Brenda Stichter, artist

Be Mine As you can probably see, I am working ahead a bit. Well, sort of anyway! These will probably be hung either slightly 'mis-aligned' or mixed around. I hope to use them as Valentines for some people I love!  4 acrylic abstracts 6" x 6" panels NFS

Seek First Today I am thinking about the principle of putting aside worries and anxiety about many, many circumstances (weather, fuel prices, family and friends in need, world unrest, etc.) and putting these things in the hands of the One Who can care for each one of them. While I may be unable to help many in need (the CAR in Africa and unrest in the Ukraine, for example), I know Who can.  In the painting, there are busy, competing circles and colors, but my hope is that the overall composition is pleasing. I want to communicate the idea of presenting the busyness to the Master Artist, God the Creator, in order to have order and beauty come from from it all.  Here is the passage I am thinking about: Matthew 6:25 - 33 (AMP) Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater than food, and the body than clothing? ...

Blessed Last night my son and I went to pick my husband up when he returned from a 10 day trip to Honduras. We were up most of the night, and this girl is NOT used to going on no sleep! However, here is a painting reminding me where true blessing is found, even when I am struggling to stay awake and have a pleasant attitude! (By the way, it is WONDERFUL to have my husband back! I missed him so much!) Matthew 5:8 (NASB) “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 (AMP) Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous — possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! Different lighting and angle shows iridescence I will post two photos so that I can show the iridescent accents that don't show up when I photograph for color and texture.  6" x 6" acrylic on wat...

Fragrance Though very simple, this little painting is my  Day 27 challenge painting .  Once again, I really want to let the painting do the talking. As is so often the case, though, I wish the photo were a better representation!  The painting represents my thoughts while I was contemplating the New Testament book of  Hebrews chapter 9, and also this verse.  Psalm 141:2 (ESV) Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,     and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! 5.75" x 5.75" acrylic on panel Leave comment or contact me directly  to purchase.

Enclosed Today, once again, I am snowed in. It has been an interesting week - winter weather is definitely here. The thing is, it always seems to arrive when my husband is out of the country! (Not to worry, though. My son is taking care of digging me out!) My dear husband is in Honduras on a mission trip. He loves to go, and I have loved the uninterrupted time in the studio, but I am SO READY for him to be home again! This morning I enjoyed some time reading my Bible, and one of the passages that I was focussed on is  Psalm 139:4-6 (NASB) Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.  I know that sometimes the wording in this particular translation can seem awkward, but I love it. I think of being 'enclosed behind and before' like a hug. I know there are other significant meanings, but t...

Figure Sketch For the last several days I have been studying contemporary figure painting. I haven't worked a whole lot with the human figure since college, when 'Drawing II' was the human figure - along with other things! I always enjoyed that class, especially after I got past the shock of gesture drawings in under a minute! I loved the working with charcoal and conte.  So today I decided to try colored pencil on prepared watercolor paper. The texture is acrylic modeling compound, and I wasn't sure how colored pencil would work on it. Not too bad!  6" x 6" colored pencil and modeling compound on watercolor paper

Charade This little painting started out as a study for a larger work, and I am not at all sure yet whether it is still a 'study' or not. (One of the disadvantages of being a daily painter who posts or is part of a  30 in 30 painting challenge  is that we show the world our daily work, for better or worse.) I have called this painting 'Charade' because there is an image I want to work with here, but I don't want the image to be overt. I want there to be the beauty, but not necessarily the recognition. So I am practicing making that happen.  8" x 10"  mixed media on watercolor paper Leave comment or contact me directly  to purchase.