& studio companion)

Note cards available Just arrived from the printer - note cards! For your last minute gift giving, or your own thank you notes, I now have packages of 8 cards available for purchase.  The cards are 4.5" x 6" and each set comes with 8 cards and envelopes. They feature four of my more popular paintings - two of each in each packet. The cards are blank inside.  A Little  ,  Every Way  ,  Savior  , and  X (Christ)  are the paintings I have chosen for this set of cards.  $10.oo Set of 8 note cards (If you would like to pick these up and avoid shipping cost, please contact me or comment here.)

I am offering hand painted gift certificates this week. To order in a different amount, please comment or send a message.

Christmas Tree Do you feel like you are looking into someone's Christmas tree?  This painting is a meandering composition , which is not a composition style I use very often. However, it will work well for me today, and it is great practice to use other 'frameworks' to 'hang' my paint on.  11" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper Leave comment or contact me directly to purchase.

Elizabeth & Mary This very simple painting is in response to my reading about Elizabeth and Mary in Luke chapter 1. I wanted a feeling a little bit like the iconic art from earlier church art. But at the same time, I wanted to express the homely, earthy truth of being an old woman and pregnant; of being a young virgin wanting to help and encourage an older relative.  I want to remember this part of Christmas - the difficult and exhausting earthly struggle, even as it is in the very light of heaven.  Luke 1:36-40 (AMP) And listen! Your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is now the sixth month with her who was called barren.  For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.  Then Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said. And the angel left her.  And at that time Mary arose and went with haste...

Snowman I guess I am kind of joining the snoman craze I have seen on Daily Paintworks lately - but not exactly. This snowman showed up in caricature a couple of years ago on our family Christmas cards!  My little snowman is considering this poem by Christina Rosetti:  In the Bleak Midwinter In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago. ... What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;  Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart. Snowman painting 8" x 10" mixed media on canvas Leave comment or contact me directly  to purchase. Christmas card front  Christmas card inside

Scepter Sparkling gold in this painting is a reminder of something distinctive and rare - something bringing celebration! The colors and action I use are intended to represent royalty and vigor and strength.  This Christmas seems to be the year for me to contemplate the Incarnation of Jesus. (Last year my theme was Follow the Light.) I am overcome, today, by HIS chosing to leave HIS position to come in the lowly 'clothing' of humanity - just for love of me and each other man of HIS creation.  As I read a section in Hebrews today from the Amplified Bible, I was struck with the concept of eternity, and the concept of righteous rule. Sometimes reading words from a different version can spark new thoughts - and for me lately, they seem to often be 'graphics' instead of words. :) (I wouldn't have it any other way!) Hebrews 1:8 (AMP) But as to the Son, He says to Him, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever (to the ages of the ages),  and the scepter of Your kin...

Christmas Miracle Another day of contemplating the same concept has me thinking once again about the incarnation of Jesus on that first Christmas. Today I wanted to communicate some of the complexity of this unique event in earth's history.  I chose to use a lot of iridescent colors and geometric shapes along with the breaking through of brilliant color and texture. I hope that the idea of 'other-ness' (coining a word, maybe?) comes through, and also the thought of gifts and wrappings.  John 1:14  (AMP)  And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we  saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth. SOLD 11" x 14" acrylic on watercolor paper

Incarnation 2 My second day of considering the incarnation of Jesus Christ at Christmas time left me wondering what it must have looked like from Heaven's point of view. While there is no way on earth of representing such an immense idea, I still was thinking about it much of the day.  This painting is highly reflective because there are many layers of iridescent paint. The mica in these paints gleams in such a way that it is almost glowing - and nearly impossible to represent with a photo! :( The circle which represents our planet earth is textured with molding paste and looks and feels completely different from the surrounding glow. I tried to imagine God, the Creator, shrinking Himself in every way - intellectually, in power, in size, and in every other way - to enter His creation as a baby. It is completely unfathomable.  John 1:14  (AMP)  And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among...

Incarnation Ahh! Back in the studio! It has only been a week, but I think I was going through withdrawals! This painting every day thing is such a delight to me! The idea of attempting to communicate the incarnation has been with me all week, and I may try to do several paintings on this same idea. I wanted to show the 'bursting through' of a more vivid, colorful reality into a foggy or muted world. I hope to convey, too, the glory and majesty that Jesus had, even as He entered our world.  John 1:14  (AMP)  And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we  saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth. 11" x 14" acrylic on watercolor paper Leave comment or contact me directly to purchase.