Brenda Stichter, artist

Abstract 026b This morning, I enjoyed some great 'conversation' (digitally speaking) with my adult kids. We were looking at an essay my son is writing as he applies to grad school, and here are parts of the conversation: Son (written as part of his essay): As an example: what if, instead of having all the artwork in a church facility being images of the cross, an empty tomb, or Jesus with the little children (paintings I’m sure we’ve all seen thousands of times), our buildings were filled with a medley of different techniques, subjects, palettes, and focuses that still bring beauty and draw our metaphorical eyes to our Heavenly Father, but which could also be a point of drawing in people from outside our faith? What if our music on Sunday mornings didn’t simply have a technical focus of being easy to sing and arranged in an inoffensive manner (though these are noble and often necessary targets), but we put forth a desire for beauty and diversity in the music, and aspire...

Abstract 026a "You can study for renewing your flight instructor certificate, and I will work on my blog, my newsletter, updating my website, uploading paintings... " My Beloved Husband and I were on a weekend get-away that was (supposed to be) work oriented. We stayed on a harbor on Lake Michigan where we had huge windows with a view of a marina and a little outdoor seating area. Oh, it was so satisfying to sit and look at the water, and to listen to the rain. I got a lot done, if you count soaking in beauty and spending precious time with my Beloved. Not so much if you are checking up on my computer work! Sold 22"  x 22", part two of a diptych  painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint  on acid-free watercolor paper Framed in simple frame Click here to view on my website. Click here for my blogpost for Abstract 026b (part two of this dyptic) . This painting is the first part of a diptych, with the second being posted tomorrow. (At least, I th...

Breakthrough When I asked Google to define 'breakthrough', here is what it said.  break·through /ˈbrākˌTHro͞o/ noun -a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development. -an instance of achieving success in a particular sphere or activity. I can think of at least three areas in my life where I would welcome a boost these days. One of them is in my painting. It is not so much that I want a leap in ability or technique as I want a deeper dedication and commitment to practice and learning. Don't get me wrong - I would welcome a magical leap in skill and especially in marketing. Wouldn't everyone? But that breakthrough in focus... 20  x 20"  painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint  on acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper Ready to frame   While I was reading my Bible this morning, I was asking my Heavenly Father for a breakthrough of a different kind. I was asking for a renewed passion for Him and His path for ...

Singin' the Blues "Who is your favorite blues singer?" I asked my son over messenger. He is a luthier and works in a music store. He and I often compare notes on art and music. I find it especially interesting to learn about genres of music that are newer to me. I love to find music where the tune, instrumentation and style "say the same thing" as the lyrics.  I feel the same way about visual art. To me, great art is art where the composition, style, and colors express the concept that may or may not be given in a title. There is just something so amazing about art - any of the arts, really - and the way they seem to open new communication or understanding.  SOLD 6" x 6"  painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint  on acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper Ready to frame   Click here to view on my website. This painting has dark values, texture and edges, sharp contrast, and some glam in some parts. Of course, there i...

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."