Brenda Stichter, artist

Dinner 2 Another day of practice, and I am learning so much from painting the same concept over and over! (I hope to do well at the event - my first try at something like this...) I like adding the black and white at the end of the painting. I think it is important to get the values and basic color well in hand before adding the deepest dark and lightest light.  This painting would make a good companion to the first practice piece I painted, though the 'characters' are mostly the same in both. (The other painting is currently at a gallery, so I cannot compare them side by side.)

Suffering I was struck today with a couple of verses in my daily Bible reading. I am in the New Testament book of Hebrews, which is one of my favorites. (Well, actually I have a lot of favorites, but...) It particularly caught my attention that suffering was connected with glory here. I was brought to tears with the realization that GOD Almighty, my Creator, became human and suffered because He loves me.  Heb 2:9 New American Standard Bible "But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor , so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone." Heb 2:18 New American Standard Bible "For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." SOLD 6" x 6" on canvas, 1.5" deep painted edges  

Radiance As I read from Hebrews 1 today, I was reminded of and captivated by the idea of Jesus, the only Son of GOD Himself, being the exact representation of the Heavenly Father. The words in the verses emphasize his glory and the concept that Jesus doesn't just reflect glory, but IS light and glory. Wow.  Here is the one of the verses as it is written in the Amplified Bible: Hebrews 1:3a  He is the sole expression of the glory of GOD [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. And the first three, in the New American Standard Bible: Hebrews 1:1 - 3a  God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radianc...

Dinner If you follow my blog or other sites, you may realize that I am practicing and preparing for a special opportunity. I have been asked to paint in front of people for the first time, and so I have been working to get myself ready to give it a whirl. What a lot of work! Not only practice, but deciding what materials I will need... It would be easier were I a plein air painter!  I usually paint quite abstract paintings, with abstract thoughts to communicate. It is definitely a different type of preparation to determine a composition, colors, and ideas to communicate an entirely different kind of concept. And the thought of people watching, when I may not come up with a very good painting... (courage...) 20" x 20" on canvas, framed iridescent accents, lots of texture

Brown Overlook This morning, during "couch time with Bruce" (the daily time for my husband and me to catch up with each other and pray for friends and situations), I had a mental picture of this painting that I wanted to work on. I am still thinking of the same concepts as I was on the Overlook Triptych  and so similar techniques are used here.  Again, the same Bible passage is key:  2 Corinthians 4:7 New American Standard Bible "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves" No longer available 11" x 11" acrylic on watercolor paper mounted on cradled panel

Overlook Triptych I went to several galleries and an art museum for my birthday. It was a gift from my fabulous husband, who went with me, even though it is not really something that he enjoys. I absolutely loved it! Actually, the beauty I had seen all day kept me awake at night... (and my husband says he had no trouble sleeping - he actually slept AT the galleries!) One of the paintings has stayed with me for more than a week. At first I didn't even really see it, so to speak. Almost every other painting in the gallery was more eye-catching at first. But as I came up close to it and spent some time looking at it, it was so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. Literally.  Part of what made that painting so beautiful was the close up details, the evidence of many layers of beauty beneath the surface. It was actually partly the fact that I didn't see it at first that made the painting so unforgettable. It made me think about other things that are only alluring ...

Yellow Study This study at least seems less lonely than the last one I did! I am enjoying using complements and trying to make them 'sing'. I have never especially liked the purple/yellow combination, so I decided to test myself with it. I am not sure how your monitor (or mine, for that matter) is showing the colors, but it is quite a contrast all right! I have been working on 'companion' paintings. I do like the way they look together. I think they would look great in a kitchen or dining room! 11" x 11"on heavy watercolor paper iridescent accents ready to frame  

Purple Study Today will be a busy day in the studio! I expect no interruptions for several hours, and I hope to use the time wisely.  Several different directions to take in my paintings have been on my mind lately. I will be working on several of them, including abstract paintings that are planned and somewhat overt in their meaning; abstract for beauty, where I discover meaning as I work; maybe some (gasp) impressionism, and who knows what else.  I love the color and strength of the movement in this study - but maybe it is a little more lonely than I want to convey in the finished, larger painting.  Study 11" x 11"on heavy watercolor paper iridescent accents ready to frame  

Abstract 018 It seems to be a recurring story - I have been out of my studio for too long. There are so many other good things that call me from my artwork, and I am pretty sure that most who are artists would agree that this is the case for them as well. In fact, I would guess it is an almost universal circumstance.  This painting was started some time ago, and was not 'cooperating' with me. So today I decided to work with it until I liked it. As is so often said, a big part of success is just showing up, and the time spent here has brought a result I like. I am glad to be back in the studio, and to be reminded that I just need to show up - just keep working...  There is quite a lot of texture in this painting. It is acrylic on an 11" x 14" watercolor paper. The image is 9" x 12.5", ready to frame.  2 Tim. 2:15 (New American Standard Bible) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately ha...

Content I have been doing a lot of 'business-y' stuff lately, and have a lot more to do. As with most who pursue art, business is not a strong suit with me! In the midst of trying to work out these other things, I decided to just play a bit with my paints. This quiet little piece reminds me of the contentment that comes from trusting GOD to provide all my needs. Today as I read my Bible, and then enjoyed the outdoors, I was thinking about contentment and His provision for me. The arch in the corner of the painting suggests covering, and the blues suggest the beautiful blue sky of today. 1 Timothy 6:8 (NASB) If we  have food and covering, with these we shall be content. This painting has two rough, torn edges and two cut edges. It is acrylic on watercolor paper, and would be ready to frame. It is actually a little bigger than 5" x 7" and would be nice matted to 8" x 10". 5" x 7"  acrylic on watercolor paper ready to frame