Brenda Stichter, artist

Can You Hear Me? "Can you hear me?" a voice asks, and if you answer "yes", then ( apparently ) your identity is stolen in a new scam that is currently going around. Every once in a while, I get pretty exasperated by all of the warnings. Don't answer that. Don't go there by yourself. Don't eat that. Secure that with a lock/password/system. Make sure you prepare for that. Save that. *sigh*  SOLD 48" x 48"  painted with the finest quality heavy-body  acrylic  paint  on 1.5" deep canvas Click here to view on my website. What fun it has been, painting on such a big canvas! I have to admit, though, it is a little intimidating. I had to remind myself frequently that I could paint over anything I didn't like. (And actually, that I LIKE painting over paintings that just don't cut it.) In this large work, there are small dot-like shapes that seem to float over a landscape. Many of them are iridescent copper-colored. To me, they re...

Remember Those This woman really drew my attention when I saw her photo in a magazine I enjoy - so much so that I wrote and got permission to paint her. I have to admit, I always find it tricky when I try to paint a person in 'my style'.  6" x 6"  painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint  on acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper Ready to frame   She is a woman who is displaced, and far from home, and she is my sister in Jesus Christ. It is easy to think of those who suffer on the other side of the world as though they were not people just like me. But they probably had a life very much like mine. So I will be praying for her specifically.  2 Cor. 4:16 - 18  "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things ...

Today is the day for a gallery opening and artist reception for a group show I am part of. I am looking forward to this evening's reception. This has been such an easy show to prepare for! All I had to do was get paintings and information to The Gallery in Warsaw, IN, and they are doing the rest of the work. What a treat! I have not finished a painting since the January '30 paintings in 30 days' challenge ended, but here is a thumbnail sketch for a new painting I plan to work on soon. I expect this one to be quite different from my norm! (I am thankful for the permission to use a photo of an Iraqi Christian woman for this one. The photo really moved me...) Keep your eyes open for the finished work! Jeremiah 22:10 "Do not weep for the dead of mourn for him, But weep continually for the one who goes away; For he will never return or see his native land."

Who Are YOU? Earlier this week, I was so excited to find a website that I loved of another artist . I have visited her site several times, and I am still loving it! I love the depth into which she goes as she explains her work, life, and inspiration.  12" x 12"  painted with artist quality heavy- body  acrylic  paint  on cradled panel Ready to frame   or hang One of her projects set me working in a different direction than she is working, but with a very similar concept. To put it into only a few words, it is the idea of allowing any and every thing to call me into worship, and to ask my Heavenly Father, "Who are YOU, Lord, that You can make that sunrise" or "that You allow me to notice such tiny beauty" or even "that You can allow that situation?" This concept really struck a chord with me. I had to paint it, but how in the WORLD do I paint something like that? This is a layered painting, and the part that appears white is actually iride...

Let the Little Children Come When this painting went to my 'fan club' (my family, mother, and friend who lives far from here), I got the same response from ALL of them - so I am sure you see it too. All saw a snowman, and one of them asked if I think this is how snowmen procreate - by sitting on colorful snow-baby-eggs! Ha ha! Well, interestingly, I was thinking of babies, children, pregnancy, and I guess it really shows! (I definitely did NOT intend the snowman though!)  NFS 24" x 36"  painted with artist quality heavy-body  acrylic  paint  on canvas  Painting can hang vertically or horizontally Ready to frame   As I was reflecting on 'women's issues' and the problems of unwanted children, sexual slavery for mothers and children (primarily), abortion, drug use, rape, and on and on, I felt the need to paint about these things, even though I am well aware that they can be politically and socially divisive. I hate - HATE - to be divisive. But...

Like a Tree Planted By Water diptych What an exciting morning! As I started my research for today's work, I found a new source of inspiration that should really help me with my website, newsletter, etc. I found several galleries that might be a good fit for my style, and people that 'talk the talk' and 'walk the walk' where abstract art that is focused on Jesus is concerned. (Did you follow that run-on sentence?)  Then as I read in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, (a very sad book), I found a passage that just spoke to me - hit the spot, so to speak! I was so wound up that I could hardly wait to get into my studio! BUT THEN I actually did get into my studio.  2 cradled panels, 30" x 44" total (22" x 30" each) painted with artist quality heavy-body  acrylic  paint  on h andmade prepared cradled panel edges painted black Ready to hang When I thought the mail might have arrived today, I headed out to our mailbox. It is not a long dri...

Could I Have This Dance? I remember a song from the 1980s called Could I Have This Dance  and I have to admit, it has been going through my head all morning!  For today's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge , I painted something completely different from what I usually paint. I was playing with color and texture, and employing some of the concepts taught by Bob Burridge in his workshops. (I had the opportunity to attend a couple of his shortened workshops at an art expo.) One of the fun things about these challenges is taking chances and trying different things.  9" x 12"  painted with artist quality heavy-body  acrylic  paint  on canvas panel Ready to frame   Click here to view on my website. Because I have to get my business sales tax figured out today, I am posting early and keeping it short! Talk to you tomorrow!  Zephaniah 3:17 (NASB) “The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with jo...