Brenda Stichter, artist

Revelation III Today is the last day of the challenge! I wonder how many of the 1,400 artists' blogs started with the same sentence... I didn't even start at the beginning, and I take weekends off, but I am still a bit relieved to be at the end. Relieved, but also thankful for the accountability and learning that takes place during these events - thanks to the generosity of blogger and artist Leslie Saeta ! This painting came to mind today as I read in my New Testament. In fact, the value sketch is in my journal that I write in daily! That is a rare occurrence, since I primarily just write there. I was reading about a war between good (GOD) and evil, and some of the difficult things that will come to pass. If you wish to learn more, I would encourage you to read the book of Revelation, chapter 12 . This book is heavily symbolic, and I find it difficult to understand, but it has kept me thinking and painting!  Revelation 12:10-11 (New American Standard Bible) Then I hea

Revelation II This painting has come about somewhat slowly, and it looks nothing like it did in the beginning. It began with neutral shapes and shading in Unbleached Titanium, Titanium White, and Payne's Gray. It was a calm and pleasing start, though my focal point was too near the center.  I returned to my reading in the New Testament book of Revelation today, and again I was trying to imagine what John, the author, was seeing. It can sure be challenging in this book of the Bible, and it is not always pleasant! However, looking at the progress in my painting, I could not help but think of the verses at the beginning of the chapter.  Revelation 10:1-2 (New American Standard Bible) I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire; and he had in his hand a little book which was open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land 11&quo

Revelation There is something about finishing a painting that I really love that is so joyful! I get so excited for my husband to come home to see it, and I hope others like it as well as I do.  In my current Bible reading, I have reached the New Testament book of Revelation. I must admit it is not a favorite book for me - particularly the descriptions of some of the coming wrath. However, I do love the pictures we get of GOD and the LAMB. I love to try to imagine what heaven must be like, and especially how my Most Beloved looks!  This painting comes about from contemplating Revelation 4:1-4. I have tried to imagine the One on the throne surrounded by so many, and so beautiful and awesome.  Revelation 4:1-4 (New American Standard Bible)  After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these th

Laodicea This painting has so much paint on the surface! I wanted each area to have depth and interest, and I wanted the colors to carry through the entire work. There is some sgraffito here and there, and much of the underpainting shows through.  My daily Bible reading has taken me to Revelation, and in my reading, I came to a very familiar verse. Though this verse is often used in other ways, I was so struck with my Savior, knocking, wanting to spend time with ME! How amazing! I want the clutter and wealth of daily life to be kept from coming between Him and me. I want my door to be open wide to Him! Revelation 3:20 (New American Standard Bible) Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. NA  

Andy's Workshop The Artist Forum  is a group that I am a part of in my town, and last night one of our members did a demonstration of his technique. He invited me and and two other artists to participate in making a painting in his style. It was a fun chance to work in a different style. While my painting did not turn out at ALL like I pictured it, still I like the results.  This is a poured and manipulated painting, with a prepared acrylic on a panel. The panel is also prepared and rotated to 'shape' the image. All three paintings were very different from each other, and I learned that the technique is more difficult than it looks! NFS 24" x 36"  acrylic on panel

Winter Tree My challenge post for today is quite late, but I am glad to have something I can show for my day! Some of this painting was done in a motel where my husband was attending a seminar. I don't often work with watercolor these days, but it is a more portable medium than my acrylics.  This tree shape was taken from trees growing across the parking lot from my motel room window. It was a blustery winter day - snowing and blowing - and I really enjoyed the shapes in the trees. The winter palette of color outside made me wish for bright, vibrant color! 12" x 9"  watercolor on paper ready to frame

Blameless As I read in the New Testament book of Jude this morning, I was especially encouraged by these verses at the end of the chapter.  Jude 24-25 (New American Standard Bible) Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Elsewhere in the New Testament, GOD says that HE gives a way of escape when we are tempted, and that way of escape to keep me from stumbling was the thought that I wanted to convey with this painting.  I like to see unpredictable results of working new paint over old, and removing some and leaving some. I like the idea that there is more behind the surface - more that is only hinted at.

