Brenda Stichter, artist

The Flow   This morning I went for a walk with my friend ELH. I met her at 7:00 and our walk was delightful. Some of the things we discussed were botany, ornithology, psychology, theology, etymology, onomatology, poetry, beauty, history, inspiration in the creative process, authors Sayers, Lewis, Chesterton, poets Donne and Eliot ... and we only walked for an hour! True, we just barely touched on a lot of these things, but I find it so invigorating to see the scope of her interests.  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. As usual, I came away from my walk this morning with a lot to think about and a lot that I want to read again. (WHEN do people read, I wonder!? I do read, but I always feel like I am playing hooky when I am reading.) Our discussion about a degree of disagreement between Dorothy Sayers and C. S. Lewis had me wantin...

In the Morning   I worked on a lot of paintings today in my studio, and made progress on some, and not much progress on others. This one was the one I wanted to work on for today's release, though, and I just could not see how to finish it! I had worked on the underneath layers for several days, and liked it pretty well, but I knew that it just wasn't done.  The last couple of days have felt extraordinarily busy, though I think it is really just getting back into a somewhat normal flow of events. Yesterday I took paintings to enter an exhibit* in a town an hour away, and I have had more than my usual amount of computer work, though I cannot quite figure out why. Maybe it just takes longer because I am out of practice.  On these busier than normal mornings of late, I just want to get to "my spot", the chair where I read my Bible and pray. When I see that typed out, it looks so churchy and goody-two-shoes (do people still use that expression?), but it is absolutely tru...

"Our house is a very, very, very fine house..." Somehow that is what this painting reminded me of today, even though I really had never listened to the words of the song. I looked it up, and it seems to not really fit at all with my thoughts as I painted, but the melody is cheerful, like the painting.  Sold 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 on my website. I enjoyed my studio time today, and painting was a joy. Sometimes, even though I love to paint, it is hard work to go to my studio and work on producing a painting that I am willing to release. I am grateful for a job that I love, even when it is difficult, and especially when it is joyful, like it has been today! For me, gladness has been lacking lately. I felt glad today, and I hope maybe this cheerful painting, and hope-filled Psalm bring you gladness too.  Psalm 33:20 - 22  Our soul waits for th...

Before I went into the studio, I was hoping for a small, well-behaved thunderstorm. I really wanted to watch and listen to the rain and the thunder and lightning, but only if it didn't cause damage, and didn't rain too much. (It is pretty wet here, and we really do not need the rain. I just kinda wanted it.) We didn't get a storm this afternoon, but I decided I wanted to paint rain, somehow or other.  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. I want to use this time of doing daily paintings to brush up on skills and techniques along with sharing hope and beauty, so I chose to start out with a composition that I seldom work with. The composition in the background is sometimes called "overlapping squares" or "overlapping frames", and can be quite complex, but I have not played with it enough to get the most o...

Today there was a movement on social media . It was dealing with the inequality issues and civil unrest that our nation is facing. I spent quite a bit of time in prayer about my part in all of it, partly because yesterday I took some steps BEFORE I prayed, and I don't think I did well with that. There is no doubt that there are big problems, and that prayer is needed to find our way through, both personally, and nationally.  Because of the time spent in this way, and because of my convictions concerning what I personally am called to, I did not post this daily painting on social media. (I will do it tomorrow, and it will give me a one day cushion as I try to finish a painting and post every weekday in June.) NFS 9" x 11.75" Painted with the finest quality heavy-body acrylic paint on acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper Ready to frame Click here to view on my website . My Bible reading this morning, as I read and prayed, was in 1 Peter 1 and 2, and I found a l...

Holy Week  This is the most unusual Holy Week in my memory, and I bet most of you feel the same way. But I have been thinking lately about other times in history when it has seemed like the whole world - or at least North America - was shaken up. I have thought about the Dust Bowl/Great Depression, the Civil War, World War II, the Irish potato famine, epidemics that devastated worldwide populations, and Biblically speaking, droughts, plagues, the tower of Babel, political upheavals, and, of course, the Great Flood. It would seem that almost every generation has an event or time that is unprecedented.  Not that that seems to make anything better!  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. The first "Holy Week", the week leading up to Easter, was the biggest upheaval in history, and in fact, it changed history. I rea...

