Brenda Stichter, artist

Well, I didn't think I was going to have any more chances to paint this year, but today's adjustment to travel plans and blizzard warnings encouraged me to go to my studio. It was a good distraction for me! Painted from a photo from my niece in the frozen North. Winter Sunrise 6" x 6"  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 on my website. Wouldn't this make a great last minute gift idea? 

As I started to write this blog post today for this painting, I was looking back on posts from earlier this year, and from other Christmas seasons, and I have been overwhelmed with gratitude. Once again, this has been a year with significant challenges and trials, but oh my goodness, such blessing. And so I am entering into this Christmas time full of thankfulness and celebration.  14.5" 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 on my website.  "Nice and bright on a snowy day," Mom said when I texted her a photo of this new painting. I do think this work is festive and colorful for winter, don't you? What might it remind you of?  One of the ideas that comes to my mind is a cheerful cityscape at night in the winter, maybe full of Christmas shoppers, or a night parade of some kind. Maybe it's New Year's Eve.  When I asked friends on socia

Out of the Ordinary Once again, a gallery that I like to follow is holding a conference and is inviting artists to send art. I am excited to participate again, though this time, I am intentionally entering a smaller painting to save on shipping costs. (Ha ha!) Here is a description of the conference from their website , THE 2023 SQUARE HALO CONFERENCE: ORDINARY SAINTS—CREATIVITY, COLLABORATION, AND COMMUNITY February 17-18, 2023 | Lancaster, PA at The Trust Performing Arts Center and The Rabbit & the Dragonfly Our conference this year celebrates Square Halo’s 25th year publishing “extraordinary books for ordinary saints.” 8" x 6.5" 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 on my website. I plan to put this painting on hold, unless someone buys it before I can ship it to the conference. 😊 Considering the idea of ordinary saints, I chose to paint this work that

The Gifts My Bible reading lately has been in the Old Testament book of Exodus in the chapters where God was directing Moses about His tabernacle where Israel would worship Him, and giving the tablets on which He had written the ten commandments.  Sold 8" x 8" Painted with the finest quality heavy-body acrylic paint on acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper What has really been catching my attention is the completeness and beautiful detail in the tabernacle worship. I noticed that each of the five senses was part of the worship, and found myself drawn to the anointing  oil for the priests and the incense. These were made by perfumers and were a particular mix of spices that was to be blended ONLY for use in worshipping God. (I think it would be another beautiful part of worship if we, also, used a fragrance in our places of worship.) One of the components of this aromatic blend was myrrh. And, of course, that reminded me of the gifts the magi brought to the Christ

This morning I did two things that I haven't done in a L-O-N-G time, and this afternoon I did another! First, after getting up at "zero-dark thirty" and finishing dishes, starting laundry and reading my Bible, I sat at my piano and played one song from each of my books of Christmas music. I have not played the piano since I hurt my ankle, and it showed (ha!) but I enjoyed it so much.  Then, as I switched a load of laundry, I looked out the door, and just longed to go walking in the woods. Mind you, I had already been on my feet for chores, but I decided to try it. As an aside, recently, one of our friends had hip surgery with some complications. He is recovering better than one might expect, but my Beloved Husband got a call from him one mid-day saying, "I need help!" He had walked too far and couldn't get back home. But of course, my BH went to the rescue. WELL. I was afraid I would have to make a similar call about halfway home! Wow... that was a tough wal