Brenda Stichter, artist

The First Noel "Look at that SUN!" Two days ago, the sunset was spectacular. I have seldom seen such a huge orb on the horizon, and it was such a fabulous neon-pinkish-orange color. I watched as it was sinking behind a grove of leafless trees, making breathtaking black silhouettes against a luminous, enormous sky. I am still thinking about how beautiful it was, and I keep telling people about it. It seems like sharing the grandness of that view completes it - makes it better.  NLA 6" x 6"  Painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint on Art Bite panel ready to frame    Click here to see updated painting and read new blog post. C. S. Lewis talked about this concept in his writings. " I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. C. S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms " I wholeheartedly agree with this idea! When I am overwhelmed with gre...

Over His Heart (Breastpiece) I don't know what I would ever do without the help of my beloved husband! This is a grouping of a series of paintings. He suggested the theme for the series, and also helped figure out how to frame them to advantage.  22" x 30" acrylic on individual 6" x 6" canvas panels framed as a group   He suggested this theme, painting abstract representations of the precious stones mentioned in the Bible. This grouping represents the Breastpiece the High Priest of Israel wore over his heart.  Exodus 28:29 (New American Standard Bible) Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment over his heart when he enters the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.

Small, specially priced paintings for the exhibit On this coming Friday, an artist reception for my Solo Exhibit will be happening. I am looking forward to this exhibit, but it is SO much work to be ready. Actually, I love the work, too. It is a great way to share my year's work, and I so much appreciate the opportunity. This time around, I have two pieces that are three dimensional (but are still primarily paintings) and a 'tower' of specially priced small paintings, just in time for Christmas giving.  This exhibit will be at the Gallery in Warsaw, Indiana for the month of December. For more information, please feel free to contact me, or find the event on my Facebook page .

Beryl replacement " I love that blue pic!!!!! I'm so excited ... I want it in honor of Grandma Chris and my Aunt Karen. They wore those colors," a  friend from my childhood said in a message to me, as she bought one of my gemstone paintings . It is such a treat for me to hear from her, sell a painting, and 'have to' paint a replacement!  Part of piece called  Over His Heart 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel      This is a painting to fill out the set of paintings for the passage in Revelation that describes the New Jerusalem. The beryl is an aquamarine stone that is very clear and has fissures through it. Trying to represent this stone in an abstract way is a challenge that I have relished!  Revelation 21:19 - 20 "The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh...

Penny For Your Thoughts Well, my birthday was November 8. Election day. I had a great day that day. I spent time with my husband and son, (my daughter gave me a surprise the weekend before) and I had a lot of  uninterrupted  studio time. Of course, I voted, too. I chose to not look at news or social media much, other than to thank people for birthday wishes.  Doesn't it kind of seem like the world has turned upside down since then? Or at least our country? I am pretty sure I have thought this before, and even in the last few months, but my goodness.  I have already started to talk to another artist I know (and we may meet so that we are face to face) who disagrees with me on many issues. I hope that many of us can do that, and be kind and respectful to each other.  One thing I am pretty sure of, and that is that I did not expect the craziness that has happened recently. Did you? I am sure my Heavenly Father knew what was ahead, and I am reminded that I d...

More Beryl   The colors of autumn are just amazing, aren't they? Not only the changing leaves and fading grasses, but the sky. Oh, the sky! The sunrises and sunsets have just been so beautiful. The beryl stone is a clear aquamarine stone that spurs my imagination and reminds me of clear, cold skies.  SOLD   6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel  ready to frame     It was fun to play with the clear, pale blues and the rectangular structure of the aquamarine beryl. The iridescent gold in the painting is a delightful hint of Heavenly beauty, too.  Revelation 21:19 - 20 "The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl , the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst." Reference pho...

