Brenda Stichter, artist

The Wind and the Waves There was a day in our Door County adventure when I was really struggling. I had a situation which led me to be so very discouraged, and I was discouraged for an entire day. Rats. But my Beloved Husband took me for a drive, and we found a deserted public access site on Lake Michigan. We sat there with the wind driving the waves that crashed on the shore and (as we learned later) kept the kayak tours that normally launch at that site grounded for a day. As the wind blew through my hair, it seemed like it started to clear my mind a bit. I cannot help but wonder whether my Loving Heavenly Father sent that wind to blow away the mess in my mind, and start my refocus. It made me think of this short story in Jesus' life.  Luke 8:23-25 and as they were sailing He fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger. They came and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die!” Then He got up and rebuke...

Stavkirke, en plein air Last weekend my Beloved Husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary, and we took nearly a week celebrating in Door County, Wisconsin. Door County is a peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan, and it is very well worth a visit! We enjoyed everything from dramatic and beautiful lakeshore views to art galleries and events.  6" x 6" Painted with the finest quality heavy-body acrylic paint on cradled wood panel Edges painted black Click here to view on my website. Of course, part of our week away included some plein air painting! I was thankful for my BH's help with set up and tear down, and just general encouragement as we worked against high heat and bad air pollution from the wildfire smoke in northern Minnesota and Canada. One of the days, the heat and smoke lifted unexpectedly, so I painted this amazing Stavkirke. Here is a quote from a website about this place: "The mysterious, beautiful, imposing Stavkirke church is one of those pla...

Between-the-Lakes en plein air What a weekend! I participated in a three day paint-out event with the Northern Indiana Plein Air Association, and it was enjoyable - and it helps that one of my paintings sold before I even got to post about it. The first day of painting, I went to a park where I found a pavilion to work in. It was great, because I had shade and a light breeze throughout the time I worked, as well as a picnic table where I could spread out my tools. I don't have to have that extra space, but it is sure convenient sometimes. This park area looks out over a marshy access between two lakes, which I enjoyed painting.  8" x 16" Painted with the finest quality heavy-body acrylic paint on panel Framed in simple, natural wood frame Click here to view on my website. Old Molasses Factory- SOLD The second day, I painted something completely different - an industrial site. And what fun that was! As you can tell, the first day was sunny and bright, and the second was ov...

Hangar Pilot Around our house, there has been a "rule" that I cannot paint over older paintings until I have used up all of my fresh substrates - or at least all of the size that I want to paint. My Beloved husband made that rule, and actually, I sometimes count on him to help me with my painting vocation, because I cannot always pick up on what he can see. Sometimes I am ready to give up, and he helps me keep going. Sometimes, he will help me choose which shows and competitions to be part of because he can see the benefits and costs that I am too involved to see. I am so very grateful for him! 12" x 12" Painted with artist quality heavy-body acrylic paint on 1.5” deep gallery wrapped canvas Edges painted black Click here to view or purchase on my website. Well, and I am celebrating this, the time has come for another reclaimed surface - another paint-over! (Though I must admit, I just bought more substrates for a solo exhibit that I am scheduled to have next year. ...

Your Call is Important to Us As the USA celebrates 250 years this weekend, I am enjoying the celebrations, patriotism, and the general feeling that my society is (mostly) happy to be celebrating. In spite of the heat wave here in northern Indiana, the events, concerts, and fireworks are continuing, and I am glad. I am thankful for the blessings and freedoms that I participate in because of the sacrifices made over the last 250 years. What a privilege to live here.  2 paintings to be used either together or separately, vertical or horizontal orientation 36" x 48" each Painted with artist quality heavy-body acrylic paint on 1.5” deep gallery wrapped canvas Edges painted black Click here to view on my website. As I posted last time, my Beloved Husband and I have had a lot going on lately. If you follow along with me on a regular basis, you know that we have had an employment change (since selling the family business) and that we have lost some people who were dear to us. What I ...

Please Stay On the Line I am releasing a new diptych today! I will be sharing the paintings to my website separately (for marketing purposes) so my blog and newsletter readers will get to see the works together before anyone else does.  2 paintings to be used either together or separately, vertical or horizontal orientation 36" x 48" each Painted with artist quality heavy-body acrylic paint on 1.5” deep gallery wrapped canvas Edges painted black Click here to view on my website. The first of these paintings, Please Stay On the Line has a slightly less balanced feel to it, and it reminds me of the uncertainty of waiting without knowing when the next part of the answer will come. Both parts of this set started out with canvas activated with Bible verses, and much of that background shows through. I used tools and colors I rarely use, and it took concentration as well as conversation with family to pull a painting together that I am pleased with. Here are two translations of a p...

As Seen Along the Back Roads 'Is this "readable"?', I asked my family. Since I have been working on a large diptych for the last several weeks, and doing some plein air painting, this is the first small studio work in a while for me. I took the photo that I referenced for this painting several years ago, on an evening when my Beloved Husband and I were meandering home after watching the harness racing up in Amish country. 6" x 6" Painted with the finest quality heavy-body acrylic paint on cradled wood panel Edges painted black Click here to view on my website. Lately, it has been a little tricky finding a good rhythm for painting, between lots of plein air events, new places to display my work, new work schedules, and miscellaneous summer activities. Maybe the craziness will actually help me as I have to squeeze painting in between other things - maybe I will get better at painting faster. Or, maybe not...  One of the last plein air events I participated in ...