Brenda Stichter, artist

Delicate is a word I would use, were someone to ask me to describe spring. I am not sure why... I mean, it is wet and muddy, the flowers are splashy and aromatic, and the color is vibrant! But still, somehow, it seems delicate. I wonder whether it is often the case that things that seem so delicate are really strong - fighting their way through the difficult winter to blossom and spread cheer. I am pretty sure the same goes for many people who have experienced 'winter' seasons in life... NLA 6" x 6" acrylic on watercolor paper  ready to frame While mowing, I discovered this little beautiful blue egg lying under a tree, and I jerked the steering mechanism of the mower to swerve around it and not crush it! The fact that I left long grass in that one area is a triumph in itself, since I can hardly stand it if I skip part of my 'job' of mowing, and another surprise is that I remembered to go back after I finished (we mow a LOT of grass) to retrieve it.  ...

As a young preteen, I lived for a few years on a piece of property that had a few acres of wooded ravine with a flowing creek at the bottom.  That ravine opened on to a long stretch of wooded acreage owned by the power company, and I was allowed to explore back there sometimes. There were deep spots in the creek, and rushing water, minnows and leeches. The water divided our property from our neighbors who had cows and a St. Bernard.  We later moved to Minnesota to a house on the lake. My dad taught me how to canoe, and how to paddle my five-passenger craft in such a quiet way that no critters would hear me coming. I could find the wilder areas along the shore and just watch the plants and animals there. Oh, how I loved that!  Last week, my beloved husband contacted our friend who works at a marina not too far from us, and we were able to rent a boat and go boating for an evening. My heart was happy! I guess I just love being on the water. Or near the water. ...

"Nice! Your brush must be blooming?" I thought that was such a clever text from my daughter. Then this morning, I realized that she had texted "your bush must be blooming". Well, yes. My magnolia right outside my back door is in bloom, and it is gorgeous. Yesterday I almost felt like my brush was blooming, too, as I was painting spring paintings.  Sold 6" x 6" acrylic on watercolor paper  ready to frame My easel is loaded with four larger paintings, all at various stages of completion. I was beginning to feel slightly bogged down with trying to figure out how to work with them, and yesterday I decided to just choose some favorite colors and work from there. So, I managed to finish two smaller paintings that had been started but not completed.  (see also  A Painting About Spring  )  There is just something about spring color... Art is a form of play rejoicing before the face of God.  The Creative Gift , Hans Rookmaaker

A Painting About Spring "I can't get the mower started," I told my husband on the phone. "How do I fix it?" We have quite a bit of mowing to do, and I actually usually love to do it. There is something about the bright green, the sunshine, the stripes... and it usually stays done for more than 4 hours, unlike cooking or dishes. Mowing is a harbinger of spring for me. I absolutely love the dogwoods, redbuds, daffodils and lilacs that bloom in springtime! It is a fresh start each year for me - a new chance to get outside more and get a lot of sunshine. And the colors are some of my favorites, too.  Does this painting remind you of mountains and waterfalls, and spring trees blooming? It sure does me! Sold 12" x 12" acrylic on canvas panel  ready to frame Today in my Bible reading, the Ten Commandments showed up again. I am in Deuteronomy, and Moses was reiterating the LORD's instructions to HIS children. I had asked GOD for a fresh view of ...

"Art needs no justification." p. 229, Modern Art and the Death of a Culture , H. R. Rookmaaker 6" x 6" acrylic on watercolor paper  ready to frame So art has meaning as art because God thought it good to give art and beauty to humanity." p. 230,  Modern Art and the Death of a Culture , H. R. Rookmaaker "If we were able to break through this false duality, and see art again simply as art, with its own validity, art would regain its freedom, a part of human life, and acquire a renewed meaning in life. Neither art nor beauty needs to be justified or put on a pedestal. They are to be enjoyed and appreciated and practiced, in love and freedom, as a joy for ever, accepted as a great gift of God." p. 231,  Modern Art and the Death of a Culture , H. R. Rookmaaker

Psalm 139 Triptych Did you know that there are colors chosen each year as the "Color of the Year"? This year, there are two colors, called Rose Quartz and Serenity. They are said to have been chosen because they reflect calmness and peace.  These three paintings are done using Rose Quartz and Serenity, and a suggested palette of coordinating colors that will probably be starting to show up in our stores any time now.  Evidently, color companies along with the fashion and home decor industries, and probably others, too, do a lot of research to figure us out. They study trends, and choose what they think we will like. Then new couches and funky blenders, tank tops and swishy skirts will be made in those colors. And they will all blend or match each other.  3 -  6" x 6" acrylic on watercolor paper  Contact me to purchase.  Most of us that are North Americans probably don't like thinking that someone out there is studying us and 'choosing' our ne...

I would just like to share a few photos from my time at the Statehouse in Indiana where I was in attendance at a reception in honor of the 29 Hoosier artists that have been selected for 2016. What an honor, and what a beautiful building!