Brenda Stichter, artist

Riches II One of the many things I love about GOD's Word, the Bible, is that it is 'living and active', convicting, inspiring, and moving me on a daily basis. HE has given me great treasure, if I will only slow down and accept it.  Again today, I was captivated by the realization of the mercy, love and glory of GOD toward me. It is unimaginable that an all-powerful, completely self-sufficient, and totally holy GOD would look at me, accept me, and even love me and make me able to be in HIS presence. How could I ever help but love HIM? Ephesians 2:4-7 (New American Standard Bible) But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ J...

Riches There is a workshop in my area scheduled for September that has me very excited! An abstractionist has some work in a gallery about an hour from me, and I have really admired his work. I recently got an email telling me that he will be giving a workshop - and it is so close to me! I am really looking forward to learning from him!  I have been painting very thin layers lately, enjoying the way the acrylic reacts to the texture of the gesso below. But I have wanted to get back to painting with heavy layers now and then. I really enjoyed the messy process with this painting! I am working on what my theme will be for a 30 in 30 painting challenge , and am considering a different approach to my work. I expect to often paint without as much explanation of my method and reasoning. I would love your feedback on this different approach, by the way.  The verse that is inspiring this painting today is: Eph 1:18 (New American Standard Bible) I pray that the eyes of your ...

Undone Undone. It is a word that is 'popular' - maybe overused. In spite of that, it was the word that most connected with what I want to express with today's work.  Textured underlying gesso helps shape the color in the upper layers. Iridescent highlights help to accent the focal point.  My quiet time today left me literally in tears as I focused on the meaning in this scripture passage. I am in awe of HIM Who chose me, and made me blameless because of Jesus. It makes me focus on HIS goodness and glory.  Ephesians 1:4 (New American Standard Bible) Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. SOLD 11" x 14" acrylic on watercolor paper 1" white border

August Rose Just playing around with the trends I am seeing... the blue and orange seems to be the choice of color right now, so I decided to try to do the whole painting in these two colors plus a few white highlights. The background of this painting, as usual for me, is very heavily textured.  In spite of my attempt to make the shapes very abstract, they turned out to be quite recognizable. I guess that is a good problem... I very seldom do floral paintings, but I enjoyed reducing this rose to simple highlights and shadows. Maybe I will have to consider more of these. :) Sold 5.25" x 5.75" acrylic on panel , rounded corners

Beauty II I have been contemplating the importance of finding just the right 'language' to express what I have to share. I am watching a documentary of the artist Gerhard Richter (a little at a time), and thinking about the philosophy he expresses. I believe that his work is very powerful, and clearly communicates his views and experiences.  My views, though, my worldview, and my experiences are entirely different from his. I want to use my art to express my worldview, but not in a cliched way. (I make no claim to the skill and experience of this artist!) I am searching and practicing and learning in an attempt to find a way to 'say my piece'.  Beauty II is a reworking of a recent painting. I love the colors and texture, but thought it needed a bit more work. Some details are included for you to see some of the parts I like so well. (Original blog post about the concept 'Beauty' available here.) 22" x 30" acrylic on watercolor paper ...

Though None Go With Me From an old, old chorus, the title seemed especially apt for the lonely feeling here. Some of the words to the song are "I have decided to follow Jesus (x3) No turning back; no turning back. Though none go with me, still I will follow. (x3) No turning back; no turning back." I must admit to feeling a bit nostalgic when I think about this song. The picture feels a bit nostalgic, too.  SOLD 5" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper 

One Thing As sometimes happens with larger, more involved paintings, the composition, color, and concept in this one changed as I worked on it. I had one idea in mind, but as the work developed, it seemed to go a different direction! By the time the work was finished, I had one concept that kept coming to mind as I worked. 'One Thing'.  The painting is so involved and busy. Some parts of it remind me of a crossword puzzle. If you could see the painting up close, you would see that almost every square inch has complex color or texture or interest. So much to see. I kept thinking about how our world seems to be going crazy - ripping at the seams. How there are so many things to do every minute of the day; so many good things that seem to be important. How those I love are going through many different trials, from medical issues to unemployment to separation from loved ones. How many people are being persecuted for their faith in many places all over the world. But ove...

Jack Because I am 'neck deep' in a large painting these days, I have decided to post an older painting now and then. These are paintings that are not in my current style, but are still available (aka, not painted over!). Jack-in-the-pulpit is a favorite plant of mine, and I think it is partly because of childhood memories of my parents being excited to find them in the woods. Our woods has several patches of them, and they are bigger and more interesting than I had remembered! I will be watching for the bright red-orange berries that form on the stems in the autumn.  4" x 6" ink and watercolor on watercolor paper

Abstract 016 The last couple of days I have been able to spend long hours in the studio, and I realize that I get VERY tired! But I absolutely love it! I love my colorful paintshirt and messy hands. I love having work in progress so that I know what to 'tackle' when I come into the studio! This is a little work that I have finished in between working on bigger, more involved paintings. It has been in progress for a long time!

Affirmation 2 Corinthians 7 is a chapter of the New Testament that is just overflowing with words of affirmation. Paul writes to a group of people that he, as an apostle, had corrected in a painful letter previously. He tells them that he had regretted writing harsh things, but was so glad for the great results. He uses so many words of encouragement: confidence, comfort, overflowing with joy, rejoice, zeal, without regret, refreshed, boasted about you, affection, and many more.  I am a person to whom words of affirmation are especially energizing. Recently, I had another reminder of this. I have had some physical therapy which is painful and draining. When I went in for my first appointment, though, the head therapist used phrases like, "You seem like an active person", and "Really good effort there!" At one point, he addressed a student observer, saying, "You can see, she already has gained some range of motion."  Those words have spurred me to pus...

'Selfie' With the chance, once again, to spend a bit more time in my studio, I have found myself with several things in the works (so to speak.) One thing I have been doing is preparing the substrates I will be painting on with textured gesso, acrylic additives,  and sometimes background paint. It has been a learning curve, and very enjoyable too.  I had textured this little 6" x 6" canvas with Golden Light Molding Paste, and was uncertain of what I wanted to do with it. WHY I thought I should try a self portrait, I do not know... but I think I like how it is turning out. (I think it might be done, but I am reserving the right to more touch-up... )

Earthen Vessel In the works for months, this painting is an expression of some recent thoughts...  The painting is acrylic on a panel, and has so many layers that I have lost count of them. I have tried over and over to work out a painting that I like from the start of this one, and it always needed work, or maybe even to be started all over again! Of course, each time I restarted it, some of the previous marks remain, even though I cover the entire work with a fresh coat of paint.  Today, I think this little painting is ready. The colors and textures remind me of denim and pottery, of ordinary surrounding extraordinary. The shapes also make statements and I love the things that the painting says without my words added.  Just yesterday, a new friend and I started a discussion about worth and brokenness. The layers and scars still show through in her life. She wants perfection, and sometimes feels like the only solution is to start all over again. But part of our ...