New Every Morning #35 Today we have had a fairly heavy snowfall, and once again I am so glad that snow is white and not some other color! It was breathtaking this morning to see the snow covering every single object outside. Nothing was left uncovered that was open to the snow. (I feel like that would preach!) 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 purchase via my website. The snowy, gray-white mornings are beautiful, but the other morning, as the clouds started to roll in, I got a text from my Beloved Husband, who was on his way to work. "Sun." That is all he said. (And honestly, since he was DRIVING with one arm completely immobilized in a sling, I am not even sure how he did that!) The sky was mostly shades of deep blue, but the sun was a bright orange ball peeking through, with maybe a thin line of orange along the horizon. Dazzling.  Especial...

   Swimmer warm-up Once again, I am working on a more representational painting! I got permission to use a photo reference from one of my first college roommates, Lisa. She  posted a snapshot she had taken and talked about it on social media, and it struck a chord with me! When I paint the final version of the work, I will share her post, but for now, I am really enjoying working on it.  7ish" x 22ish"  One side cut, 3 sides deckle edges Painted with the finest quality heavy-body acrylic paint on acid-free watercolor paper Ready to frame Click here to view on my website. I can envision this trimmed down and framed, or maybe just framed, and hanging near my mirror, or in a changing room at a pool or beach. This person in her swimsuit holds my respect and admiration. (Can you tell?) Painting the final version will be a delight!  I Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always!

Doxology You know, traveling is not my favorite thing. I am pretty much a homebody, but last week, I was in Minnesota for five days, then I returned home for two days, and then went to Michigan for five more days. I have to say, it has been so delightful to be home today!  Of course, part of traveling is trying to sleep in unfamiliar places. I am old enough now that it is not always easy to do that, no matter how tired I am! One of the nights in Minnesota, I was struggling with an overactive brain and an uncomfortable body.  As I lay awake during the night, I knew that if I wished to sleep, I should change my focus. My Heavenly Father could calm my mind and remove my fear. But instead of a Bible verse or prayer, I began to consider and pray these words written by Thomas Ken in 1674:  Praise God from Whom all blessings flow Praise Him all creatures here below Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. That must have worked, because I d...

Baptism For the first time in quite a while, I have spent some time in my studio today. This painting is one that I had worked on before I started preparing for my Open House (which was a smashing success! Thank you!), and I had been mentally painting it almost every day as I worked on that event.  20" x 20" Painted with the finest quality heavy-body acrylic paint on acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper Ready to frame Click here to view on my website.  Organic, curved shapes and a flow indicating movement are elements in this painting that are meaningful to me. The painting makes me think of a spring-fed stream flowing over rocks and bubbling as it passes over obstacles. I feel like it is a joyful painting, (and I wish the color showed better)!  In my Bible reading this morning, I read about Jesus' baptism by his cousin, John the Baptist. It was such an interesting occasion, because John was baptizing for repentance, but Jesus had no sin o...

Oldest Granddaughter This is a copy cat blog post from my last post. Gotta keep at this project while I feel the inspiration for it! This time, though, I am posting a work in progress. (WIP) I have photos of each of my siblings in easy chairs with their oldest grandchildren sleeping. I LOVE these photos! And since next month's challenge for an art association I am part of is to paint a portrait, I decided it is a great time to get started on Christmas gifts... don't you agree?    This painting is, of course, not for sale, but it is 22" x 30" on 300 lb. Fabriano watercolor paper that has been gesso-ed with lots of texture. I knew that my portraits would not look at all like the one from the demo, which was beautiful, lifelike, and very recognizable. 

Bruce & Liam I have photos of each of my siblings in easy chairs with their oldest grandchildren sleeping. I LOVE these photos! And since next month's challenge for an art association I am part of is to paint a portrait, I decided it is a great time to get started on Christmas gifts... don't you agree?  I think maybe this is the perfect way to end the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge from Leslie Saeta.  This painting is, of course, not for sale, but it is 22" x 30" on 300 lb. Fabriano watercolor paper that has been gesso-ed with lots of texture. I knew that my portraits would not look at all like the one from the demo, which was beautiful, lifelike, and very recognizable.  I will attach a photo of my brother and his grandson so you can see how I did. :) 

Though I am working in my studio today, I cannot help but feel for the brokenhearted people who lost loved ones in yesterday's shooting in Florida. And for our broken country. Today I am posting a detail from a work in progress instead of a finished painting that is for sale.  Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted        and saves the crushed in spirit.

