Brenda Stichter, artist

Encamps I have been working through trying to paint a fairly heavy subject with cheerful, brighter tints. I hope this combination is a choice that communicates both ideas. I guess I will do my next one with more pastel-y colors! ;) On my Facebook page , I posted a photo album of the progression of work on this painting. (It is a public page, so even if you don't have Facebook, you can still see it.)  This work is based on Psalm 34:7 "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them." I really wanted the feeling of surrounding the focal point with a strong line, and the heaviest, darkest part of the painting is the arc that encircles that point. That heavier arc is accented with copper and silver. Action and detail, color and texture are vivid in this piece.  22" x 28" acrylic on watercolor paper

Guilt Free The concept behind this painting comes from my reading in the Psalms. I am surprised by how often something that I have read hundreds of times (well, that MIGHT be a bit exaggerated) will mean so much to me on a new time through a section of the Bible. The thought that GOD offers me forgiveness for not only my sin, but also the guilt of my sin really struck me as I read this part of Psalm 32.  Psalm 32:5 (New American Standard Bible) "I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah."  (The word Selah is thought to mean pause and think about this.) NA  

Instruction Well, guess who forgot to change the clock in her studio!? Yeah... So my Love will have to wait for his supper tonight! I have been doing a little bit of studying on water abstracts, (watching an instructional video by Joe DiGiulio that has been helpful) and I am trying to make the idea more my own. I love the idea of water, boats, etc, and will be working on it now and then... Although this verse does not closely tie with this painting, it was important to me today. My son was making a significant decision, and needed guidance. We prayed together about his decision, and this verse came up in my Bible reading. It seemed to be so perfectly suited to his situation! Psalm 25:12 (New American Standard Version) Who is the man who fears the LORD? HE will instruct him in the way he should choose.  NLA

Gladness The Psalms are my current place to be reading in my time with my Heavenly Father. Often I think that the chapters are so short that I will not get 'enough', but that has not been the case at all! This happy painting has been on my mind for a little while, and I thought it would be a good way to illustrate Psalm 21. (Both my husband and my son saw water here, which is fine, since I LOVE the water!) Psalm 21:5-6 (New American Standard Version) "His glory is great through Your salvation, Splendor and majesty You place upon him. For You make him [and Brenda] most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence." 11" x 14" on watercolor paper ready to frame