Brenda Stichter, artist

Sent The book of John has hard things to say about Jesus. Actually, Jesus says a lot of hard things that are recorded by John. I don't think it is likely that one could read this book of the New Testament and come up with a non-threatening version of the MAN who claimed to be GOD.  Today in conversation with a friend, we discussed how Christianity and belief in HIM that leads to eternal life is not a political discussion, but a personal one. I have been thinking since then how it is important to see that although the path to Jesus and the choice to follow HIM is a personal one (very much colored by individual life circumstances), it is not just an innocuous and unimportant alternative. Though I as an individual believer do not want to scream in the faces of those who are not HIS followers, their choice is the most significant choice they could ever make. It is an eternal choice. How could I care for someone and not care what they think about Jesus?  My hope for your ha...

Be Faithful Be Faithful. That is what my husband has been saying to me as I have struggled for the last several weeks over my attempts at painting. It has been a discouraging time for me with many things taking the time that I might have devoted to painting, and many days with no good results to show for my painting efforts. But he reminded me that faithfulness is what I am called to. Not fabulous paintings. Steadiness, not success. Response, not results.  Today, in three different ways, I was reminded of the same passage of scripture which carries the same message. To obey and respond is humbling, and beautiful in the eyes of my primary Audience. HE, too, calls me to faithfulness. And HE is so beautiful.  John 3:29-30 (AMP) 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the groomsman who stands by and listens to him rejoices greatly and heartily on account of the bridegroom’s voice. This then is my pleasure and joy, and it is now complete.  He must increase, but...

There is a competition coming up soon here in Northern Indiana, and the theme of the competition is 'Birds'. I am still pretty new at this whole painting thing, and this will be the first competition that I have planned for and attempted to enter. (I don't know whether they take abstract art - the information does not specify that.)  I think that this is clearly an abstract painting, and I think it is clearly a pileated woodpecker!  SOLD 11" x 14" acrylic on watercolor paper 1/2 " white border

Good Wine This small painting is a result of my reading about Jesus' turning huge pots of water to wine as HE celebrated a wedding. I love the fact that the wine HE created was "the good wine". I would have loved to have tried some! From John 2:1 - 11 John 2:2 (ESV) Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” ... 6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first...

Garden On Good Friday, my painting is another of my landscape abstractions. OBVIOUSLY, this time the abstraction took over! This is from a google maps picture of a garden in Israel, and I was thinking of the Garden of Gethsemane and the crucifixion as I worked.  This year, as often for the Easter season, I read the Singer  by Calvin Miller . It is a well written poem - not too long - and the original books had great line drawings in them. (I don't know if the newer versions have the same illustrations or not.) An enthralling allegory of the life of Christ, it is beautiful and makes me cry each time I read it.  16" x 20"  acrylic on watercolor paper, 1/2" white edge Leave comment or contact me directly  to purchase

Hallowed I have recently been learning a lot more about prayer. I have prayed for many years, and have enjoyed talking to my Heavenly Father. For that reason, it surprised me a little that HE is using 'the Lord's Prayer' to teach me more about praying. Why should it surprise me, though, when I know very well that HE taught the disciples who walked daily with Jesus, I don't know. Why would I think I would have a good handle on praying when they didn't? The idea of 'hallowing' the name of the Heavenly Father is one of the things that I have been learning more about. My reflections on this idea have led to this painting. Luke 11:2-4 (NASB) And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. ‘Give us each day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’” 11" x 14" acrylic on watercolor paper 1/2 ...

Abstract 007 It is 'Passion Week' - the week before Easter, and is a time for reflection on the last week of Jesus' life as a man on earth. This small abstract reminds me of many things during this time: beatings and stripes, money changers in the temple, the blood of the many sacrifices.  5.75" x 5.25" acrylic on panel (rounded corners) Leave comment or contact me directly  to purchase

Mrs. F This card is especially for a friend who has lost his mother. While death is inescapable, I am thankful for a Savior who is ready to walk with me through the unknown. 

Study Here is a study for a larger painting that I will be doing for an upcoming competition. I am trying to paint for a theme, yet hold on to my own style and touch. I think it is the first time I have tried something quite like this.  5.75 x 5.75 on wood panel

Boardwalk 2 This painting works well as a companion piece to the one I posted yesterday. Both are based on patterns found while I walked along the boardwalk over a marsh flooded with cold spring melt water and rainwater. There are so many patterns that catch my attention, but these were inspired by trees along the path with cracks and bark falling to the ground.  I love the beauty of the outdoors - whether the predominantly gray pallette of winter and early spring, or the full, bombastic colors of summer and fall; the cheerful spring blossoms and the ever changing water. I love having eyes to see, strength to walk, and a Creator Who loves me and puts me in these places! Psalm 16:5-7 (ESV) The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;     you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;     indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;    in the night also my heart instructs me. 11" x 14", 1...

Boardwalk 1 As I walked on the local boardwalk through the marshy area and high water, some dead trees caught my eye.  In spite of the lack of color on my walks this time of year, I am still in awe of the Great Artist - the Creator. I love the patterns that I see everywhere. As an abstract painter, I often consider which kind of shape will express any particular concept, and I find my imagination a bit weak. I can think of the geometric shapes I learned in kindergarten, and the shapes of leaves and animal footprints. But I am so inspired when I see all of the shapes and patterns in creation.  I stopped on my walk to record the beautiful and surprising shapes that could be seen in the decaying trees. I found it so stimulating to see shape, line, value, and texture in these otherwise unexciting objects.  Here is a verse that comes to my mind.  Psalm 24:1 (NASB) The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. 11" x 14", im...

Wilderness My second attempt at an abstracted landscape is finally good enough to post - and is hopefully finished! (Well, there may be a couple more touches...) I have learned that it is a lot more difficult than I expected to paint these. This one has been overpainted several times in hopes of achieving something I feel I can post.  16" x 20"  acrylic on watercolor paper, 1/2" white edge Leave comment or contact me directly  to purchase