Quiet Happy New Year! I hope you have had the opportunity to celebrate during this holiday season, and I hope you feel loved. You are loved, of course, and I hope you know it - and know the One Who loves you more than you can imagine! This morning I painted for the first time in quite a while, and boy,  was it good to return to the studio! I absolutely love the time with my family, and having my adult kids here in our house has been fabulous, AND it is great to be in the studio.  Updated. Watch for post. 11" x 14" Painted with the finest quality heavy-body acrylic paint on acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper Ready to frame These last few days, my introverted character has been stretched and exercised by not very much alone time - especially compared to my normal routine. While I think it is healthy and helpful, it is also sometimes exhausting. Funny, though, I have not slept as much as I usually do!  So I have spent some time this morning look...

Purple Cosmos How is it already June? All of a sudden, this year is absolutely FLYING by me. (You too?) It is time for shows, contests, and art fairs, and somehow or other, it all sneaked up on me. This past weekend was a local art fair that I have always loved attending, and this year for the first time, I was one of the people in a white tent! It was a good show for me, but I already feel like I will busy until Christmas! Well, maybe not quite... No longer available 12 x 12"  painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint  on  acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper Ready to frame Today I finally got back into the studio to paint. Ahhh. That makes such a difference. The time just melts away, and I am surprised when I look at the clock and it is past time for me to be doing other things. Here is a work that has been many, many layers in the making, and is one of several that have been WIPs in my studio. I love the colors, textures, and th...

Jake My son came over today and he played his guitar for me for a while. Well, he played his guitar, and I sat and listened to him. I LOVE HEARING HIM PLAY! I hope you can see from this sketch how much he loves to play, too.  SOLD 6" x 6" acrylic, pastel on watercolor paper

Sometimes "Did you have a good visit with your friend?"  "No." That had to be the most surprising thing I had heard in - well - years, maybe. My family is populated with extroverts, to varying degrees, except for me. They all love meeting and being with people. (I love people, too, but am quickly drained by being 'out and about'.)  So this was startling to me, to say the least! I have been sidetracked by what the implications of that visit will be. Is it time to change course, or do we steer straight through? Do we turn around and go back? Do we just sit out here in the churning waters and wait?  SOLD 10 x 10 acrylic on watercolor paper My painting has a lot of texture, (as I love to do!) and the main colors are opposite one another on a color wheel, which can show conflict or competition. At the same time, before I added the disturbance - the white - the painting was smooth, linear, and calming, even with the use of orange and blue complements...

Summer Livin' I spent a couple of snowy days at home cleaning up my studio after the 30 in 30 challenge that I participated in. I was also getting my household back into a bit of order! It actually was fun to be a homemaker for a couple of days again. (I had the chance to ride in the snow plow truck with my husband - what a treat!) The colors in this painting  (though they are called cool colors)  definitely remind me of summer.  Probably wishful thinking on my part! It reminds me of life and growth, warmth and activity. And, as is often the case, the painting is based on the cruciform composition. I recognize that my life, growth, warmth and activity come from a life built on the gift of my Savior on a cross - true life.  Philippians 1:21 (New American Standard Bible) "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." 11" x 14" on watercolor paper ready to frame

Blameless As I read in the New Testament book of Jude this morning, I was especially encouraged by these verses at the end of the chapter.  Jude 24-25 (New American Standard Bible) Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Elsewhere in the New Testament, GOD says that HE gives a way of escape when we are tempted, and that way of escape to keep me from stumbling was the thought that I wanted to convey with this painting.  I like to see unpredictable results of working new paint over old, and removing some and leaving some. I like the idea that there is more behind the surface - more that is only hinted at.

Joy II study The second in a companion set of paintings, 'Joy II' concerns companionship (interestingly) and friendship, joy and shared direction.  The movement, both horizontal and vertical, are important, both to the painting and to personal interaction. It is significant, too to have both companion paintings expressing some of the same concepts.  Phil. 2:2 - 3 (NASB) "make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves"   study 11" x 14" acrylic on watercolor paper 1" white border