Jacinth 2 Jacinth is not a stone that I would have been able to describe to you before I started painting this series. One of the things that I have loved is learning about these beautiful stones. I collected rocks as a kid, but somewhere along the way, I lost some of my interest. It has definitely been rekindled!  Part of piece called  Foundation Stones 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel  ready to frame       Revelation 21:19 - 20 "The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth , the twelfth amethyst." Reference photo for jacinth

Raven-ous Someone who I care about is having a tough time financially. He has several part-time jobs, but can barely make ends meet. Sometimes, he runs out of groceries and gas money. We help with his needs, when possible, and he is looking for a better, maybe full-time job. Still, each time he is in a tough spot, GOD provides for him.  11" x 14" acrylic on deep gallery wrapped canvas  palette knife painting It reminded me of the Biblical passage where GOD used ravens to feed his servant. Wanting to paint this raven on a bare branch, I did some research on them, and I also checked what other sections of Scripture had to say about these birds. There are some passages that are of a more disturbing nature, but there are a bunch of places where provision is the main point. I just think that is so cool!  1 Kings 17:1-7 (English Standard Version) Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before  whom I ...

Amethyst Again "Have you finished your September painting challenge yet?" asked my friend who is a gallery owner. Marc is an artist too and I think he would love to try a challenge where you paint every day. "No... I still have about four paintings to finish, I am afraid," was my rueful reply. Part of what has been making it tough for me to finish the series is that I have already done several purple stone paintings.  Part of piece called  Over His Heart 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel  In spite of having four similar purple paintings and six green ones, I have loved painting these gemstones that are mentioned in the Bible. In particular, I am working on finishing  the list in Revelation that describes the New Jerusalem. I cannot imagine the beauty of that city. Now t finish the last of the group...  Revelation 21:10-21 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) "10 He then carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain and showed me the...

Crow Landing Study Today I am sharing two studies I did that I really like. I painted these birds with palette knife on tracing paper. I didn't trace them though. I wanted to be able to see through the paper to fit them to a background to see which I preferred on another painting.  Crow Landing Study 7" x 6.5" acrylic image painted on 9" x 12" 25 lb. acid free tracing paper Well, I like the studies so much that if they don't sell, I will frame them and hang them in my solo exhibit in December!  Perched Crow Study Perched Crow Study 6" x 6" acrylic image painted on 9" x 12" 25 lb. acid free tracing paper If you would like to purchase both, please contact me to pay only one  S & H fee. 

Emerald City "My parents made me watch that when I was young, and it scared me so much! I don't like it. I don't want to watch it," he said. This adult friend still won't watch the Wizard of Oz, and hasn't since that time in his childhood. As I recall, there are LOTS of scary things in that movie, especially for a child!  In a couple of weeks, I am going to go behind a (proverbial) curtain to pull levers and push buttons and try to make my country seem to be ruled by someone who can really manage - can protect us and keep everything going the right way. Well. I suspect my efforts will be even less successful than the 'wizard's' were.  Part of piece called  Foundation Stones 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel  ready to frame   This little green painting is actually going to replace another 'emerald' painting I did that I was NOT happy with. I do like this one so very much better! This painting will probably go in the Reve...

Chrysolite What a beautiful day it is today - though maybe a bit warm for Autumn. I have alternately been in my studio painting (and posting!) and outside enjoying the beautiful color and sounds of fall. How in the world is a girl to decide whether to be soaking up these rare days, or to be producing new paintings?!  SOLD 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel  ready to frame   Actually, this thought comes to me in part because of some discussions with my (musician) son and some podcasts I have been recently enjoying.   One of the artists that has inspired me greatly is Makoto Fujimura  and I have been listening to some of his ideas and considering how they fit into my life as an artist. It has been helpful for prioritizing, at times - so that is part of the reason for spending time enjoying the fall color today. Taking time to enjoy it, not just walking by and thinking "That's pretty".  Chrysolite brings me nearer the end of this series of small pa...

Topaz the Third "Well, I would really like one of those sticks with veggies and stuff on it, if we have time..." my husband said. It looks like this may be one of the first beautiful Fridays this fall, so we want to go and make a fire and cook over it and enjoy the beauty. But oh boy! I don't have much time! Part of piece called  Foundation Stones 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel  ready to frame       Another in my series, this is an abstract based on the inspiration of a topaz as mentioned in Revelation 21:19 - 20 The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian,(sardius) the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz , the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. Gotta go pack a picnic! Reference photo for topaz

Carnelian "I think it is time to get on Instagram," I thought to myself. I listen regularly to an art marketing podcast called Artists Helping Artists , and they have been promoting Instagram for artists to use in our online presence for quite a while. I just hadn't decided to jump on yet... maybe this will be the day. Part of piece called  Foundation Stones 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel  ready to frame       My studio has been busy today, as I have been preparing some handcrafted cradled panels with gesso for a large diptych I am hoping to paint, cleaning brushes, and working on this and other paintings. Carnelian is still part of the series I started with the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge - stones mentioned in the Bible. This one has a lot of iridescence in it as I try to represent an agate-like red stone. (see link at the end of the blog post for a reference photo) Today it was nice to have a theme to keep me painting. No blank canvas freeze, ...

