Brenda Stichter, artist

In Passing  You are going to love this blog post, especially if you are a friend that needs to 'figure out' my paintings! (I am speaking a little bit facetiously.) I cannot explain the title for this painting at all. But, I know it is the right title for it. How's that for giving you the keys to understanding my art?  I can tell you a couple of things about it. I have 'broken the rules' in a couple of places on this one, and I have decided that I like it that way and I will keep it. For one thing, I have used two main elements - the swirly shapes - in the piece. The 'rule' says that odd numbers are more pleasing. And I usually agree!  8" x 8" Painted with artist quality heavy-body acrylic paint on 1.5” deep gallery wrapped canvas NLA Also, my design and composition are running off the canvas. This can be very distracting, certainly, but again, in this piece, I like it this way. Are you familiar with these design principles that I have, um, ignored?...

Praying for Rain I wish so much that you could see this painting in person! I just cannot find a good way to photograph it so that you get the feel of it. Having spent a long time on my easel, it has undergone so many changes and layers that you would probably never know that you have seen it before! (One of it's layers was on the video for Magenta, For Heaven's Sake.) It is a large painting with a lot to say.  Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything , but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NLA 36" x 48" Painted with artist quality heavy-body acrylic paint on 1.5” deep gallery wrapped canvas Click here to view via my website. Here in northern Indiana, we are in a...

Woo-hoo! Last weekend I received new paint in the mail! It is just what I think I need to finish a large work on my easel, but now that I have the paint, I am just a bit afraid to use it. The large canvas on my easel is one that I have been working on for a long time - more than a month. It has gone through many changes and layers, and I really like its current stage, though it is definitely not finished. When a painting hits this point - especially a large painting- it is scary to take the next step, because I really don't want to 'lose' it.   11" x 14" Painted with the finest quality heavy-body acrylic paint on acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper Ready to frame Click here to view or purchase via my website. King David, of Old Testament fame, has been the subject of my reading lately. Man, I would love to meet this guy! I am delighted with the way he is always seeking God, whether he is in need of help, or joyful, or overwhelmed and thoughtful. He s...

And I Will Dwell And I Will Dwell is a replacement for another painting from the Psalm 23 series of paintings which has sold. I am just thrilled to have to replace those paintings, since they went to the home of someone who loves them.  Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 6" x 6" Painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint on Art Bite panel Ready to frame Click here to purchase via my website. The painting and the verse from the Psalm remind me of another passage- this one from the New Testament.  John 14:2 - 3 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. Psalm 23 collage Beautiful!  I returned to the same color palette that I have used for the rest of the ser...

The Darkest Valley Hello again, friends. I have not forgotten you, and I hope you have not forgotten me! I have been on a roller-coaster for the last little while, but I have spent some time in the studio. However, the large painting I am working on is still in progress, and the drawing I did will be revised (I may share it tomorrow anyway) and when I did this replacement painting (Psalm 23 series) I didn't have time to write about it! So I am glad to be back.  6" x 6" Painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint on Art Bite panel Ready to frame Click here to purchase via my website. The painting that sold was Yea Though I Walk from Psalm 23:4. Here is the verse from Psalm 23 in the Holman Christian Standard version of the Bible.  Psalm 23:4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff — they comfort me. Aaand, since I started this post, one more of the series has sold! Woo-hoo! so I will be painting...

You Are Cordially Invited "Can you do that again?" This morning a young man came to my studio to do a short video production for use with one of my paintings in an upcoming exhibit. Because of the lack of an in-person reception, the hosts are inviting artists to submit short videos telling about their work and inspiration for their pieces. To be perfectly honest, I was a little nervous to  invite my friends' son to use his expertise in helping me make my video.  Before we started with the filming, I had some help with content from another young man - my son who is here visiting! What a treat! I loved having his help in honing my thoughts and language in what I wanted to say.  One of the words that we found important was "invite". As an artist, it is important to me to invite viewers to my work, and through it to hope, joy, and beauty.  Artists sometimes say that it is difficult to "put myself out there" and that sharing paintings is putting "part ...

Joy is the Flag Flown High This is almost a party in paint! Just seeing this painting sitting in my home makes me think of a celebration, and it brings cheer. A children's song is playing over and over in my mind (and I keep finding myself singing it) as I work on releasing this painting. We learned it when my kids were young, and I can almost see Arly leading the Sunday School children in singing it, marching around the hall waving paper flags.  Bright, warm colors punctuated with cool tones, texture, and sparkle make me think of a festival. How about you? 20" x 16" Painted with the finest quality heavy-body acrylic paint on acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper Ready to frame Click here to purchase via my website. Joy is the Flag Flown High   (click to hear a version of the song on YouTube) Joy is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart from the castle of my heart from the castle of my heart Joy is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart When...