Abstract 020 As I was playing around with some of my more transparent colors (Payne's Gray from Matisse and Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold from Golden), I came up with this little piece that I like! I like the suggestion of 'place' - light and shadow, hidden and deep. I love the way the colors play off one another, and the sgraffito makes such a statement on these particular colors.  11" x 3" acrylic on watercolor paper ready to frame

True Colors This 30 in 30 challenge is a great time to learn new techniques, and practice some that are less familiar. Most of this painting is covered using 'paint skins' - the acrylic paint that has been peeled off of my plastic coated painting surface. The skins are then attached to the gessoed watercolor paper using gel medium, making the surface shiny.  My favorite part of working with paint skins is discovering the back side - the hidden part. Often, because different colors have been added on top, the back side of the skin is extraordinarily beautiful. Hmmm... could it be that the more trials and challenges that GOD allows to be 'piled on' me, the more beautiful I will become - particularly in HIS eyes? Yes!  James 1:2-4 (The Message)  Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anythi

Press On Having been asked to do a sketch for a bulletin board at church, I decided to use the sketch as today's challenge painting. Actually, the theme and verse fit right in with what I have been doing - although the genre and medium are different!  Philippians 3:12 (New American Standard Bible) Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. NFS 5" x 7" marker on marker paper

Assuredly Presumably due to a new medication, my thought process has been disrupted lately, and my mind has been scattered. Maybe this effect will fade, or I will no longer need this particular medication. Nevertheless, it is disconcerting, and no fun!  This morning, as I attempted to focus on reading my Bible again, this verse that was mentioned in church on Sunday came back to my mind. I had not read it in the Amplified version before, and it was so powerful to me! I find great encouragement in the fact that my Heavenly Father will never fail me - no matter what! Hebrews 13:5 Amplified Bible (AMP) "Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree le

Gray Scale As much as it would seem not to be the case, painting for the 30 in 30 challenge is high on my priority list! It just so happens that other good things pull at me too. I know that EVERY artist, parent, and probably every person is familiar with the struggle! There are so many good things, so many choices to be made, so much to think about! This brings me to my theme that I am loosely following for this challenge, based on Philippians 4:8 (New American Standard Bible) "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right , whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." (As it turns out, I have skipped one phrase! I will have to go back to it.) Whatever is right. Again, this is highly debated in current society. In fact, I would guess that many are unsure whether there really is 'right' to think about. I have been readi

True Blue Most people involved in the  painting challenge  that I am participating in have heard that it is a good idea to have a theme to work from as we attempt to produce art for 30 days straight. I would agree that it is really helpful and will get me moving when I might otherwise be stuck.  Similarly, Philippians 4:8 gives a list of things to think about, a theme, with 'whatever' being the first word of each phrase. It is a collection of eight words , and I have, in the past, used these words as a framework to hang my thoughts on during a span of a couple of weeks. It is great to have a thought ready at hand when I may otherwise be tempted to worry or pursue worthless things.  Whatever is true. The tricky thing is, as we have tragically seen in the last day or so, some believe things to be true that are not true. Some would argue that there is no such thing as 'true'.  I thought about the many expressions that are familiar using the word true: true love,

Frost One of the things that is really helpful when working on a painting challenge is to have a theme to work on, or a series to try. I have been thinking about that, and I think I may have a theme in the works! The first painting of that theme will be a blue painting, and as I have been considering that, I have been inspired by the frost on my window today. Although this painting is not the first of this series, still the concept will be carrying through.  It is so significant to me to recognize the Heavenly Father (Who is endlessly loving and kind) as the Greatest Artist. HIS creativity and beauty so often stop me in my tracks.  This painting looks very different from different angles, and I also think it is nice either horizontally or vertically. There is a large percentage of the surface that is covered with a thin iridescent layer, so that it is difficult to photograph, and it may be difficult to see in certain kinds of light. (The canvas has stretched a bit, too, but wi

Abstract 019 Today I was thinking about how glad I am that snow is white! Well - basically white. I just imagine how tired I would be of snow in any other color (as if I didn't already feel that way at times!) One of the most beautiful things about snow is that it reflects SO MUCH COLOR from everything else. It sparkles and suggests and shines. (And blows and drifts and freezes, but that is not my thought here.) My front yard had long periwinkle shadows covering it this morning, and the back yard had cool yellow highlights. I love the complexity of the color, the science behind why it is so beautiful, and most of all, the Creator Who designed a world for us that is endlessly interesting and splendid! Job 38:22 (New American Standard Bible) “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail?" No longer available detail 1  

Whisper Whisper is a little abstract painted on a panel that is a reminder to me of a recent experience of whispered faith and hope in a dark time. I really do not want to be melodramatic about it, so I will just say that I have had another chance to listen for the Whisper from my Heavenly Father reminding me of His faithfulness.  SOLD $72.00 6" x 6" acrylic on panel Shortly after going through the darkest of these times, I posted this status on Facebook: My heart felt bruised. All was black. I wasn't sure I could ask HIM for help, since I doubted. But during the night, HE lit the lamp of hope in me. I woke several times in anticipation. HE is faithful when I am not. Praise HIM. (Thoughts on a struggle that I have been facing recently. I am so glad my Heavenly Father is in control! HE is my Hope and my delight!) Please pardon me for getting a bit long-winded here, but I would also like to include some words from a hymn that was sung  this past Sunday  at the