Pearl Lustrous, with a deep, subtle beauty, a pearl, when mentioned in the Bible, references something of extraordinary value. I find that to be so interesting on a philosophical level, since a pearl is formed because of an irritation. And seemingly, the longer the irritant is present, the larger and more precious the pearl becomes. Evidently the many thin layers of a pearl are what cause the iridescence that is so fascinating and beautiful.  SOLD 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel  The beauty of this natural illustration seems obvious to me. It models GOD, the Creator, bringing about loveliness from difficult situations, in my life and in all of HIS creation. How precious it is to me that HE will bring about grace and beauty from adversity! (I have to admit, though, the thought of enduring an irritant for a long time is not at all appealing!) Job 28:12-19 12 “But where shall wisdom be found?     And where is the place of understanding?  ... 17 Go...

Here I Go Again Though the story of this work may not seem remarkable to you, the construction of this painting made an impact on me, more than my paintings often do. It actually started life (so to speak) as an experimental portrait of my daughter. In it I used a photo reference, but no 'aids'. Just paint and brushes. I liked it, and saw her in it, but it was at a very uncomfortable state between expressionism and abstraction which definitely did not work for a portrait! Still, it was nearly impossible to spread paint over that dear face!  On the other hand, I knew where this painting was going. It was actually inspired by a song ( My Redeemer by Matthew Ward  ) and my own painting called Gold II  . And it was fitting, in an odd way, to hide my daughter's face under the glory of the new painting. The idea of being covered - made beautiful - by My Redeemer was continually playing in my mind as I painted. I just wish I could let you see a glimpse of the beauty and de...

Sardonyx Since the end of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 painting challenge, I have had a full few days! The usual lull has hit, as far as completing a daily painting is concerned, but I have been in my studio more than I had been before hand. I am looking forward to making some of the small paintings I did into larger ones, and also to finishing up the paintings I didn't get accomplished during the month of September. (I think I still have 7 to go.)  Part of piece called  Foundation Stones 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel  ready to frame       Today's painting is the sardonyx, the gemstone mentioned fifth in the passage about the foundation of the city in Revelation 21. As I turned back to look at the Bible again to reread this section, I noticed more particularly the preceding verses, and oh!, they are beautiful! Revelation 21:3-4 (HCSB) "Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity,  and He will live with them...

Emerald Revelation "How many of these stones overlap in the two lists?" asked my husband. He has been helping me consider how I will frame and display my paintings that I have been working on during this painting challenge . Of all of the stones mentioned in the Bible, the two lists of stones in Exodus 28 & 39, and in Revelation 21 are the stones I want to feature in grouped frames. I was surprised to find that I hadn't made myself complete lists - I just kept going back to the passages each day... so today I made the lists. Well, it looks like I have 7 more paintings to complete (and find acceptable) before I finish! WHICH is fine with me, I might add. I have really enjoyed this challenge.  It has been so very interesting to research these stones (mostly gemstones) and learn about ancient language and usage and so on. I have just loved it. N/A 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel  ready to frame       I have been so aware of beauty this month.   ...

Second Sapphire Judging from the research I have done on the sapphire, it is a VERY clear stone - like blue glass. I think a person could look right through it. It seems to have a swirly texture to the fissures, and just a pure, deep blue color. It is beautiful, but tough to represent in an abstract painting!  Since I am now working through the gemstones that are listed as being in the foundation of the New Jerusalem, I thought I would like to represent the sapphire in a huge, eternal sort of way. I feel like in this little painting, I could look right through the blue sapphire and see the stars and nebulae and distant space.  Part of piece called  Foundation Stones 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel  ready to frame     I started my day with the privilege of meeting my friend Emma Lou for a visit. (You should meet her - she is a wonderful friend! She invited me to sit on her enclosed patio and watch the rain on the lake. No other friend has ever in...