Brenda Stichter, artist

Torn in Two Reading in the Old Testament can sometimes be challenging - it can be difficult to grasp some of the situations and interactions because I don't really know the culture. Of course, I can study, but that leaves me to the mercy of others who have also studied... I am not there, and I may not understand. Even if I were to have been there I may not have understood.  SOLD  22" x 30" acrylic on watercolor paper, mounted on cradled panel I find very deep significance in the picture that was given at the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The Bible tells that the veil, or curtain, in the temple - the house where GOD was worshiped - was torn, and it was torn from the top to the bottom. Now, my Bible reading time lately has been in the Old Testament, and it was no small matter to tear that veil. In fact, I would have thought it nearly impossible. And then to tear it from the top to the bottom as it was hanging. It was significant because Jesus, by HIS deat...

Art Show and Open House "It's a pretty big deal," I said to my husband. "Will you help me pull it off?" Of course he will. He always does all he can to support me - building me frames, cradled panels, loading and unloading work for shows and competitions, and especially giving me encouragement when I doubt myself - so he is helping me get ready for my first ever Art Show and Open House! I am excited (and a bit apprehensive) about having friends, family, and people I have yet to meet here at our home to see my paintings and my studio. (Yep. I am a typically introverted artist!) I am thrilled about having my children here to help out! My daughter will be helping with hostessing, and my son will be providing live music.  I hope that many can make it and that we have good weather - at least good enough to get out to see some artwork.   YOU are invited! Please come, and bring a friend or two. :) (If you need directions to my home, please comment or message m...

Walk By Faith My intent in this work was to show a chilly and muted landscape, and to maintain a loose technique in presenting it. I want to show the beauty, but leave the viewer wanting more - more depth, more color, more intensity.  12 x 16 acrylic on deep gallery wrapped canvas Click here to purchase via my website This painting is the work that follows the 'Landscape Study'  I painted in memory of a dear friend that has passed from his earthly life to his Heavenly home. As I mentioned in that post, my thoughts were of the relatively colorless life we live here compared to what waits for us in the presence of the LORD Jesus - HE calls us to believe in HIM to go to the place HE has prepared for us! (John 14:1 - 3) Here are several verses I could not pass up as I prepared: Philippians 1:21-24 Amplified Bible For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity]. If, however, it i...

Landscape Study "Is a bridge too trite an image?" I asked my co-analyst. "Well, it is certainly not at all what I was imagining," he replied. We have a friend who has passed from his earthly life into eternity, and I have really wanted to try to express some of the strong emotion his home-going has evoked in me.  SOLD 10 x 8 acrylic on watercolor paper  ready to frame We discussed something that we have both thought - how the earth must seem colorless and drab in comparison to  eternity in the presence of GOD. So I have  wandered out in the snow and misty, cold rain and  taken several photos to capture some images to work from. It is significant to me that there is a winter-y beauty, even in a monochromatic landscape.  John 14:1-3 (NASB) “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go...

Egg Me On It may well be that I am stretching this series a little too far, at least as far as meaning and the naming of the paintings is concerned. But I DO love how the paintings are turning out!  10 x 10 acrylic on watercolor paper mounted on cradled panel Click here to purchase on my website. A local church is currently sponsoring a class on managing finances. I know of some people attending, and I hope the class is an encouragement and help to them. I hope it 'eggs them on' to handling their money as GOD would want them to. I want HIM to egg me on, too, and I find this passage helpful. It is a reminder to me that no matter how many 'pennies' I have to my name (see the copper in the painting?), my focus - my heart's desire - is to be on my Lord and not money. I am more than content knowing HE will never leave or forsake me! Hebrews 13:5-6 "Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Hi...